Hello Koala Lovers,
This photo says it all!
Last Sunday was just glorious and I just wish all of you could have been with me, Dr. Bob Brown, our Five Star General, and the rest of the gang for an incredible walk through the seat of power – Canberra.
I think all of us felt a sense of great change coming. Not just because it was windy as anything and the stilt walkers could not walk over the bridge, but there is a sense that we are all tired of seeing the creatures we love suffer.
I am even more committed to a Koala Protection Act and I also dropped off a Koala Habitat Atlas of Australia to Minister Pliberseks’ office.
There is so much to say, but I will leave that now and focus on Save the Koala Month.
Our voices were heard in Canberra – I am convinced of that and thank you to Heather for her generous donation to fund the March – I believe it will be a watershed moment in the AKF’s history.
Congratulations to us all for an incredible time.
Talk soon,
Deborah
P.S. Thrilling news for Ben Wenzel, our roving Ambassador achieving success last week.
As we’ve mentioned in a previous newsletter, 2024 has been a big year for our Koala ambassador Ben Wenzel. He’s competed locally in Brisbane and Melbourne, and also internationally in France and Turkey. Last week, Ben travelled to America to represent Australia in the US Open Wheelchair competition.
In his singles division, Ben made it to the quarter-finals and put up an impressive fight, ultimately getting beaten by his opponent but showing amazing growth from the year before when he debuted at the same competition. That in itself shows the resilience and character that we at the AKF admire in Ben, and what we think makes him a perfect Koala Army representative.
We’re proud to say that following this, Ben made it to the final of the wheelchair doubles with his Dutch partner, Ivar van Rijt. In even more exciting news, they won! It marks the first time ever that an Australian has won the competition, which is something to be incredibly proud about. At just 17 years old, our Ben Wenzel is a history maker!
You can read more about his win HERE.
The AKF is also incredibly proud to announce that our sponsorship with Ben has been renewed for another year, and we’re excited to see how he flourishes in 2025.
Again, congratulations Ben!
Deborah
