Mrs Welsh was a member of the order of Australia for her tireless efforts on the Tilligerry Peninsula through the care of sick, injured and orphaned koalas.

Not only was she a carer but a conservationist who helped safeguard koala habitat from development.

Most notably Mrs Welsh ran a petition against the development of eight hectares of land off Helen Avenue Reserve.

“June prevented it from happening,” retired veterinarian Rod Starr said.

“She was an activist in a sense but a kind and gentle person, and very much unsung.

“Even to the point that when she received the OAM, June wouldn’t go to the ceremony, they had to drop it off here.”

Dr Starr tended to many of the sick and injured koalas Mrs Welsh brought to him at the Tanilba Bay Veterinary Hospital.

“No one knew much about koala care back then,” he said.

“June’s forte was working closely with the vets but also the care. She had a few of them in long term care and furthered our understanding of their behavioral traits.

“She taught and inspired many koala carers in the area.”

Among them was Hunter Koala Preservation Society past president Jill Taylor.

“She was an amazing woman and because of her preservation efforts the politicians were scared of her,” Mrs Taylor said.

“We planted thousands of new trees to maintain habitat corridors together.” 

Mrs Welsh was a koala carer for 14 years and in that time was associated with 

She was associated the Native Animal Trust Fund and the Tilligerry Habitat.

Mrs Welsh had moved to Lemon Tree Passage with her late husband Jack from Cardiff where they were commercial rose growers.

Mrs Taylor said Mr Welsh was equally dedicated to caring for koalas, finding leaf and building encloses, and ladders for the marsupials to climb. 

Mrs Welsh also turned her hand to drawing cartoons and scribing poems including this piece titled, Peace.

There’s a peace I know, that comes to some

Who wait in the bush for dark to come.

Tracing trees dressed for the night

Against a sky that is losing light.

Whispers and gestures, no spoken word

Song of the bush is all that is heard.

For the past two years she saw Australia with her son, John, aboard a motorhome.

A remembrance service will be held at Tilligerry Habitat on Sunday from 2pm where people can share photos, stories and a cup of tea.