About Us:
The Wombat Foundation is the only organisation dedicated exclusively to the conservation of the northern hairy-nosed wombat.
We have no paid staff and our board of directors give their time freely which means that our administrative costs are extremely modest.
Since our inception in 2004, we have invested in research and recovery actions to conserve the northern hairy-nosed wombat.
We work tirelessly to build the community’s awareness of the plight of the wombats and to encourage continued investment in conservation of the species.
We are listed on the Register of Environmental Organisations meaning that donations to The Wombat Foundation are tax deductible under Australian law.
Meet our Board
Peter Nicholson
Director
Peter Nicholson produced the original study of the bare-nosed wombat in 1960 aged 15 by crawling down burrows and making friends with the inhabitants. The published findings of this inspirational study over the years lead many others to undertake further studies. He became an economist not a zoologist but has continued to champion the cause of further research into wombats and a better understanding of these loveable characters.
Josey Sharrad
Director
Josey is an experienced animal welfare and conservation campaigner. Beginning her career with the International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW) in the UK, she amassed more than 20 years with IFAW working on issues ranging from protecting elephants from the ivory trade to rescuing penguins from oil spills and was instrumental in the high profile campaign to ban fox hunting. In 2012, seeking out a fresh challenge and more sunshine; she transferred to IFAW’s Sydney office to head up native wildlife campaigning in Oceania. She instantly fell in love with wombats and has supported the cause ever since, both on a personal and professional level.
Julie Old
Director
Dr Julie Old is a wildlife biologist with a passion for conserving native wildlife, especially wombats. Her observations of bare-nosed wombats suffering from sarcoptic mange led her to develop the Citizen Science project, WomSAT, a project aimed at supporting wombat conservation. Through her academic position, and her position on the Board of the Wombat Foundation, Julie aims to enhance the profile of wombats, and their appreciation in the wider community, to ensure they remain for generations to come.
Dr Baden Pearse
Director
Dr Baden Pearse (BVSc, MVSc, MPVM, PhD, MANZCVS) is a retired veterinary epidemiologist. His professional interest is the cause and spread of disease in populations. Working in veterinary public health with the Australian government, he provided technical oversight of the largest team of veterinarians in the country. He is thrilled to be working with such a talented and committed group of directors on the board of The Wombat Foundation and looks forward to contributing to the task of saving this adorable and iconic animal.
Tarnya Fitzgibbon
Director
Tarnya Fitzgibbon LLB(Hons), BSc(Env), BEd(Prim), MUrb&RegPlan(Hons), MBA, RPIA, MEIANZ, CEnvP, MAICD, MLGMA, Director and Principal Planner, had a passion for the northern hairy-nosed wombat since she first heard about their plight as a 12 year old.
She was an environmental lawyer for 14 years before turning her focus towards ecology and environmental planning.
Her aim is to raise the profile of these beautiful creatures.
Julia Armstrong
Director
Julia has broad experience in leadership and management within the Commonwealth public service and private media organisations and her professional interests are in policy development, strategic planning, targeted communications and engagement, innovation, and technology. In 2022, she completed her masters degree focussing on the ethics in the design of the NSW wildlife rehabilitation policy.
Julia is honoured to be on the board of the Wombat Foundation to assist in the conservation of the iconic northern hairy-nosed wombat.
Dr Alan Horsup
Director
Ambassadors
Suzy Nethercott-Watson
Ambassador
Suzy Nethercott-Watson moved to a rural property in the year 2000 which ignited a long held connection with the environment and wildlife. She has worked in Commonwealth water related infrastructure and science programs, and environmental policy, for a number of years with additional professional experience in other private and public sector organisations, logistics management, business startup and program management positions. Suzy is a wildlife carer specialising in raising ‘pinkies’ the smallest of the baby wombats, possums, wallabies and kangaroos.
Leanne Brosnan
Ambassador
Leanne is a Queenslander with a passion for wombats and for flourishing rural communities. She has supported northern hairy-nosed wombat conservation for 20 years. Leanne was the brainchild of 2.5 m high and 3.5 m long William the Wombat: a statue now taking pride of place in the tiny town of Thallon in recognition of the town’s historic connection to the wombats.
Jackie French
Ambassador
Jackie French is an author from the Araluen Valley, NSW. Her book “Diary of a Wombat” is a hit with the young – and the young at heart alike! Jackie has studied bare-nosed, or ‘common’, Wombats for 35 years, and until recently was a Foundation Director. Jackie now is the Wombat Foundation’s newest Ambassador, sharing the plight of the northern hairy-nosed wombat whenever she can!
Visit Jackie’s site at www.jackiefrench.com
Acknowledgement of Country
The Wombat Foundation acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, water, wildlife and community. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
We recognise the continuous and deep connection to Country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands communities as the first peoples of this nation, acknowledging their connection and custodianship of the Australian continent for over 60,000 years, inclusive of the Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat and their traditional name for this special animal; Yaminon (Southern Queensland) and Warru (Central Queensland).
The crash of the population of the Northern Hairy Nosed Wombats over the last 250 years has seen their original range critically dwindle and we may never know what other traditional names this animal was known by.
Help Us!
We cannot go it alone. Your support is vital if we are to bring the northern hairy-nosed wombat back from the brink of extinction.
