Our Team
Jack Nguyen & Trinh Nguyen
Owners & Co-Founders (Vietnam)
Treeswift Wildlife & Nature was co-founded by Jack Nguyen and Trinh Nguyen in early 2019 in Vietnam. The dream was do Wildlife Watching Tours differently and to re-imagine what can be achieved when you put aside bottom-lines, hectic schedules, packed tour buses, and re-focus on conservation, education, respect for wildlife and ecology, small group experiences, and most importantly, help people of all interest and experience levels connect with the natural world.
Both Jack and Trinh have backgrounds in conservation, guiding, business, and tourism, and are currently managing the tours and conservation projects based in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. They can be contacted by emailing [email protected]
Angus Hamilton
Wildlife & Photography Guide (Melbourne, Australia)
Angus Hamilton is passionate about wildlife education and sharing stories to inform, inspire, and engage people with the world around them. His love for animals big and small started from a young age. Lots of time was spent racing around the zoo each weekend, pouring over encyclopaedias to learn animal facts, or re-enacting Steve Irwin at any and every opportunity. As he grew, his passion for wildlife remained the same despite being in the background. After completing a Bachelor of International Relations, Angus followed his heart and threw himself back into his passion whilst conducting ecological research in Madagascar. These experiences lead him to strongly believe that connecting with wildlife isn’t just for childhood dreams but for everyone.
Angus is now a conservation filmmaker (Life Gone Wild) sharing incredible stories of wildlife and those working to protect them. He has a particular interest in herpetofauna, mammals, and birds.
April Whitmore
Wildlife Guide & Administration Team (Melbourne, Australia)
Languages: English, 日本語
April Whitmore is one of our specialist birding guides and part of the Treeswift Wildlife & Nature office team based in Melbourne. Currently studying a Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation Biology, she is passionate about all Australian wildlife, though has a particular focus for birds and marsupials. She is proficient in both English and Japanese and has volunteered extensively with the Surf Coast Wildlife Rescue. In her spare time, April enjoys camping, hiking and spotlighting for nocturnal wildlife.
Alice Drake
Wildlife & Nature Guide (Melbourne, Australia)
Alice Drake is a dedicated wildlife watcher with a keen interest in native ecosystems, conservation and education. With a passion for citizen science and conservation efforts, she is excited by all things nature, including the unique fungi and mosses of our native forests, as well as diversity and wonder of Australia’s flora communities. She is currently in her final year of studying a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology & Animal Sciences, with a specialisation in birds and conservation biology.
Outside of her academic pursuits, Alice volunteers her time as a wildlife rescuer and transporter and is an active member of the Victorian Wader Study Group. She is deeply committed to preserving Australia’s rich biodiversity for future generations to enjoy.
Ellie Tracey
Wildlife & Photography Guide (Ballarat, Australia)
Ellie is a highly-skilled educator, wildlife watcher, photographer and naturalist, with a passion for understanding and appreciating native Australian flora and fauna. Originally from sunny Queensland, she now resides in Ballarat, where she devotes countless hours to exploring and studying the region’s unique wildlife and ecosystems.
Ellie has long had an interest in bushwalking, wildlife photography and for chasing waterfalls, which has led her to become a dedicated environmentalist. Ellie is committed to sharing her knowledge with others, with the aim of fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural world. She strongly believes that this connection is essential for our well-being and the health of our planet.
Jay Wilford
Wildlife & Photography Guide (Melbourne, Australia)
Jay Wilford is a wildlife guide, photographer, and naturalist with a particular interest in birds and mammals. He joined our Australia team in 2022 and coordinates many of our photography weekends, bird tours, and fundraising conservation events.
An avid wildlife lover from a young age, he grew up in Australia where his parents let him wander around the country looking for tree kangaroos, crocodiles, cassowaries, crucifix frogs and other fascinating creatures. He has continued to pursue his passion by travelling the world and sharing his enthusiasm with others.
Jonathan Aitken
Wildlife & Photography Guide (Melbourne, Australia)
Jonathan Aitken is an accomplished nature and wildlife photographer with over two decades of experience capturing images both above and below the water’s surface. Born in New Zealand, he relocated to Melbourne in the 1990s, where he fell in love with the region’s rich and diverse wildlife. His passion for photography began early in life, inspired by his father, a art photographer. Over the years, he has honed his craft, perfecting his technique and developing an unparalleled eye for detail.
For Jonathan, the most important aspect of wildlife photography is making it accessible for everyone, while adhering to an ethical framework that respects the animals and their habitats. He believes that by sharing his images with the world, he can inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural world.
Maggie Scholten
Operations & Administration Coordinator (Melbourne, Australia)
Languages: English, 中文
Maggie Scholten gained a love for nature while growing up in the United States along the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. This lifelong interest eventually led her to complete a Master of Marine Biology and Fisheries in Taiwan. She is passionate about coastal and estuary ecosystems, and is a big fan of the amazing wildlife that she has seen since moving to Australia. With her background in aquatic science, office administration, translation, and tour planning, Maggie supports the day-to-day operations of Treeswift to help ensure that guests have enjoyable and accessible wildlife watching experiences.
Ruby Van
Managing Director & Guide (Australia)
As a professional with over 10 years’ experience in higher education, business and ecotourism, Ruby is a dedicated nature and animal lover with a particular passion for wombats! Now based in Melbourne, Ruby is the Managing Director for Treeswift Wildlife & Nature (Australia) and enjoys working with our guests, partners, and guiding team to always improve and grow the wildlife watching experiences offered in Australia.
Besides coordinating the management responsibilities, Ruby also enjoys getting out into the field and leading our ‘Bubs in the Bush!’ nature walks for mums and bubs around Melbourne.
Interested in joining our team?
Treeswift Wildlife & Nature is a wildlife watching and nature organisation, committed to helping people connect with the natural world. We specialise in world-class wildlife and nature tours around Victoria, Australia, and Southeast Asia, offering a diverse variety of trips ranging from birdwatching and mammal watching, to spotlighting, photography courses, multi-day tours, and other unique nature experiences.
We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic and professional individuals who are passionate about wildlife and the natural world to join our team, both in Victoria, Australia-wide, and even overseas. Treeswift Wildlife & Nature is an equal opportunity employer where we welcome and recognise the diversity of our workforce and community.
Visit our “Join Our Team” page for more details
