What can possums and chaplaincy possibly have in common?

Every day,  you help chaplains serve children, young people and families in a myriad of wild and wonderful ways. Chaplain Amanda—fondly known as “The Possum Lady ”— uses her God-given passions and past experiences to connect with children and young people in need in the Top End.

It’s often said that God is an excellent recycler. No details of our pasts, our personalities, or our personal stories are wasted. 

A wonderful example of this can be found in the Northern Territory, where school chaplain Amanda’s love for wildlife rehabilitation, particularly caring for possums, has  become an unexpected but powerful addition to her work.

From Adelaide to the Top End

Amanda wasn’t always so up and close to the Territory’s wildlife. Before becoming a chaplain, she  completed a bachelor in  Development studies in her hometown of Adelaide. During an internship in Darwin, she discovered that the warm climate was excellent for her long-term health conditions, and she decided to make the move permanently.

“Well, I guess you want me here God,” laughs Amanda, recalling how the move came about. 

The call to chaplaincy came soon after as she looked for work and settled into life in the NT.  Amanda was staying at the local YWAM base, when someone suggested she apply for a school chaplaincy role. The idea wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. 

“I was looking for part time work in a meaningful profession that uses my skills, experience and studies. I saw the chaplaincy role as encompassing all of that in support of developing the school community. “

“I’d crossed paths with chaplains in hospitals  . . .  but also when I was going through high school, one of my church’s youth leaders worked in the local public high school as a chaplain. As a youth group we would participate in fundraising for the Schools Ministry Group. So I had some idea what that looked like.”

It wasn’t familiarity alone that made Amanda such a good fit for the role. Her own life had also prepared her, having experienced medical challenges as a child, as well as losing a parent, and growing up in a  blended family.

“I get it that life’s not always easy for kids … and sometimes they just need someone to listen to them and to remind them that it’s not all about your academics. You’re awesome just as you are,” Amanda reflects. 

Since taking on chaplaincy ten years ago with the Uniting Church of Australia Northern Synod,  Amanda hasn’t looked back, coming under SU Australia’s chaplaincy umbrella in the time of the National merger.

Blending Wildlife and Wellbeing

Running social and emotional regulation groups at the schools she has served in has been a consistent part of Amanda’s chaplaincy work, but recently she has introduced animals into the mix. 

“I’ve always had an interest in animals. I tried to rescue and save everything as a teenager,” says Amanda.  ”So I’ve always had an affiliation with native wildlife.”

Amanda’s interest, it turns out, is an excellent fit for meeting the children she’s working with where they are at.

“These kids are often from bush blocks – five acres , if not more. They’re bush kids! Partly why it’s worked well is because of that. 

“We don’t tell the kids when we see a snake, not because they’ll get freaked out, but because they’ll all want to come pick it up!”

While snakes stay out of the classrooms, possums have become a familiar part of Amanda’s day.

“Generally, the female possum has been critically injured or killed, when a baby possum is found and handed in. I care for them from about the three to four month old mark, when they are fully furred and starting to adventure out of the pouch. This means  they need to be fed every couple of hours  . . .  so they get to come with me to work!”

Often possum feeding time coincides with playtime, creating special moments for the students.

 “Kids love watching and collecting things for the possum to munch on.

“Occasionally, a child who needs a quiet moment will come and sit with me, holding the pouch while the baby possum sleeps  . . .  and you watch those kids, just melt and relax.”

Amanda’s work with wildlife has even earned her the nickname ”The Possum Lady” so visible is her presence with the animals. 

The possum feeding has extended into other areas of caring for the animals, like making shelters, and tracking their weight

“I  showed the children how to make some makeshift possum hanging baskets,” says Amanda.

While the children learn how to care for God’s creation, they are cared for as well. 

Amanda believes that the animals help her build bridges with students and families alike.

“It breaks down barriers. It opens up opportunities to connect with parents in different ways too. Sometimes they’ll bring in an injured animal or ask for advice. It’s a great way of connecting beyond the classroom,” says Amanda. 

Amanda’s story is a reminder that chaplaincy in the Northern Territory looks as unique as the landscape itself—creative, relational, and rooted in community. Whether she’s helping a child regulate emotions, comforting someone going through hardship, or feeding a tiny orphaned possum, Amanda’s work reflects care in action.

To hear more about chaplaincy opportunities, or ways you can support school chaplaincy please visit su.org.au/chaplaincy