Peter Barrow turned a passion for nature into a profession
Wednesday 29 July, 2026
From spending time in the bush as a kid, to watching animals on the job, Peter Barrow pours his heart into his job.
Working out of the Bendigo region, Peter does everything from firefighting to collecting rubbish. A self-proclaimed ‘jack of all trades’, he’s one of our dedicated rangers thriving on the variety of the role. In celebration of this World Ranger Day 2026, we managed to get him to take a break from his busy schedule to tell us all about his role at Parks Victoria and a special interaction with a platypus.
What inspired you to become a ranger?
‘I spent a lot of time up the bush with my dad as a kid and always had a heart that drew me into protecting our natural world. I was that kid who would tell strangers that throwing their rubbish in the street would kill dolphins! Through my dad’s example I came to love and appreciate the little things, like sitting by a creek watching birds flit around or enjoying a bush walk in the dark with no torches, so we could experience the wonder of the cacophony of noises that assail you when you’re not distracted.
There’s nothing like spending time in the Australian bush, it’s where my heart belongs, like so many other Aussies, so having a job where I can be there almost every day is a dream.
It took me a while to find my feet for a career, but my heart was always set on the environmental industry, and I hope to be a ranger for many more years.’
Peter taking a moment to grin while driving a truck and float. Credit: Parks Victoria
Can you describe your role and what a typical day looks like?
‘When asked this question, every ranger in the world would give you a similar response…a typical day for a ranger depends on the day!
We work in a role that requires a high level of flexibility, as our jobs cover an extremely diverse range of tasks and responsibilities. Today I might be cleaning firepits and toilets in campgrounds, tomorrow I might be controlling pest plants in sensitive areas, the day after I might be checking on a species of orchid that’s entire population exists within a hectare of bush, and then I might spend a week cleaning up illegally dumped rubbish.
I’m an Authorised Officer, an Arduous Forest Fighter, I drive trucks, four-wheel drives and machines. I operate chainsaws and computers, and I pride myself for having a deep knowledge and ground based understanding of the parks and reserves I manage; rangers are a jack of all trades…and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
What is consistent is everything we do starts with looking out for the safety of myself, my team and for every person who wants to come experience our parks and reserves, I want all Victorian’s to be able to head out into nature safely and experience the amazing world we live in.’
Peter (centre front) and the team fighting the Grampians bushfires. Credit: Parks Victoria
Peter undertaking repairs to tracks following the Black Saturday fires in Kinglake. Credit: Parks Victoria
What is your favourite park, waterway or place that you help manage, and why?
‘This is a tough question as the area I work in around Bendigo has nearly 100 parks and reserves covering over 35,000 hectares!
If I can cheat a little, my favourite places are the quite spots in the bush, particularly in spring when the orchids are coming up and the birds are out moving busily through the forest.
This might be in the Kamarooka block of the Greater Bendigo National Park watching a Sand goanna on the move looking for its next meal. In the Crosbie Nature Conservation Reserve enjoying the quiet serenity that can only be found in a patch of 2 metre tall grass trees or sitting on a rock in the Shelbourne Nature Conservation Reserve in a small she-oak forest on a warm day with a slight breeze, listening to the sound the wind makes through the leaves.
These are my favourite locations because that’s where I’m grounded, that’s where I feel at home in nature. It’s spiritual and calms the mind and soul in a way that nothing else quite can.’
What's the most memorable wildlife encounter you've had on the job?
I’ve had a few over my career, with honourable mentions to an echidna that I rescued from a stone-lined water channel in the Bendigo Regional Park and an amazing display from a superb lyrebird in the Cathedral Range State Park.
But the one that I remember best was when I was alone in the English Bridge Streamside Reserve collecting scattered rubbish left by campers and picnickers. I was on the bank of the Campaspe River and looked down to see a platypus slowly moving through the rocks in a small set of rapids. Time slowed down for me, and I slowly followed this platypus as it moved from rock to rock, checking for yabbies and insects. For about 20 minutes I had the privilege of this platypus moving beside me, less than 2 metres away, with only the two of us around. It’s a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.’
Rescuing a koala joey? All in a day's work for Peter! Credit: Parks Victoria
World Ranger Day 2026
31 July 2026 marks World Ranger Day, recognising 20 years of honouring the courage, dedication and sacrifice of rangers worldwide. This year's theme of “Rangers: Guardians of a Changing Planet” recognises that rangers are working in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, responding to challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, human-wildlife conflict and environmental crime.
Our rangers come from all walks of life, and their work is as diverse as the environments they manage.
We’re proud of the work they do every day – partnering with Traditional Owners and local communities to care for iconic landscapes and make sure all Victorians can enjoy the outdoors.
For more information on World Ranger Day, visit the International Ranger Federation’s website.