Farewell Donna Brennan, champion of native wildlife and WILVOS stalwart

Donna’s  legacy has been the education, compassion and genuine kindness she shared with those around her which will live on through the WILVOS organisation.

Vale Donna Lenore Anthony (nee Brennan)  17.10.1950 – 12.12.2025.
Story from Wildlife Volunteers Assoc. Inc

With heavy hearts, we share the news that Donna Brennan, WILVOS (Wildlife Volunteers Inc.), Vice-Chair and author of the fortnightly column in the Gazette for many years, passed away in December after a brief illness.

We farewell a true champion of our native wildlife, whose tireless advocacy and kindness enriched our community and the thousands of precious creatures she nurtured over decades. Her passion for protecting Australia’s unique animals inspired us all.

When Donna arrived on the Sunshine Coast in the 1990s, she joined WILVOS, quickly becoming an integral member of the group. She held many roles over the years, including fundraising in the early days.  Donna, with her colleagues, and in particular her dedicated friend, Sylvia Whiting, often stood on public street corners selling raffle tickets to raise much needed funds. 

WILVOS, under Sylvia and Donna’s guidance, has grown into an amazing, dedicated group of over 300 members, offering a 24hr hotline, rescuing, transporting, caring and releasing a multitude of animals over the years.

Donna was calm under pressure, maintained a great sense of humour, and was incredibly passionate - particularly if she was advocating for our wildlife. She was a mentor to many WILVOS members, offering her time and advice with endless generosity and patience. 

She always maintained her connection to community, often taking the Hotline calls and attending rescues herself. 

The role of Media relations officer was very important to Donna. Her articles were endearing, informative and entertaining, encouraging readers to empathise with the plight of our native animals, and compelling them to act if they were able to help.

We are all feeling immense sadness for her passing, but her legacy has been the education, compassion and genuine kindness she shared with those around her which will live on through our wonderful organisation

Vale our Donna.

• Contact Wildlife Volunteers Assoc. Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 SCMC Qld. Phone 07 5441 6200. www.wilvos.org.au