A Regretful Goodbye
After two extraordinary years as Wardens of Broome Bird Observatory, Sebastian and I have made the very difficult decision to finish in our roles at the end of 2026.
It is hard to put into words what BBO has come to mean to us. It has been our workplace, our home and the centre of our lives. We have spent our days welcoming visitors, guiding tours, running courses, sharing the wonder of Roebuck Bay with school students and working alongside people who care deeply about this remarkable place.
We arrived knowing that BBO was special, but we could not have anticipated how deeply connected we would become to the birds, the landscape and the Broome community. We have been privileged to witness the changing seasons of Roebuck Bay, the arrival and departure of thousands of migratory shorebirds and the excitement of people seeing these birds for the first time.
Some of our proudest moments have come through BBO’s growing education and outreach programs. From school excursions and community birdwatching events to the Student Shorebird Ambassador program, it has been wonderful to see young people becoming curious about birds and finding their own connection to Roebuck Bay.
We are also immensely proud of the visitor experience we have helped create. BBO now receives consistent five-star feedback and is ranked as the number one thing to do in Broome on Tripadvisor. Those achievements reflect the work of our entire team, including our Assistant Wardens, camp hosts, volunteers, committee members and the many local organisations and individuals who have supported us.
Leaving is not easy. We have invested an enormous amount of ourselves in BBO and have formed relationships that will stay with us long after we go. However, a new opportunity will allow us to continue working along the Kimberley coast aboard a small expedition ship next year. We are excited about what lies ahead, but there is a great deal about our life at BBO that we will miss.
Could you be BBO’s next Warden?
The search has now begun for the next Wardens of Broome Bird Observatory.
This is a rare opportunity to live and work beside internationally significant Roebuck Bay and become part of one of Australia’s most important bird observatories. The role is varied and rewarding, encompassing tourism operations, accommodation, tours, education, community engagement, conservation programs, staff and volunteer coordination and the practical realities of caring for a remote nature-based facility.
It is a role for people who are adaptable, practical and comfortable taking responsibility. Just as importantly, it requires warmth, curiosity and a genuine desire to welcome others into this special place. No two days are the same, and the experience offers the chance to make a real contribution to BBO and the wider Broome community.
You can read the full position description and application details here:
We still have plenty to do before we leave and will continue giving BBO our full energy and care throughout our remaining time. There will be more stories and reflections to share before our final goodbye.
For now, we want to thank everyone who has supported us, worked beside us, visited BBO or taken part in one of our programs. It has been an incredible privilege to care for this place, and we will always carry a piece of Roebuck Bay with us.
Jamie and Sebastian
Wardens, Broome Bird Observatory