Koala voices startle market visitors
 
The roar of koalas surprised many visitors to this year’s Pindimar Market.
The sounds came from a speaker at the Myall Koala and Environment Group stall, which attracted lots of attention from people of all ages.

The children especially liked Kim the giant koala and even the local MP Kate Washington had her photo taken in Kim’s arms.
But it was the recording of koala voices that caught many people’s attention with several saying they had never heard such a sound in their lives.
Judy Hughes, Secretary of MKEG, said that once upon a time the sounds of koalas would have been familiar to people in Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens area.
“Sadly, koala numbers have declined to such a level that their voices are becoming increasingly rare in our area,’’ she said.
President Richard Streamer said it had been a very successful day for MKEG at the market.
The free koala food trees, two raffle prizes, a guess the number of koala lollies in the jar competition, free children’s koala face masks and a collection of wildlife, weeds and environmental information all helped the atmosphere of the day.
He thanked all the volunteers who gave their time on the stall and said he was especially pleased to have been joined by MidCoast Council Senior Ecologist Matt Bell, who was able to provide people with information on a range of issues including the Koala Safe Spaces Program, wildlife and council environmental planning. 

Adrienne Ingram
​October 2023
 

Kate Washington MP with Kim the koala