Farewell to Kim Willing and welcome to Phillip Laroche

After seven years of dedicated service as our Member Services Manager, we have farewelled the beloved Kim Willing, who has been an integral part of the Wildcare Tasmania community.

During her October farewell gathering, Kim shared her gratitude and reflected on her time with Wildcare:

"Thank you, Wildcare volunteers for your care of wild places, your respect for each other, and the joy you bring to the hard work you do. Phillip asked me what I say when people question whether volunteers should be doing work that government staff should be resourced to do, and part of my response was, ‘You just try and stop them!’ It has been an honour to be in a role that has enabled you to more easily and confidently give back to what you love, and to help you feel part of a Wildcare community that ‘has your back’ while doing it.

Some of you may have already met Phillip Laroche, who I am confident will provide excellent support to our groups and is a highly suitable evolution of me. Jill (Wildcare Tasmania CEO) and Phillip, may you feel supported and emboldened by this legacy as you take Wildcare into the future.

To the friends and colleagues who light my way – whether Wildcare, Coastcare, Landcare, childcare, self-care, or those ‘who cares’ times – thank you. To quote a learned friend, ‘I love youse all.’

You know I often quote Edward Abbey, who said that it is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it is still here. I am looking forward to getting away out from behind the desk to do just that. See you out there!"

As we say goodbye to Kim, we warmly welcome Phillip Laroche as our new Member Services Manager.

With over 12 years of experience in Tasmania’s environmental sector and 10 years in eco-tourism management and guiding, I’m sure many of you already know him well!

Phillip brings a diverse skill set to Wildcare, including community and stakeholder engagement, volunteer and remote area event management, volunteer and environmental project management, and environmental writing and communications.

Phillip has already shown his passion for enabling communities to look after nature. He’s inspired to learn more about and support all the extraordinary ways our Wildcare Groups across Tasmania defend our unique and threatened natural values.

Phillip lives in a tree-top-level house with his family near the beach south of Hobart. He enjoys camping, nature photography, teaching his two young boys about nature, and volunteering for his local environment and community.

We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to seeing Wildcare continue to thrive with Phillip's guidance.