OFF and the National Parks Association Southern Sydney Branch hosted a screening of The Koalas Film at the Hurstville Entertainment Centre drawing an engaged audience of over 100.
The film highlighted the crisis facing koalas in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, shedding light on the urgent need for action to protect these endangered animals.
Special guests included Saul from Save Sydney’s Koalas, Stefanie from the Sydney Basin Koala Network, Geoff, our passionate “koala whisperer,” Georgia and Greg, the dedicated filmmakers behind The Koalas for a Q & A session. The panel discussion concentrated on the south and south-western Sydney areas which contain koalas threatened by development, even though they contain some of NSW’s only chlamydia-free koala populations.
It was great to see Councillor Matt Allison: and Councillor Peter Mahoney: also attend.
The evening concluded with a strong Call to Action, encouraging attendees to:
● Engage with local representatives to advocate for koala protection.
● Urge our local councils to consult the relevant departments about their efforts in safeguarding koala corridors and ensuring proper widths
● Request a map of protected koala corridors and inquire about the minimum width standards.
● Advocate for the introduction of a Koala Act and inquire whether it is currently under consideration.
● Raise awareness through mainstream media and social media platforms.
● Send submissions to Parliament and government departments and join local environmental groups dedicated to koala conservation.
The film was dedicated to the memory of Sharyn Cullis, a long-time OFF member and founder of Save Sydney’s Koalas. Dr. Cullis devoted much of her later years to raising awareness about the alarming decline of koalas in southwest Sydney and the Sutherland Shire.
We thank all who attended and supported this important event!
Promo
On the East Coast of Australia, where ancient forests meet the urban fringe, koalas are facing unprecedented challenges. The Koalas sheds light on a disturbing truth: the very entities entrusted with safeguarding our natural treasures are contributing to the demise of these emblematic creatures.
The Koalas takes audiences on a journey into the lives of individual koalas, led by charismatic characters – Wonnie, Bexley, Tom, Baz, Coral and adorable joeys Hope and Pala. As these stories unfold we witness the unique characteristics of koalas, their bond with their young, and the wildlife carers they come into contact with. These seven emerge as ambassadors for all koalas facing threats to their ongoing survival.
In southwest Sydney, a key koala colony lies in the path of a proposed housing development. In Victoria, where the land was cleared earlier than in other states, translocated koalas persist in plantations, but what happens when the plantations are harvested? Where can the koalas go?
As the climate changes, wildfires, floods, and extreme weather events are increasingly wreaking havoc on wildlife, their habitat as well as on human infrastructure. After surviving for 25 million years on the Australian continent, can the iconic marsupial be at risk of extinction in the wild? The film celebrates resilience in the face of the challenges and invites audiences to become catalysts for change.
Why is the koala facing extinction when governments are announcing new strategies to protect them? Scientists identify the main culprit behind the alarming drop in koala populations is habitat loss. How is the destruction of habitat being allowed to escalate at unprecedented rates? Are environment laws so weak that they can’t protect threatened species?
Despite the sombre realities, The Koalas embraces a spirit of hope. With high-production values, observational filming and insights from those on the frontline of wildlife rescue and ecology,
Note that this film is dedicated to long-time Koala advocate and OFF member, Sharyn Cullis
If you want to know more and support this important project, please come and see this movie in the comfort of the Civic Theatre at the Hurstville Entertainment Centre on Thursday 21st November at 6pm. Tickets can be purchased via Humanitix here. Thoroughly recommended.
Readers are reminded that the producers of this movie gave a talk to OFF in August 2022 on the making of this film. The video of this talk is available for viewing on OFF’s YouTube channel here.