Healesville Sanctuary lies within the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people and began its story in 1921 when Dr Colin MacKenzie was granted 70 acres of land to study native fauna for medical research. The Sanctuary was officially opened to the public in 1934 and Zoos Victoria has been looking after the Sanctuary since 1978.
This tour is an absolute highlight adventure of your Conference trip hosted by the Sanctuary’s Director, Ross Williamson. During your leisurely bus trip through the suburbs out to the Yarra Valley, your tour guide will entertain you with stories of greatness with some laughs along the way.
Tour details
Date: Friday 12th August 2022
Time: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Host: Ross Williamson
Tour Guide: Tess O’Connell
Cost: $99
Pax: 40 max
Schedule
8:30am Bus departs Melbourne Zoo
10:00am Arrival at Healesville Sanctuary
10:15am Welcome to Country with Wurundjeri Elder, Murrundindi
10.30am Indigenous culture in our Education programs with Indigenous staff member, Lisa Hodgson
10:45am The Ross Hour of Power
11.45am Break and walk to Spirits
12:00pm Spirits of the Sky Show
12:30pm Lunch – Brolga Room
1:30pm Tours in rotation
Australian Wildlife Health Centre (AWHC): includes an overview of this Centre’s purpose, update on the AWHC gallery revamp project and new Raptor Rehab facility.
Threatened Species Precinct: learn of latest developments, breeding successes/challenges with Australia’s most at-risk species.
The Visitor Experience: Learn all about the importance of Visitor Engagement, Community Conservation programs, animal encounters and commercial opportunities, and meet the Bubbleologist!
3:00 pm Bus departs Healesville Sanctuary
4:30 pm Arrive back at Melbourne Zoo
Host: Ross Williamson
Ross Williamson has been the Director of Healesville Sanctuary since January 2017. He joined Zoos Victoria in 2015 as General Manager Threatened Species, pursuing his life-long passion for conserving Australia’s natural environment. Before that, Ross had a long career with Parks Victoria and the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in a variety of roles. These included biologist, planner, park ranger and manager, both in Melbourne and in Gippsland where he lived and worked for 20 years. He was also heavily involved in bushfire management throughout that time. He managed Parks Victoria’s state-wide recovery programs after the 2009 Black Saturday fires and the devastating storms and floods in 2010 and 2011.
Ross brings a very broad experience in conservation land management to the Sanctuary, and a passion for the conservation and care of Australian wildlife. His focus at the Sanctuary has been to build its ability to care for Australia’s wildlife and to engage people in their protection. Ross is presently on the ZAA Board as the Zoos Victoria nominated representative.
