Mornington - Marion Downs - Mornington in September - Volunteer Caretaker
The Operations Team at Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary is seeking volunteers to assist with groundskeeping and caretaker duties throughout September 2026.
Based at one of AWC's most remote and iconic sanctuaries, this role is ideally suited to a couple or two volunteers working together, although capable individual applicants will also be considered.
Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary (Mornington–Marion Downs) is located on Bunuba and Kija Country in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Covering more than 565,000 hectares, the sanctuary protects a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including nationally significant populations of threatened species such as the Gouldian Finch, Purple-crowned Fairy-wren and Northern Quoll.
The sanctuary is a naturalist's paradise, supporting more than 200 bird species along with a rich diversity of native mammals, reptiles and other wildlife. Volunteers will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the day-to-day operation of a globally significant conservation reserve while experiencing one of Australia's most spectacular landscapes.
Volunteer tasks
Volunteers will work as a team lead by the Project Coordinator and AWC Sanctuary staff to carry out tasks including:
Working alongside the Project Coordinator and AWC staff, volunteers will assist with a variety of operational and property maintenance/upkeep activities, including:
- General homestead and facilities upkeep, including cleaning, tidying, light repairs, painting, timber oiling, and recycling/waste management.
- Mowing and maintaining grounds and firebreaks.
- Conducting routine water infrastructure, bore and airstrip inspections.
- Assisting with land management activities such as weed control and fence maintenance.
- Supporting stock ordering, inventory management and other basic administrative tasks as required.
- Monitoring the property's solar power system and assisting with basic troubleshooting of generators and power outages (training provided).
Volunteers should be prepared to assist with a broad range of tasks and contribute wherever needed to support the operation of the sanctuary.
Skills and Experience
The following skills and experience are highly desirable:
- Practical maintenance, handyperson or property management skills.
- Experience living or working in remote locations.
- Experience operating tractors and slashers.
- Backhoe and excavator operation experience.
- Confidence working independently and solving practical problems.
- Positive attitude, flexibility and a strong community-minded approach.
Other Requirements
Volunteers must be:
- Physically fit and capable of undertaking outdoor manual work.
- Comfortable working in hot/varying weather and remote conditions.
- Able to walk over uneven terrain and undertake routine maintenance tasks.
A current First Aid Certificate is required for this position.
AWC Provides
Access to shared accommodation facilities, including bathrooms, laundry and communal kitchen areas.
Access to Wi-Fi and communal living spaces.
Limited communal food supplies.
A modest volunteer stipend to assist with day-to-day living expenses.
Opportunities to explore and enjoy the sanctuary during time off.
Basic onsite accommodation may be available for volunteers committing to placements longer than one month. Self-sufficient camping is preferred for shorter placements of less than two weeks.
Volunteers Provide
Personal food supplies.
Appropriate clothing and workwear.
Travel to site /or/ Broome or Derby (transport from these locations may be arranged for suitable candidates TBC).
Self-sufficient camping equipment where required.
Please note: Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary is accessible by 4WD only.
Project Coordinator Contacts:
Sanctuary Manager: Pete Lytton-Hitchins
E: pete.lyttonhitchins@australianwildlife.org
Senior Land Management Officer (Project Coordinator): Maddie Rasmussen
E: madeleine.rasmussen@australianwildlife.org
Recruitment Process- AWC Project Coordinators will assess volunteers’ profiles upon application (signup). Suitable candidates that meet project requirements will be contacted directly for a follow up discussion before final decisions are made. Once successful candidates have been offered a position volunteers will be assigned to the project and should expect to receive all relevant onboarding documentation soon after and before deployment. Please ensure your MyImpact profile is complete with contact details and all supporting information to provide you with the best opportunity for a successful placement.
Please note- due to the high-level of interest we receive for our volunteer opportunities we regret we cannot respond individually to unsuccessful applicants. We thank each of you for your keen interest and ongoing support.
Qualifications Required
- I have read and agree to the Code of Conduct (see info icon for file link) Must be I Agree
- I have read and agree to abide by the Volunteer Agreement (see info icon for file link) Must be I Agree
- Do you have a current First Aid Qualification? Must be Yes
Schedule Summary
The next 10 shifts (out of 30 total shifts) for this activity are as follows
| Date | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, September 01, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Wednesday, September 02, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Thursday, September 03, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Friday, September 04, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Saturday, September 05, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Sunday, September 06, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Monday, September 07, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Tuesday, September 08, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Wednesday, September 09, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
