Gwen Parry-Jones has a lifelong connection with the Central Coast of NSW. Originally a teacher, she then ran a small business and later still, worked for the Child Welfare Department, dealing with children who had to appear before the courts. This made her very aware of the influence lack of education has on youth crime.

In 1987 Gwen formed the Wildlife Animal Rescue & Care Society Inc. (ARC) and she has been active in the rescue, care and release of native animals ever since. She lectures at local schools regularly and is known as the Bat Lady. She is the co-director of the Wambina Flying-Fox Education and Research Centre.

In 2004 she helped to organise the Wildlife Carers Conference. In 2005 she was a member of the working party set up to form the NSW Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.
Along with others, her work contributed to the establishment of the new Popran National Park and the Ourimbah Nature Reserve.

Sources used to compile this entry: http://www.fauna.org.au/news0504b.htm (accessed 10 July 2005); http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/34138/20030320/www.nsw.greens.org.au (accessed 5 June 2005).