When John Creighton and Peter Lewis crossed paths in the Southern Highlands, neither knew it would lead to something much bigger than a chance encounter.
Peter, a seasoned business leader and philanthropist, had spent the decade following a life-altering health event working with purpose-led organisations. He volunteered as a Lifeline counsellor and mentor trainer before taking on national leadership roles, including President of the Making Waves Foundation, a charity supporting young people with disability and disadvantage through sailing.
John, known locally and recognised nationally as The Wombat Man, had for years run his own wombat-focused rescue and rehabilitation facility. Largely self-funded and operated solo, the facility became a vital haven for injured and sick animals, as well as a cornerstone of community-driven conservation. His work gained national attention following the Black Summer fires, when his efforts were featured in a wildlife documentary; bringing the scale of the crisis, and the urgent plight of koalas and other wildlife, into public view.
Their worlds collided when Peter called John to treat a wombat on his property. They quickly discovered a shared belief: that change happens locally, and it’s stronger when built together. As John puts it, “there is so much need, and so many caring people in our community who want to be part of the solution. Together, we can achieve so much for our environment and wildlife.”
The meeting sparked a shared vision: to turn John’s existing facility into a scalable, strategic sanctuary for native wildlife. Together, they have transitioned it into what is now the Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary (SHWS), underpinned by strong governance, infrastructure, and bold conservation goals.
SHWS is more than just a facility for animal care. It’s a long-term commitment to ecological recovery, research, and community engagement. Together, Peter, John and the team are creating a home base for wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and research in the region, with the scale and support needed to future-proof the work.
John brings decades of hands-on experience, deep knowledge of marsupial health, and strong ties to the local rescue network. Peter brings a sharp mind for strategy, access to funding channels, and a background in building scalable, sustainable organisations. As Peter says, “we have a responsibility to care for our native species, and with the right approach, we can turn the tide on population decline.”
Their collaboration bridges grassroots experience with board-level planning – and it’s already gaining traction.
Located in Bundanoon, the Sanctuary is now fundraising to build world-class facilities that will support volunteer training, scientific research, and education programs alongside its rescue, research and rehab work. Peter notes that “every dollar raised will help build a centre that supports real, lasting outcomes for our wildlife — through research, rehabilitation and education.”
Its long-term goal? “Right now, we’re building on the foundation of our existing work with wombats. Koalas are our next focus, but our long-term goal is to become a centre of excellence for research — helping marsupials thrive across the Southern Highlands.” says Peter.
It’s a big vision, but it’s grounded in the kind of work John has been doing every day for decades, and in Peter’s lifelong belief that meaningful change is always possible with the right mix of heart, head and hands.
At its core, the Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary is a story of what happens when two people bring their whole selves (their past, their skills, and their purpose) to the table.
It’s a reminder that while the challenges facing our environment are vast, so too is the potential for communities to step up and lead.
If you would like to support the work we are doing you can, by donating and help us grow!
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