Elizabeth's peers voted for her because her dedication and passion towards her career working with wildlife is extremely evident.

She is committed to ongoing professional development, volunteering, improving wildlife care and teaching others.

She currently works at @tarongawildlifehospital where she works with some of our most specialised species.

Liz says that she feels privileged to have the opportunity to care for, and learn from, a wide variety of native and exotic species, and to be part of a team with a diverse range of skills and experience that share their knowledge with one another.

She would also like to give a big thank you to all the wildlife carers, that she has previously and currently work with, who have always been open to teach her and share their wealth of knowledge with her. It takes a team of people with various skills to successfully care for and treat wildlife. Most importantly thank you to the animals that she has nursed that teach her new things every day, she feels so privileged to work with them.Also a huge thank you to all the zookeepers, wildlife nurses and vets.

A huge congratulations to the other nominees too, Shannen Koppen, Amy Bartlett, Emma Douglas and Ellen Richmond. You are all amazing nurses and exotic pet and wildlife champions. Keep being the amazing people you are!

Well done Elizabeth, it is a well deserved award.

Maddie was voted for by her community for her passion, commitment to learning, her ability to learn fast and her kindness and compassion.

Madeleine said that she was very humbled even to be nominated as shes only just scratched the surface of what it means to be an exotic vet nurse. Both her teams are fantastic and shes so grateful to be learning from such skilled and knowledgable professionals in the field.

Definitely deserved all those votes Maddie!

And a huge shout out to Paityn Anderson, our runner up. From the comments made by those that voted for you, you are absolutely deserving of this nomination. You should be extremely proud of yourself, keep being you and you will reach great heights!