00:02For Don Rowlands, the desert represents tens of thousands of years of history.
00:08But it's also been his office.
00:10It's the traditional land of the Wonkinguru Yalu Yandi people.
00:15There has to come a time in your life when, you know, it's time to move on,
00:19but I'm certainly going to miss my work.
00:24Queensland Slice of the Simpson Desert was declared a national park in 1967
00:30and Don was employed as the reserve's first ranger in 1994.
00:36Every day has been a delicate balance of managing conservation, tourists and culture.
00:43The uniform is why I get up in the morning.
00:46I'm so proud of the uniform and what it represents.
00:50Don Rowlands has shared the stories, history and knowledge of this part of Australia
00:55with anyone willing to listen.
00:57His legacy extends far beyond the land he's helped protect.
01:01It's the deeper understanding he's fostered between people, culture and country.
01:06Without Don, the rescues and just general travel around would have been near impossible for me.
01:13Three decades of work, but a lifetime walking in the desert.
01:18Now it's time to hang up his boots.
01:21I just don't think he realises how deeply people care for him and appreciate him and what he's done.
01:28My time has ranged in charge of this wonderful desert is coming to a close.
01:34But I will always care for you, my country, Mangateri.
01:38And if you're out, you'll see the main threshold of this new park.
01:40You can also take a long time walk with you.
01:40You can also take a long time walk with you, man.
01:40I will see the tallest garden from you and theeland-neem and the island of the river
