It’s like any other week for them, helping out where they can, labouring with the skills they have picked up from years of farming – all in the name of conservation and conversation.
Ian Walderton has been volunteering in the seven-person crew for six years, doing odd jobs around the park in what he says is more of a social activity than serving.
“It’s a social event – it something for us to do,” he said.
Though they play down their impact, the volunteers are hidden heroes of the wildlife park according to the life sciences manager Tim Sinclair-Smith.
“A long time ago the park relied heavily on support form the community to survive and were critical in the facilities being maintained,” Mr Sinclair-Smith said.
“And, although we have the support (from Zoos Victoria) to operate and run the facility, (the volunteers) still want to be a part of it, and there’s still a role that they can play.
“They’re a huge help with the odd jobs around the park … (fencing) is pretty straightforward for these guys — they live and breath that stuff, so it’s great to have their help.”
Mr Walderton said there was a sense of satisfaction from seeing the park progress from six years ago to now.
“If you walked in six years ago, this place was a mess,” he said.
“We’ve sort of helped bring it up to what it is — so, it sort of gives us satisfaction.”
Mr Walderton said it was easier to come into volunteer because he knew he would be surrounded by wildlife coming into work.
“That’s the beauty of it, we can walk in whenever we want and they look after us here too,” he said.
“It’s not a bad place to volunteer.”
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