By Jed Lanyon
Residents of Lilydale’s Tudor Village Men’s Shed have raised a generous $4250 to support Zoos Victoria’s Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund in recovering surviving wildlife from Victoria’s bushfires.
The Men’s Shed engaged other Tudor Village residents and local businesses for donations, which led to a fundraiser featuring several hamper raffles, a devonshire tea and a village breakfast on 18 January.
The funds will go towards Zoos Victoria’s response in deploying critical care of surviving wildlife in bushfire affected areas. While also ensuring the recovery of the 16 koalas that were rescued and are being treated for burns at Healesville Sanctuary’s Wildlife Hospital.
Initially, the Men’s Shed set the goal of raising $650, a target that was then quickly revised to $2000, which was then smashed by the Tudor Village community.
Tudor Village Men’s Shed president Haydon McDonald presented a cheque to Healesville Sanctuary director Ross Williamson on Wednesday 5 February.
“Thank you all so very much for the great effort you have gone to. It touches me and it touches everybody associated with the sanctuary,” Mr Williamson said.
He said one of the biggest concerns for Koalas throughout the bushfire season is the burns they receive when they walk across the scorched country.
“Koalas become unstuck when they come out of the trees that are often on fire, they will walk across the ground and they’ll burn their hands and their feet,” Mr Williamson said.
“If you climb trees for a living, then that’s a death sentence for you.”
He explained that the koalas require intensive care and must have their bandages changed every three days.
“It generally takes a vet and a number of vet nurses between two or three hours to change the dressings on each of these animals. Many of them have to be hand fed, because they can’t use their claws.
“Your contribution is going to help us continue this work.”
Men’s Shed secretary Paul Jones said that the decision to donate to Zoos Victoria was an easy one due to the many residents in the village that have an affinity with animals, including three residents who volunteer at Healesville Sanctuary.
Healesville Sanctuary’s Wildlife Hospital cares for around 1500 injured animals each year.
To donate to Zoos Victoria’s Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund, Visit https://www.zoo.org.au/fire-fund/.
