August Community Report
It’s been a busy few months at Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary! From John Creighton’s ongoing work rescuing and treating wombats, to finalising the last few reports for our Wildlife Hub DA application and our campaign to protect vital wildlife habitat, we’re excited to share the progress & work our team and community are making together. […]
This is the moment that matters. Our Crowdfunding Campaign is LIVE!
Our Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary crowdfunding campaign is officially live NOW! This campaign is not just about raising funds. It is about building a “coalition of capability” — bringing together community members, educators, scientists, wildlife carers, families, businesses and supporters from not only the Southern Highlands, but across Australia and beyond, who believe conservation must […]
Building Knowledge, Building Change: The SHWS Education Centre
At Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary (SHWS), we know that protecting wildlife doesn’t just happen in the bush. It starts in the classroom, in the community, and in the hands of the people who will inherit the responsibility of caring for Australia’s unique species. “We cannot protect something we do not love; we cannot love what […]
Back Where They Belong: The Vision to Reintroduce Koalas to Morton National Park
In the Southern Highlands, the bush tells a story of both loss and possibility. Morton National Park, once home to thriving koala populations, now stands silent of their calls. Hunting, habitat destruction, disease, and climate extremes have left the park locally bereft of koalas. But the Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary (SHWS) believes this story doesn’t […]
Sanctuaries and Science: Why Research Matters for Wildlife Recovery
SHWS isn’t working in isolation. Partnerships with universities and conservation groups will be central to tackling challenges like wombat mange and planning for rewilding projects. These collaborations can connect local data with national conservation science, ensuring our region contributes to the bigger picture of wildlife recovery. By focusing on disease management and habitat restoration, in […]
Wombat Man Goes Global
When a Southern Highlands wildlife carer ends up on French television, you know something special’s going on. Our co-founder, John ‘The Wombat Man’ Creighton has spent the last decade rescuing, rehabilitating, and fiercely protecting one of Australia’s most beloved native animals. Now, his work has been recognised on the global stage, featured in a major […]
Meet the Marsupials – How Conservation Science Shapes Their Future
Every August, National Science Week shines a light on the way science helps us understand our world. This year, Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary (SHWS) is putting the focus on Australia’s marsupials (and their close friends the monotremes), and why the story doesn’t end with wombats, and on how science is making a real difference in […]
Wildlife Renewal Starts Here: Why Trees Are the First Step in Recovery
Wildlife renewal might conjure images of animals being released into the wild. But long before a koala can climb, a wombat can dig, or a sugar glider can glide, one thing must come first: trees. Lots of them. At the Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary (SHWS), we know that habitat recovery is the backbone of conservation. […]
A Shared Vision for Wildlife, Community and Change
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 […]
Help Us Build the Foundation for Wildlife Care and Education in the Southern Highlands
At the heart of Bundanoon, a dream is quietly taking shape—one rooted in community, compassion, and a deep love for our native wildlife. The Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary has been established by local residents who share a common goal: to protect, care for and learn from the remarkable animals that call this region home. This […]