About the Myall Koala and Environment Group
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The Myall Koala and Environment Group (MKEG) was formed in 1989 as a result of a koala population survey carried out by Professor Ian Hume of Sydney University. During his research project, Ian asked the community to help with tracking koalas and the volunteers decided to form an ongoing group to monitor the koala population and investigate other environmental issues that affect the Myall Coast region. One of the inaugural members, Mrs Jean Shaw, the “Koala Lady”, took up the role of rescuing sick and injured koalas and maintaining a written record of koala sightings in Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens. Over ten years her records showed a significant drop in the koala population, resulting in the NSW Scientific Committee classifying the Hawks Nest / Tea Gardens koala population ENDANGERED in 1999 (one of only two such localities in NSW). At that time, the population was estimated at only 20 animals. In 2003, The National Parks Wildlife Service (NPWS) prepared a Recovery Plan, and since then it has been administered by MidCoast Council, NPWS / DEC / DECC / OEH and our group. We meet quarterly in February, May (AGM), August and November. At Easter we have a fund-raising stall in Hawks Nest, and in October we give away free koala food trees at the Myall River Festival to encourage residents to plant them on their properties. We also have an offshoot group called Bitou Busters who meet monthly (April to October) to carry out bush regeneration. MKEG continues to be very active, with 150 members and growing. As this is a holiday area, many of our members live in Sydney, or Newcastle and holiday here regularly. Please visit our Membership page to find out more information, or to join our organisation. 
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We are committed to preserving the locally endangered Myall Coast koalas and their environment. The Koala Group is involved in many activities to protect our endangered koalas and the local environment.
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We preserve, rehabilitate and protect native animals/birds and their habitat; including from harmful, or unsympathetic developments.
We provide advice to landholders, developers and government authorities on habitat protection and welfare of koalas/native animals. This includes making submissions to inquiries, forums or reports initiated by any level of government that seek public responses to proposals that may affect koalas and native animals. More ...
From Seal Rocks Road and The Lakes Way to Bulahdelah in the North; the Pacific Highway to the southern shores of Port Stephens; and the Pacific Ocean to the East. |
