How long have you volunteered with FOK and how did you get involved? 
I started with Friends of the Koala December last year. I got involved because of a friend who was volunteering already. I had just finished at TAFE and applied to volunteer here too. I began volunteering on the afternoon care shift where we clean the enclosures, pick up all the scats and make sure they have plenty of new leaf to eat and hide in. I’m also a leafer and harvest leaf from the 3 primary food trees (Forest Redgum, Swamp Mahogany and Tallowwood) and a variety of secondary food tree species.

Why is the work FOK does so important?  
Generally, the koalas are under threat from a lot of different issues and when they come here they’re sick and injured and need help and rehabilitation to get back into the wild. Without FOK where would they go?

Why do you think volunteering with any organisation is important? 
There are a lot aspects that are so good for you. It’s great for your mental health and just being out and about and caring for wildlife and the ecosystem is really rewarding. 

How has volunteering impacted you? 
It’s great, I’ve got so much more energy and something to look forward to the next day. It opens up opportunity in different areas too but I’d like to stay here as long as I can.