Community spirit flows in Western Australia’s Dunsborough – and not just among its human residents. The beautiful coastal town is home to one of the largest rare and endemic wildlife populations in the world. Woolworths is proud to be the largest supplier of food to the wildlife through its Food For Wildlife program in partnership with WIRES. To further assist native animals with rehabilitation, local team member Rebecca Corbett is going above and beyond.

Rebecca is currently a Store Ways of Working Lead after spending five years as a group manager across Western Australia. She’s also been a wildlife warrior for as long as she can remember. “I've always had a very deep connection with the land I live on and the animals that are in it,” she says. “I always knew that animals would be a very large part of my life.”
 

Rebecca says she’s developed close connections with her colleagues over the years, particularly Western Australian store managers. She believes that when town populations are small, there’s greater room to get to know people in a more meaningful way and form a community. 

In 2020, one of those store managers introduced her to FAWNA (Fostering and assistance for wildlife needing aid) Inc, a not-for-profit wildlife rescue organisation based in the South West of WA. Rebecca felt an immediate kinship with the organisation’s president and vice-president, Suzanne Strap and Sue McGann. 

“Sue has so much energy and passion and you cannot help but get involved. Straight away, I asked her what we could do to help, and I never looked back.”

Through Rebecca’s established network of store contacts, the inspiring leader

helped Woolworths develop surplus food diversion systems to assist FAWNA Inc and other wildlife rescue organisations. She is a wildlife carer and rescuer 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and supports the FAWNA Inc rehabilitation center on weekends.

Despite the 23.5km drive between Dunsborough and Busselton, Rebecca’s proactive approach to wildlife rescue has united the two suburbs. FAWNA Inc’s heroic work is admired across the entire stretch. Rebecca dedicates her weekends and spare time to assisting animal rescues and rehabilitation, and she says she’s found a forever home in this wide-reaching community. 

“You meet fabulous people on the side of the road while rescuing an injured animal and you know you’re making real connections.”

As Woolworths celebrates 100 years in operation, Rebecca is reflecting on how the company has helped her cross paths with so many like-minded animal activists.

“I’ve been exposed to many life-changing initiatives at Woolworths and I see how

much everyone gives back,” says Rebecca. “Being part of the team gives me the

opportunity to immerse myself in my own life’s work.”

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