Meet Australia’s newest female snake catcher Summer Woolston

A young glamour who has given up a career in childcare to pursue her passion for reptiles is ready to show the boys how it’s done.

Summer Woolston. Picture - contributed.

A young glamour who has given up a career in childcare to pursue her passion for reptiles is ready to show the boys how it’s done.

Summer Woolston, 21, of Narangba, has just joined the team at Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers and is excited to explore her new career.

Ms Woolston worked in childcare for the past five years before making the leap to the male dominated industry of snake catching.

“I’ve had a passion for all wildlife my entire life,” she said.

“But especially reptiles and snakes.

“I just love them and find them so interesting.”

Summer Woolston with a python. Picture - contributed.

The bright eyed newbie said her fascination began when she was a youngster.

“Ever since I first held a snake when I was three years old I’ve been obsessed,” she said.

“When I was 18 I finally got my first pet snake. I named him Gently because he’s a little gentle boy.

“Then I just grew to love them even more.”

While still working full time in childcare, Ms Woolston completed a reptile zoology course online and then a snake catching course with Aussie Wildlife Encounters.

At the beginning of the year she made the spontaneous decision to start her own business.

“As much as I loved working with children I wanted to pursue something I was really passionate about,” she said.

Summer with her dad Ian Woolston. Picture - contributed.

“I’d applied for snake catching jobs but never heard back so I just went out on my own.

“Then a few months down the track Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers reached out to me and offered me a full-time position.

“I was freaking out I was so excited. They have a massive online following and I’ve been watching them for years.

“I just couldn’t believe it.”

The snake wrangler said for the past week she’d been working her dream job.

“I love being able to educate people on how misunderstood they (snakes) are and how important they are for the ecosystem,” she said.

“They're just so different and I love learning about them and what they do.

“A lot of people are scared of them … which is fair they’re not dogs … but I love changing people’s minds.”

Summer Woolston is excited for her new career. Picture - contributed.

Reflecting on her bold move from a female dominated industry to her new gig, Ms Woolston said she wouldn’t miss the drama.

“No more gossip and drama at this job,” she said.

“I was nervous coming into this job as a girl and worried about being treated differently and judged but it’s honestly been the opposite.

“It’s been so chill and everyone has been so welcoming. Everyone says how good it is seeing a female in the industry.

“There aren’t many girls in this industry but there should be … it’s a great job and anyone can do it.”

Eager for a challenge, Ms Woolston said her first week of work had solely been relocating pythons.

“No venomous snakes yet but I’m ready and excited for when it happens,” she said.