OLIVER COSTELLO

Kylie Kwong celebrates the individuals helping to grow a stronger community. This month we meet Oliver Costello, an expert in cultural fire management with a profound commitment to Country.

- GEORGIE MEREDITH & KYLIE KWONG

I first came to know of Oliver Costello and his amazing work through Groundswell Giving. Oli knows that there is right fire, and there is wrong fire. Firesticks is his life’s work; bringing Indigenous knowledge back onto Country to heal our environment and its people. When Oli leads a burn with Firesticks, it’s about culture, connection and community. All are welcome. Knowing that knowledge holders like Oli are leading the way and shaping the national conversation about fire and land management fills me with hope for the future.

Fire is more than just an element to Oliver Costello, it’s a spiritual responsibility. The proud Bundjalung man has always felt deeply connected to his natural surroundings, spending his formative years exploring, hunting and fishing around his local Byron-Lismore area. It wasn’t until later on in life, however, that Costello was drawn to the practice of cultural fire management.