Tomy Liu’s Blog
When I first landed in Sydney last week, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I came out of the plane feeling tired with my legs asleep. Once we started classes at UTS, I was able to explore the city’s vibrant streets, soaking the sun at Bondai Beach, and even get lost. However, the day that stood out the most was my visit to Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, where I was able to see Australia’s unique wildlife roam around freely in their natural habitat. It felt more like a guest in the natural environment than a tourist looking at animals.
The sanctuary was unlike any other experience I’ve had. As soon as I stepped in, I spotted a group of kangaroos hopping around, completely unbothered by my presence. Some of them were lounging in the sun, while others approached closer. Emus strutted around with a sense of confidence as if they were the host greeting the guests. Seeing the animals in their natural habitat, rather than behind an artificial environment made the experience so much more memorable.
While seeing the animals was incredible, the most impactful part of the visit was learning about the history of the sanctuary and its founder, Tessa. Originally, Tessa was a nurse whose journey took many unexpected turns. From raising two children to being an underwriter. Through her and her team’s determination, they were able to protect the sanctuary and its animals from the hands of a mining company and were able to make it into the paradise that it is now. Tessa’s story showed me that life does not always go in a straight line and that by staying open to new opportunities and finding what your passion is, you can make a mark on the world.
