Zalhi Hayden

Zalhi Hayden is a proud Darumbal woman whose work reflects a deep commitment to caring for land, sea and culture across Central Queensland. After completing her Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management at CQUniversity, she has applied her skills as an Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger, working across Rockhampton, Yeppoon, the Capricorn Coast, the Swains and the wider TUMRA-managed marine areas.

Zalhi’s role brings together Darumbal cultural knowledge and contemporary conservation science. Her work spans fire management, pest and feral animal control, threatened species monitoring and cultural heritage protection. She also supports inter-generational learning through youth programs and community engagement that reconnect young people with language, identity and Country.

Her leadership has been recognised locally and nationally. In 2025, she received the Indigenous Women Rangers Network’s Young Ranger Award, celebrating her contribution to Indigenous land and sea management and her leadership in cultural and environmental care. She was also nominated as the 2022 NAIDOC Entrant, sponsored by the Darumbal People Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, acknowledging her service as a Cultural Facilitator and her guidance for Indigenous children in care through the Darumbal Cultural Connections program.

Zalhi’s dedication to language and storytelling is equally significant. Having learned Darumbal language from Elders, she featured in Generations of Men, the first narrative production to include Barada and Darumbal languages. The film screened at FlickerFest, the Darwin International Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Through her conservation expertise, cultural advocacy and commitment to mentoring young people, Zalhi Hayden continues to strengthen cultural identity and care for Country.