It has been a happy New Year for Taree-based organisation, Koalas In Care Inc, after taking out the final #GreaterMidNorthCoast community funding program for 2020.
The group’s 24/7 koala rescue service won the December community vote and received $2,000 that will be used to support the koala habitat in the region.
Koalas In Care Inc operates a rescue service across the Manning, Great Lakes, Gloucester area and supports the welfare and preservation of the local koala population and their habitat. Their Koala Care Facility in Taree, which is manned by a dedicated team of volunteers, cares for the many sick, injured and orphaned koalas that are admitted each year.
The group’s co-founders, Christeen and Paul McLeod, started working with koalas in the area in 1993 before establishing Koalas In Care Inc in 2005.
Events of the past 12 months have significantly impacted the koala population in the area. This stretched the capacity of service and their need for greater funding.
“The catastrophic fires that sweep through the Manning area last summer, which came on the back of a prolonged period of drought, had a devastating effect on the local koala population and in turn drove greater demand for our services,” Christeen said.
“We don’t receive any government funding and rely heavily on fundraising and community support to operate our facility and service. It has been a really tough year for us so this funding could not have been be more timely.
“Winning the #GreaterMidNorthCoast funding round will allow us to support and enhance the koala habitat in the region by planting koala food trees, as well continuing our care and rehabilitation of koalas who are admitted to the Taree facility for treatment.
“We are so grateful for this financial support, all of which will go directly to supporting the koalas in the region.”
Also benefiting from the December funding round are Coutts Crossing Public School P&C Association and Disabled Surfing Association - Hastings who will each received a $500 grant that will go towards their operational costs.
Greater Bank’s Mid North Coast Regional Sales Manager, Karl McLean said it was wonderful to support such a deserving volunteer organisation as Koalas In Care Inc.
“We believe the best way to make communities stronger is by supporting community groups such as Koalas In Care Inc who are providing such an invaluable service to our local koala habitat,” Karl said.
“The #GreaterMidNorthCoast program aims to generate not only hope but positive action to help community groups across the region to keep their doors open, help innovate the way they deliver their programs or even expand their services to support a new or specific need in the community,’ Karl said.
The January round of the #GreaterMidNorthCoast program is now open with Tuncurry WWI Memorial Hall, Naru Surf Gathering and The Coffs Harbour Protection of the Environment Trust each vying for a share in the $3000 funding.
The public can cast their vote online at greater.com.au/greatermidnorthcoast or by visiting a Greater Bank branch. Voting closes at 5pm on 27 January, 2021.
Greater Bank is also calling for nominations from community groups across the Mid North Coast for future funding rounds. They can do so by visiting greater.com.au/greatermidnorthcoast and explain in 100 words or less, how their organisation is helping to improve lives of locals.