Volunteers are what keep our charities and not-for-profits running, in most cases. The problem is that it is getting more and more difficult to attract people to volunteer.

Another very well-known organisation, Friends of the Koala, is preparing for its busiest time of year and needs help.

Koala breeding season means that for the next five months, the Northern Rivers Koala Hospital (Friends of the Koala), including its rehabilitation centre, will be at capacity, caring for sick, injured, and orphaned koalas. 

Friends of the Koala have been guardians, advocates and protectors of our koala community for 39 years. Their amazing volunteers work tirelessly as a team providing care, food, transport and rescue support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

(Volunteer Luke Kane releases a koala)

During breeding season, many koala carers are also busy responding to rescue calls all over Lismore and the Northern Rivers, which means their koala care teams need extra support to keep up with the demands at the koala hospital.

A Friends of the Koala spokesperson said, "We urgently need support from the community to continue to do what we do.

"If you can spare a day a week, or every second week for 3 months or more, we urgently need the following:

Koala Carers

Afternoon shifts at East Lismore (7 days a week, 12.30pm - 4.00pm)

These volunteers work to maintain the koalas' runs in the hospital rehab, make observations, arrange and provide food to the koalas. Full training provided.

Hotline Responders (remote morning, afternoon and evening shifts)

Working from home or wherever you are, all you need is a stable phone line, access to the internet/a device and a computer. Online training provided. 

Leaf Harvesters (7 days a week from 9.00am - 11.00am)

Our leafers work in teams of two, collecting koala food in our vans from properties all over the Northern Rivers including our own plantations, for approximately 3 hours every morning. Volunteers must be comfortable working outdoors, have a moderate level of fitness, a fully unrestricted drivers licence and a genuine ability to be responsible and commit for at least a 3 month period one day a week or every other week.

"We currently have more than one orphaned joey in care. The cost of raising a single young joey from rescue to release ranges between $15,000 and $20,000. As a charity, we rely solely on the generosity of our volunteers and our community.

"If you are 18 or over and you would like to make a difference to the future of our koalas and their habitat, please get in touch with us!

"You can enrol to volunteer on our website www.friendsofthekoala.org or email volunteercoord@friendsofthekoala.org to find out more."