By Jessica Micallef
From a small town near Liverpool, to a big country farm in Lancefield, Dee Tully-Bucknell is living her dream.
When Ms Tully-Bucknell first came across animal sanctuary farm Edgar’s Mission on her iPad halfway across the globe in a town called Eastham, she knew she had to one day make a special trip to Australia.
“I’ve always been passionate about animal welfare, I’ve always loved animals,” she said.
“It was just fabulous to see all the different animals.
“I said to my husband, ‘when we do go to Australia, it would be for my 60th [birthday] … but I’d like to go visit Edgar’s Mission.’ He caught me on the iPad looking at where it was.”
Before she knew it, her husband surprised her with a plane ticket to Melbourne.
“He knows how passionate I am about animals,” Ms Tully-Bucknell said. “It was just amazing and really thoughtful of him. It’s just the best birthday present I could ever have.”
Since arriving at Edgar’s Mission earlier this month, Ms Tully-Bucknell has been volunteering her time looking after animals and living out her dream.
“Every day when I drive up to those gates, I get the butterflies because it’s such a caring, kind place,” she said.
“Everyone has been so nice. You can’t put into words how welcome they make you feel. It’s like a piece of heaven on earth. It really is a sanctuary.
“I do love pigs. If I had to take one home I think it would be Elvis Pigsley.”
Ms Tully-Bucknell said she was looking forward to her husband meeting her in Melbourne, before making their way to New South Wales and Fiji.
