First nations group turns dead wood into cash to pay for solar panels | ABC Australia

When the Yalata Anangu community learned it would now have to pay for electricity costs on its remote lands on South Australia's west coast, community members came up with a plan to ease the bills.
They are turning their power bill into an environmental project that has created jobs and boosted self-esteem. It's also had benefits for fire clearance and revegetation.
They are selling firewood to fund solar panels for all the homes in their Aboriginal community.
For some of the participants it’s their first job and they love being able to get out on country to enjoy their land.
🎥 Camera: Jodie Hamilton | 🎬 Edited: Anthony Scully
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[@vaughan7835]

Well done. This is a great thing But I noticed that the wood is generally a similar size. With the smaller branches, you could turn that into wood chips to mulch the new seedlings that you grow in the same places you took them from. Constant renewell & more skills for the guys & a future income stream long into the future. Looks like those woodchips would last a very long time on the ground which means more life in the soil which, ultimately, means healthier life generally for everything! Woodchips are the absolute best for that. Life & death brings back more life!

[@johnsbrocchi8664]

Great idea!

[@johnsbrocchi8664]

Well done Ashley and the boys...a team of champions! Great talking to you and your mum this morning in Caduna...keep up the great work you're doing!

[@mcbama6848]

Love this ❤ Would love to see the really good bits of wood saved from burning ❤timber like that is rare and beautiful itwould be sort after buy some talented wood workers /artists ,awesome business ❤

[@alanharrison573]

Lets showcase indigenous talent.

[@fanaticforager6610]

This ‘Ranger plan’ 🔍🤔 do they consider that dead tree, or branch is generally favoured by bird due to less chance of parasites 🦠 aswell as shelter for ground mob when eventually fall• In turn intermittent clusters MUST be left 📍🐍

[@feathers0122]

Do you ask this same question to all the major mining companies throughout Australia?

[@chungkaing7113]

I love Australians they're care for the land

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

Love this documentary on Yalata, I'm looking at an old panthlet on the Yalata where the community are round a bush fire shaping a boomerang etc fascinating I'd love to visit Yalata one day, wonder if the woods so hard could some be carved to raise money being hardest in Aus could be something there?

[@Dustinyaiyai]

Awesome job guys 👍

[@ptadisbander7959]

Awesome for the community.

[@troynixon209]

Looks like a good program all round. Myall is gaining popularity as a smoking timber, might be a market for smaller pieces.

[@SurvivalAussie]

Good on 'em!

[@davidwilson9988]

Great story, thank you, where can I buy the firewood?

[@billybobwombat2231]

Good on em, they should tap into the BBQ smoking mob, selected smoking timber , a niche premium market 🤙🦘

[@brodydaube4136]

Very cool

[@gdaymates431]

Awesome!

[@davelees8022]

Wood turners and other crafts people would love to use some of that wood. Better still teach the youngsters wood turning so you can sell your skills as well as the wood and earn hundreds of dollars more per kilo than just raw firewood.

[@davidchalk9493]

Well done all you , nothing better then 🔥 wood gathering,a great way for you to make money 💸,,used to make a lot of charcoal and do a lot of fire 🔥 wood in SA well do una

[@malikkhalid6787]

Good jee video

[@alanharrison573]

First Nation? In what sense?

[@paulawagstaff686]

In the sense they were the 1st nation, before Europeans, the next nation !!!!

[@miccorockstar1]

whose idea was this?

[@paulawagstaff686]

Does it matter? They probably do not want a medal for the idea !!

[@frankokalbarri1559]

what happens when all the dead trees have been cut down?

[@krishedstrom7271]

Electricity should be free

[@kimsherlock8969]

Horrible to cut old wood like art to burn Actually I am disgusted How can you do this to the Peoples land for your firewood. I'm mortified I scream loud do you hear my voice ?

[@Retiredroamers]

Bet they don’t have to get a permit ever!!So much for native fauna habitat🤔

[@rodshea2199]

Good work your doing there 🪓