Leon, The Wombog

Leon, a staffy x wombat, has embraced his role as 'lodge dog' wholeheartedly - welcoming friends and snoozing in front of the fire is serious business after all! As guests cannot bring their own dogs to Wangat, Leon selflessly gives his time, licks and cuddles to anyone in need of some puppy love. 

Zoe

Growing up Zoe was often caring for a moth with a broken wing, or carrying a beetle who’d lost a leg.  This love for all aspects of the environment, and tendency to care for others appears innate, as nether have left her.

Zoe lives and works part time at Wangat, and part time in Newcastle, where she works as a Neurodiversity affirming paediatric Occupational Therapist.

Previously Zoe has worked as an apprentice chef in Sydney hotels, and as cook on yachts in the Caribbean (is known to be in the kitchen at Wangat).

Zoe aims to create a safe supportive environment where everyone feels confident to engage with activities, their community and with nature. 

Zoe has overcome her own challenges, having rehabilitated to an active life after a partial spinal cord injury: and achieving a University medal despite her dyslexia.

She also loves art, dancing, leads energetic healing meditations and is an environmental activist.
She feels thrilled to have found a partner like Dan , and to be part of Wangat.

Micky G

We love Micky G… more info to come

Emma

Emma is awesome… more to come

Dylan

Dylan started his own gardening business, when he was 17, on a bicycle! This says so much about his character. Dylan lives nature connection. Having grown up constantly curious and exploring wild places, he has discovered through experience that in nature one finds their true and raw self. He genuinely abides by his phrase - “Outside, every day, without a doubt!”. Dylan is passionate about learning. Since I have known him he has become a highly qualified adventure guide (leading groups through remote canyons and epic rock climbs and abseils), a yoga teacher, a bicycle mechanic, a bush foods and survival skills expert and teacher, and is one of the most impressive autodidacts I know! 

His passion for learning is also what makes him such a great teacher. He is especially brilliant one on one, and that is what makes him one of our most remarkable mentors. Teens and younger kids are drawn in by his kind, gentle and strong manner. By learning a skill or participating in an adventure with Dylan they can have a genuinely transformative experience, stepping away with more self confidence and inner meaning. 

He also loves a challenge. If there is a tough job to be done, that will benefit the community as a whole, he will jump straight to it. He is inspiring in this way. Then as we sit by the fire circle at night, he will relate the story of the day, in between his enchanting and atmospheric playing of the didgeridoo. 

Milo

When I asked Milo to share a bit about himself he sent me this open hearted and quirky mini-bio. I think it captures his spirit beautifully!

“An adventurer by trade, glad by nature, I will always call myself a Blue Mountains boy. I grew up knowing and walking the bush in places special to my family. Life in the open air lends itself to curiosity and for me that takes the form of understanding the people, wildlife, plants and processes that give shape to our world. I also believe in variety, having spent time as a soccer referee, working at a local organic food co-op, rock climbing, casual pianist, sometimes-poet and – of course – playing badminton with a certain friend at Wangat (he knows who he is). In between studying Conservation Biology (Honours) at Wollongong University I find way too much time for Ultimate Frisbee… Don’t worry – I always have a disc! Still, it is walking that ‘drives’ me and has shown me wilderness from the gorges of the Blue Mountains, to the bottom of Tasmania, to the middle of the Simpson Desert. Some people say ‘the best way to know Country is to walk Country’, and the best way to do that is to share it with others.”

I, Dan, would like to add, Milo is an absolutely gifted educator and storyteller. He can find the smallest clue in nature and weave it into a captivating and intriguing lesson on ecology, and life itself. He has a quiet and humble braveness which I believe is one of his most alluring aspects as a mentor to children and teens. He is a passionate gardener too, which reflects his general nature of caring and helping to grow all living things. In his early 20s, he has a wisdom beyond his age as well as a playfulness that connects him to younger people who both look up to him and love his company. Did someone say Badminton? I’ll get the racquets! 

Esha

Hi! I’m Esha. The name Esha means “full of life”. I think that describes me nicely!

I’m a listener, learner, thinker, dreamer, investigator, reflector, and connector. I want to understand people and places. Who am I? Who are you? Who are we? Who is this earth? I want to know and create. How can we live in right relation with each other, to trees and birds? Mountains and rivers? Ecosystems? I love listening to your thoughts on the world's mysteries and am always up for a chat.

I live not far from Awaba, the water body I grew up on and around that is a defining feature of my learning and interaction with the more than human world. I love rockhopping on the lakes edge, gazing over the water from my favourite viewing points, or paddling in my little boat on a still night and looking up at the stars.

I love the moments of wonder when you discover the interconnectedness of things and incredibly rewarding experience of paying attention. But really, I feel most alive at the top of the mountains, in the middle of a thunder storm.

When I came across Wangat I had come to watch a Shakespeare play we were studying at school. Immediately, I knew the place was special and I had to come back. So, I came to volunteer at the Friends of Wangat family camp and little did I know what a journey I was beginning.

At Wangat, I found a place where I could be and become. A community of learning, discovery, rituals, connection and a conversation of kindness. This experience of being at Wangat just felt “simply how life should be”, and pursuing the skills and qualities to be part of creating such manifestations of joy in the world in my future became a must do.

Next year I’ll be studying outdoor leadership to build my practical skills of leading groups and being outdoors, but really it’s to open the door to what is most important, learning how to be, journeying with others and living life as one big adventure!

Nikki

Bushwalking with her Grandfather sparked Nikki’s interest in nature.  Later, after scouting and mountaineering, Nikki discovered bush survival skills. She has since studied with many wilderness educators including Jon Young, Nature Philosophy Australia, Wilderness Awareness School and Deep Ecology with Joanna Macey. Nikki spent 2010 living in the bush, employing all of her bush survival skills. Nikki is one of our more regular guides and we couldn't be happier to have her!