From executive assistant to park ranger, Ruth Woodrow took a chance on nature
Thursday 30 July, 2026
A bird-lover and former office worker, Ruth Woodrow traded her blazers for workboots.
One of our enthusiastic rangers, Ruth quit her job as an executive assistant to try out life at Parks Victoria. Jumping through our commercial and marketing teams before landing in the role of her dreams at Serendip Sanctuary.
In celebration of World Ranger Day 2026, we got her to pop down the binoculars and talk to us about her role at Parks Victoria and an interesting interaction with the Werribee Open Range Zoo veterinary hospital.
What inspired you to become a Ranger?
‘After 13 years working as an Executive Assistant in the commercial sector, I realised I was spending my days in the wrong place.
What really inspired me was being outdoors, exploring nature and, especially, searching for birds. So, I took a leap of faith. I resigned from my job and enrolled in a Diploma of Conservation Ecology course without knowing exactly where it would lead. Two years later I joined Parks Victoria, ironically in the Commercial team!
From there I moved into marketing before finally securing a ranger position at Serendip Sanctuary. It was the role I’d always hoped for: working outdoors, caring for nature and helping protect Victoria’s incredible wildlife.’
Ruth (far left) and team releasing some turtles back into the wild. Credit: Parks Victoria
Can you describe your role and what a typical day looks like?
‘No two days are ever the same, and that’s one of the things I love most about being a Ranger.
Serendip Sanctuary is unique within Parks Victoria because we care for captive wildlife, meaning animal husbandry is a regular part of my work. However, Serendip is now shifting focus away from displaying captive animals and towards conserving threatened species and restoring native ecosystems. We’ve been propagating plants native to the Western Basalt Plains, and it’s been a fantastic learning experience involving field trips, seed collection, collaboration with experts and working alongside the community.
At the same time, the Sanctuary is currently undergoing an exciting transformation! With new visitor facilities, a sensory garden, and an education centre all helping to create a more accessible, all-abilities destination. So, my day might involve caring for our animals, chatting with visitors, maintaining park infrastructure, and working on conservation projects.
Alongside my work at Serendip, I also help manage Avalon Coastal Reserve, the former Avalon Saltworks. This site is really special too, as it is one of Victoria’s most important coastal wetland landscapes for migratory birds. We’re working on restoring the habitat and a typical day at the reserve can include:
- rubbish removal
- monitoring and maintenance of the water pump
- pest plant and animal management
- conducting shorebird surveys over the summer
- coordinating Orange-bellied Parrot surveys over winter and
- working closely with a wide range of stakeholders to help restore one of Victoria’s most important coastal wetlands.’
The weed at Avalon Coastal Reserve stand no chance against Ruth and her PPE. Credit: Parks Victoria
What is your favourite park, waterway or place you manage and why?
‘It has to be Serendip Sanctuary, which probably isn’t surprising after 17 years there!
What makes it so special for me is the incredible birdlife. We regularly see Tawny Frogmouths, Purple-crowned Lorikeets, Spotted Pardalotes, and I could list loads more! Serendip is also one of the few places in Victoria where visitors can see both Magpie Geese and Cape Barren Geese.
Over the years we have also been fortunate to host incredibly rare visitors, including Australian Painted Snipe, Black Honeyeater and Swift Parrot, all of which attract plenty of attention from bird enthusiasts.
We’ve even had Brolgas visit the site - one of my favourite memories was when we housed captive Brolgas and two wild Brolgas began flying in regularly to spend time with them. It was an extraordinary sight.
Even though Serendip covers just 260 hectares (the old one square mile farm block), I’ve recorded more than 200 bird species there. I love hearing the different calls as seasons come and go and, as a passionate bird photographer, it’s been an incredible place to learn, observe and capture wildlife over the years.’
Busted! Ruth managed to snap a photo with a bustard. Credit: Parks Victoria
You can't keep Ruth away from the birds. Credit: Parks Victoria
What is the most memorable wildlife encounter you have had on the job?
'Choosing one is almost impossible!
One favourite involved taking one of our captive Freckled Ducks to the Werribee Open Range Zoo veterinary hospital for a routine health check. When I arrived, the veterinary team were in the middle of treating a Cheetah. It took around 15 staff to safely return the Cheetah to its transfer carrier. Then the vet called “Next!”. I placed my small pet carrier on the examination table and opened the door. The duck cautiously poked its head out, looked left and right, then calmly waddled onto the table. The vet stared at me in disbelief and laughed saying, “You’re joking!”
Another unforgettable encounter involved a Hoary-headed Grebe that had mistaken a wet road for a lake during a night flight – something that unfortunately is quite common for this species. I rescued it near the park entrance and, after inspecting its body, placed it in a sink full of water. Within minutes it was happily paddling and preening. A bit later I released it onto Lake Serendip, where it immediately swam off, giving me a few backward glances as it went, and I swear it was smiling, as was I.
Then there was the challenge of medicating a Brolga using a grape! We hid the tablet inside the grape, carefully restrained the bird, encouraged it to swallow the grape and had to gently massage it all the way down its long neck. To my surprise, the Brolga seemed to enjoy the whole experience, certainly more than I did!’
World Ranger Day 2026
31 July 2026 marks World Ranger Day, recognising 20 years of honouring the courage, dedication and sacrifice of rangers worldwide. This year's theme of “Rangers: Guardians of a Changing Planet” recognises that rangers are working in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, responding to challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, human-wildlife conflict and environmental crime.
Our rangers come from all walks of life, and their work is as diverse as the environments they manage.
We’re proud of the work they do every day – partnering with Traditional Owners and local communities to care for iconic landscapes and make sure all Victorians can enjoy the outdoors.
For more information on World Ranger Day, visit the International Ranger Federation’s website.