Yarra Ranges Council’s Citizen of the Year Award goes to wildlife warrior Emma Sullivan.
Having run the Wattle Wildlife Shelter in the Dandenong Ranges for many years, which provides a safe space for animals of all types, Emma’s volunteer work has had a vast impact on the local area.
As both a Wildlife shelter operator and qualified Vet nurse, Emma specialises in unusual pet veterinary medicine and volunteers with Vets for Compassion doing emergency callouts to wildlife in need.
Emma said, “I think Wildlife is very important in our council area.”
“There are so many amazing creatures in our backyards, and we are so lucky to live in a beautiful green space and share it with the local wildlife,” She said.
“People recognise the importance of wildlife and the joy it brings to our lives, and are starting to realise it really needs protecting.”
Along with her registered Wattle Wildlife Shelter, Emma is a mother to both human and animal children, and she also works for a not-for-profit animal shelter, providing veterinary treatment to abandoned and orphaned pets.
“You could say I have a full-time ‘care providing’ job”, Emma said.
For Emma, no two days are the same.
“Every day is different, but I usually wake up to feed the wombats and kangaroo joeys, and baby possums in care, constantly cutting fruit and veg and picking native foliage, then respond to an emergency rescue call out or three, head to work as a vet nurse and come home to bottle feed babies again around the clock,” she said.
“I don’t think I’ve had a full night’s sleep in ten years!”
Emma’s nominator confirmed that Emma is a selfless woman who inspires others to be more compassionate to animals.
“Volunteering all of her time for animals in need, she asks for nothing in return, except the joy of seeing animals recover and rehabilitate,” her moniator said.
“Thanks to Emma, there are places for injured wildlife to go, and certainty for others wanting to help animals that there is a community to assist.
The Yarra Ranges – and its biodiversity – is better for having community members like Emma. She is a worthy recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award,” they said.
When it comes to receiving the award, Emma noted that she did not expect to be chosen.
“I was very surprised to be nominated or even to be voted in,” Emma said.
“It’s such an honour to be recognised for the rescue, rehabilitation and release work I do with local wildlife,” she said.
“I have a wonderful support network around me that helps make everything possible.”
Despite her surprise, Emma is grateful to have her work recognised.
“It can be really isolating to be a wildlife carer, not to mention emotionally tolling and a financial strain, as this is not a paid job,” Emma said.
“To see that people recognise this as important in our community is just heartwarming, reminds me there are a few good people still out there in our community,” she said.
Emma started Vet Nursing just before COVID, although she had an interest in wildlife since a young age.
“My passion for animal nursing, emergency skills and experience really began through helping a local shelter, and volunteering my time learning about the specific wildlife in my area,” Emma said.
“Three years ago, I became my own registered shelter, and I joined Vets for Compassion, who have supported and trained me to become an experienced emergency response team member,” she said.
“I have gained so many new skills and become a registered veterinary nurse along the way.”
There are many factors that can inhibit the survival instincts of native wildlife.
If it is not habitat destruction or climate change, then it is direct human impact that is changing the world of our native species.
Emma said, “It is so important to be a Wildlife carer because these little creatures really need our help.
“There needs to be people who care, who stop to pouch check, who watch out for our local birds, who nurse back to health the injured and sick ones that get caught out in heat waves and storms, and give them the help they need,” she said.
“I always thought someone should be doing that, but why not me?”
According to Emma, animal injury due to being hit by cars on Wellington Road is an especially large issue for kangaroos, with 42 recorded deaths in just one month during 2025.
On top of the accidental death toll, Emma noted that animal cruelty is also a major reason for her call-outs.
Emma is currently on deployment at the fire grounds in country Victoria for wildlife rescue and veterinary care.
Despite her busy days and the intensive nature of her work, Emma intends to continue her work as a Wildlife Warrior for the Yarra Ranges.
“Thank you to the community for voting me for this award,” Emma said.
“I am really honoured.”
“To Vets for Compassion, thank you for taking me under your wing and allowing me to use my skills in the field every day,” she said.
