PORT Stephens Koalas has secured funds for a second vehicle – its first four-wheel-drive - to rescue stricken mammals in hard to reach places.
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Port Stephens Council has pledged $16,000 while Hunter Water has promised $10,000.
“The money has held us back for a long time,” Port Stephens Koalas joey care coordinator Sue Swain said.
“I’ve worn out two of my 4WDs in the time I’ve been doing this so it’s very welcome.”
The group of volunteers (until recently known as Hunter Koala Preservation Society) has begun to gain traction in recent weeks with plans for a hospital at Treescapes holiday park, One Mile.
Mrs Swain said the Examiner’s Koala Crossroads campaign had helped put the hospital under the nose of state politicians and had many flow on benefits.
“The Koala Crossroads campaign has raised awareness about what we do generally,” she said.
“We’ve had an increase in phone calls from people who want to help, from donations to people who want to be carers.
“It’s even helped with street tree planting in Soldiers Point.
Rescuers often hit the fire trails to rescue sick koalas and release them once they’re rehabilitated.
They also hunt for suitable gum leaves and even logs that serve as “cage furniture” to place in pens while they are rehabilitated.
“We were only able to buy our first vehicle with a bequest we were so grateful to receive,” Mrs Swain said.
“Our second vehicle will be a 4WD with a tray.
“For years I’ve been the only one with a 4WD that we’ve used for releases.”
The society’s vice president Ron Land drove the grant application process.
“The Koala Crossroads campaign has made our job including applying for these grants so much easier,” he said.
“We used to spend so much time briefing people about the issue but the awareness is there now.”
Mr Land said the success with the 4WD was a manifestation of the campaign.
“The value of having people read those stories is immeasurable,” he said.
“People say, ‘we didn’t know how dire the situation was’.”