Our mission.
Secret Creek is a conservation precinct where a number of organisations work together on Wiradjuri country, all with common goals and values. We come together because we all believe in the preservation and protection of our land, culture and community through education and conservation.
The story of Secret Creek Sanctuary began in 2003 with the creation of the Eastern Quoll breeding facility, followed by the construction of a ten acre feral-proof fence to exclude introduced predators from the area. The goal was to create a protected bushland environment, an ecosystem which was safe for the most threatened native animals of the area. Within the sanctuary, many conservation programs have been established to secure the future of a number of species including pure-bred Dingos, Parma Wallabies, Long-nosed Potoroos, Spotted-tailed Quolls and Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies, as well as Red-necked Pademelons and Emus.
Secret Creek Cafe and Restaurant was founded shortly after. In 2015 we changed our menu to plant based to align our menu with our values as an organisation and to have the greatest positive impact on the environment though our work as possible. One of the most effective things we can do for the health of our planet is to eat sustainably. The cafe has been through many iterations over its 20+ years of operation and now offers a pared back simple selection of food and beverages to nourish and delight guests to the sanctuary.
AEFI, or Australian Ecosystems Foundation Inc, is a not-for-profit registered environmental organisation dedicated to saving Australian wildlife by protecting habitats and maintaining natural ecological processes. The AEFI Management Committee is made up of a variety of industry representatives including conservation biologists, tourist operators, research scientists, accountants, public servants, Indigenous teachers, farmers and business executives. This combination allows AEFI to manage its reserves and wildlife with a broad range of experiences, skills and knowledge.
One Mob is a local Aboriginal founded and led not-for-profit community group for First Nations people of all backgrounds, gathering here on Wiradjuri country to share, protect and celebrate culture. On site at Secret Creek, One Mob has planted and maintains a Bush Tucker Garden for educational purposes and also to grow native produce for our Secret Creek branded preserves and spice mixes available for sale in the Gardens of Stone Visitor Centre retail space. The group meets once a month at our purpose built Cultural Meeting Place. One Mob also facilitates mentorship programs for Aboriginal youth and runs cultural education projects and other community services. Local Indigenous artwork, curated by One Mob, is available for sale in the retail space.
Wollemi Wildlife Hospital is a hospital and rehabilitation centre for native wildlife that services the Blue Mountains and Central West region. This area is surrounded by six NSW National Parks providing habitat to a variety of endangered and rare species requiring support in times of natural disasters and also due to general impacts of human interaction, such as traffic accidents. This region includes Blue Mountains National Park, Wollemi National Park, Kanangra-Boyd National Park, Marrangaroo National Park, Turon National Park, and Gardens of Stone National Park. The hospital is nearing completion and we hope to have it operational in 2025.
Our new headquarters at Secret Creek is the brand new Gardens of Stone Visitor Centre. This building serves as the new welcoming entry into the Secret Creek Sanctuary on the ground floor and a cultural arts centre managed by One Mob upstairs. It also contains a number of animal and cultural educational displays and a retail space.
We can’t wait to welcome you here!
How we work together
As seperate organisations working together, we are intentional about how we choose to collaborate so that we can add to and build upon each others success and vision in a fair and equitable way.
Our workers, at all levels, from sanctuary hands to directors, often work across the different organisations. In order to make sure that we are all working in a fair, equitable and cohesive way, we share a cooperative system of organisation and governance. We see our systems as a way of distributing and decentralising power and influence so that all people involved in our organisations are included in decision making and can take ownership of their own work.
Our shared vision
Even though we have different points of focus, we recognise that all struggles are intersecting and that our work influences each others. We recognise that no challenge that we face in the world today exists independently from another, whether it be ecosystem and habitat destruction, systems of human inequality or climate change.
This diversity of focus is a strength. It allows us the opportunity to learn from and work with people with varying perspectives, skills and experiences. We always use our common values as a guide and then expand our understanding from there so that our work is open and includes everyone.
How we bring our communities together
Sometimes we may work together on projects and programs for the community and sometimes each organisation works independently. We recognise that our communities are distinct but interconnected. We all have different causes that speak to us and different fronts on which we fight for a better world.
We believe that the best way to make the most profound difference on all of these fronts is through solidarity and nurturing a resilient, diverse community. Our vision for the world is an eco-socialist one, where the earth as well as all of its human and non-human inhabitants are put first, before profits and growth. A world where we are all free and the planet can thrive.
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Secret Creek Sanctuary
The only native wildlife sanctuary in the Blue Mountains
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Australian Ecosystems Foundation Inc.
The Not For Profit organisation that facilitates our conservation programs
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One Mob
Our local Aboriginal organisation who gather here on Wiradjuri Country and provide community and cultural services.
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Secret Creek Cafe
Our onsite cafe, providing wholesome plant based nourishment for visitors to the Sanctuary.
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Wollemi Wildlife Hospital
Wollemi Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre will serve the Blue Mountains and Central West region, providing care for endangered and rare species.