Personal
Lorrae McArthur was born and grew up in Adelaide, South
Australia. At the age of 25 she moved away and explored some of the
other states and territories of Australia. For a number of years
she resided in Perth and then in Melbourne. In 1992 she settled in
Darwin. Lorrae is interested in the environment (particularly
animals), Indigenous natural resource management and education.
Professional
Lorrae commenced a Batchelor of Science at the University of
Western Australia and finished her degree with honours at Monash
University in Melbourne. Longing for warmer weather and the unique
culture and environment of the wet-dry tropics, Lorrae undertook a
PhD in Animal Eco-Physiology at Charles Darwin University. During
her postgraduate research she studied the relationships between
some species of frogs and their environment, with respect to how
these amphibious creatures are able to survive the long seasonal
drought-like conditions that are characteristic of the climate in
the north of Australia.
Through her research, Lorrae was able to participate in a
collaborative study between researchers and Traditional Owners in
north east Arnhem Land that recorded some traditional knowledge and
values of frogs in Yolngu culture. In addition to this, Lorrae has
been able to pass on her knowledge and experience in science to
like minded undergraduate students at Charles Darwin University and
has enjoyed several years experience in teaching.
Project
Lorrae began working with NAILSMA in August 2006, as a
Communication Support Officer. In this position she assisted with
the communications and activities of the Indigenous Water Policy
Group. In 2008 she took on the role as the Coordinator of the IWPG.
In general, this role involves passing on the relevant information
through the respective project networks, which are made up of local
Indigenous groups, Traditional Owners, researchers, regional land
councils, government, non-government agencies and other
stakeholders. This position assists in providing a voice for
Indigenous people so that their economic, social, cultural and
environmental interests in water resource management are
represented and protected.
