National Volunteer Week 2025: Alyce’s Story
This National Volunteer Week, WIRES is celebrating the incredible efforts of volunteers who are connecting communities through care, compassion and commitment to wildlife. The 2025 theme, Connecting Communities, highlights how every act of volunteering brings people together to create lasting change.
Alyce, a volunteer from our Illawarra branch, has been with WIRES for over five years. Her journey shows how wildlife rescue and education can strengthen community connections and make a difference for our native wildlife.
After returning to Australia from living overseas, Alyce felt a strong connection to the landscapes and wildlife she had missed. Having supported conservation efforts for many years, she decided to take a more active role.
“I wanted to take a hands-on role in rescue, rehabilitation, and education; following in the footsteps of my inspiring Aunties Suzanne and Judith, who have dedicated their lives to caring for animals and people.”
Alyce joined her local WIRES branch and completed a wide range of species courses “I was fortunate to be welcomed into an incredible branch of experienced and passionate carers, always willing to share their knowledge and support one another"
Over the years, Alyce has rescued and cared for a variety of species including birds, possums, kangaroos, bats and reptiles.
At home, she and her partner—now the Tawny Frogmouth Coordinator for their branch—have focused on rehabilitating Tawny Frogmouths. Their property has become a safe and quiet space for these unique nocturnal birds to recover.
With a background in teaching, Alyce now volunteers as an Education Officer for her branch.
“I [have] naturally found my place as a volunteer Education Officer for our branch, blending my love for wildlife with my passion for teaching,” she says.
“Whether it’s facilitating interactive rescue scenario walks and learning through song with kids, or running hands-on workshops with local community groups, I find so much joy in building connections, sparking curiosity, and empowering people to make a difference for our incredible wildlife."
Alyce encourages new WIRES volunteers to take their time and keep learning.
“Wildlife rescue is as much about learning as it is about helping. Every animal, situation, and challenge will teach you something new—be patient, stay curious, and embrace every experience."
She also reminds people that WIRES offers many ways to get involved. “WIRES is more than rescues; education, advocacy, and community engagement are just as vital. Wildlife conservation is deeply connected to people, environments, and systemic challenges—whatever your strength, use it, because every contribution matters"
Alyce is one of more than 4000 WIRES volunteers across Australia who are connecting communities through their care for native wildlife. Her story reflects how each volunteer brings unique strengths, life experience and purpose—and together, they help protect what makes Australia wild.