Hello Koala Lovers,

Well today, I appeared on National TV, dressed as Palmy, my outfit for the Koala Army’s March for Creatures Great and Small to be held on Sunday 1 September.

When I put those feathers on, something happens. I find myself transported to the bush, where I have spent so much of my life in this career and before. Nature keeps me healthy and grounded and is where I go when the going gets tough.

Palmy is based on the Palm Cockatoo, one of the majestic parrots in our country and highly Endangered. On the black market or even on the clean market they can sell for up to $500,000 per pair. How can that be? And how is it allowed?

Because they have been seen like a commodity like so much of our wildlife. Our magnificent Koalas were nearly shot to extinction between 1880 and 1930 when at least 8 million skins went to the fur markets in London and New York (see: The Koala Manifesto). Thank goodness they have recovered but the remains of that trade still lingers and Koala numbers dwindle.

I would like to share my email as Commander in Chief of the Koala Army with you. I wrote this to all those that will march with us both virtually and online.

After the March, the AKF will be telling the truth about so many things that I have seen in my career. We have a federal election coming up and of course our mission is for the government to enact the Koala Protection Act and repeal the Regional Forest Agreements Act 2002. Those two things could change the future of the Koala forever, not to mention all the animals that have been immortalised in our videos and creative thoughts.

All this creativity has been enabled by a generous donor who understands that science is not being heard. Perhaps our wonderful creatures will be.

See you at the March.

Deborah