Sunday the 8th of March marks International Women’s Day!

This year’s theme, Give to Gain, reflects how collaboration and shared purpose can strengthen and support communities.

Across Australia, hundreds of WIRES volunteers give their time to rescue, rehabilitate and release native wildlife in need. Many of these dedicated volunteers are women who quietly carry enormous responsibility in caring for injured and orphaned animals.

Today we sat down with just one of them, Tanya from the New England branch of WIRES, to hear what inspires her to volunteer, the women who supported her journey, and what volunteering with wildlife means to her.

What is your name and what branch do you volunteer for? And how long have you been at WIRES?

So my name is Tanya , with the New England branch of WIRES for approximately for three years now.

What first inspired you to volunteer with WIRES?

I've always loved nature in every form. And then I came across a koala that was needing help, which obviously helped me realise that there needs to be people that are willing to show up when they are in need. And of course, that applies to all wildlife.

I was fighting my own battles and seeing their need was really deeply moving, and it compelled me to step up. And no matter what hurdles life throws at you, wildlife is really grounding and sort of pulls you back to what's most important. And obviously that's life and compassion.

One of my first rescues was a little joey koala. It was caught in a barbed wire fence at my neighbour's place, so that also required me to catch his mum and help them. And seeing little Graham, as we call him, grow up and then leave home, it was really moving.

Pretty much from that moment my journey with WIRES was sealed.

What does volunteering with wildlife mean to you?

So I, you know, I put in a commitment. Wildlife can't speak for itself. Pretty much all those human comforts are taking away more and more habitat, and we can't really change that. But we can help the injured, the sick and the displaced.

So I guess to me, volunteering means stepping up, putting my own issues aside and being willing to be there. It's life changing for both the rescuer and the animals.

Is there a woman in wildlife rescue or rehabilitation, or in the animal space, who has inspired you or supported you on your journey?

Too many to name. Absolutely. There's many. Wildlife rescue has lots of strong and capable women that quietly carry really great responsibility.

I've had the support of many women, one in particular, but many that are leading with calmness and kindness and who are really keen to share their knowledge without the ego.

I've had women that mentor me and guide me even in the crazy hours of the morning. And I guess their examples guided and shaped my growth and made me determined to be like them. Someone that shows up regardless of the time they see wildlife.

And for the rescuers, many, many women in a team. We have some that assist with rescues, some that complete transport transfers to the hospitals. Some that form the little vet team at the wildlife hospitals. Then we have some that focus on admin roles solely.

Really everyone that's involved, their role is vital in order to get the outcomes.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Give to Gain”. In the context of volunteering, what does this phrase mean to you?

Wildlife rescue is about giving time, giving sleep, giving the last little bit of energy, and giving the needed support to the animals as well as help.

Basically it's a shared goal to rehabilitate that wildlife back to the wild.

It's never really done with the intent of gain, but somehow we do gain. We gain trusted friendships. We gain personal resilience. We gain moments that are going to stay with us forever.

Like watching that little Graham when he became a big Graham. Nothing can ever change that.

Each time an animal is released and living its best life, whether it's months or years after rescue, it literally brings me to tears. The joy, the sense of a shared past and the evidence of a hopeful future. It all comes together in that one moment.

So there's no financial gain. There's no material gain. Far from that. It's the simple gain of connection. A shared moment that has great meaning and that real deep sense of purpose.

And it's a moment that kind of links both the people that were involved and the animals. It really is a life changing moment when we get to release some back to the wild.

What advice would you give to women looking to get involved in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation?

Just get involved. There's a role for everyone.

And don't let limitations hold you back, because there is a role for everyone. There's a supportive team. There's training, mentoring, and you can get any help that you need.

Never underestimate just showing up. Every call that's answered, every transport that's completed, every vet visit, every bit of food that gets prepared, every bit of it contributes to something that matters.

And that is life. The lives of wildlife and sometimes even our critically endangered wildlife.

Caring for the vulnerable is really a privilege and a responsibility. So... just do it!

WIRES thanks Tanya for sharing her story and experiences volunteering with WIRES.

Her experience is just one of thousands of stories from people who give their time to rescue, care for and release native wildlife back into the wild.

By giving so much of herself, Tanya has also gained meaningful connections within the community of wildlife carers she works alongside. Together, these volunteers strengthen their local communities while helping injured and displaced native animals get the second chance they deserve.