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.'
