Our tiny team punches way above our weight when it comes to saving animals and teaching about how and why people need to ‘connect with country’ in the original Aboriginal sense. The only reason we can do as much as we do with the little that we have got, is because people like you volunteer to help us.
You make the difference!
At Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary we depend on the support of people, like you, who want to do something meaningful for animals, nature, people, and the world we all live in. Our resources are always stretched. We do not get government funding for the work we do every day. But we’ve never let that hold us back. We can do what we do because of the help we get from our community – you!
You can help in customer facing or behind-the-scenes roles (or both). You love people, animals, being outdoors, being part of a community, and interacting with visitors – making those ‘connections with country’.
As a volunteer you will build on what you already know and on the skills you already have.
Please note that our community volunteer work does NOT involve working ‘hands-on’ with animals. However, everything we do is ultimately for the animals, even when it is not with the animals.
You will be working with the animals as you learn what you need for your TAFE or UNI studies. The work is mostly routine and repetitive, because that’s what the animals needs. We don’t cuddle our animals, because that’s not what animals want. You will also help with all the ‘non-animal’ work we do. This may involve cleaning cabins, helping at the visitor centre, fixing bush tracks, reducing fire fuel loads in summer, and everything else it takes to keep our wildlife sanctuary operating to provide a safe home for our animals.
Some are more physical, others not so much. When you are completing your application form, you will get the opportunity to indicate your “general interests”. You can choose as many or as few as you like, and you can add or remove them from your profile at any time. We’ll invite you to an information session where we can answer all your questions. And if you decide to join our volunteer community, it will still be up to you to choose what activities you get involved in, and when.
You are 18 years or older.
You have a current National Police Check (or you are happy to be screened).
You have a current Working With Children Check.
You have your own email address which you check daily.
You are comfortable using a phone, tablet or PC to access our online roster system, undertake e-learning and link up to the volunteer portal to receive communications and updates.
You will undertake volunteer induction and refresher training.
You agree to act in accordance with Walkabout’s values, policies, procedures and processes.
…to have 4 hours per fortnight available for volunteer activities, so you can remain involved and keep up to date.
…to maintain a current Walkabout Membership.
…to commit to at least 16 hours per week (or 4 full shifts per fortnight), and to do a “make up shift” within a fortnight if you miss a shift, so you can maintain your pace of learning and keep up to date in our complex learning environment.
…to be enrolled (or about to enrol) in TAFE or UNI studying animal care or biosciences, or have completed your studies and you want to get more practical experience.
