Dr Max Maddock, Professor of Education at the University of Newcastle, leased part of the wetlands site for grazing horses. While on the site, Dr Maddock noticed four species of Egrets had established a breeding colony in trees in what is now known as Malaleuca Swamp. From this seemingly minor interaction, Dr Maddock developed a remarkable vision to restore the site from a rugby field to a Wetlands Education Centre.

In 1983, the local council announced plans to fill the remnant wetlands to make way for Lorna St dump and to build State highway 23 across the wetlands. Through his renowned passion, Max with his newly established Wetlands Group was able to lobby the government to put a halt to both these plans, and the site was declared a wildlife sanctuary.