DELANEY MARTIN - NATURE GUIDE
Del loves anything scaley, feathered, or fluffy and at a young age was convinced she was Eliza Thornbury and gifted with the ability to talk to animals. Her curiosity and appreciation for nature led her to study a Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Sciences at Deakin University and a Masters in Conservation Science with the University of Queensland. Del has travelled internationally to help non-government organisations in their efforts to conserve threatened species, such as the endangered Peruvian Woolly Monkey and Blue Headed Macaw in the Amazon Rainforest, and Asian Elephants in Cambodia. These opportunities provided her with a direct insight on the importance of conserving our environment. Closer to home Del has assisted PhD students to catch and track the movements of Powerful Owls across South-West Victoria, and with lizard surveys in the Little Desert National Park. She has since found her ‘dream job’ working in Science Communication as a Nature Guide at Wildlife Wonders and looks forward to welcoming all of our guests and sharing her love for the Otways region and it’s native inhabitants.
LOUISA BARTELS - NATURE GUIDE
Growing up in Sydney, Louisa has always had a natural curiosity for animals which led her to study a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience majoring in wildlife conservation and management at the University of Sydney. Her enthusiasm for entomology then led her to pursue an honours project investigating reproductive interactions between two closely related native bee (Tetragonula) species. After graduating Louisa worked as a bushland regenerator across a variety of ecological communities in northern Sydney. Here she further strengthened her desire to restore threatened native flora and fauna populations. Most recently, Louisa completed an internship at the Conservation Ecology Centre where she enjoyed being immersed in conservation projects regarding feral animal research in the Otways. Captivated by the natural beauty of the Otways region, Louisa has decided to stay at Apollo Bay to get involved in the field of environmental education at Wildlife Wonders.
JYOTI KALA - NATURE GUIDE
Jyoti grew up in London, and has subsequently spent much of her life escaping the city. With a deep sense of awe for the natural world, Jyoti spends a lot of her free time in nature; bushwalking and wild swimming. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Science, she spent the next few years traveling and working with community groups and political representatives in the UK, Colombia and US on different environmental campaigns. She eventually ended up in the Otways in rural Victoria, where she is now lucky enough to call home. She has spent the last year doing bush regeneration work in the Otways, by planting native plants and removing invasive ones. She is very passionate about protecting and supporting the conservation of the Otways and all of the native animals and plants it is home to.
SIMON SLIEKER - NATURE GUIDE
Simon lives on the Great Ocean Road in Lavers Hill, is a Somatic Educator, sees clients, teaches classes and runs workshops bolstering people’s capacity to become aware of themselves and their place in the natural world. “I have enjoyed a prevailing interest in flora and fauna since high school. Over time I have traversed many landscapes and spaces and become more fascinated and awed by indigenous knowledge and technologies. Now as we head into uncertain times not only for our wildlife, but for all life across eco-systems my energy and attention is on how to honour, understand and enhance bio-diversity in our wild and wonderous natural world.”
SASHA HEATH - NATURE GUIDE & EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
An educator, traveller and environmentalist, Sasha brings her deep knowledge of Australian geography, flora and fauna to the Wildlife Wonders team. With a Bachelor of Science from Melbourne University and Monash Graduate Diploma in Education (Geography and Biology), Sasha has spent more than 15 years’ teaching and mentoring in high schools across Australia. She has a depth of experience in developing engaging and innovative education programs that share her love of science and Australia’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. As an enthusiastic lifelong learner, Sasha is keen to expand Wildlife Wonders educational programs, with an aim of ensuring every visitor develops a great appreciation of our environment. A Victorian born and bred, Sasha has lived in Melbourne, Alice Springs, Exmouth (WA) and the stunning Snowy Mountains region Jindabyne (NSW). She is excited to now call the incredible Great Ocean Road region, and all its nature has to offer, her home.
JANE BUCKINGHAM - VISITOR EXPERIENCE OFFICER
Jane’s working life has been all about delivering exceptional customer service. After moving from England to Apollo Bay in 2004, she discovered Cape Otway and the Conservation Ecology Centre’s Ecolodge, joining the team there delivering a unique guest experience. In between ecolodge duties, Jane worked with the team caring for injured wildlife and in turn learnt a great deal about the Otways and its animals. Jane has a special interest in birds, enjoys walking and is a keen follower of sustainable living ideas.
OLIVIA SWAIN - OPERATIONS MANAGER
Born and raised in the Otways, Olivia has the passion for the diverse ecosystem, and all its inhabitants, running in her veins. Continuing to follow her fascination for animals and the environment led her to complete a Certificate III in Captive Animal Studies through the Taronga Training Institute with practical components working with threatened species programs including the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, the Helmeted Honeyeater, and the Orange Bellied Parrot with Zoos Victoria. Through these studies she has developed skills in animal husbandry, breeding program development and collection management. Persisting with the desire to expand her knowledge she is currently completing a Bachelor of Environmental Science with a focus on Wildlife and Conservation Biology. Growing up on a farm fully surrounded by the Great Otway National Park has given her amazing exposure and a lifetime of awareness for our native environment. She is looking forward to sharing her passion and love for the natural world at Wildlife Wonders upon your next visit.
NELL USTUNDAG - ADMIN & BOOKINGS COORDINATOR
Nell has spent the last 20 years working in public museums and galleries and recently made the shift to the Otways to focus on nurturing a more sustainable lifestyle for herself and her family. In addition to working here at Wildlife Wonders, Nell is writing her first novel and transforming her family's soggy patch in lovely Lavers Hill into a permaculture farm. Nell's favourite region in Australia is the Otways and she is determined to protect and nourish it. She believes that sustainable living and ecological conservation go hand in hand and she is excited to encourage home-based sustainability whilst sharing her love of the Otways with visitors to Wildlife Wonders. Nell's favourite critters in the sanctuary are the potoroos and echidnas (both being wonderous soil engineers). Nell made her way to the Otways from NYC, stopping to live in Maine, Melbourne and Fremantle along the way. Since arriving in Australia in 1998, she has earned a bachelor's degree in politics, as well as a masters degree in art curatorship. She has also completed post graduate qualifications in law and native title/cultural heritage.
KATY SCHREDERIS - COOK
Katy is a wonderful person and an even better cook, and brings a smile on everyones face coming into Wildlife Wonders spotting her through the kitchen hatch. She is a well loved long time Apollo Bay local, that fits in perfectly in the Wildlife Wonders team. In her spare time Katy works with the local wildlife rehabilitation group Otway Wildlife Group, rehabilitating all kinds of local wildlife, from koalas to magpies and blue-tongue lizards. Anyone is lucky to find Katie on their visit to Wildlife Wonders.
TESS NEAL
Tess is growing up at Cape Otway, in the midst of nature, surrounded by the bustle of the Conservation Ecology Centre programs. Her first word was ‘koala’. A student at Apollo Bay P-12 College, Tess loves science, is developing her skills in nature photography and is an electric guitarist in Apollo Bay rock band, ‘Total Control’. On weekends and school holidays you will find Tess at the Wildlife Wonders front desk, behind the coffee machine, or in the coffee caravan.
FINN SCHWALGER
Finn moved to the Otways with his family as a teenager and feels at home in the small, quiet town of Apollo Bay. He loves learning all about the Otways wildlife and how they fit within our environment, while delivering exceptional visitor experiences with the team at Wildlife Wonders. Finn is pursuing a career in acting and planning to attend university in 2024 to foster this career. He performed at Top Acts in Melbourne with his punk band. His favourite animals are sharks, specifically, black-tipped reef sharks, because they are small, gentle and give birth to live young, while most other sharks lay eggs. If you see him at Wildlife Wonders, make sure you ask for some shark facts.
KEAHAN OMEARA
Keahan is a long-time Otways local. While working at Wildlife Wonders he hopes to gain as much knowledge and experience about the Otways environment and ecotourism as possible, and he loved assisting in the wildlife health checks. Keahan hopes to add joy into the visitor experience at Wildlife Wonders and assist in bringing wonder of his home to all. Keahan is often found behind the coffee machine, but also brings skills from his punk band (who performed at Top Acts in Melbourne) to playing ukulele during Storytime at Wildlife Wonders with Delaney. He was School Captain at Apollo Bay P-12 College and plans to study psychology at Deakin beginning in 2024.
MORGAN FORRESTER
Morgan grew up in the hills of the Otways, and is working at Wildlife Wonders for her gap year after high school. She loves experimenting in the Wildlife Wonders kitchen and working alongside the vibrant visitor experience team - sharing her passion for the Otways through her food. Morgan grows plants and helps with her family farm, Otway Herbs. She can be found walking her dog or helping out her dad with her sheep. In her spare time, she loves crocheting and Hooded Plover watching with her Nanna. She is an avid bird watcher, loving her smaller birds like thistle birds, thornbills and wrens.
STEPHAN RAS - FINANCE MANAGER
Steve is the Finance Manager at the Conservation Ecology Centre, which founded Wildlife Wonders as a social enterprise to help fund their conservation and research program. He is responsible for the day-to-day financial management of both organisations and is also responsible for implementing the financial strategy and direction, which support this innovative approach to wildlife conservation. He identifies and implements systems, policies and processes to improve financial monitoring, accountability and growth across the Conservation Ecology Centre and Wildlife Wonders. Steve has a Master of Science in Educational Studies and feels right at home with his management skills. He has a passion for eco-tourism and sustainability and managed the Great Ocean Ecolodge on the grounds of the Conservation Ecology Centre from 2015 to 2021 with his partner Karlijn Sas.
TONI STEVENS - COMMUNICATION MANAGER
Toni Stevens is a communication professional with a background in environmental science. For the past 10 years she has been working with scientists to share their stories via media, social media, online and in-person. She believes telling the stories of our wild places is an important step in helping people to understand the value of conserving them. Toni completed degrees in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of Canberra and spent her honours year studying the habits of the endangered Grassland Earless Dragon. She now oversees all the communication and digital marketing activities for both Wildlife Wonders and its founding organisation, the Conservation Ecology Centre.
TANIA JACOBS - MARKETING COORDINATOR
Tania is an experienced tourism marketer with a passion for the environment and for growing healthy, sustainable businesses. Working as a marine biologist and scuba diver in Cairns sparked her love of ecotourism, and launched her sales and marketing career. Since that time Tania has supported tourism businesses around the country to achieve their sales and marketing objectives, including Ocean Spirit Cruises, Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village Fraser Island, Domaine Chandon and the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. She also spent 10 years working at Visit Victoria, the state’s tourism and events marketing organisation, where she was responsible for delivering international marketing activities for Australia’s Asian and European markets. She has also worked closely with touring routes as a key driver of visitation to regional areas. Tania has considerable expertise in upskilling industry members to develop unique and compelling experiences, and in generating demand within both domestic and international markets.