Eloise Jones – Bachelor of Environmental Science (Ecology) and Bachelor of Commerce (Business Law)
Rangers Support Intern, Shire of Carnarvon
For Eloise Jones, a regional internship with the Shire of Carnarvon provided the opportunity to step outside her comfort zone and contribute to projects that support both people and animals in the community.
“I was excited by the opportunity to immerse myself in a regional community and gain experiences that would broaden my perspective,” she said.
Working primarily with the Shire’s Ranger Services team and Environmental Health Officers, Eloise gained experience across a range of activities, from animal welfare and public health to community education.
She helped respond to animal welfare cases, supported a federally funded program that improves access to microchipping, vaccinations and sterilisation services, and assisted with ranger operations. She also worked on mosquito monitoring and management initiatives, helping identify breeding sites and contributing to public awareness campaigns designed to reduce mosquito-borne disease risks.
“The projects I worked on all aimed to improve the wellbeing of the Carnarvon community in different ways,” she said.
Through the internship, Eloise developed a new appreciation for the role local government plays in community wellbeing.
“Before this experience, I underestimated how broad the responsibilities of Rangers and Environmental Health Officers are,” she said. “I saw firsthand how much their work contributes to the safety and wellbeing of residents.”
What stood out most was the way local Rangers approached their work.
“It was lovely to see how the Rangers had compassion for each person in the community,” she said. “Primarily, they offered education and compassion rather than enforcement.”
Living in Carnarvon also highlighted the importance of relationships within regional communities.
“It made me understand how important it is to become involved, and how easy it could be to become isolated when you do not make an effort,” she said.
One of the more challenging aspects of the placement was understanding that difficult decisions are sometimes required in animal management.
“Coming to terms with the reality that, in some cases, the most humane outcome for an animal was euthanasia was challenging,” she said. “While emotionally difficult, it gave me a greater appreciation for the responsibility and compassion required.”
Her supervisor, Anthony Willis, said Eloise quickly became a valued member of the team.
“Eloise has exceeded all expectations that I had for the intern,” he said.
The experience strengthened Eloise’s communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills while providing insight into how environmental management, public health and policy intersect at a local level.
She encourages other students to consider a regional internship.
“You gain a deeper understanding of communities and your capacity to contribute meaningfully,” she said. “Moreover, you may have a clearer idea of what you want your career path to look like.”