Stop and listen; to the wind rustle leaves, the many bird species sing, the chattering of visitors, and the crunch of gravel beneath your feet. This place sounds like home.”
Joy Thorup Andersen describes Serendip Sanctuary in Lara, a special place that has inspired her to learn more about nature and to encourage others to protect and preserve our environment.
Growing up in Lara,Serendip Sanctuary was very much a part of Joy’s childhood.
“I went to Lara Primary school where a beautiful woman ran the Serendip Sanctuary school program. Each year, every class walked to Serendip Sanctuary for a week of learning about technology and the environment. We researched about the animals, (the Tawny Frogmouth was always my favourite), making PowerPointpresentations and websites full of information.
My family often brought friends to visit the Sanctuary too. We joined in Junior Ranger programs, going on nature treasure hunts and fishing for invertebrates at the ponding site.
During grade 5, we found out I had Dyslexia. I love my mother for finding opportunities for supporting me. I learned to love to read, no matter how slow I was.”
Joy followed her passion for nature throughout high school, and found opportunity and support at Serendip Sanctuary.
“In year 9 I began volunteering at Serendip. Every school holiday, I helped with the morning and afternoon feeds, cleaned walking tracks, replaced hay and helped with random odd jobs. I also enjoyed delivering Junior Ranger programs alongside the Rangers, teaching the kids about the things I loved.
I became so reliable that the staff trusted me to teach and mentor new volunteers and deliver the JuniorRanger programs when the Educational Ranger was ill. The Rangers became great friends and mentors, and when I learnt that the Team Leader at the time hadDyslexia, I realised there was nothing stopping me frombecoming a leader too.”
Joy’s love of Australian native wildlife, and realisationthat they needed a safe and healthy environment to survive in, led her to study Conservation and Land Management at Gordon TAFE.
“Here, I found a passion for plants and invasive species management. Acacia paradoxa, (Hedge Wattle), was the first botanical name I learned! In 2020 I became a Land Management Officer for Parks Victoria. My all-female team managed invasive flora and undertook track maintenance, based at Serendip. I soon learned to hate Acacia paradoxa, removing this spiky plant growing along walking tracks.”
Wanting to learn about fire in the landscape, Joy joined the CFA as a volunteer Fire Fighter, and then became a Project Fire Fighter (PFF).
“Now this was something different! I learned how the landscape was managed to reduce bushfire risk as well as responded to several bushfires.”
Following her first PFF fire season, she decided to start a Bachelor of Environmental Science, Conservation Wildlife Biology, with a minor in Indigenous Studies, at Deakin University.
“I never thought I would be smart enough, but I had a need to learn more about landscape management. I wish to play a role in researching how to improve our use of fire as a conservation tool, and to change thecommunities fear of fire, to understanding its usefulness as an environmental tool. I believe in using fire to create the desired landscape for reducing bushfire risk, improving biodiversity and producing resources.”
Joy is a young gem in our community who not only cares about the future of the planet, but is actively participating in making positive changes at a local level.
“I’ve come to realize how everything in nature is interconnected. Each natural cycle interacts with and influences the others, continuously shaping and reshaping our landscapes.”
She is currently in her final year of university, still a volunteer firefighter and now developing the Friends of Serendip Sanctuary group.
“My dream is for the Friends of group to play a role in connecting community with nature and enhancing the Sanctuary’s biodiversity. I see this as an opportunity to provide a space for learning and developing, for enhancing biodiversity and reconnecting humans to nature. I have big dreams for the Friends of Serendip Sanctuary group, and look forward to the mischief we will get into!”
Joy is currently seeking assistance to incorporate and lead the group. If you’d like to get involved, follow Friends of Serendip Sanctuary on Facebook, join the Friends of group and attend working bees, activities, or become a committee member.
“Come help us create opportunity for others to learn and play a part in enhancing biodiversity!”
Story: Sarah Treacy. Photo: Ruth Woodrow
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