Jilakin Rock Rangers
When something isn't quite right, sometimes all you need is someone calm to help.
The Jilakin Rock Rangers are a volunteer crew who are dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of those who attend the Blazing Swan event.
Whether it’s day or night, Rangers can be found walking the streets of Jilakin Rock City; engaging with participants, sharing information, and helping people work through situations that they may not be able to resolve on their own.
Rangers aren't security, police, they’re not there to tell people what to do.
They are non-confrontational community mediators who encourage communication, self-reliance, and shared responsibility.
What Do Rangers Do?
Rangers help preserve the safety and well-being of our community while supporting participants to find their own solutions wherever possible.
That might mean:
Providing reliable information and assistance
Mediating disagreements or difficult situations
Helping someone reconnect with their camp or friends
Supporting participants who are confused, distressed, or disoriented
Identifying and responding to potential safety concerns
Calling on medical, fire, or other emergency services when needed
Maintaining safety perimeters around our burns and other activities
Helping participants navigate the Blazing Swan environment
Often, the most important thing a Ranger can do is simply listen.
Rangering Is About Community
Blazing Swan is built on participation, self-reliance, and communal effort.
Our Rangers play a unique role within that community, stepping in when support is needed and stepping back when it isn't.
You'll find Rangers exploring our temporary city, talking with participants, admiring the art, and keeping an eye on the spaces around them.
They don't patrol looking for trouble.
They're there to help when help is needed.
Is Rangering for You?
All of our Ranger team are volunteers, it’s a great way to meet people, gift your time to the event and build new skills.
You don't need previous experience to become a Ranger.
We look for people who are calm under pressure, good listeners, open-minded, and able to communicate with empathy and respect. Rangers come from all backgrounds and bring a wide range of life experiences with them.
If you're someone who can listen without judgement, help people communicate, and remain calm when things get a little chaotic, Rangering might be for you.
You must be over 18, be in good standing within the community and willing to complete the required training before volunteering at the event.
Whilst on shift, you must promptly be well rested and sober, and you must wear the provided Ranger shirt.
Training & Shifts
All Rangers receive training to help prepare them for the role and the situations they may encounter.
Training covers the Ranger approach to communication, mediation, community safety, event procedures, and working with other teams and emergency services.
During the event, Rangers work scheduled shifts in pairs and are supported by an experienced operations team and Ranger HQ.
Becoming A Ranger
The process of becoming a Jilakin Rock Ranger is simple:
Complete the Volunteer Application Form.
Read the Ranger Training Manual.
Submit the Ranger Training Manual Review.
Sign-up for your Ranger Shifts.
Attend a face-2-face training session hosted by the Ranger Ops team.
Sign up to the Ranger Reflux Newsletter & Official Facebook Group to stay up to all the latest information and to get to know the other members of your crew.
Join the Rangers
The Jilakin Rock Rangers are one of the largest volunteer crews at Blazing Swan, providing around-the-clock support throughout the event.
If you'd like to experience Blazing Swan from a different perspective, develop valuable communication and mediation skills, and play a direct role in supporting the community, we'd love to have you.