Drone technology is becoming a powerful new tool for caring for Country.
A NSW Government-funded pilot program on the North Coast announced it’s plan today to help Aboriginal women gain drone operation skills alongside cultural heritage, environmental protection, first aid and 4WD safety training, creating new pathways into women-led micro-businesses grounded in Aboriginal knowledge.
Currie Country Social Change’s Empowering Women for Country: Building Skills in Cultural and Heritage Protection pilot program has received $148,276 through the NSW Government’s Return to Work Pathways Program. The initiative will support Aboriginal women to build practical skills and establish businesses delivering environmental management and cultural heritage services on Country.
For Women Love Tech readers, the standout detail is the inclusion of drone operation training — a sign of how emerging technology can support Indigenous knowledge, environmental monitoring, cultural heritage protection and climate resilience when it is placed in the hands of communities.
Currie Country Social Change CEO Arabella Douglas says the program is about recognising the leadership Aboriginal women are already showing.
“The NSW Government’s funding is helping build a First Nations women-led ecosystem of environmental, cultural and community enterprises that support one another to grow, lead and respond to the long-term challenges of climate, community resilience and caring for Country,” she said.
“The program recognises that women are already leading in environmental management, regeneration, community care and cultural education — and it simply backs their leadership and creates pathways for long-term economic independence and impact.
“It is also creating regional women leaders who are building opportunities for other women around them — strengthening local economies, skills and leadership across regional New South Wales.”
The program will support women to gain certifications in drone operation, cultural heritage, first aid and 4WD safety, while also receiving business, leadership and communications training. Participants will also have access to ongoing mentoring, cultural connection and intergenerational knowledge transfer to help them launch and sustain micro-businesses.
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the initiative draws on Aboriginal knowledge while helping women build employment and enterprise opportunities.
“Currie Country Social Change’s pilot is an innovative, culturally grounded initiative that draws on intergenerational Aboriginal knowledge to equip women with additional skills to protect Country and cultural heritage,” Minister Harrison said.
“The NSW Government is proud to fund this initiative that will create real, sustainable employment for women and girls who face barriers to entering or re-entering the workforce.
“With skills in cultural heritage, environmental protection and disaster management in high demand across the state, the knowledge and leadership these women will bring to Country is invaluable and essential.”
The use of drone technology in this context is especially significant. Drones can support environmental management by helping survey landscapes, monitor changes, assist with mapping and provide visual data that can inform land and heritage protection work. When paired with Aboriginal knowledge systems, this technology becomes more than a technical tool — it becomes part of a broader model for Country-led stewardship.
The Australian Government has also explored the role drones can play for First Nations communities through its First Nations Drone Policy Project, which looked at how drone policy could better support Closing the Gap targets and culturally informed technology use.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the North Coast program supports Aboriginal-led business growth and economic prosperity.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to closing the gap by continuing to support culture and Aboriginal-led businesses across NSW,” Minister Harris said.
“Programs like this will help equip Aboriginal women with the tools they need to boost their local economies and preserve their culture now and into the future.”
Minister for Small Business and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said the program had clear benefits for the region.
“Empowering Aboriginal women to launch micro-businesses in high-demand sectors like environmental management is a win-win for the North Coast,” Minister Saffin said.
“Through this pilot, Currie Country Social Change is building a strong, culturally grounded foundation for new enterprises to grow and thrive.”
The program reflects a growing opportunity in tech-for-good: using practical technologies such as drones to support environmental protection, cultural heritage work and women’s economic participation in regional communities.
Currie Country Social Change describes itself as a matriarch-led First Nations organisation advancing environmental, cultural and economic justice through Country-led governance. You can learn more about Currie Country Social Change and the NSW Government’s Return to Work Pathways Program recipients.
