OUR STORY
Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation & Wildlife Education Centre is a highly regarded sanctuary for injured wildlife, situated in the Centre of Heritage Diggings National Park, just over an hour from Melbourne.
Founded in 1975 by Tehree Gordon, the centre has been providing a safe haven for animals in need for over four decades. The centre's heroic rescue mission during the Ash Wednesday Bush fires in 1983 gained national and international recognition. Let's ensure our heritage is preserved for future generations to come.
'Jirrahlinga', Aboriginal for 'seek a home for a kangaroo'.
PLAN YOUR VIST
Welcome to Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation & Wildlife Education Centre, where you can experience the ultimate wildlife encounters. Our diverse array of Australian native species offers a unique opportunity to meet our furry, feathery, and scaly residents. During your 1.5 to 2-hour visit, you'll enjoy exciting, jam-packed encounters hosted by one of our Rangers.
Get up close and personal with some of the engaging native animals that call Jirrahlinga home; including koalas, reptiles, kangaroos, and birds.
Book your visit today and experience the wild side with a friendly dingo.
Bookings can be made on the day at Jirrahlinga, with payments in cash or eftpos.
Opening Hours
Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday - CLOSED
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4 pm
Hours can vary on public holidays and on days of extreme weather. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on our opening times.
Admission Prices
Adults: $35
Children 3 - 15 years: $22
Children under 2: FREE
Family - 2 Adults +
2 Children under 15: $106
Family 2 Adults + 3
kids under 15: $126
Seniors and Disability: $28
Animal Encounters
10:30am - Reptiles
11:15am - Koalas
11:45am - Echidna/Emus
12:00pm - Wombats
12:15pm - Dingoes
1:30pm - Reptiles
2:15pm - Koalas
2:45pm - Echidna/Emus
3:00pm - Wombats
3:15pm - Dingoes
VOLUNTEERING
At Jirrahlinga, our volunteers are an essential part of our operations and contribute significantly to the wellbeing of the animals in our care. If you are interested in supporting our mission through volunteering, you can find a link to our volunteer form below. Alternatively, you can email us at jirrahlingajen@yahoo.com to express your interest. We appreciate your willingness to help and look forward to hearing from you.
TEHREE GORDON OAM
Tehree has had an amazing life so far, from fostering over 56 children with her husband Hamish to rescuing Koala's, dingos and all other kinds of wildlife.
Tehree has a passion for helping disadvantaged and special needs adults and children.
Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation & Wildlife Education Centre
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Owner and Director, since 1975
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Housed and cared for large numbers of Australian native animals
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Regularly hosts people with a disability, special needs, the frail or the aged, dementia
patients, and disadvantaged youth.
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Foster carer, caring for 56 children over approximately 30 years.
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First female in Australia to hold an office & compliance position in the Rural City of Bellarine & the City of Queenscliff borough in the 1970s.
Other service includes:
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Ambassador, Harmony Day, 2006 and media spokesperson, 2005.
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Ambassador, Mountain to Mouth Event, Geelong, 2016.
Awards and recognition includes:
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Lifetime Achievement Award, Volunteering Victoria, 2017.
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Pride of Australia (Environment) Award, Victoria, 2012.
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Shining World Compassion Award, 2009.
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Lifetime Achievement Award, Coast Care, 2004.
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Senior Australian of the Year, 2004.
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Senior Australian of the Year, Victoria, 2003.
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Tattersall's Enterprise And Achievement Award, February 2003 and Annual Enterprise
and Achievement Award, 2003.
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Centenary Medal, 2003.
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Recipient of Award from the Turkish Assembly for caring for children and working with
people.
Ranger Rohan and our beautiful animals, all have a story to tell.
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