Birds of a feather flock together — how Ravi Wasan turned his passion into a career
IN Sydney in the late 1990s, Ravi was a common sight as his pet birds flew along with him while he walked his dog. Now people flock to him to see him work wonders.
AS a boy, CommBank’s Australian of the Day Ravi Wasan didn’t necessarily have the blessing of his family when it came to his hobby-cum-obsession with birds and dogs. In Sydney’s South-West in the late 1990s, Ravi was a common, if unusual, sight as his pet parrots and cockatoos flew along with him while he walked his dog Zeus. “To me it was normal,” says Ravi. “But it was a very bizarre thing for everyone else around me.”
Today people flock to Ravi who works wonders with birds which is why he’s CommBank’s Australian of the Day. The 29-year-old is the founder of Feathered Friends — a sanctuary for sick and injured birds that would otherwise be destroyed — and also wants to educate Australians about avian marvels. “For example parrots are the only creatures that can learn a human repertoire,” he explains excitedly.
Regarded as one of Australia’s leading animal training facilities, Feathered Friends is in high demand for its knowledge of bird and dog behaviour and management. They also run a schools program. “You fly birds around a classroom and kids are naturally interested,” says Ravi. “We don’t push a conservation line at them — the kids just get that themselves.”
Feathered Friends is also developing a reputation for its live shows. Last year’s appearances at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show were packed. Ravi and his birds will be back again this year.
“I never studied at university — didn’t even finish the HSC,” says Ravi. “I was just obsessed, totally obsessed, by birds and dogs. I look back and I have a lot to thank them for.”
CommBank has partnered with News Corp Australia for their Australian of the Day initiative that celebrates everyday Australians who make a contribution to their communities and country. Be it someone with Kippy’s entrepreneurial flair; another campaigning for better meals in hospitals or an Afghani refugee who has opened her heart and kitchen to welcome others, you can read all their life-affirming stories at australianoftheday.com.au.
Originally published as Birds of a feather flock together — how Ravi Wasan turned his passion into a career
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