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International Women’s Day Volunteer Spotlight: Shelley

Friday, March 7, 2025

On International Women’s Day, WIRES is celebrating the talented, hardworking, and compassionate women who dedicate their time and energy to rescuing and rehabilitating Australia’s native wildlife. 

This year’s theme, For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment, highlights the crucial role women play in conservation and wildlife care. Their efforts ensure our unique species get a second chance at life.

One such woman is Shelley, a dedicated WIRES volunteer whose passion and resilience embody the spirit of this day. With a background in emergency services and a lifelong love for wildlife, Shelley’s journey with WIRES is an inspiring testament to the power of women in conservation.

How Did Shelley’s Journey Begin at WIRES?

For Shelley, the call to help wildlife came in 2019. Having retired from an eight-year career as an ambulance officer in regional and remote NSW, she was searching for a meaningful volunteer role.

“One night it came to me, loud and clear – WILDLIFE RESCUE!!” she recalls.

A quick online search led her to WIRES, where she discovered an upcoming Rescue and Immediate Care Course in her area. Without hesitation, she signed up and completed her training. Just three months later, the catastrophic 2019-20 bushfires swept through Australia, testing Shelley’s resilience like never before.

“It was the toughest time, and I will never forget the bonds that were created during that devastating period,” she says. Despite working full-time, she dedicated every spare moment to wildlife rescue, supported by the incredible WIRES community.

Shelley’s story reflects the strength and resourcefulness of women in regional areas. Wildlife rescue in these communities often means travelling vast distances and working with limited resources. “Regional communities just don’t have the resources city communities have; and we just make do, we must.”

Pictured: Shelley cradling a rescued Laughing Kookaburra fledgling

Advice for the Next Generation of Volunteers

Shelley acknowledges that stepping into wildlife rescue can be daunting, especially for new volunteers navigating their role within WIRES.

“I think finding your place when you first join WIRES as a volunteer can be daunting and tricky to navigate. It can feel overwhelming, and modern-day life has many pressures that I believe are unprecedented.”

She reassures those who may feel uncertain, emphasising that there are many ways to contribute beyond direct animal rescue.

“Rescuing can be very physical and not everyone is suited to rescuing sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife – it is very confronting work, and that’s OK if it’s not for you. Each branch has roles for volunteers that do not want to rescue.”

From administrative tasks and fundraising to animal transport and community engagement, every role plays a crucial part in WIRES’ mission.

Her advice to new volunteers: Seek guidance and don’t hesitate to reach out for support. “If you don’t have anyone providing guidance in your group, don’t be shy to call the WIRES Volunteer Support Team – they are so supportive and helpful, they’re here for us.”

Pictured: An endangered Greater Glider rehabilitated by Shelley

A Woman Who Inspires

When asked about a woman in conservation or wildlife care who inspires her, Shelley doesn’t hesitate.

“My greatest inspiration in wildlife care is my beloved heavenly Great Grandmother, Thelmis Olga ‘Ollie’ Lowe.”

Born in 1912, Ollie lived on a farm in Warialda, NSW, where she and her husband took in injured and orphaned wildlife. Their property became known as “Lowe’s Animal Kingdom,” a sanctuary for animals in need.

“My fondest childhood memories are of helping them to care for the local wildlife that was brought to them, and I learnt so much about the different wildlife species.”

From an early age, Shelley was taught to appreciate and respect wildlife. Her great-grandmother’s lessons shaped her lifelong commitment to conservation. “I know she would be so proud of the positive impact I have been able to make for wildlife in my WIRES volunteer role.”

The Future of Wildlife Rescue and Volunteering

While Shelley is deeply committed to her volunteer work, she hopes to see greater investment in wildlife rescue, particularly for large-scale emergencies.

“If I had one wish, it would be that there was greater investment (from all levels of government), so we created an advanced wildlife rescue workforce, specifically for natural disasters or mass wildlife disease outbreaks.”

With climate change increasing the frequency of natural disasters, Shelley believes Australia needs a specialised team of professionals, just as we have for other emergency services.

“As an ex-service person, I believe that if there were a career path to work in specialised wildlife rescue, there would be others like me out there that are no longer able to work in traditional emergency services. We can fill a service gap, and we can help support regional volunteer groups.”

Despite the challenges, Shelley finds profound fulfillment in her work. “Although this volunteer work can be tough, I have experienced a great deal of personal healing, and I feel like I have purpose again.”

Honouring the Women of WIRES

Shelley is the Chair of WIRES Mid-South Coast branch, and we are delighted to share her experience. WIRES is grateful to all the volunteers who are critical to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of our native animals. On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate these remarkable women and their unwavering commitment to wildlife.