Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
District 1: Northern Region
Cape York / Dry Tropics / Gulf
Position Vacant
District 2: Northern Region
Wet Tropics / Cairns Marine
Connie Pinson- [Secretary]
Cow Bay Qld.
Phone: 07 40989056 (click to call)
I live in the Daintree and have been working with wildlife since 2000 , starting out originally in Mid North Coast NSW with Wires.
I predominantly work with Bats and Flying-foxes, including presenting Bat Training throughout Australia.
I am also trained and experienced with Birds and Small Mammals (mainly Bandicoots and Melomys) and have some limited experience with Possums.
I have previously been both President and Vice President in various Wildlife Groups.
In my spare time, my husband and I run a business called Daintree Life where we conduct rainforest revegetation work in the Daintree. Since our inception in 2018 we have planted over 25,00 trees (to September 2024) – expanding wildlife habitat. For all carers one of the hardest things about getting animals into care is being able to release them with the knowledge that they can be returned to the wild with sufficient habitat to sustain them.
I am also an avid photographer, with a strong interest in Wildlife and Nature photography.
I hope as the District Rep for Far North Qld, to be able to be a conduit for QWRC Wildlife members/Carers in this area and would like to encourage all members from the area to feel free to contact me for help.
District 3: Northern Region
Savannah / Townsville Marine
Position Vacant
District 4: Central Region
Mackay / Whitsunday
Position Vacant
District 5 Central Region
Capricorn / Gladstone
Janet Irvine – [Treasurer – Membership Secretary]
Rosedale Qld.
Phone: 0411 254 661 (click to call)
email: janet-irvine@hotmail.com (click to email)
The day my life changed in becoming a wildlife carer is the day I stumbled across Ipswich Koala Protection Society (IKPS) Members at a fundraiser at Redbank Plaza more then 25 years ago. I knew then that wildlife would play a major part in my life, I instantly signed up as volunteer with IKPS and Moggill Koala hospital, helping to care for injured and sick Koalas.
It didn’t take long before I was rescuing and caring for a variety of native animals with IKPS, such as Brushtailed Possums, Ringtailed Possums, Gliders, Lizards, Birds, Kangaroos, Wallabies and Koalas.
I moved to Gladstone in 2008 and have continued rescuing and caring for Wildlife with both my individual koala permit and eventually joining Gladstone Wildlife. I now focus mainly on caring for the Macropod species, and with the advantage of sufficient safe land, I am able to raise and release from my home. Over the years I’ve raised and released many macropods and have offered to help other carers with a safe release site. The best advice for myself, is each animal that comes into care, is different from the last one, try and keep it simple “KISS”, is the best steps to follow. They are all so fragile and special to Australia.
As the District Rep for District 5 Capricorn / Gladstone Central Region, I offer my help to any Wildlife Carer needing advice or even a shoulder to lean on in this harsh caring environment. Please feel free to contact me to discuss any concerns by phone or email.
District 6: Central Region
Longreach
Kim Palmer – [Vice Chairperson]
Muttaburra Qld.
Phone: 0436 366 452 (click to call)
I have lived in Muttaburra, part of Barcaldine Regional Council, for over 15 years. I have, along with my husband, been caring for animals and birds both here and in North Brisbane for over 20 years. I feel district 6 will benefit from having a representative who can voice the concerns of members and carers in our remote area.
District 7: Southern Region
Wide Bay Burnett / Great Sandy
Linda Karlsen
Avoca QLD
Phone: 0412 665 424 (click to call)
I have been heavily involved with wildlife and conservation since I was a child when I started a branch of the Gould League at my primary school in 1976. My love of nature and our unique fauna and flora led me to joining an infant organisation in 1988 called WIRES. I joined the Blue Mountains branch as a snake catcher and was soon also on the committee helping out in various roles. In 1992 I joined FAWNA in Port Macquarie and again, served on the committee in various roles.
I then joined a travelling snake and crocodile show and travelled the east coast doing shows at shopping centres, country shows and schools. This led to a university degree in environmental management with a major in wildlife tourism.
I have rescued on and off since then and when I moved to Bundaberg in 2018 I joined up with a local group of women who were rescuing. This led to the formation of Bundy Wildlife Rescue, of which I am president. I no longer catch venomous snakes as advancing age and creaking bones do not lend themselves to ‘playing’ with venomous reptiles. My great loves are bats and birds of prey but I rescue most species and help out where needed.
I have always been a firm believer in the power of education. It is only through teaching and sharing our love, the carers’ love, of all things wildlife, that we can hope to educate the public about the vital work we do and get them on board with us.
I am always available to anyone in my district who wants to have a chat about any issues, make suggestions or have any other matters to discuss.
District 8 Southern Region
South West
Lea Macken – [Chairperson]
Chairperson
Hungerford Qld.
Phone: 0428 437 984 (limited service) (click to call)
District 9 Southern Region
Toowoomba
Terise Hungerford
Dalby Qld.
Phone: 0448 814 882 (click to call)
My first memories of caring for macropods was in my early pre teen years. Many years ago! Bex powder bottles used for formula and half the linen cupboard keeping the joeys warm hanging around the No.7 kitchen wood stove. I have lived within District 9 Toowoomba for the majority of my life.
As the representative for the district I hope to build a rapport with members to establish shared concerns and aim to improve standards and outcomes of our native wildlife rehabilitation and release throughout Queensland.
I hope members will engage with me by contacting me, allow me to advocate on their behalf as a Councillor and the collaborative climate the committee is founded on in representing wildlife rehabilitators.
District 9 Toowoomba members can email me at wildlifedalby@gmail.com.
I look forward to hearing from you!
District 10: Southern Region
Sunshine Coast / Southern Marine
Glendell Appleford
Wivenhoe Pocket Qld.
Phone: 0413 453 722 (click to call)
I became a registered wildlife carer ten years ago after completing a Wildlife Conservation Course. I had promised myself that once I left my nursing career, I would direct my activities towards conservation and wildlife management. I am currently a member of the Ipswich Koala Protection Society, S.W.A.G (Student Wildlife Association Gatton), W.P.S.Q. (Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland) and an Honorary Park Ranger with Ipswich City Council.
As a generalist wildlife carer, I have great pleasure in caring for all our creatures, great and small from the tiniest feathertail glider which I rescued and raised from five grams through to the big kangaroos. I am also passionate about the birds and bats in my belfry as well. My greatest pleasure is being able to release all of these beautiful creatures back to their natural habitat. However, my greatest sadness is that their habitat is disappearing at an alarming rate. This is why I believe that we need to stay acutely aware of what is happening and to try to ensure that there will be suitable habitats and management of our wildlife for future generations. How privileged we are to share our lives with such unique wildlife.
I am available to discuss any areas of concern that wildlife rehabilitators encounter either by telephone, email or ‘snail mail.’ I look forward to hearing from you.
District 11: Southern Region
South East / Moreton Bay
Jenni Abbott
Brisbane Qld.
Phone: 0417 469 064 (click to call)
As a dedicated committee representative for QWRC, I bring over 11 years of experience as a wildlife carer, specialising in the rehabilitation of native birds. I am also the proud founder of Aussie Wildlife, a charity committed to supporting injured and orphaned wildlife in Queensland. With a strong background in community engagement and a passion for preserving our natural heritage, I strive to contribute to the growth and development of wildlife rescue initiatives. My goal is to advocate for sustainable practices, provide resources for carers, and foster collaboration among like-minded individuals and organisations.
Positions
Chairperson – Lea Macken
Phone: 0428 437 984 (click to call)
Vice Chairperson – Kim Palmer
Phone: 0436 366 452 (click to call)
Secretary – Connie Pinson
Phone: 07 40 989 056 (click to call)
Treasurer – Janet Irvine
Phone: 0411 254 661 (click to call)
Membership Secretary – Janet Irvine
Phone: 0411 254 661 (click to call)
Trustees
Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
Glendell Appleford
Annie Saunders
Lana Field
