At Friends of the Koala, we have always believed that koala rescue and rehabilitation goes hand in hand with investing in the people who will care for koalas in the future. That is why we are so proud of our ongoing collaboration with Southern Cross University, which is helping to shape the next generation of … Read more
Partners
Northern Rivers Koala Network Celebrates 10 Years of Collaboration
Ten years of connecting communities, councils and conservation efforts across the Northern Rivers. The Northern Rivers Koala Network (NRKN) is marking its 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of collaboration to protect koalas and restore their habitat across the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. The Network began in 2016 when Friends of the Koala brought … Read more
Celebrating 16 years of partnership with Rous County Council
This World Environment Day, 5 June 2026 we are standing proud with our partner, Rous County Council (Rous) in recognising our longstanding partnership, marking sixteen years of supporting sick and injured koalas in the Northern Rivers together. Since 2010, Rous has provided an ongoing source of food for sick and injured koalas through its plantation … Read more
Celebrating the opening of the Southern Cross University Veterinary Science Precinct
Pictured from left to right: Joe (Southern Cross University Staff), Rhonda (Friends of the Koala President), Barbara (Southern Cross University Staff), Dr Kate (Superintendent Vet), Ire (Vet Nurse), and Lorraine (Friends of the Koala Vice President). Friends of the Koala President, Rhonda James, Vice President, Lorraine Vass, Superintendent Veterinarian Dr Kate Blake and Veterinary Nurse … Read more
Eucalyptus Day: Restoring the trees koalas depend on
At Friends of the Koala, we know that koala conservation starts with habitat. It is also where Friends of the Koala began as a grassroots organisation 40 years ago. Without the right trees in the right places, koalas cannot survive in the wild. Rescue, treatment and rehabilitation all matter, but lasting conservation depends on protecting … Read more
Koalas: Australia’s Iconic Marsupial Facing a Fragile Future
Next month is National Threatened Species Day (September 7th) as well as Save the Koala Month, culminating in Save the Koala Day (Friday 26th September) and we think it is a great opportunity to marvel at the uniquely evolved species that is the much loved koala – a species facing ecological fragility due to habitat … Read more
Statement on the Victorian Koala Crisis
Friends of the Koala is deeply saddened by the recent events in Budj Bim National Park, where bushfire-impacted koalas were euthanised through aerial shooting. This tragic situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, humane, and transparent strategies to address the welfare of koalas facing habitat loss and environmental stressors. We echo IFAW’s call for an … Read more
Hospital Expansion
The Northern Rivers Koala Hospital officially opened in 2021 although we employed our first Veterinary Surgeon and received the approval to operate a specialist Koala Hospital in 2020, 5 years ago now. Since then, the demand for our services has continued to grow in response to the increasingly challenging environment for koalas. We now tend … Read more
Koala Kindy and Care Centre January 2025
It is our first Koala Kindy and Care Centre update for 2025, and it is going to be another big one! We are thrilled to have five successful releases to report. After receiving much needed treatment and care from our vet team and volunteers, these koalas are ready to go home. Of course, every release … Read more
Happy National Eucalyptus Day 2024!
Each year we celebrate National Eucalyptus Day on the 23rd of March. Now in its eleventh year, it’s important to us to raise awareness about Eucalypts – why we need and love them. As part of our celebration we focused some of our attention this month on the amazing work our volunteers do in making … Read more
