With so much going on, we are extremely busy, apologies for the lack of posts!

Firstly I’d like to say a special thank you to everyone that supports us and has donated. Your money enables us to provide food for bushfire survivors, medical care, and rehabilitation for our animals in care and to build new infrastructure to provide the best possible care facilities for them.

Special mention to in no particular order to:

-Regeneration
-Wildlife Victoria
-Lauryn from Wildlife Victoria & Animal Rescue Support
-The Oz Vincent Review
-Christie Debnam

No matter how big or how small every donation is precious and a big heartfelt thank you to all.

We currently have 6 Koala babies and 4 adult Koalas, 20 Kangaroos and 2 possums in care. We have numerous bushfire survivors as well as starvation cases from Raymond Island. Lots of work has been taking place since the fires, with the building of 5 new Koala pre-release pens. This has been possible thanks to local family business FENCEWORX who are located in Bairnsdale. Please support this local family who have supplied all materials at cost and all construction has been performed for free. Thank you Phil, Ella and Col, I can’t thank you enough.

Clean-up after bushfires and storm damage is taking place at the moment with a big thank you to Peter Cadby and Sarsfield Bobcat Hire. Peter has cleaned up all the ash and dug drainage, repaired all the driveway access and is laying new stone around sheds and enclosures. Over the next coming months, concreting will take place and another new Koala enclosure will be going up.

We have been blessed to have an abundance of un-burnt habitat here for our Koalas and other Wildlife. Over the next few months we will be soft releasing our bushfire survivors. Koalas evacuated late December are all back now at the Shelter and some of them will remain in care for some time until they are at a suitable condition to release.

Mums and bubs will be in our Nursery pen shortly once fully finished and then soft released. The burnt habitat is recovering very well with the eucalyptus trees all heavily sprouting. Due to rain, we have been blessed and we will be able to start cutting food in a couple of months; much sooner than I originally anticipated.

I am very thankful to the dedicated regular people who go out of their way to help me source out local leaf with a special thanks to Janis. From feeding bushfire survivors and cleaning and washing bedding to collecting Koala browse, you are always there when I need you. Thank you to Steve and Stephen for cleaning our enclosures, washing, feeding and browse cutting. Thank you to Jody for collecting Koala browse, picking up all the Koalas to return to the shelter and for helping me personally. Matilda, Sandy, Craig, Jade and Peter for feeding bushfire survivors, thank you. To Zach for cutting Koala browse, feeding, helping out, Ruth and Laird for cutting Koala browse and bringing up supplies, Ric and Shane for cleaning up and feeding bushfire survivors, thank you. Rex Pangan (Electrician) and Sara for installing security lights all for free, thank you. Ian Maclean (from Fox Mowing & Gardening) for all your donations and labour cleaning up after the fires, a huge thank you! Thank you also to DG Electrical Contractors Melbourne for installing lighting and electrical work and Tara, Fraya and Lyndall for tidying up.

And finally a thank you to Harvey Norman Bairnsdale, Manager Jason and employee Simon. Thank you for your outstanding service. Helping me with the donation of a new washing machine and a reduced price on a huge16kg washing machine and dryer for all the animal washing. I now can do all bedding, pouches etc. with minimal water and power usage with new machines. I can’t thank you enough! Your personal service to me was just amazing.

With Covid 19 we now have only limited helpers until this virus is over. We are not open to the public but still rescuing Wildlife in need.

Please continue to support our work as our work continues on regardless. We have an extensive list of Registered Wildlife Carers to call for animals in need of help.

All Wildlife adults and babies:
Ary Row – 0404647880
Ronni Morrison – 0403810559
Geoff Nicol – 0419345820
Jo Rossi – 0448177722

Kangaroo wallaby babies – Hollie Whitehead 0432539408

Snakes – Lorna King 0407174043

Birds:
Wendy Hendrickson – 0423712397
Trevor Lamb – 0427062961

Please help us and Donate to:

Bank details
Name: Raymond Island Koala & Wildlife Shelter
BSB No. 633 000
Account No. 147871842.

Or donate here:

A quick update on my personal health. I had a tumor removed at the start of March and I am recovering well. I will be commencing further treatment soon although it’s yet to be confirmed.

Thank you to everyone that supports the Wildlife and our work, the world is a better place because of you all!

❤ Susie