Anonymous benefactors have saved the property of a 70-year-old woman who cares for hundreds of animals on a private sanctuary south-east of Melbourne.

Maryrose Kersting ran the four hectare Black and White Swan Sanctuary at Balnarring for about 20 years, caring for a range of animals from wallabies to peacocks.

But it came under threat after the family business, which owned the sanctuary, ceased trading and the bank foreclosed on the property.

The sanctuary was to be auctioned off over the weekend leaving the future of the animals in doubt.

Ms Kersting said she feared the worst in the lead up to the auction.

"I was really worried about how I was going to catch the wallabies and relocate them, that was a real concern," she said.

But Nigel Williamson, who campaigned to save the property, said nobody bid on the property and it was passed in.

"It was then a couple of people approached the auctioneer and within 10 minutes the property had been sold and was handed back to Maryrose for the rest of her life," he said.

"The place stays exactly the same way as it has been for the last 20 years but this time without any worry about any debt."

Ms Kersting said she could not believe the result.

"It's just wonderful, it's marvellous how people do these things," she said.



Mr Williamson said while others were rejoicing over the result, Ms Kersting was straight back to work.

"As soon as the auction was over, she took off and started feeding the animals," he said.

"The deal had been done and she didn't even know it had been bought for her."

Mr Williamson said the benefactors wanted to remain anonymous but one was a property developer and the other a doctor.

Sanctuary received support from star musician

The campaign to save the sanctuary received the backing Grammy-winning musician Wally De Backer, aka Gotye.

Ms Kersting said she felt "a bit ignorant" because she had not heard of Gotye. ( Supplied )

He paid a surprise visit to the sanctuary on Friday in the lead up the auction to show his support for Ms Kersting.

But it was not until he had left that Ms Kersting knew who was visiting the property.

"I feel a bit ignorant because I didn't know who he was. He had a cup of tea with me and after he left somebody told me who he was," she said.

"He was a very charming man, apparently he's known around the world."

Ms Kersting said her next big task was working out how to thank everyone for their support in saving the sanctuary.