In The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, Douglas Adams’ fictional detective, Dirk Gently, states: “I may not have gone where I intended to go but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” I think this quote sums up my life perfectly.

From an animal-loving little city kid who always wanted a pony, I went on to achieve her dream and so, so much more by becoming a successful equestrian – and I thought that was it. However, I quickly realized that it was but a stepping-stone to where I needed to be, which was truly championing the cause of animals in ways that I had not ever imagined.

I founded Edgar’s Mission in 2003 after I rescued a tiny piglet for a photo shoot. I named the piglet Edgar Alan Pig. At the time I was assisting Animals Australia (on a voluntary basis) with their Save Babe campaign ‒ a brilliantly conceived campaign to highlight the plight of pigs and our flawed animal protection laws.

It was through watching people’s interactions with Edgar when I took him to the local park in the company of my little dog, ET, that the idea of Edgar’s Mission came into being. I found in Edgar the most amazing and moving ambassador for animals; whilst I could talk to people’s minds, Edgar so eloquently oinked his way into their heart.

And so I hung up the boots on my equestrian career, quit my full time and secure paying job, and said farewell to ever having a normal life and goodbye to my partner when he said, “It’s me or the pig”. I threw on my gumboots as I sent caution packing, because I did not want to get to be 85 and say, “hmm, what if?”

Establishing a much-needed sanctuary for farmed animals (as far as I know there were no other farmed animal sanctuaries in Victoria at the time, although today many exist, no doubt inspired by the work of Edgar’s Mission) enabled me to not only provide a place for these forgotten farmed animals like Edgar and his kind to live out their lives, but for people to come and meet these animals and learn about them, make connections with them, and moreover open their hearts and minds to seeing these animals beyond the production units our society has reduced them to.

So here I am, staggered at both the size to which my beloved Edgar grew and also the size and reach of Edgar’s Mission, daily doing things I never thought possible. I do all of this because I truly believe a kinder world for animals is not only possible, she is on her way – oh boy, is she on her formidable way.

“I want to live in a world of kindness. A world where people look out for one another, regardless of the species. I trust you do too.” — Pam Ahern

Before joining Edgar’s Mission, Sophia’s life couldn’t have been more different. Living in the urban sprawl and working up the corporate ladder, she began volunteering at a dog shelter which changed the course of her life. Completing a Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition, Sophia has now added two goats and six sheep to her family, all adopted from Edgar’s Mission!

Starting out as a volunteer tour guide, Sophia now heads up Edgar’s Mission’s Advocacy and Community Engagement team, managing campaign strategy and cuddling animals whenever she can.

Sometimes life leads you down a path you’d never imagined… just ask Danni! A fervent lover of animals, this clever human went on to train in Animal Science and completed a PhD focused on reproduction in pigs. After becoming a Technical Officer she thought she had found her dream job, but struggled with the context, so when she came across Edgar’s Mission, she knew she wanted to be a part of it.

Since joining the team as Animal Care Manager, Danni has connected with many animals including sweet Sophie, a former dairy calf. Danni loves seeing what is truly possible when you are willing to extend help and care to those in need.

From the very beginning, Graham’s true loves were music and animals. Becoming a professional cellist, he embarked on a career as a Luthier (stringed instrument maker/repairer), but after almost twenty years in the violin making business, it was time to march to a new tune. After bottle raising three orphaned lambs, Graham joined the team as a Sanctuary Hand, and is now our wonderful Sanctuary Care Manager.

Today he makes sweet music of the heart with our rescued animal residents, while violin making and music remains a treasured pastime.

Growing up in a family of animal lovers alongside dogs, cats, rabbits and goldfish, little did Gail know that this love would extend so profoundly to farmed animals. With an extensive background in aviation and logistics, Gail had worked in planes, trains and automobiles before she found her greatest joy working with farmed animals as our People & Culture Manager.

Gail has fallen for many of the rescued residents including Miss Clementine.

After a long background working with horses, Kel packed up her life in the South East to join the Edgar’s Mission team. This talented lady, who coordinates our animal care to ensure every rescued resident receives a high level of care, is smitten with all of the animals.

She shares a beautiful bond with a cheeky goat named Tim Tam, who she assisted in rehabilitating after he was unable to walk. Kel ensures he is always looking fashionable for the season, and we can’t work out who enjoys this more – her or Tim Tam!

There are many string to Kelly’s bow. Not only does this gifted gal oversee our merchandise, social media, tour and events bookings, she also helps others open their hearts and minds to the inner worlds of farmed animals as Tour Guide and Photographer. Kelly also holds the ever-important role at the sanctuary of keeping up with the daily pat quota for Makamae the office cat.

Kelly’s unique world view is not only shaped by her kind heart and love for animals but also her view from above. As an accomplished sky diver, Kelly has seen sights many of us could only dream to experience.

Kwok comes to us from a diverse and extensive background working in humanitarian aid and now adeptly fills his role caring for our animal residents, tucking them in safely at night and ensuring each and every need is met, down to the very last feather. Kwok first began his journey in animal care with an internship at the renowned Farm Sanctuary in the USA, who then sent him Edgar’s Mission-bound to continue his journey in creating a kinder world for farmed animals.

Kwok’s middle name is a direct translation of the word ‘Wisdom’ in Cantonese, which is one of the many qualities he brings to our team each and every day.

Leonie grew up on her parent’s hobby farm in the Netherlands, where her passion for animals began. After studying Animal Management, she set off to travel the world and gain a wider range of animal experiences which included volunteering at a sanctuary in Costa Rica with sloths, monkeys, parrots and snakes. Eventually she settled in Australia where she worked for cattle and sheep stations, but it wasn’t until she came across Edgar’s Mission that she truly found her calling at Edgar’s Mission.

While capable Leonie is always on the go, she always makes time to give Sadie the pig a loving belly rub.

Long before Bianca joined our team as Sanctuary Experience Officer, she always had a very special
bond with animals. A talented teacher, she always felt that something was missing until she found
her true calling at Edgar’s Mission, a place that truly aligned with her strong values of kindness.

When Bianca is not hosting volunteer groups, training wonderful new volunteers or ensuring the sanctuary delivers the best possible experience for all who visit, you can find Bianca spending quality
time with the animal residents.

Many are surprised to learn that our resident handyman Richard, who stopped eating meat years ago, is in his mid-70’s and still going strong! A zookeeper in the 1970’s and a groomer of show bulls at a stud farm in the 1990’s, it was an encounter with Pam Ahern at a local farmers market in 2015 that saw Richard start out at the sanctuary. With Steady Eddie the goat beside him, he’s been inspired to make kinder choices, and hasn’t looked back since!

Growing up in a small town of dairy farmers alongside a range of different pets, Jayde’s passion for animals was ignited. Completing a Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science, Jayde went on to participate in a range volunteer experiences. As a valued team member at Edgar’s Mission, Jayde has learned new skills and has seen a whole new side to farmed animals, and loves getting to know their individual personalities and quirks.

After growing up on acreage with an assortment of animals and loving her time outside with them, it was no wonder that Ella decided she wanted to work helping animals. Studying Veterinary Science with the aim of working with farmed animals, Ella soon realised she didn’t want to work in an industry where the animals were part of a business and not seen as individuals.

That’s when she found her perfect role as a Sanctuary Hand at Edgar’s Mission, where she helps animals live their best lives every day.

Tracey grew up around horses after being lucky enough to get her first horse at age 5. Rescuing those in need from bunnies to parrots, it is no wonder that today her brood has grown to 3 beautiful horses and 2 dogs who live on a small acreage with an abundance of bird life.

During her time at Edgar’s Mission as our wonderful bookkeeper, she has hosted many a rescued baby animal in her lap, including a charismatic piglet named Calvin Swine, the keeper of many swooning hearts!

An animal lover by nature, Bridie has dedicated most of her life to animal welfare. Bringing home stray cats who she found at her school, much to her parents’ dismay, it is no wonder that she ended up working and volunteering to help animals! Although she doesn’t like to play favourites, she has a real soft spot for Sadi, who was rescued with three of her piggy pals in 2018 after they were found severely emaciated in a forest.

Bridie continues to dedicate her personal time to animal-based volunteer work to this day, and when she is not caring for the residents of Edgar’s Mission, you will find her assisting cats and dogs in need.

A lover of kindness and passionate about contributing to a more; just, fair, and compassionate world, Daniel made the connection as a teenager that “animals are here with us – not for us”, and that “they deserve to live in peace from human harm”.

In his adult years he followed the path of becoming a musician and then an educator. He has been devoted to connecting to people as well as sharing his perspective and knowledge on things he is passionate about.

Daniel loves to take tours of the sanctuary to connect people with the individuals who live at Edgar’s Mission through sharing their stories, as well as advocating for these animals in the information and philosophy shared promoting a kinder world as the new Edgar’s Mission Visitor Experience Officer.

Before her time at Edgar’s Mission, Ruby’s person didn’t recognise her iridescent shine. Ruby was purchased for a pretty penny to perform sheepdog duties but didn’t understand what was expected, she was only motivated by cuddles. Since starting work at Edgar’s Mission Ruby has proven herself a more than valuable contributor, she has become part of the heart and soul of the sanctuary.

Ruby greets tour groups and visitors with copious love, comforts orphaned lambs and kid goats and provides comic relief whenever deemed necessary.