12/06/2026
🌊🎉 A Historic Milestone for Girringun and Our Saltwater Traditional Owners 🎉🌊
What an incredible day celebrating the official opening of the new Girringun Dungeness Sea Ranger Base in Lucinda, Queensland.
This new facility represents so much more than a building. It is a place where our Saltwater Traditional Owners can continue the important work of caring for and protecting Sea Country for future generations. The base will strengthen the work of our Sea Rangers and support collaboration with our valued partners including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Queensland Fisheries, Coast Guard, and many others who share our commitment to healthy oceans and thriving Sea Country.
One of the most special moments of the day was the official naming of the building as the Philip G. Rist Building, in honour of former Girringun CEO Philip Rist.
For over 30 years, Philip has dedicated his life to advancing the aspirations of Traditional Owners across the Girringun footprint. Through his leadership, vision and unwavering commitment, he helped build Girringun into the strong organisation it is today before recently handing the CEO role over to Whitney Rassip. It was a fitting tribute to acknowledge a man who has spent decades creating opportunities for our people and strengthening Traditional Owner leadership across Country and Sea Country.
We also want to pay special tribute to Maxine Yasserie. Behind every great leader is often someone who provides endless support, encouragement and understanding. We acknowledge Maxine for her unwavering support of Philip and Girringun throughout this journey. Her contribution may not always be seen, but it has been deeply valued and appreciated by many.
As Girringun CEO Whitney Rassip said on the day, this new base reflects the strength of Traditional Owner leadership and the importance of ensuring our people remain at the centre of caring for Country and Sea Country. It stands as a legacy for future generations and a symbol of what can be achieved when people work together with a shared vision.
A huge thank you to everyone who made this day possible.
To our partners:
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
• Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
• Queensland Fisheries
• Coast Guard
• Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC)
• Our caterers and service providers
• The Girringun Board of Directors
To all Girringun staff and Rangers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the event such a success — thank you.
A very special mention to Monquie Hartman, Girringun's Events Coordinator, who was entrusted with organising this important occasion. Monquie did an outstanding job and should be incredibly proud of what she achieved.
Most importantly, we thank our Traditional Owners from the nine Girringun Traditional Owner groups:
Jirrbal, Girramay, Djiru, Gulngay, Nywaigi, Warrgamay, Warungnu, Gugu Badhun and Bandjin.
Without our people, there is no Girringun. It is through your knowledge, leadership, guidance and connection to Country and Sea Country that we are privileged to continue this important work.
If we have forgotten to mention anyone, please forgive us. Every person who contributed played a part in making this day so special, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
This was more than the opening of a ranger base. It was a celebration of vision, partnership, leadership, culture and community.
Please share this post far and wide as we celebrate this amazing milestone in Girringun Aboriginal Corporation's journey.
💙💚 Congratulations Philip and Maxine.
💙💚 Congratulations Girringun.
💙💚 Congratulations to all our Traditional Owners.
Together, we continue to care for Sea Country, now and for generations to come.
