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Irena

Walk on the Wild Side

My Activity Tracking

156
kms

My target 150 kms

Please support my challenge to protect Aussie wildlife!

Hi! 

I’m Irena and I’m Walking on the Wild Side this April because Australian native animals urgently need our help – and I’m hoping you’ll support me!


I love getting out in nature, bushwalking, horse riding, kayaking, swimming in the ocean in Port Campbell or in the bay of Melbourne, pottering around the garden and watching Australian native birds.  Nature is very important for our physical and emotional wellbeing and by taking on the challenge this April, I’m raising vital funds to provide emergency rescue and care for injured, orphaned and displaced native animals.  

Our Australian native animals need our help more than ever before.

Logging, intense bushfires, recent flooding and loss of habitat due to land clearing for housing and for critical minerals are putting a lot of pressure on the environment and our native animals.

I’ll be helping to keep the WIRES Wildlife Rescue Office open 24/7, so injured animals receive a swift emergency rescue, when every minute truly counts. Your donation will also help resource their fleet of Wildlife Ambulances, and support their thousands of volunteers with training, rescue equipment and daily wildlife food! 

Thanks for your support! 🙂

*** If you are up for a challenge and would also like to participate this April, please join my team The Wobbly Wombats! ***

Give now to support vulnerable Australian wildlife

Raised

$560

My Goal

$500

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My Achievements

My Updates

Day 27 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge and I have reached my walking target!

Monday 27th Apr
The month is almost over and I have reached my 150km walking target today.  It's certainly been a busy month walking and it was so worth it!
While my walk is now completed, the work is not yet over.  - Let's commit to keeping our wildlife safe for our future generations.
Here are 10 easy things you can do to support our Australian wildlife:
❤️ donate to organisations such as wires.org.au, who are there 24/7 to help injured, orphaned or displaced animals.  They do an amazing job!
❤️ slow down at dawn and dusk.  This is the time when wildlife is most active and when most collisions occur. Slowing down to 80km/h if you are driving on highways near bushland will give you more time to react and keep yourself, as well as our animals, safe.
❤️ do not handle or feed native animals - keep your distance, don't touch and don't disturb them.  We want to keep our wildlife wild!
❤️ add the number for Wildlife Rescue to your phone and call them if you see an injured animal - Wildlife Rescue 1300 596 457, Wildlife Victoria 03 8400 7300
❤️ avoid the use of insecticides - diversify your plantings and attract beneficial insects instead
❤️ avoid the use of rodenticides to avoid secondary poisoning
❤️ plant Australian shrubs and bushes in your backyard - they provide shelter, food and hiding spots for small Australian birds who are most vulnerable to predators 
❤️ keep cats indoors or supervise them in the garden - my cat is trained to walk on a leash and he's also very happy inside where he has lots of toys to play with and humans who love him
❤️ keep dogs on the leash if walking in bushland
❤️ don't litter and if you see litter lying around, just pick it up! This way it won't end up in our waterways and this keeps our aquatic wildlife safe.

Day 26 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Sunday 26th Apr
A lovely day hiking around Kyneton - Turpins Falls, Black Hill and Kyneton township. - only 6km left in my challenge!

Day 24 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Friday 24th Apr
Today I visited Woodlands Historic Park at Melbourne Airport for a 7km bicycle ride.  It was a beautiful day with lots of Kangaroos about. Stopped half way to pat the horses at the homestead and for a delicious lunch.
I've almost achieved my 150km target!

Day 23 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Friday 24th Apr
A lovely horse ride in my lunch break followed by an evening walk at Strathnaver - such a glorious day!
Only one more week to go!

Day 22 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Wednesday 22nd Apr
A lunchtime walk around the local neighbourhood - 2.5km walked, total 120.5km so far this month - another 29.5km to go to the end of the month!
You can still donate to help WIRES look after Australian animals and I really appreciate your support 😍

Day 21 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Tuesday 21st Apr
An evening walk along Merri Creek to close day 21 of my Walk on the Wild Side challenge.  Tracking well! - 9 days and 32 km to go.

Day 21 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Tuesday 21st Apr
Another quick lunch time walk to visit my two friends, the Tawny Frogmouth.  Both fast asleep today. ♥️

Day 20 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Monday 20th Apr
A quick few laps around the local parks in my lunch break, visiting my friend the Tawny Frogmouth.
Fun facts about these lovely birds:
- Tawny Frogmouth are nocturnal and may look like owls but they are more closely relate to Nightjars
- Their food consists mostly of insects but they also sometimes hunt small mammals, reptiles and birds
- The pair up for live - not a small feat considering that they can live up to 14 years!
- Mum and dad take turns looking after the eggs - that might explain their harmonious relationship with each other?
- The young ones tend to reach maturity at about 1 years of age and will then leave the parents to look for their own territory.  Up until then, they can often been seen together in their family group.


Day 19 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Sunday 19th Apr
Day 19 of my Walk for Wildlife challenge is my final day in the Bendigo region and sees me walk along a bush trail with some more diggings and a discarded old car. - walked another 7km 😅

Day 18 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Sunday 19th Apr
In the late afternoon I finished the day with another 6km walk to Crusoe Reservoir and along the water’s edge where I saw quite a few Kangaroos and migratory birds. It was a lovely evening walk to close day 18 of my Walking for the Wildlife challenge.

Day 18 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Sunday 19th Apr
Early afternoon on day 18 of my Walking for Wildlife challenge saw me walk 4km alongside Golden Gully, a landscape pockmarked with holes and gullies dug by prospectors looking to strike it rich.

Day 18 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Sunday 19th Apr
Day 18 of my walking challenge for WIRES, Walk in the Wild Side, took me to the amazing Melville Caves - a roughly 2km loop walk. Such a stunning scenery and a gorgeous sunny day. ☀️

Day 17 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Sunday 19th Apr
In the afternoon on Day 17 on my Walk for the Australian wildlife challenge I walked another 5.5km to Crusoe Reservoir in Bendigo. - 60.5km to go! 😅

Day 17 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Sunday 19th Apr
Day 17 of my Walk on the Wild Side challenge to support Australian animals and the tireless efforts of WIRES - a 4km walk visiting the historic centre of Bendigo and Lake Weeroona in the morning.
I increased my walking target to 150km - I now have 66km left to go until the end of April 😅

Day 16 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Thursday 16th Apr
After a 2 day break (too much work to catch up on!), today the horse was doing most of the walking.

Day 13 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Tuesday 14th Apr
A 3m walk along the Port Campbell Anzac walk, soaking up the amazing views, and around the township while the rain stopped.

Day 12 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Sunday 12th Apr
After fossicking for Olivine at Mount Shadwell Quarry, I walked along the ridge of the extinct volcano Mount Noorat.  The weather was crazy, extremely windy but I managed to complete the 3km loop walk.
After that, I watched the Victorian Short-finned Eel on their migration to the Coral Sea at the Port Campbell river, which was amazing to witness.

Day 12 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Sunday 12th Apr
Today I was very fortunate to witness a small part of the migration of the Victorian Short-finned Eel. The aptly called adult "silver eel" makes its way from Campbell’s Creek in Port Campbell into the ocean before setting off on its long journey to the Coral Sea to spawn.
It was a real beautiful event to witness.

Day 11 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Saturday 11th Apr
I walked another 7km on this very windy and rainy day 11 of my Walk on the Wild Side. I walked along Power Creek in Timboon and in the evening I enjoy the ocean views from the Anzac Walk in Port Campbell. 

Day 10 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Friday 10th Apr
Today the crazy weather kept me inside for most of the day but I squeezed in a 2km walk around Razorback at The Great Ocean Road 
- another 2km of my 100km walking challenge done, 40km to go!

Day 9 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Thursday 9th Apr
The Port Campbell Discovery Walk along the clifftop boasts spectacular views.  The ocean breeze, song of the birds and fresh eucalyptus scent are a wonderful way to start off the day.

Day 8 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Thursday 9th Apr
5km walking along the beach and the boardwalk at Princetown, Great Ocean Road

Day 8 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Thursday 9th Apr
Another gorgeous 5km walk this morning, this time at one of my favourite places, Princectown at the Great Ocean Road.
Where else can you have a whole beach to yourself? 
I love this part of the world.

Day 7 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Tuesday 7th Apr
Lovely 5km walk along the Timboon Rail Trail past the old trestle bridges along Power Creek. The nature is damaged in this area with invasive plants taking over due to the extensive logging history in the area but it has an enchanted, jungle like feel to it and I love this walk regardless.

Day 6 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Monday 6th Apr
After a rest day on day 5, day 6 of my Walk on the Wild Side brought with it a gorgeous sunset walk in Port Campbell along the fields

Day 4 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Saturday 4th Apr
Today my challenge took me on an absolutely stunning hike at Murrindindi where my family and I did the Mill and Wilhelmina Falls Track as well as the Cascades - another 11km of my 100km walking challenge done, 64km to go!
The waterfalls and the views were absolutely stunning. I think the way the water flows around the boulders makes it look like giant Hot Cross Buns! Right on time for Easter Saturday.
Have a lovely rest of your Easter weekend 🐰

Day 3 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge! - 2nd walk for today!

Friday 3rd Apr
This afternoon I walked another 6km, this time along the Yarra River at Bellbird Reserve past Studley Park Boathouse. Such a gorgeous walk - the sun was shining and it was a lot of fun watching the Flying Foxes squabble with each other. 

Day 3 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Friday 3rd Apr
The Maribyrnong River was a hive of activity this morning despite the rain.  Lots of gorgeous birds out and also many runners, dog walkers and spots groups making the most of the public hoilday.
Have a Happy Easter!

Day 1 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Thursday 2nd Apr
The first day of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge - I visited a family of  Tawny Frogmouth who live in a nearby park and did a few laps; 
followed by an evening stroll in Princes Parks.ay of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge - I visited a family of 
Tawny Frogmouth who live in a nearby park and did a few laps; 
followed by an evening stroll in Princes Park

Day 2 of my Walk for Wildlife Challenge!

Thursday 2nd Apr
Day 2 took me to Strathnaver Reserve - 6 km - 86 to go! Spotted this gorgeous Red-browed Finch darting around the trees and really enjoyed walking along the creek.

Thank you to my supporters

$56.10

Anonymous

Nice one Irena, Go the wobbly wombats!

$56.10

Monika Malo

Such a great cause Irena! I hope you enjoy your walk on the wild side 🐨

$56.10

Irena Oberneder

$56.10

Maurice Van Creij

Happy trails!

$56.10

Gavin P

Good Luck with the Challenge!

$53

Rob A

Well Done! Keep Walking! Woohoo ;-)

$51

Steve W

Go you good thing :-D

$30.60

Silvi

Love this Irena. Hope all is well with you & family. xx

$30.60

Anonymous

You'd better put your walking shoes on! :) All the best with your efforts!

$30.60

Anonymous

Very proud of you Irena for taking on this incredible challenge! 100km is no joke! This is truly inspiring. Cheering you on every step of the way

$30

Simon Dougall

Nice work Irena. Good luck with the rest of the punishment, I mean walk.

$30

Matched Donation

$23.46

Anonymous

Way to go Irena! Here's an hour's wage to help support our amazing wildlife! Thank you for doing this for our nature

Our Team