Founders
During our time at uni we learned how fragile Australia's natural systems are, and how threatened. We knew that we needed to do something with our lives that would help to protect them.
We wanted to create a place where people who were interested in wildlife and the Australian bush could come together, experience sustainable living, and contribute to wildlife rehabilitation and ecological research. Above all, it would be a place where people could reconnect with the natural world in meaningful and memorable ways.
We spent our first two years at Cape Otway restoring the land, and building the Ecolodge. We have been operating for nearly five years now and have learned an incredible amount about running a business. From the start the response to the Centre and the Ecolodge have been incredible and we are delighted that it has been such a success.
Our little girl, Tess, arrived last Spring and has inspired us to think very carefully about the future. We have established a foundation which will support wildlife rehabilitation, ecological research and education, helping to lead to improved conservation outcomes. We are very excited about the opportunities the foundation represents and will be launching this year.
Shayne graduated from the University of Queensland with a Diploma of Applied Science in Wilderness Reserves and Wildlife. A passion for habitat restoration led him to Melbourne
University, where he graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Natural Resource Management.
University, where he graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Natural Resource Management. Lizzie graduated from Melbourne University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Zoology. In 2005 Lizzie was named the Prime Minister's Environmentalist of the Year, the youngest ever and first female recipient of this prestigious award. She has been a member of the National Environmental Education Council and the Otways Landscape Community Council.
