care for koalas Nancy, 82 Since 2006, Nancy has devoted her time to the wellbeing of koalas at Koalas in Care a small, 24-hour rescue organisation on the Mid North Coast led by Paul and Christeen. What began as an offering of her skills as a qualified Bowen therapist soon became something more. By 2007, she had joined the morning cleaning team supporting the round-the-clock work of Paul and Christeen, and the vulnerable koalas in their care. For Nancy, volunteering with koalas is extremely rewarding finding joy in the small moments like seeing a koala respond to therapy, to watching them play and fight and run around. “It’s like watching babies,” she says. “They’re always doing something interesting.” Each koala has its own personality, and Nancy delights in observing their differences, from the thicker fur of the Barrington koalas or the pointier faces of those from Tinonee. Supporting the work of Paul and Christeen is just as important, recognising the commitment to their work seven days a week, every week. In return, she finds purpose and perspective: “You can’t be depressed when you’re helping koalas.” Not one to sit at home Nancy likes to keep busy. She walks daily, collecting rubbish along the way and volunteers with Meals on Wheels and the Browns Creek crew. She also finds great joy in playing her ukulele everyday. Take a leaf out of Nancy’s book: there is no use sitting at home, helping others helps you. TAREE, JANUARY 2026
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