Yuddiy (Ben) Brown is believed to be the last baby born out on the lands of the central deserts and has spent his life protecting the Country he loves.
His mighty dedication to caring for Country has seen Mr Brown win an international award.
He was named the International Ranger of the Year by the International Union for the Conversation of Nature, which was announced in Kigali, Rwanda.
Mr Brown said he was honoured to be awarded for a job he loves.
"I fall into Parks and Wildlife to share knowledge, to share my job," he said.
"Protecting cultural sites, and burning I'm doing all of that. That's why I feel so honoured and am giving back."
The Martu Traditional Owner works as Lead Ranger at Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Parks and Wildlife Service's Goldfields region.
Yuddiy Ben Brown on Country. Source: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
He works alongside the Warnpuru Aboriginal Corporation Rangers in the remote communities of Patjarr and Warburton - almost 1000 kilometres from Kalgoorlie.
DMCA Goldfields Region Operations Manager Jim Piper said Mr Brown's contribution to the industry was invaluable.
I couldn’t do my job without him. And when it comes to even the contemporary land management side of things, his skill set is unmatched," he said.
"The things that he sees out on the bush, on the land, we would never see them."
Yuddiy Ben Brown leading tracking on Country. Source: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Desert baby
Mr Brown's relationship with Country stems from his birth in the 1970s.
“Ben’s childhood story is incredibly unique. He is believed to be the last baby born out on the lands of the central desert," said Mr Piper.
From different clans, his parents eloped and began their own family.
Not long after Mr Brown was born, his family were discovered by an Aboriginal tracker travelling with a State Government expedition through the Goldfields in 1976.
"They came over and discovered Ben’s family living in the desert. This was back in the mind-70s, Ben was just a wee little lad, he was only one or two years old," said Mr Piper.
“The expedition couldn’t believe this family had been living out there."
WA Environment minister Reece Whitby acknowledged Mr Brown's "remarkable personal story" and congratulated him on the award.
"Yuddiy has lived a life that few remaining Elders can relate to and he has overcome past hurdles and hardships to take on his current role and help protect Pila Nature Reserve," he said.
Screenshot of footage from the WA government expedition that found Mr Brown and his family living in the desert. Source: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
