AUSSIE music icon John Williamson has taken storytime to the bush with a visit to Koala Conservation Australia’s Wild Koala Breeding Visitor Centre at Guulabaa.
The visit coincides with the celebration of his new children’s book “Koala Koala”.
“Storytime in the Bush with John Williamson” welcomed families, koala lovers, and community supporters on Saturday 12 July for an afternoon of storytelling, music, and conservation.
Reading aloud to a captivated crowd of children seated on the deck, Williamson reinforced his lifelong passion for Australia’s wildlife as a long-time ambassador and patron of Koala Conservation Australia.
His visit brought warmth and star power to the centre’s conservation mission with the event boasting a live reading of Koala Koala, a colouring competition for children aged 4–12 – with Williamson personally selecting the winners – a book signing, and photo opportunity.
Williamson is best known for his contributions to the Australian country music scene.
Having released over 50 albums, which include popular songs like “True Blue” and “Old Man Emu”, he has used his platform to advocate for environmental protection and raise awareness about conservation issues.
He has been a passionate advocate for koala conservation for several decades and became a patron of the Koala Preservation Society of Australia after meeting one of its founders, Jean Starr.
He also wrote the song “Goodbye Blinky Bill” in the mid-1980s, with proceeds donated to the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie.
Operations Manager Scott Castle also led a behind-the-scenes tour of the Wild Koala Breeding Centre and Chairperson Sue Ashton welcomed guests with an Acknowledgement of Country, reminding attendees of the urgent need to protect koalas in the wild.
“With your support, we’ll keep working to make sure koalas are healthy and thriving for generations to come”, she said.
Koala Conservation Australia is currently leading the world’s first Wild Koala Breeding Program, and events like this help raise both awareness and vital funds to protect this iconic species for the future.
By Rikki WALLER
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