Some local businesses sell products. Others — like the Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network (MRWN) — do something harder: they keep our region’s wildlife alive.
MRWN is a volunteer-run not-for-profit that’s become the backbone of wildlife rescue across the Macedon Ranges. They’re not a big organisation with corporate funding. They’re locals who saw a gap — injured animals with nowhere to go — and built the infrastructure to fill it.
What They Actually Do
When someone finds an injured kangaroo by the side of the road, a confused wombat in their shed, or a fallen nest of baby birds, MRWN is who they call. The organisation coordinates:
- Emergency rescue: Connecting finders with trained volunteers who can respond safely
- Rehabilitation: Supporting licensed wildlife carers who nurse animals back to health
- Knowledge sharing: Training volunteers, educating the public, preventing unnecessary rescues
- Release: Getting healthy animals back into suitable habitat
They’re essentially the coordination layer that makes wildlife rescue work in our region. Without them, there’d be no central point of contact, no way to match available resources with animals in need.
The Scale of the Operation
MRWN currently has around 80 active members — but those members are distributed across specialist roles:
- Wildlife Victoria-registered rescuers who can legally handle and transport native animals
- Licensed wildlife carers with the facilities and expertise to rehabilitate specific species (macropods, possums, birds, reptiles, raptors, bats)
- Transporters who get animals where they need to go
- Administrators, fundraisers, and educators who keep the organisation running
It’s a volunteer ecosystem. Everyone gives their time for free. The only paid expenses are things like food for animals, veterinary bills, and running costs.
Community Integration
MRWN doesn’t operate in isolation. They’re embedded in the local fabric:
- Vet partnerships: Local vets know to contact MRWN when native wildlife comes in
- Council liaison: Working with Macedon Ranges Shire on wildlife-related issues
- School programs: Educational talks about local wildlife and conservation
- Public events: Kangaroo Walks & Talks where people can learn about macropods in a natural setting
- Business sponsors: Support from local organisations including Rotary Club of Woodend, Bunnings, Bendigo Bank, and others
The Tech Side (Where We Come In)
MRWN approached us because they needed better digital infrastructure. Their old system was making it harder to do the actual work.
We built them:
- A Members Portal where volunteers can find each other, coordinate rescues, and share resources
- Integration with their existing WordPress site (so they didn’t have to start from scratch)
- Online booking for their Kangaroo Walks & Talks program
- Donation functionality to support their fundraising
The goal was simple: make the technology invisible so volunteers can focus on animals, not admin.
Why We Took This Project
Not every project we take is about maximum revenue. Some are about supporting organisations that make the Macedon Ranges a better place to live.
MRWN operates on minimal funding but delivers genuine community value. They’re exactly the kind of grassroots organisation that benefits from having proper digital tools — but can’t afford big agency prices.
We gave them professional-grade infrastructure at a rate that works for not-for-profits. That’s part of our commitment to local businesses and community groups.
How to Support MRWN
- Donate: Via their website — wildlife food, veterinary costs, and equipment aren’t cheap
- Volunteer: They’re always looking for rescuers, carers, and behind-the-scenes help
- Learn: Book a Kangaroo Walk & Talk — proceeds support their work
- Report: If you find injured wildlife, contact them via their website or Facebook page
The Bottom Line
The Macedon Ranges has a reputation for caring about its environment. Organisations like MRWN are why that reputation exists. They’re the ones doing the hard, unglamorous work of keeping injured animals alive and getting them back to the wild.
If you’re a local business looking to support community organisations, MRWN is worth knowing about. And if you’re a not-for-profit yourself wondering whether proper digital tools are worth the investment — talk to them. They’ve seen the difference.
Want your local business or community organisation featured? Get in touch — we’re always interested in spotlighting the people making the Macedon Ranges a better place.
