Tiarni’s wildlife adventures
Haileybury Pangea Year 12 student, Tiarni, has always been passionate about animals and conservation, with her sights set firmly on a future dedicated to animal rescue, rehabilitation, and protecting endangered species.
As she embarks on her final year of secondary school, Tiarni already has an exciting journey mapped out through to mid-2027, including plans to travel to both Borneo and the far north of Lapland.
Tiarni’s commitment to animal care and conservation was sparked from a young age, always having a desire to be around animals which developed a passion to want to work in the industry.
After commencing at Haileybury Pangea in 2024, she participated in the Zoos Victoria Youth Leadership Program, which developed a valuable insight into the zookeeping and conservation industry. She followed this up with a work experience opportunity at Queensland’s Australia Zoo, further deepening her understanding of wildlife protection. During her Year 10 Work Experience, Tiarni worked at her local veterinary clinic where she enjoyed caring for animals and contributing to their wellbeing.
Tiarni and her mum also spent her school holidays in Borneo working on The Great Orangutan Project through Project Borneo at the Matang Wildlife Centre. Living in the heart of the rainforest, she worked with endangered species including orangutans, sun bears and macaques in a unique environment. This hands-on experience truly gave her a taste of conservation work and from there, her passion to make a difference in the lives of endangered animals flourished.
Later that same year, Tiarni began her Certificate II in Animal Care through the Taronga Training Institute. As part of her practical training, she recently completed the last of four full days of hands-on experience at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, assisting with animal husbandry in the Currumbin farmyard. She worked with goats, llamas, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. Tiarni says, “I very much enjoyed my time at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and working with both the staff and fellow students. For further education I plan on completing my Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and then my Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care.”
This Christmas, Tiarni will return to Borneo and the Matang Wildlife Centre, this time volunteering on her own. This solo travelling experience is an exciting step towards preparing Tiarni for her next adventure, a three-month work placement in Lapland, Northern Finland, in early 2027. While there, she will work with Siberian huskies, learning to drive her own team of dogs, and get to experience a true Arctic winter, complete with hunting for the Northern Lights.
Tiarni is also reaching out to other wildlife rescue organisations across Europe, hoping to secure another month of volunteer work before travelling on to Finland.
In the coming weeks, Tiarni is looking forward to returning to Borneo saying, “The time spent in Borneo really felt like we made a difference to the animals’ lives. I learnt so much from the coordinators and the CEO of Project Borneo. Working in that environment gave me a deeper appreciation for both the challenges and the rewards of conserving endangered species in their natural habitats.”
Tiarni’s story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through passion, perseverance and a willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone to embrace new opportunities. Her journey is sure to inspire others to follow their passions and contribute to making a positive impact in the world. We look forward to hearing all about Tiarni’s upcoming adventures and sharing her experiences with everyone.
