Events
Our wildlife need the support of many members of the public, in different roles. There are many opportunities to get involved in various wildlife related events both locally and throughout Victoria.
Here is a selection of our 2026 events happening soon.
Saturday 27th June 2026 Basic Wildlife Rescue & Transport Training $50
8.45pm-5.15pm @ Buninyong. Numbers limited.
Click here to lodge your expression of Interest to attend.
The comprehensive day of training includes information and training in the elements of:
· Numerous species identification, handling and transport methods
· How to pouch check wildlife and identify different stages of joeys
· Personal safety, PPE and rescue equipment etc
This training is also the first step for anyone interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitation carer and may also be used as part of the Wildlife Victoria Fast Track process for experienced volunteers who meet all of WV’s requirements to be accepted as rescuers as part of that process. You are required to volunteer with BWRAC for a period of time to gain hands-on experience.
Participants must be at least 18 years old, hold a current Victorian Driver’s Licence and have a reliable vehicle, be able to work in a positive way with members of the public and be prepared to undertake a field competency assessment.
NOTE: this info session does contain images of injured and/or deceased wildlife.
Bookings: You must first complete an expression of interest, after which you may be invited to book.
To attend you must be 18 years old or over and have current driver license/vehicle etc. NOTE: this info session does contain images of injured and/or deceased wildlife.
These events are supported by grant from the City of Ballarat as a part of the 'I Heart Ballarat Wildlife' community impact project and WIRES 'Building Connections Between Community and Wildlife'
All time 2026 Can You See Them, Can You Hear them Citizen Science project - Mapping Koala Populations
@ any location
TO register your interest CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
We need your help to collect valuable information on the koalas that live on or visit your property or neighbourhood area.
Koalas are considered an umbrella species. This means, that if there is sufficient useable habitat for them, then other species should be able to thrive too.
With gaps in the known habitat areas and distribution of this under-threat species, we need to learn more to better protect them. We’d love to know when you are seeing or hearing koalas, on your property or in your local area. We are also interested to know how often you are seeing/hearing koalas and how long they stay in your area.
Monday 29th June 2026 Mealworm Workshop
1 pm - 3pm @ Garibaldi Community Hall
(places are limited, bookings essential) CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Cost: free
We are inviting up to ten families to join with us to learn how to farm mealworms for wildlife in care. Sick or injured wildlife have a greater requirement for more energy than usual, and they can also have a decreased appetite, so what they eat really counts. This is why we feed them mealworms as they a highly nutritious food source.
We are looking for kids who are interested in helping to grow mealworms that will be used by our wildlife carers and shelters. Everything you need to farm mealworms is provided to get you started. You will need to feed them a slice of carrot and potato on an ongoing basis. Each family will be able to take home one mealworm bucket. They don't smell or make any noise!
A project of the Garibaldi Community Plan 2024-2027 and supported by grant from the City of Ballarat as a part of the 'I Heart Ballarat Wildlife' community impact project and WIRES 'Building Connections Between Community and Wildlife' .
Saturday 4th July 2026 BWRAC Member Rescuer & Transport Annual Catchup
12 pm - 3pm @ Buninyong
(please book for catering purposes) CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Cost: free
We are holding our annual member rescuer and transporter catchup at Shanhaven Shelter on Sunday 4th July. Nikki will give us an update on any changes regarding the avian bird flu that has reached Australia. She will also explain to us how wildlife are assessed when they come into a veterinary clinic for assessment/treatment. It is a great opportunity to meet our team and ask any questions that you might have too. Please book so we have numbers for catering and let us know if you have any dietary requirements.
Sunday 26th July 2026 National Tree Day Planting
10 am-12.30 pm @ Durham Lead
Cost: free but bookings essential
This year we are revisiting the property where we planted over 400 plants last season. It is time to do our replacement planting and tidy up any loose tree guards etc.
MORE EVENTS COMING SOON - July Koala rescue training
MORE EVENTS COMING SOON - TBC Micro Bat & Flying Fox workshop
Monday 3rd August 2026 Wildlife Bingo- Biodiversity Week
Any Time @ a location of your choice
The Sustainable Environment Ballarat Team at the City of Ballarat is running Ballarat Biodiversity Week 2026. It will be a vibrant celebration of nature and community, running for 1 week starting Saturday 1 August and ending Friday 7 August.
BWRAC is running two events, Wildlife Walk & Talk and a self paced Wildlife Bingo.
Online and hard copy activity where people in the greater Ballarat region participate in a citizen science event logging the wildlife they encounter based on a ‘bingo’ card of 25 options. The online form opens at midnight on Monday 3 August and closes at midnight on Friday 7 August. The hard copy form can be printed off the website or collected from a location, and returned to Ballarat Library by 5pm Friday 7 August. Participants note which animals they have observed and the geolocation where they observed them – each square can only be marked once.
From this activity we will compile a spreadsheet and a data map of observations from the week that will subsequently be shared with City of Ballarat and BWRAC subscribers as a snapshot of wildlife presence in and around Ballarat.
Thursday 6th August 2026 Wildlife Walk & Talk - Biodiversity Week
Time TBC @ Lake Wendouree. Easy walk.
We are hosting a casual walk around part of the Lake Wendouree. We will observe what wildlife we see in the area and discuss their contribution to the local ecosytem and biodiversity.