It was probably an unconcious decision - if it had to decided at all - to rebuild Wildhaven. The day after the fire we were discussing how to go about bringing our home back to life. Within six days we were living on our property in a site offfice generously lent to us by contractor in Panton Hill. The only 'surviving' structure was one third of our hay shed - 10m x 6m - which we turned into our new accommodation with some help from friends at the CFA. We then started constructing the first new enclosure to house rescued wildlife and to plan the construction of the new Wildhaven. A visit from Bob Irwin inspired us even further and we thank him for his kind spirit.

Little did we know that it would be two and a half years in the making. The house was put on the bottom of the list and we started with four internal (within a four and a half acre enclosure) and one external shelter sheds.  We then fenced the enclosure, ensuring it was fox and dog proof dogs. Within a matter of weeks orphaned and injured animals were being brought in and, while we did what we could, we had to pass them onto shelters outside the burnt zone because we did not have tha facilities or environment to look after any animals until Augsut 2009. 

The old house site's slab was still reasonably solid which allowed us to put a large shed on it which is the first aid complex and includes a very well stocked first aid room and five 'stables' for the larger animals brought in.

The new wombat enclosure was a big project for us.  We were told other shelters were closing down, and they were holding wombats from our area.  We had to design, clear the land and construct the fencing and building in 5 weeks.  All the clearing was done with the help of Bill Watson (Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria).  Bill organised 30 Fire Fighters to come to our aid.  The area was ready for the new occupants with two days to spare. 

Bill and his team, along with some assistance from the St Andrews CFA, returned over a year later to conduct a huge clean-up and burn off on the property.