Australian musicians come together to raise funds for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital

from The Northern Rivers Times Edition 167

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Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital is a registered charity licensed by the Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW.

It is the only all-species wildlife hospital in NSW outside of Taronga Wildlife Hospitals in Sydney and Dubbo.

The mobile hospital is custom-built inside a 22-wheel semitrailer. It is capable of being deployed anywhere across the country to provide emergency treatment and care for native animals affected by natural disasters.

Its professional veterinary services are provided to native wildlife rescued by wildlife carers, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and members of the community.

It is open seven days a week and has treated over 4000 animals, free of charge, since opening.

By Sarah Waters

Australian rock band The Cruel Sea will play their first show in ten years to headline Wild Aid 2023, a fundraiser for wildlife in association with Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and Bluesfest.

‘inadequate value for money’.

The announcement left the mobile wildlife hospital - which has treated 4000 animals since it opened in 2020 after the Black Summer bushfires - with an uncertain future.

lifesaving care.

“Consequently, more animals will die unnecessarily from road accidents, natural disasters, disease, and attacks by domestic pets and feral pests.

and wildlife ambassador Tex Perkins said he was shocked when he heard the wildlife hospital had lost $6 million in funding.

Noble said.

“We simply cannot let more wildlife suffer and die needlessly in our backyards.

The five-piece band will play the exclusive benefit gig on Saturday, October 21, at Byron Events Farm (formerly the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm) as a warmup to their recently announced national tour.

The event aims to raise awareness and funds for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital’s life-saving veterinary treatment and care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.

In June this year, the recently elected NSW Labor government revoked a $6 million, four-year funding grant one week before it was due to commence, citing

Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital chief executive Dr Stephen Van Mil said his entire team was deeply grateful for the support of such a brilliant group of musicians.

“We were left reeling after the NSW government told us they wouldn’t approve the funding they announced in February,” Dr Mil said.

“The financial uncertainty this creates means if we must close, members of the public and volunteer wildlife carers will have nowhere to bring sick and injured native animals for

“Having The Cruel Sea play their first show in ten years to help raise money for us is mindblowing.

“We’re so thankful and proud to have Tex as an ambassador,” he said.

The Cruel Sea frontman

“I’ve seen what these incredibly caring humans do to help wildlife,” Mr Perkins said.

“Losing that vital funding was a brutal shock, and I really wanted to help.

“The Cruel Sea had started to jam again.

“It feels and sounds really good; the guys were keen, so playing a benefit gig made sense to kick start getting back on the road to play a bunch of shows,” he said.

Bluesfest executive chairman Peter Noble said he was delighted to provide the venue for the fundraiser.

“Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital is unique in Australia, and we’re lucky to have it in the richly biodiverse Northern Rivers,” Mr

“We’re excited to play host to The Cruel Sea’s first gig in a decade here in Byron and to help raise much-needed funds for wildlife,” he said.

The Cruel Sea will be joined at Wild Aid 2023 by solo artist and Magic Dirt singer Adalita, Byron Bay band Loose Content and singersongwriter Jez Mead.

Proceeds from Wild Aid 2023 will go directly towards veterinary treatment for sick and injured wildlife admitted to Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.

Live and silent auctions will also take place during the night.