by Renee Wood
In 2009 the region was shattered by the devastating Black Saturday bushfires and someone who’s life and legacy was touched dramatically by this event was Tony Woolley from Babbajin Park wildlife shelter.
Tony lost 103 animals when his property in Steels Creek was destroyed, and although time has passed Tony said he’s still suffering from losing so many who were in his care.
“I suffer from depression and anxiety myself because I lost 11 good friends in those 2009 fires and I’ve been going downhill, but this is therapy for me,” Tony said.
Despite the trauma, Tony continues day in day out nursing injured and orphaned wildlife as a way to heal himself and the animals.
But this is all something being done out of the goodness of his own heart and pocket.
“My Centrelink payments go in one day and it’s not for me, it’s for the animals,” he said.
“My daily outing at the moment is just to go down the street and get fruit and veg, seeds, milks formulas, mealworms.”
Tony’s been caring for animals for 37 years and was based in Steels Creek for more than two decades.
After the fire, John and Louise Ward donated land at the Yarra Valley Estate to re-establish the park and turn the area into a private conservation reserve and wildlife shelter.
“They let me create a paradise for them [the animals], which was just a deer paddock with blackberries, and now look what they’ve got.”
Over a thousand native trees have been planted on the Dixon’s Creek property to create the conservation area.
Some 43 nest boxes are set up throughout and several enclosures are in place within the property to rehabilitate injured animals, with 65 animals currently in care.
Babbajin Park is well known by locals, vets and the Healesville Sanctuary who work with Tony to rehabilitate animals.
“I call myself the four Rs – I rescue, raise, rehabilitate and release native wildlife back into the wild.”
Although some furry friends don’t go too far, Tony tells of the many animals that still remain within the area – a wombat under the house, satin bower birds building displays and a Kangaroo named ruby that was rescued when she weighed just grams.
Tony said he’s a proud grandfather when Ruby returns every day to visit with her own joey in her pouch.
But the property does need some work after the shelter’s driveway off Melba Highway, was destroyed by a dam blowout.
Animal wildlife shelters don’t receive any consistent funding from governments and Babbijin Park is supported by donations.
It’s hoped fundraising will help to support the works.
“Just as much as I can contribute to help out because these guys helped me here since 2009, so that’s my way of saying thank you too.”
Further donations will also go towards continuing Babbajin Park’s legacy providing essential medical aid and food and maintaining the area.
For more information, visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BabbajinWP
