Uncle Rob Cooley admitted as Honorary Fellow

The University has recognised Uncle Rob Cooley’s substantial contributions to Australian country and community, and his enduring collaboration with the University’s Indigenous researchers to better understand marine and coastal management practices.

Uncle Rob Cooley is a saltwater man with connections to Gamay-Botany Bay and the NSW South Coast. Currently, Uncle Rob is Senior Ranger and Leader of the Gamay Rangers, a group of Indigenous Rangers who undertake natural and cultural resource management activities on cultural areas within Gamay and on conservation land owned by the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council. In this role Uncle Rob leads the coastal management of Gamay, and has promoted co-design and co-leadership in coastal management, bringing public awareness to Indigenous Knowledge of Coastal and Marine systems.

Presiding Pro-Chancellor, Dr Barry Catchlove AM, commended Uncle Rob’s contributions to Indigenous communities and public society in general.

“Uncle Rob is an important knowledge holder for Gamay, a carer and protector of its habitats and he continues to learn from the Elders and his own lived Stories. His work as a ranger for the past 30 plus years, has influenced change through active participation in land and sea management to care for Country in a sustainable manner.

“His activism is exemplary and, together with the Gamay Rangers, provides crucial role models for Indigenous Youth.

“He and the Rangers have continuously displayed outstanding leadership and collaboration in natural and cultural resource management. They’ve done this through raising public awareness of Indigenous Knowledge coastal and marine environments whilst supporting and advocating for education in providing sustainable coastal management and the protection of Australian fauna.

“As such, it is a distinct pleasure to warmly welcome Uncle Rob to the University’s community of honorary fellows and congratulate him on his achievements to date.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Uncle Rob, with the rest of the Gamay Rangers, coordinated a cultural net hunt of mullet, founded on traditional knowledge from the Gamay region, that provided 300 meals to people in need during Sydney’s lockdown. Protecting and releasing beached and netted whales is also now a role that the Gamay Rangers are by law permitted to do.  As the whale is of significant cultural importance, this is a huge step forward in bringing cultural aspects and western understanding together.

They’ve also collaborated in many research and education initiatives, including a collaboration with Indigenous researchers from the University of Sydney to better understand shellfish and their complex habitats, and another undertaking outreach activities in primary schools.

In 2022, Uncle Rob and the Gamay Rangers were made honorary members of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services for their work on nationwide whale protection during migration, the first time Australia had provided this honorary title to a ranger group.

Under his leadership, the Gamay Rangers have become an example of how coastal management should include both Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science, so younger generations can care for Country and the community in a sustainable manner.