By: Joshua Finley
Business leadership can take many forms. For Yvonne Marie Sitko, co-founder and chair of Auzzie’s Raptor Rehabilitation Association Inc and Director of Western Australian Birds of Prey Centre and Critters Up Close, leadership means using her organizations and wildlife to educate the public on environmental issues. Yvonne’s journey from corporate management to full-time wildlife work shows how passion and perseverance can help one find their true calling.
Early Career in Business
Born in Perth, Australia in 1971, Yvonne was always drawn to wildlife but initially pursued business studies. “I didn’t know what I wanted to be,” she recalls. “At the time, careers like park ranger weren’t suitable.” She worked her way up from shop assistant to area manager for various retailers throughout her twenties.
During a 1998 work trip to Jurong Bird Park in Singapore, something clicked. “I saw the flying displays and educational work and knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Yvonne says. However, she didn’t yet know how to turn this passion into a career.
Finding Her Path in the UK
Determined to follow her dream, Yvonne sold her car and used the funds to travel to the UK in 2003. There she apprenticed at peak falconry schools like the English School of Falconry and gained hands-on experience. “I lived in the UK for 6 months and worked with over a hundred different raptor species including owning a hunting team of Harris Hawks and Red-Tailed Hawks,” Yvonne recalls. Though anxious at first about the unknown road ahead, she leaned on her inner conviction. “I believed so much in my purpose that it wasn’t scary – I just had to find the journey.”
Starting Out in Perth
In 2000, at the Perth Royal Show, Yvonne saw a mobile display by the Society for the Preservation of Raptors. The society was a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey through wildlife rehabilitation and community education. For that moment, Yvonne knew this was the beginning of her journey. From 2000-2005, she became independently registered as a wildlife carer, gaining hands-on experience in raptor rescue and care. She also began conducting her own educational raptor displays during this period. Returning to Perth in 2005 after time overseas, Yvonne formally launched flying displays at Whiteman Park. These shows attracted thousands while Yvonne expanded her mobile education programs. “I saw education as key to solving environmental problems,” she explains regarding her motivations during this pivotal period.
In 2006, the West Coast Eagles AFL team requested Yvonne’s Wedge-tailed Eagle “Auzzie” to fly before home games. Aussie has since become an internationally recognized brand, “Some say I’m exploiting the bird, but she has become an ambassador for wildlife and been a vehicle educating up to thousands of people at Optus on game day and thousands of viewers via social media” Yvonne states. Auzzie has assisted with the education of over a million people on television broadcasts spanning three decades.
Growing Her Impact
Yvonne started the Western Australian Birds of Prey Centre and in 2022 purchased Critters Up Close expanding her educational offerings. She is also a founding member and current chair of Auzzie’s Raptor Rehabilitation, a not-for-profit supporting injured raptor since 2020.
For Yvonne, meaningful impact requires constantly investing in new opportunities. “You have to believe in yourself and find ways to constantly grow, even if the path is unclear,” she advises. Her fearless self-belief and creativity in conservation set a powerful example for others seeking their purpose.
Guidance for Career Changers
For those dreaming of a career change, Yvonne’s success holds valuable guidance. “Listen to your inner voice above all the noise telling you reasons it can’t be done,” she insists. She also modeled courage by fully investing in herself through moves like selling her belongings.
As Yvonne says, “I poured my funding into learning the skills I knew I needed.” Her pioneering spirit shows how passion plus perseverance can transform any career path. Leaders in any field can learn from her example of using their talents to better the world through education and hands-on work.
After decades dedicated to raptor rehabilitation and wildlife education, Yvonne Sitko continues soaring to new heights. Yvonne proves that by listening within for our true calling and investing fully in its pursuit, any of us can transcend limits to make an eagle’s broad impact.
To learn more about Yvonne Sitko, visit her website here.
Published by: Holy Minoza
