There has been a lot of talk about koalas but precious little real action by the government to protect them and ensure their future survival, they are still on track for extinction by 2050, but Lismore’s Friends of the Koala (FOK) have been on the frontline for many long years and are looking for volunteers to help them keep the species alive.
‘Friends of the Koala are in desperate need of more volunteers to join our team in East Lismore,’ said Claire Agnew, FOK Operations and Communications Manager.
‘Volunteers are the lifeblood of FOK without them can’t do any of our work.
Many of the roles are based on-site in East Lismore though for the 24-hour hotline you can be based anywhere.
‘We do have volunteers who come from as far as Tweed,’ Ms Agnew told The Echo.
One of the key roles that currently need to be filled is ‘harvesting leaf for our koalas in care. ‘The plantations are all in the Lismore City Council area.
‘The other major role is caring for sick, injured and orphaned koalas in rehabilitation. This involves raking scats, changing leaf, checking on koalas and reporting back to vets etc. Rescuing koalas is a very skilled role and beginning in the rehabilitation area can often lead from there to other roles like koala rescue. We also need people to work on the hotline and you just need a working phone for that.
‘Volunteers need to be 18 years or older, able bodied and willing to work outside in all weather conditions.’
If you are interested in joining FOK they would love to hear from you here.
Good morning. My name is Barrie, I’m from the states and would love to volunteer. Are there opportunities for volunteers who travel there to help?