December Customer Service Award winner

Congratulations to Darren Darch from Fauna for the future, on winning the Customer Service Award for December 2025. Sponsored by Esperance Communications.

Darren receiving his diploma, presented by Ron Chambers.

We’re proud to announce Darren Darch from Fauna for the Future as our December Customer Service Award winner.

For more than 25 years, Darren has dedicated his life to protecting native wildlife and supporting communities through education, relocation services, and calm, respectful interactions in situations that can often be stressful or misunderstood. For Darren, customer service is about far more than simply providing a service. It’s about changing perceptions and leaving people feeling safer and more informed. “It’s one thing to go out and provide a service,” Darren says. “It’s another thing to walk away knowing that person has changed their outlook on our native animals”.

That passion was shaped on by a belief he encountered far too often, that the only good snake is a dead snake. Rather than letting that mindset discourage him, Darren used it as motivation, setting himself the goal of changing at least one person’s mind each year. Through countless callouts, conversations, and community interactions, that impact has reached far beyond just one person at a time.

Darren’s dedication doesn’t stop at the end of the workday. Originally from Geraldton, he still receives eight to ten calls a day from the region, helping people find local snake catchers. Many of those calls come after hours and late into the night, but for Darren, it’s all part of keeping people and wildlife safe.

Some moments stay with him more than others. One that stands out involved a woman in her 80s living in Myrup, who calmly explained how she had caught a snake and placed it into a bin after it emerged from a rock wall. She went on to tell Darren that the year before, she had caught five or six snakes while moving around her paddock. Stories like that are what drive him, knowing his work helps keep people like her safe.

When asked what great customer service means, Darren keeps it simple. Treat other people’s homes like they’re your own, give the service you would expect as a customer, and lead by example. In a community like Esperance, he believes respect and honesty go a long way.

His advice for anyone starting out in customer service is just as grounded. “Treat people with respect, be a person of honour, and don’t be afraid to say I don’t know if you don’t have the answer. Finding the correct information, rather than guessing, builds trust and credibility”, he said.

Being recognised with the December Customer Service Award came as a surprise to Darren. “I’m honoured,” he says. “Truthfully, I’m a bit gobsmacked”. Darren’s commitment to education, safety, and genuine care for the community makes him a truly deserving recipient of this award and a wonderful example of what going above and beyond looks like in Esperance.

Congratulations, Darren, and thank you for everything you do for our community. 💙

Nominations are now open for the January Customer Service Award, so keep nominating and helping us recognise the incredible service happening across Esperance. Click here:

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS | Esperancecci

Proudly sponsored by Esperance Communications.