Aussie Animal Magic

Aussie Animal Magic has been a part of my life for quite a number of years.  It first took shape when I learnt how to use the internet about 10 years ago and after doing a hobby course on web design (using Frontpage) I managed to build a very basic website. 

Times have changed and so have websites.  The original website became very outdated and difficult to update.  I kept the domain name in the hope that in the future I would find the time to start another website which I have now done.  After attempts at building one from scratch using Dreamweaver failed because of my lack of available time I decided to search the internet for a suitable host and found one here at Webs.  I have already done two other websites using Webs for softball clubs which have been quite successful and I have become familiar with the system.

So here it is .... a NEW Aussie Animal Magic!

I have been a wildlife carer for the past 13 years and over that time have experienced many highs and lows that are part of the daily life of anyone involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of native wildlife. 

There are the call outs at night, in wet weather and during holiday periods.  The lost sleep trying to keep that tiny possum or wallaby alive when it first comes into care and is missing mum.  The endless hours spent feeding around the clock when there are little ones to care for.

So why do we do this to ourselves ...... because we are passionate about animals and feel that we are doing something worthwhile giving these beautiful creatures a second chance at life.

There are so many happy and sad stories ..... enough to fill a book (maybe someday).  I have shared a few on this website which you might like to read.

I emigrated to Australia from Scotland in 1980 and Brisbane has always been my home.  I have three grown up children - Tasha, Toby and Sheridan.  You can read more about my family in the next section.  The whole family enjoy the outdoor life and the climate here in Queensland makes that possible.

I work for the Australian Koala Foundation and have been with them since I returned to the workforce in 2004.  My work with them allows me to take my animal orphans to work and visit schools to talk about koalas and other wildlife.

I love photography, sport and being at home.  I hope to use this website to create a small business using my photographs so please feel free to pass it on to family and friends.

Although the family is the last to be mentioned it is the one that is the most important to me and the one that will always come first in my life.

I have three beautiful children, all of which I am very proud of.  Each of them has grown up into successful, independent young adults and I would like to share a little bit about of each of them with you.

You can also check out the family photos in Photo Gallery.

Tasha

Tasha is 27 years old and is an RSPCA Ambulance Officer, a job she moved to last year after more than 8 years working at Dreamworld looking after all kinds of native animals.  While at Dreamworld she worked with koalas, kangaroos, birds, reptiles including both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles.

Tasha is engaged to her long time partner, Scott and they live at Jacob's Well with their two eclectus parrots Algae and Cherry and Homer the python.

Tasha has been invaluable to me over the years helping out during the busy times with my orphans and looking after them while I took a few days break now and again.

Toby

Toby is almost 25 and lives and works in Edinburgh (my birthplace).  He returned home for six weeks holiday earlier this year but has now returned to the United Kingdom.

Although he did an apprenticeship in patternmaking at Bradken at Runcorn since he moved overseas he has been working in a variety of jobs in the hospitality industry.  He has worked as a barman, a chalet host in the ski resort of Val D'Isere in France and also more recently he has worked at Tigerlily Hotel in Edinburgh looking after all the wine, beer and spirit stocks.

Toby is a great sport lover and played cricket when he was younger.  He intends travelling overseas for a few more years.

Sheridan

Sheridan has just recently turned 21 and leads a busy, active life.  Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at only 5 weeks of age Sheri has not let her health issues stand in her way of realising her dream of playing softball for her home state of Queensland.

In her early years Sheri had good and bad times having numerous hospital admissions as a baby and then again in her early teen years.  On the whole though she has kept in reasonable health and excelled in her chosen sport of softball although she loves all sports.

Now working as a teacher aide at Ormiston College she spends most of her spare time training with the Queensland Open Women's Softball team and only 2 months ago won her first National Championship Medal as a member of this team.