WARA 2026 Professional Development Conference

Welcome to the 2026 WA Rangers Association Professional Development Conference

Following the outstanding success of the 2025 WA Rangers Association Professional Development Conference at The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle, we are excited to announce that the 2026 Conference will be heading north to the spectacular, Joondalup Resort. 

The 2025 Conference brought together Rangers, Local Government professionals, industry partners, and government agencies from across Western Australia for three days of learning, networking, collaboration, and celebration. The event showcased the professionalism, dedication, and evolving role of Rangers within our communities while providing valuable opportunities to share knowledge and strengthen professional connections.

A highlight of the conference was the recognition of excellence within our profession through the annual awards program. We extend our congratulations and thanks to 2025 Ranger of the Year, James Andrews, and the 2025 Ranger Team of the Year, City of Belmont Ranger Services Team, for their outstanding contributions to the profession and the communities they serve. Their commitment, professionalism, leadership, and dedication exemplify the high standards demonstrated by Rangers across Western Australia.

As we look ahead to 2026, we encourage members to recognise the exceptional work being undertaken within their own organisations and nominate deserving individuals and teams for the 2026 Ranger of the Year and 2026 Ranger Team of the Year Awards. These awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate achievements, share success stories, and acknowledge the outstanding work being undertaken by Rangers throughout the State.

Building on the success of previous conferences, the 2026 Conference promises to deliver another exceptional program featuring contemporary industry topics, practical learning opportunities, engaging keynote speakers, interactive discussions, and valuable networking experiences.

Joondalup Resort provides the perfect backdrop for this year’s event. It offers a dynamic mix of modern facilities and accommodation options, creating an ideal environment for professional development and connection with colleagues from across the State.

The Conference will commence on Wednesday 16 September 2026 with a specialised half-day workshop focused on current and emerging issues facing Ranger Services. The main conference program will continue through Thursday and Friday, culminating in our annual Awards Dinner, where we once again recognise and celebrate excellence within the profession.

Whether you are a long-standing member of the profession or attending your first WARA Conference, we look forward to welcoming you to Joondalup Resort for what promises to be another memorable and rewarding event.

On behalf of the WA Rangers Association, thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the 2025 Conference in Fremantle. We now look forward to continuing that momentum and creating another outstanding conference experience in Joondalup in 2026.

Save the date: 16–18 September 2026. We look forward to seeing you at Joondalup Resort.

We wish to extend our appreciation to our valued sponsors

who make the annual Professional Development Conference possible

Our sponsors

Joondalup Resort