Kathryn Hamilton may not have been born in Narrabri, but it is the place she now calls home, cementing herself within the community thanks to her tireless volunteer work on numerous community organisations.
“I grew up in Inverell but moved to Wee Waa for my very first teaching appointment. That was around 60 years ago,” said Kath.
“Then I met a farmer, got married and had a family and ended up staying in Wee Waa until my husband and I retired. We moved around for a bit, but eventually we came back and settled on our property here at Killarney Gap in the foothills of Mount Kaputar National Park.
“I love it here. It’s a beautiful area surrounded by natural environment, so peaceful and brimming with wildlife.”
It is Kath’s affinity for wildlife that is at the core of her volunteer work, though she gives her time to many organisations, such as Taverners Australia Northern NSW branch and the Inner Wheel Club of Narrabri. Her contributions have led to her receiving the Narrabri Shire 2024 Australia Day Environment Award as well as being included on the Hidden Treasures Honour Role, a recognition that acknowledges the important volunteer roles women play within NSW rural communities.
But let’s go back to the beginning.
Since her childhood Kath has always loved animals. Living on their farm in Inverell she created a family rule, that if you ever found an animal hurt or in distress, you had to bring it home so she could care for it.
“It wasn’t always a rule that went down well. I remember when I was looking after three little fox cubs, not something a farmer wants on his property,” Kath revealed with a laugh.
“It didn’t matter what type of animal; birds, lambs, native wildlife, the rule always applied.”
Through much of her life Kath’s care for animals was simply something she did even though she had no training, but everything changed when her son-in-law brought home an injured wallaroo joey in 2014.
“I wasn’t sure what milk I needed to feed it, so I contacted WIRES. That phone call put me on the path to becoming a WIRES wildlife carer.
“I hadn’t even known that you are not supposed to rescue wildlife without a licence. They told me I had to do a training course and I was a but reluctant, I already thought I knew how to look after animals as I had been doing it all my life!
“The course was a rude awakening though, there was so much I didn’t know. Every animal has different needs and if you don’t know what you are doing you can seriously hurt or even kill an animal by accident. For example, if you feed cow’s milk to a kangaroo you can make it go blind.
“WIRES is such an excellent organisation and has been incredibly supportive of me. I really encourage anyone who cares for our native wildlife to consider volunteering as they always need more help. There are so many ways you can get involved too, rescuing, rehabilitating or even transporting animals. You can also donate or fundraise.”
Kath is now an executive for the WIRES Central Northern branch and has done extensive training to increase her capacity to look after injured native wildlife. Her property ‘West End’ has become an animal sanctuary, with many of the animals she cares for being released on it, and much to Kath’s delight sometimes even popping back to say hello… or rather to have a munch on the crops her son Richard grows.
“I can honestly say that volunteering has been the most rewarding thing in my life. I can’t take credit either for what I’ve done, everything has always been as part of a team.
“Anyone can volunteer, and anyone can help save an animal’s life. The next time you drive past an injured animal on the side of the road all you have to do and stop and check it, if it is still alive call WIRES and they will take care of the rest.”
