Wildlife Health Assistant  

My interest in Science began with my year 10 work experience in the pathology department of Mona Vale Hospital.  I learnt to take blood from patients, spin and screen samples and inhale the exciting world of microbes and cells. I enjoyed my time in the pathology labs so much I volunteered during my school holidays. I discovered the hospital offered positions to undergraduates of the University of Technology, Sydney, Biomedical Science degree.  

After a year of full-time study, I was offered a Trainee Scientific Officer position within Mona Vale Hospital where over the next 5 years I completed the Biomedical Science degree at night whilst working full time learning my trade, which included undertaking autopsies, for which I found I had a real passion. I dreamt of working for the State Coroner and joined the NSW Police Force with the aim of joining their coronial investigation unit. After a memorable six months at the Police Academy I was stationed at Manly Police station where over the next few years I chased cars, attended armed robberies, arrested offenders and investigated deaths on behalf of the coroner.  My scientific background saw me fast-tracked to the State Coroner’s Office investigating medically related deaths across the state.  After several years, I undertook the role of a New South Wales Police Forensic Crime Scene Investigator.  I examined all types of crime scenes, collected evidence and gave expert evidence in courts.   

At this point, my career came second to raising four beautiful children and supporting my husband in his career.  However, my science degree allowed me to casually work in a pathology laboratory, then for 12 years work in science laboratories and administration.   

This has all led me to my career highlight, my current role as a Wildlife Health Assistant attached to Taronga Wildlife Hospital within Taronga Zoo where I have a dual role as a Laboratory Technical Officer and Pathology Assistant. Everyone tells me ‘you have my dream job’ and I do.  I work with lions, tigers, elephants and all types of zoo animals analysing blood and again, performing and assisting in necropsies to determine the cause of deaths.  These have included zebras, gorillas, pythons, turtles, a lemur and dolphins.  I have also had the opportunity to assist in the release of rehabilitated green sea turtles back into the ocean from a police launch off Sydney Heads, as well as Peregrine Falcons from the rooftops of Sydney skyscrapers.