Every year, hundreds of thousands of native animals are injured, orphaned or become sick, often because of interaction with people or domestic pets.
This wildlife shelter in country Australia is one of the largest unsupported privately owned wildlife shelters in Australia. For more than 30 years, the project has rescued and rehabilitated sick, injured and orphaned native Australian wildlife and nurtured them back to health to be returned to the natural environment.
Shelter for forest wildlife
Project fee from EUR 1,140
Your role as a volunteer
The project aims
This wildlife shelter in country Australia is one of the largest unsupported privately owned wildlife shelters in Australia and for more than 30 years, it has rescued and rehabilitated sick, injured and orphaned native Australian wildlife and loved them back to health to be returned to the natural environment.
Local Partners
Our partner has several years’ worth of experience in receiving volunteers to Australia from many different countries. Thanks to our cooperation Volunteer Travels can offer you as a volunteer a well-organised and safe experience.
Since this wildlife shelter receives no recurrent funding from governments, the shelter relies on the contribution of volunteers and donations from the public to keep it running.
How do I book a trip?
You can book your trip with Volunteer Travels by calling us on (+46) 08-23 93 00 or by booking through our website www.volunteertravels.com by clicking on “Book a trip”. You can also email us on [email protected]. When you have registered yourself we will send you an invoice with a registration fee of £200.00. The registration fee is later incorporated into the trip price and the amount is then deducted from your final invoice. When you have paid the registration fee you are formally registered. You will then receive preparatory information from us in good time to plan your trip.
Your everyday
Introduction
Every year, hundreds of thousands of native animals are injured, orphaned or become sick, often because of interaction with people or pets. Volunteers play a key role in wildlife rescue and care. Not only will you be learning new skills and helping animals in need, you will make new friends from around the world and will create an enriching experience for yourself.
Your daily activities will consist of:
* bottle feeding all young animals every 4 hours
* toileting young animals after feeds
* exercising young animals
* assisting in rescue calls
* assisting in emergency medical treatment
* cleaning animal enclosures
* building / repairing animal enclosures
* browsing for grass and gum leaves in the forest
* picking apples
* keeping the grounds clean and tidy
* keeping the volunteer accommodation clean and tidy
You may also assist in administration, fundraising and other responsibilities as they arise.
Acommodation and food
Shared cabin for 4 people. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided but all volunteers pitch in to help with preparation, cooking and cleaning.
Location of project
Albury is located on the magnificent Murray River in Victoria Australia where whistle-blowing paddle steamers travelling back and forth used to transport goods between rapidly growing towns and cities. A blend of city style and country pace with historical and contemporary attractions, art and adventure can be found with fine dining opportunities, historic pubs, busy clubs and stylish cafés occupying its streets.
The area is known as Bungambrawatha, or homeland, by the Wiradjuri people, the Aboriginal people who first settled here. Speaking many different languages and dialects, they would perform corroboree, initiation and marriage ceremonies, share stories, exchange knowledge and skills, hunt and eat along the banks and around the billabongs of the Murray.
The river and surrounding hills and valleys have preserved the sites and artefacts of this rich ancient life in a living museum. The rock carvings of Yeddonba, just outside of Chiltern, the Duduroa people’s rock painting of the Tasmanian Tiger at Mt Pilot, and Table Top massive, a place believed to be of great spiritual meaning, are just some of the many wonderful experiences to be found.
The shelter is located in Stanley State Forest, a beautifully preserved natural bush land overflowing with lush, green vegetation and magnificent wildlife. Rich in history and in natural resources (granite, gold, clay & sparkling spring water), this thriving region is built upon the solid values and vision of its pioneers and miners. Home to many talented artists and artisans from around the world, it is brimming with arts, crafts & antiques and has earned an impressive reputation for its spectacular annual festivals and events.
Leisure Time
You will not have a lot of spare time at this project as it is a very busy shelter with rescues coming in almost daily. Many volunteers only venture into town on a few occasions as transport is only provided when there are errands to run. Just speak to staff about free time will be dictated by the workload. As it is possible that you may not get to do much sightseeing in the area while on your placement, you may wish to stay on in the area after you leave the project. There are many interesting things to do in the surrounding forests and towns and you don’t have to go far to experience the best this region has to offer.
Hire a car and take the Forest Drive, where you can still see mine shafts and tunnels dotted through the trees. To the northwest is the spectacular Beechworth Forest, resting on the foothills of the Victorian Alps.
Get your Miners Rights at the Visitor Centre and try your hand at gold prospecting. Who knows, you might get lucky!
Book a guided tour of an underground gold mine dating back to 1867, pick fresh strawberries or walk through cascading waterfalls and rugged countryside.
You are only a few hours from Melbourne and Sydney so take in the sights of a big city or hit the coast for some rest and relaxation after your stay at the shelter.
Challenges
You will be required to source food for the animals which involves walking in the forest. Country Victoria can become very hot during the day so you must be prepared to work in the heat. You must also be prepared that all animals do not survive their injuries.
About Australia
Australia is a very big country, larger than Europe and nearly as large as the United States. Arriving in Sydney followed by a programme in Australian nationalpark is the perfect way of starting your Australia adventure. If you have more time make sure to travel the East Coast in order to experience rainforests, Great Barrier Reef, Frasier Island and little sleepy villages where surfers are enjoing life. Combine this with metropolitan cities like Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Also there is interesting ancient history to learn more from in Uluru, Ayers Rock and the home of crocodiles in the Northern terrotories to explore. Don’t miss out experiencing Australia!
Practical information
Flight
Flight tickets are not included in the price. You should book your ticket so that you arrive in Melbourne or Sydney on a Thursday.
From Melbourne take a train/bus to Beechworth. From Sydney take a regional flight to Albury, then take a bus to Yackandandah. Local coordinator will organise your transfer to the project. If you are planning to go home right after the end of the project, you should book your return ticket from Melbourne or Sydney on Thursday when project duration ends. Make a point of checking that the arrival and the departure dates are correct according to your time at the project.
Visa
It is the volunteers responsibility to acquire the right visa for the trip. Different visa rules may apply depending on your nationality. Visit the embassy web page of your destination to find out what the visa terms are between your country and that destination.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to make sure that your insurance covers illness, injury and theft whilst you are volunteering. Most travel agency’s sell a travel insurance that is valid for volunteer work, so be sure to enquire about it when booking your flight tickets. Volunteer Travels does however, supply liability insurance and is included in the price. Liability insurance applies to instances when compensation for damages is demanded of you, as a private person, for unintentionally hurting someone or for unintentionally damaging someone else’s property.
Mandatory for this project is that you will be able to present a valid proof of insurance.
