Workplacements for TAFE students studying Cert II or III in Wildlife & Exhibited Animals

Studying to be a Wildlife Ranger, Zoo Keeper or Vet Nurse?

If you are looking to gain experience to prepare you for a career caring for wildife and other animals...

Walkabout Wildlife Conservation Foundation (WWCF)

Walkabout Park internships are offered through the separate but supportive not-for-profit organisation WWCF. WWCF's purpose is ecological and cultural conservation in Calga on Australia's NSW Central Coast. WWCF supports Walkabout Park's conservation efforts in a number of ways, including the provision of volunteer workers. In exchange, Walkabout Park provides WWCF volunteers with practical hands-on training and experience in various conservation areas, from wildlife conservation to eco-educational-tourism.

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park (Walkabout Park)

Walkabout Park is a unique wildlife sanctuary on 80 acres of natural bush with ancient Aboriginal sites, just off the M1 at Calga where the Sydney and NSW Central Coast borders meet.

The Walkabout Park team provides various levels of care for different animals depending on their captive status and level of humanisation.

Completely wild animals live independently in the fox-proofed bush; semi-wild macropods and emus require a certain amount of monitoring and ranger intervention; human-dependant animals in naturalistic camps require a balance of maintaining natural features of their environment while tending to their daily needs; farm animals as introduced species require close management; and small reptiles and mammals in fully artificial enclosures require the highest level of attention.

Training Content

Students who are also enrolled at TAFE studying Animal Studies or Primary Industries may apply to Walkabout Park to join our volunteer program.

As a volunteer trainee, you are given the opportunity to learn how to perform all aspects of animal husbandry and habitat management for over 60 species of Australian native and small farm animals, do presentations for visitors on the animals, the bush and local Aboriginal history, and keep the visitor facilities clean and well presented.

Unlike many other parks and zoos, Walkabout Park does not limit volunteers to only a subset of routine tasks. All trainees will focus on the basic routines of the job to start with but, as they develop, all trainees do get the opportunity to work on all other aspects of husbandry and visitor education.

Applicants must satisfy the following criteria

• Be in year 10 or higher at school and have parent and teacher support for your application.
• Current enrollment in Certificate II or III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animals (previously Captive Animals).
• A high level of physical fitness to perform physically demanding work in all weather conditions.
• Commitment to at least 1 full day every week, and additional shifts in TAFE holidays.
• A reliable arrangement to get to work on time for all rostered shifts.
• Prepared to purchase and wear a Walkabout Park uniform.

Volunteer Application Form

First name(*)

Please tell us your name.

Preferred Name

Date Start(*)

Invalid Input

Availability(*)

I want to work 1 day every week.

I want to work 2 days every week.

I want to work 3 days every week.

I want to work 4 days every week.

I want to work 5 days every week.

Please tell us the number of days that you would regularly work each week.

Birth Date(*)

Invalid Input

Surname(*)

Please tell us your family name.

Under age 18(*)

I am not yet 18 but my legal guardian is assisting me with my application.

I am over age 18.

Please tell us whether or not you are under age 18.

Own transport(*)

I have my own reliable car.

I do not have my own reliable car.

I have other reliable arrangements to get to and from work.

Invalid Input

(*)

I can work on Mondays.

I can work on Tuesdays.

I can work on Wednesdays.

I can work on Thursdays.

I can work on Fridays.

I can work on Saturdays.

I can work on Sundays.

Please tick the days you can work.

My interests(*)

Animal care (cleaning and feeding)

Bush and path management

Building and enclosure maintenance

Cafe and shop service and cleaning

Marketing (including photography & social networking)

Visitor talks, tours and workshops

Bush tucker, bush medicine and Aboriginal sites tours

School and other educational programs

Evening workshops and "Wild Sleep Outs"

Other (add details in "Additional Information")

Please tell us in which areas you would like to work.

Special requirements

I have special intellectual needs.

I have special physical needs.

I have special dietary needs.

I am not fluent in English.

I have difficulty reading and/or writing.

I have an illness or injury that might affect my ability to work or to get to work.

Invalid Input

Current studies

Invalid Input

Previous studies

Invalid Input

Working experience

Invalid Input

Your goals(*)

Please tell us why you have selected Walkabout Park as the place you want to volunteer.

Additional Information

Please let us know your message.

Referees

Invalid Input

APPLICANT'S DETAILS:

Mobile(*)

Please tell us your number in case we have difficulty reaching you by email.

Home Phone

Invalid Input

Email(*)

Please tell us your email address.

Street Address(*)

Please tell us your address.

Suburb(*)

Please tell us your suburb.

Post Code

State or Territory

Country

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (ICE), THE PERSON WE SHOULD CONTACT IS:

Name(*)

Please tell us who we should contact in the event of an emergency.

Phone Number(*)

Please tell us the phone number of the person we should call in case of an emergency.

Relationship to you(*)

Please tell us what your Emergency Contact person's relationship is to you.

Email

Please tell us your email address.

Alternate Number(*)

Please give us a second emergency contact number.

(*)

I understand and agree to the Terms & Conditions explained below.

I do not understand the Terms & Conditions explained below.

I do not agree to the Terms & Conditions explained below.

The Applicant must complete this declaration.

APPLICANT'S DECLARATION:

GUARDIAN'S DECLARATION:

Name(*)

Please tell us the Applicant's Guardian's name.

Phone Number(*)

Please tell us the Guardian's phone number so we can validate their approval.

Relationship to Applicant e.g. Parent(*)

Please tell us the relationship between you as Guardian and the Applicant.

(*)

I understand and agree to the Terms & Conditions explained above.

I do not understand the Terms & Conditions explained above.

I do not agree to the Terms & Conditions explained above.

The Legal Guardian must complete this declaration, and may be asked for identification when Walkabout Park validates this with them later.

Security Check: Please type the numbers(*)

Refresh

Please type the correct numbers