Scitech and DBCA partner to bring Aboriginal Ranger stories to the dome

A first-of-its-kind partnership between the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and Scitech will see Aboriginal ranger stories from across Western Australia shared through an immersive planetarium experience.

Scitech will produce a full-dome documentary featuring stories from DBCA’s Aboriginal Ranger Program, which provides funding to support Aboriginal ranger groups to protect and restore WA’s natural environment, while also creating jobs, training and community development opportunities.

Scitech will capture up to 12 innovative ranger-led projects, from the Kimberley to the Great Southern.

The unique full dome format involves using Extended Reality (XR) technology to film the stories, and resources from the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre to edit the footage.

Scitech First Nations XR Videographer Jason Haji-Ali said the project would highlight the vital role Aboriginal rangers play in conservation, while utilising a new platform to share their stories with audiences.

“This project will bring to life stories from the Aboriginal Ranger Program in a completely new way,” said Mr Haji-Ali.

“Anyone who’s visited the Scitech Planetarium knows how immersive full-dome experiences are – they draw you in and make you feel like you’re part of the story.

“The documentary will give audiences a deeper understanding of how Aboriginal rangers are combining Traditional Knowledge with today’s science and technology to care for Country.”

Manager of Land Enterprises at Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation, Johnny Rodd, said rangers were looking forward to seeing themselves on the big screen, and that sharing their stories – especially with other rangers – gave them strength.

“Our rangers always want to improve themselves, and if it [this project] helps someone do better for themselves it’s a win-win situation, because someone else is improving their way of life,” Mr Rodd said.

“It gives us a bit more strength because we’re helping people improve their lives.”

DBCA Aboriginal Ranger Program Coordinator Sonya Stewart said the project would help share knowledge and increase awareness of the program.

“Working with Scitech will allow the stories, skills and learnings gained from these projects to be shared in a really impactful way, benefiting the entire Aboriginal ranger sector and helping the wider community appreciate the important work rangers do,” Ms Stewart said.

The film will premiere as part of a knowledge-sharing forum with Aboriginal rangers and DBCA in March 2027, before being showcased to the wider community.