PSToday — Koala Edition 🐨

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🗣 PST...check out the latest community news from across Port Stephens.

Following the opening of the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary last week we have put together this koala-ity edition of PSToday. In this issue you can read all about the special events that led to the opening of the gates! AL479wp

Photograph of Matt Kean MP and Mayor Ryan Palmer unveiling the plaque at the official opening ceremony of the Koala Sanctuary

The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary is OFFICIALLY open! 🎉

Nothing can be declared official until there are speeches and a plaque involved! On Friday 25 September, the Koala Sanctuary hosted a formal opening ceremony with special guest, The Hon. Matt Kean MP, unveiling the plaque alongside Port Stephens Mayor, Ryan Palmer.

The Sanctuary is a partnership between Port Stephens Council, the NSW Government and volunteer care group Port Stephens Koalas. The ceremony included speeches from representatives of all dignitaries and community partners, as well as a traditional smoking ceremony and welcome to country by Uncle John Ridgeway. Our guests toured the state-of-the-art small animal hospital and wandered through the Newcastle Airport SKYwalk where the iPhones were out for the main attraction - koalas!

We captured all the highlights from opening weekend and everything the Sanctuary has to offer - you can watch it by clicking the link below.

Check out the video here

A photograph of a koala knitted from yarn hanging in a tree

Henderson Park welcomes Tilli the Koala 🧶

Last week, artists were out in force right across Port Stephens to install some colourful art stitched together by our amazing commun-knitty. These installations were the result of our community connections program, Have a Yarn, which aimed to reduce social isolation in the wake of COVID.

Keeping on theme, the residents of the Tilligerry Peninsula created Tilli the Koala (pictured above). Tilli will be hanging out in Henderson Park in Lemon Tree Passage for the remainder of the school holidays - make sure you pay him a visit!

Check out the other yarn installation locations

Greater Bank apply the finishing touches 🌳

Greater Bank chose the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary as one of the planting locations in their campaign to plant 75,000 trees in the areas they call home.

The hard-working volunteers from Greater Bank visited the Sanctuary on Monday 21 September and got started planting 5000 trees in the 'Greater Bank Grove', in the heart of the Sanctuary at the foot of the SKYwalk.

We are so grateful to have been part of this campaign and to have such wonderful people working in our local Greater Bank branches willing to get dirty for a great cause!

C heck out Greater Bank's
video wrap up of the day

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A photograph of a koala sleeping in a tree

Why should you visit the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary?

Koalas! Obviously. The Koala Sanctuary is purpose-built to care for sick, injured and orphaned koalas. You can take guided educational tours from local volunteers to learn about how the Sanctuary cares for sick, injured and orphaned koalas to give them the best opportunity to return to the wild.

You'll also see the marsupials in their natural habitat and learn about the unique koala population via the Newcastle Airport SKYwalk and elevated viewing platform.

After you're exhausted from all the walking and learning, you can refuel at the Fat Possum Café and rest your head in our deluxe 4-star glamping tents and accommodation.

This conservation facility is the first of its kind in Australia and is a truly unique destination for Port Stephens.

B ook tickets to visit

Photograph of Council staff planting trees at the Koala Sanctuary

Council staff planted their mark 🌳

Early in September, Port Stephens Council employees had the chance to get down and dirty revegetating the Sanctuary grounds.

It was a wonderful volunteer initiative that encouraged our employees to get outside and connect to the facility that is one of Council's biggest projects to date.

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A photograph of the entrance of the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

The nitty gritty 🐨

The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary is now open! You can visit 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. They are located at 562 Gan Gan Rd, One Mile NSW 2316.

Call the Sanctuary on 02 4988 0800 or visit their website by clicking the link below.

Koala Sanctuary website

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116 Adelaide Street, Raymond Terrace NSW
PO Box 42, Raymond Terrace, NSW, 2324
p 02 4988 0255
e council@portstephens.nsw.gov.au

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Port Stephens Council · 116 Adelaide Street · Raymond Terrace, Nsw 2324 · Australia