The Annual General Meeting of Friends of the Koalas (FOK) will be held on Saturday July 29 at the Koala Conservation Reserve meeting room at 2pm.

Patsy Hunt, FOK President said it continues to make submissions on any issues relating to koalas and their habitat.

Recent submissions have included commenting on the proposed Toondah Harbour development in Queensland, the Bass Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Project, a proposed subdivision in Church Street, Cowes and a proposed pathway at Rhyll.

Donations are also made to assist organisations who dedicate their time and energy to the preservation of koalas and other wildlife. This includes wildlife carers and organisations that lobby to preserve habitat or do research.

“Recently donations of $200 each were made respectively to Wildlife Victoria and local wildlife carer Colleen Gilbee.

“The reality is, however, that in order to continue making donations and lobbying the support of more members is required,” Patsy said.

“Although Phillip Island’s free-ranging koalas are probably a lost cause, FOK can still continue to keep up the pressure on all levels of government to make the right decisions regarding wildlife and their habitat.

“A new Victorian Koala Management Strategy (to which FOK gave feedback) has recently been released and the Federal government is in the process of redrafting our national environment laws,” continued Patsy.

“FOK is proud of its legacy created in its 33 years of existence; the thousands of hours of volunteering, planting trees and other indigenous plants, removing weeds, assisting with koala surveys, informing and educating with newsletters and making numerous submissions.”

Patsy said Friends of the Koalas wishes to continue and she looks forward to attendance by interested people at the Annual General Meeting on July 29.