Help us in our wildlife sanctuary in Calga, Australia

Details

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  Description

  OUR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
  
  We are a working wildlife sanctuary looking after 60+ species of Australian native wildlife (400+ animals), 80 acres of fox-proofed bush habitat, and sacred Aboriginal sites. Guest and volunteer accommodation is inside the sanctuary with the animals.
  
  The animals in our sanctuary are either unreleasable wild rescues that need lifelong care or a long rehabilitation, or they have been confiscated from smugglers (mostly reptiles), or they have been orphaned from their human families (mostly parrots), or they are in one of our endangered species "breed for release" wild recovery programs. Our sanctuary and the rest of the small "Calga Valley" is heritage listed because it is such an important cultural place, for everyone, but most particularly for Aboriginal women.
  
  The sanctuary always runs on a very tight budget because our only source of operational funding is visitors buying entry tickets, spending in our gift shop, or joining one of our education programs. However, we're a determined team and won't be held back by resource constraints. We're always stretching whatever income we get to do more, and we have learned through bushfires and covid interrupting our work that we have to be self-sustaining. We put away any extra that comes in during busy times, to fund the periods when we have little or no income. In this way, we can ensure our animals can always have what they need, even when there is no money coming in.
  
  Our local and international volunteers are essential to our being able to do what we do - so thank you for wanting to help us. Everything you (and we) do is for the animals, even when the work is not hands-on animal work.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  DIY and building projects

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Sustainability

  

  Plant care

  

  Nature

  

  Animals

  

  Culture
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  FRIENDLY ANIMALS
  
  You will be living in a real working wildlife sanctuary. Even when your work is not with the animals, the animals will be all around you. When you go for a walk after work, expect that emus and kangaroos will follow you along the bush tracks. The free-ranging animals are free to choose if they want to interact with you or not. Yes, you can touch them knowing that they have the freedom to choose. If they let you touch them, it's because they are happy for you to do so.
  
  WILDLIFE
  
  The bush is filled with wildlife such as sugar gliders, possums, flying foxes, goannas, frogs and turtles. These animals are shy, but they are out there. With practice, you will get better at spotting them when you head out on a night walk. We will teach you how to be safe in the Australian bush and share the space with snakes and spiders. You are unlikely to see snakes, but they are there!
  
  ABORIGINAL SITES
  
  You will be living and working on sacred land. Our ridgeline follows ancient song-lines, and you can visit cultural sites including a hand-stencil cave that has been dated at more than 4,000 years old.
  
  THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH
  
  You will be living in the Australian bush and are welcome to explore at night with a flashlight. Safe within the sanctuary's perimeter fence, you can't get lost.

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  Help

  MAINTENANCE AND BUILDING WORK
  
  We are completing the build on animal enclosures. Our director is 'hands on' with the maintenance work, and he needs help to complete this work, as well as general 'handyman' duties wherever needed.
  
  INDOORS & OUTDOORS
  
  Work may be indoors or outdoors. We work outdoors in all weather conditions as, because of the kind of work we do, most of our outdoor work can't be put off just because it is raining or too hot or windy. Whether you will be indoors or outdoors on any particular day depends on what work needs to be done that day.
  
  WORKING ALONE AND/OR IN TEAMS
  
  There will always be other people around during the day, but they may not be doing the same work that you do. It's important that you are as comfortable working on your own (with guidance and other people around), as you are working with others doing the same work as you.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  STAFF LIVING ON SITE
  
  Four staff stay onsite. They have their own private accommodation.
  
  GUESTS STAYING ON SITE
  
  Guests staying in a cabin or in our campsite for 1 or 2 nights.
  
  International guests staying in a bunkhouse who are enrolled in a paid program where they stay in our wildlife sanctuary and work with our rangers for 2 to 4 weeks.
  
  Groups of international guests staying in the main house doing a residential education program for 1 or 2 weeks.
  
  SOCIALISING WITH GUESTS
  
  Our staff (including Workawayers, you are part of our team) are not allowed to socialise with guests, even if guests are staying onsite. We are friendly to guests, and we may take them on pre-arranged night tours which you are welcome to join, but we respect their space and their privacy.
  
  WORKAWAYER ACCOMMODATION
  
  You will stay in a one room cabin (converted caravan) on site. It is a one-minute walk to the shower/toilet block.
  
  Depending on the mix of volunteers in residence, it is possible that men and women may share a bunkroom, but this is rare.
  
  Your can do your personal laundry by hand, or you can use coin operated laundry machines ($4 per wash, $4 per drying cycle) at the main house a 2 minute walk from your caravan.
  
  Cooking facilities are basic (microwave, bar-fridge, kettle, toaster). You do have use of the camp kitchen where there is a large fridge and a BBQ.
  
  WHO DOES THE HOUSEWORK AND COOKING?
  
  You do. Your accommodation is private for your use only, but you are expected to keep it clean and tidy e.g. you are expected to wash your dishes before you go to work, and do your own laundry regularly.
  
  FOOD & PERSONAL SHOPPING
  
  If you don't have your own vehicle, we can give you a lift to the shops or, if you prefer, you are welcome to ask us to pick up food or other personal items (like deodorant, shampoo, special snacks, etc.) for 'you from the store, and you can pay for them at the Visitor Centre.

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  What else ...

  SPECIFIC DATES
  
  When you apply, please tell us your availability and your flexibility. We will arrange an online interview with you to work out if we can make it work. We really need and appreciate help, but we can only invite you onto our team if we have a bed available for you.
  
  ABOUT YOU
  
  Everyone on our team does need to be physically and emotionally fit - our environment is pretty rough and rugged. You will need to be able to do strenuous work in all weather conditions, not be afraid to get dirty, and want to be part of a small but AMAZING team.
  
  TRANSPORT ON DAYS OFF
  
  It is not feasible to leave the sanctuary after work on workdays, because of our isolation.
  
  The train and bus station at Gosford are a 20-minute car drive from us, and there is no public transport. It is 20 minutes by car to Gosford Station. It's an hour-and-a-half by train from Gosford to Sydney or to Newcastle. Or you can get a bus from Gosford Station to the beach at Terrigal or the big shopping mall at Erina.
  
  Or you may want to spend your days off relaxing at the sanctuary, enjoying the peace and quiet and being around the animals!
  
  On your days off, we can usually fit in at least one one-way trip for you to Gosford. However, this does depend on other work and whether a driver and vehicle are available. We head out to Gosford most days to run errands, usually at fixed times depending on the day (often early in the morning). These are good times to get a lift into Gosford.
  
  The other option is a taxi or uber at your expense, but these are pretty expensive as they can charge extra because we are "in the bush".
  
  You can't walk to anywhere interesting. The only road, from Calga (where we are) to anywhere, is a national motorway with cars travelling at 110km per hour and no side-walk. Pedestrians are not allowed on the motorway.
  
  It is illegal to hitchhike in Australia and, even if it was legal, there is not much passing traffic where we are, so lifts would be few and far between.
  
  WHAT TO WEAR
  
  You will need to wear the right kind of clothes!
  
  We usually have second hand clothes items, and even boots, donated by previous volunteers, so we may be able to loan you what you don't have. We can't promise this, but we can usually find you what you need.
  
  You will need hiking boots or other sturdy footwear that support your ankles and are suitable for rugged ground. You will need long cargo workpants or comfortable (not tight) jeans.
  
  Leggings (tight stretch pants) and shorts and singlets (sleeveless shirts) and tight t-shirts are NEVER acceptable work wear.
  
  We will loan you give you 2 volunteer T-shirts, which you will need to wash and dry between shifts. Or you can buy new t-shirts from us for $20 each. You must wear a volunteer t-shirt while you are working so that you are identifiable as being on the team (as, otherwise, visitors and staff get confused about who is who).
  
  You will need a warm jacket - we wear fleecy jackets as they are light and comfortable and practical. You must look professional when at work. Your jacket must be one dark colour and look neat and tidy.
  
  You will also need rain gear that covers you from neck to knee. We do work outdoors in the rain and you are not allowed to work in the rain without a rain jacket.
  
  Hats are really important, as is sunscreen, in the Australian sun. And we strongly recommend insect repellent so that you don't get eaten by mosquitoes, ticks, ants, spiders or leeches. If you don't have them, you can ask us to buy them for you from the supermarket and you can pay for them at reception.
  
  MOBILE PHONES
  
  We do have a "no mobile phone with you while you are working" rule. Except for our Lead Rangers, no-one has a phone with them while they are working in the field. Phones must stay at the accommodation (not in your pocket).
  
  When you are off duty you are welcome to 'be a tourist' and have your phone out and take all the photos and videos you like.
  
  POSTING PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
  
  We do have rules about what kinds of photos may be posted online. If you are not sure, please ask. We will explain what is and is not ok to post when you join our team. One of the main reasons for this rule is so our team (including you) does not unintentionally promote exploitative animal-tourism.
  
  Please help us to help animals all over the world by ensuring that your photos show respect and care for the animals in our wildlife sanctuary.
  
  ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
  
  No you're not allowed to feed the wildlife. Yes this is the real bush. Yes we do have snakes and spiders. Yes we will explain to you how we share the bush safely with the wildlife (we've lived and worked here safely for many years). No this does NOT count towards your 2nd year visa.
  
  DRUGS, ALCOHOL and SMOKING
  Anyone not following these rules will be required to leave immediately, whether or not you have somewhere else to go to.
  
  Smoking (includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, ,vaping):
  Our wildlife sanctuary is a smoking-free zone. We can't accept volunteers who smoke or vape.
  
  Alcohol:
  For so many reasons, our wildlife sanctuary is an alcohol-free zone. And no, you can't have alcohol on the premises even if it is sealed and you have no intention of drinking it. If you have alcohol in your possession, it must be handed in to management for safe keeping until you leave. If you drink alcohol while away from the sanctuary on your days off, that's ok, as long as you drink safely and in moderation. Please note, though, that you will not be allowed back on the premises if we think you are intoxicated.
  
  Prescription pain medication and medical marijuana:
  We're sorry but you may not have prescription pain medication or legally prescribed medical marijuana in our wildlife sanctuary. We are advocates for medical marijuana as we believe people who need it should have legal access to it. However, we also have a legal and moral obligation to make sure that you and others are safe in our bush workplace. If you have such pain that you need this type of treatment, or if the treatment itself can impair alertness, then we cannot allow you to work in our wildlife sanctuary.
  
  Other drugs:
  We have absolute zero tolerance for drugs, any drugs. And no, you may not even use drugs when you are off duty and away from the Sanctuary. And no, you can't have drugs on the premises even if they are in tiny quantities and they are sealed and you have no intention to use them.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

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