Koala Diaries Blog

During the last week two milestones have quietly slipped by. More

Thanks to all the "koala people" who came from Brisbane, Pine Rivers, Peregian, Eerwah Vale and further afield - and especially to Bob and Judy Irwin who made a huge trip for our little launch - it was what Carolyn and I call a great day.  Thanks too to the media for showing an interest, and of note, to Sunshine Coast Channels 7 and WIN, Courier Mail, ABC radio, Journal Weekender, Noosa Journal and Sunshine Coast Daily, plus Noosa News and Jamie Dunn - we look forward to keeping you up-to-date with the progress of Koala Diaries Project Location - Koala Sighting Census over the next few weeks, months and with continued support... years.  More

Nothing is more heartbreaking to koala rehabilitators than the loss of a rescued, injured koala. A lot of expertise, time and emotional energy is invested in each and every animal saved. It is gut-wrenching for them to continue to treat the same animal, time after time as it is returned to the location of rescue, to again be hit by a car or mauled by a dog. There was a situation last year where the same koala was patched up four times, until he eventually died. To then hear as we did recently about a koala and her joey being shot, is devastating.  The baby joey, named Doug by rescuers, died this week.  More

On the face of it, I am an unlikely koala campaigner.  I was born and bred in Tasmania where koalas do not exist.  I then spent a period of time in London, followed by 12 years living and forging the beginnings of a career in inner city Melbourne.  During those years I felt very disconnected from the natural environment.  Nevertheless, I harboured a secret ambition to apply myself to something “meaningful” that would ultimately re-dress this.  I had a sixth sense that relocating to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast would provide that opportunity.   More

It all began with some very hot days, and a few emails bouncing around the place early in 2009 showing photos of koalas reaching out - I mean physically hands up in the air, clearly asking for water. (See the Hot Days photo gallery.) Carolyn Beaton - close friend, neighbour, koala carer and, until recently, public relations manager at the Australian Wildlife Hospital - and I began a discussion about how great it would be to share with the world just how communicative, smart, funny and affectionate koalas really are.  More