Onslow boys learn conservation at turtle camp

A group of boys from the Onslow community gained experience in conservation through a recent turtle monitoring camp on Thevenard Island, 22km off the coast of Onslow, this month.

Delivered as past of the Onslow Family Support Program, run by the Waalitj Foundation, the trip gave participants the opportunity to experience the island’s significance as a vital nesting site for several species of sea turtles and to learn about the role they play in the marine ecosystem.

Onslow Family Support program manager Suzanne Wilson said the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program provided an avenue for the families involved to gain practical real-world experience in caring for country on the islands.

“It allows them to not just understand their world but actively assist in conserving it,” she said.

“It’s great to be a part of the opportunity for our families to connect to such a significant place.

“The connection will be with them forever, and the opportunity to go out to camp on the islands and learn about the wildlife is something they will remember forever.

“Our families rave about it every year and come back with more appreciation every year.”

The turtle camp forms part of the broader Onslow Family Support Program, which supports Aboriginal families in Onslow and the Bindi Bindi community.

The program currently supports 68 children, and assisted 109 families in 2025.

It focuses on improving school attendance while strengthening the capacity of parents and caregivers.

Local mentors work alongside families, community members and service providers to help overcome barriers to regular school attendance.

This includes mentoring support such as establishing routines, school pick-ups, navigating departmental agencies, and addressing medical needs.