Our history

Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue (ASTR) was formed in 1992 when the late Lance Ferris discovered that 35% of Ballina's pelicans were injured by fishing tackle. Now a volunteer organisation ASTR  rescues, rehabilitates & releases seabirds, sea turtles & sea snakes. The ASTR Hospital, purchased in 2004 by the Tony & Lisette Lewis Foundation, operates with advanced facilities caring for all animals & providing training and education to the public & our volunteers. Our Story Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue (ASTR) has existed in some form since 1992. For the first eight years ASTR operated without a formal legal or financial structure, with most of the costs being borne by the founder, Lance Ferris, and a few supporters.  Some small sponsorships and grants were received, mainly to fund training activities and capital items such as a 4WD vehicle and a boat. The first Constitution of the then unincorporated group was adopted in 1995 and was incorporated in New South Wales in 2001. In 2000 ASTR was operating from premises adjacent to Emigrant Creek in West Ballina. The property was made available for ASTR’s use and provided on a peppercorn rental. Around this time ASTR opened the first sea turtle rehabilitation centre.  This represented a major change in operations due to the longer-term care and more specialised housing requirements of sea turtles. ​ Wildlifelink Sanctuary   In 2004 Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue Incorporated (ASTR) formed a relationship with The Tony & Lisette Lewis Foundation – WildlifeLink, based in Sydney. Initially supporting ASTR’s training and education work, the Foundation came to the rescue when the West Ballina property was resumed for construction of the Ballina by-pass. A former wedding reception and conference centre located on North Creek, Ballina was purchased by the Foundation and ASTR was granted a licence (renewable annually) at a peppercorn amount to occupy the property and make it their home.  ​ As “WildlifeLink Sanctuary”, the five acre property at 264 North Creek Road has been developed as ASTR’s rescue and rehabilitation centre, and the coastal wetland and endangered ecological community is now protected and enhanced. This continuing investment by the Tony & Lisette Lewis Foundation, both in the property and its facilities and in funding ASTR’s administration and numerous projects, has been pivotal to the ongoing success of ASTR, the care it is able to provide wildlife and the increasing community awareness of the impact of humans on marine wildlife. In late 2007 Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue lost its Founder, President, Manager and hero, ‘The Pelican Man’, Lance Ferris. At the time it was uncertain if ASTR could survive this blow. Lance’s daughter, Rochelle, a qualified Marine Biologist, took up the roles of President and Manager. In 2008 ASTR adopted its first Policy and Procedures Manual and began the process of separating the many roles previously undertaken by Lance. The Committee also adopted a Strategic Plan which identified the urgent need be able to offer Tax Deductible status for donations. In 2009 ASTR conducted a major review of its Constitution with the specific aim of achieving ‘Deductible Gift Recipient’ status. ASTR’s amended Constitution was approved by all the relevant agencies and Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue. The ‘Lance Ferris Memorial Fund’ was subsequently added to the Register of Environmental Organisation in 2010. ASTR also adopted a ‘Banking and Finance By-Law’ to implement the necessary changes and ensure the highest standards of financial accountability are maintained.