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GEOFF AND BETTY BARTLETT
GEOFF AND BETTY HAVE FINALLY DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE BIG SMOKE AND THERE GRANDCHILDREN
THIS IS SOME OF THERE GREAT VAST HISTORY SPANNING MANY YEARS.
BELOW ARE THERE GREAT STORIES AND WELL DESERVED AWARDS
THIS IS SOME OF THERE GREAT VAST HISTORY SPANNING MANY YEARS.
BELOW ARE THERE GREAT STORIES AND WELL DESERVED AWARDS
BETTY BARTLETT PATRON NOV 2012
To be chosen as Patron of the Hunter Koala Preservation Society Inc was quite a shock!
Having spent a large part of the last 16 years devoted to the koala world in Port Stephens I
consider it a great honour to now continue this engagement as your Patron. It is interesting
to recall our first contact with HKPS. Geoff and I initially bought land in Eucalyptus Drive in
1993 with the intention of building our home in later years following retirement. A shed was
soon built. We spent many short and annual breaks on the block planning our future. The
first task was to start planting native flora as the
land had been denuded of all trees. But what to
plant?As it happened, we returned one weekend
to find a brochure under the shed door from this
koala group called HKPS! It welcomed us to the
area and suggested at least 10 native varieties
of trees to plant including koala food trees
indigenous to the One Mile area. Euc Robusta
headed the list of course ! The brochure said if
we plant koala food trees - the koalas will come!
And so it was!It took just two years for our
Swamp Mahogany tube stock to reach about five
metres. The day arrived that I saw a koala in one
of them. We were so excited! We found out that
he was a local identity named Uki. We were
convinced that we had to find out more of this
beautiful animal so around 1997 we joined the
HKPS. The rest as they say is history!
My photo with this story shows Robbie who
initially had come into our care as a 900g
orphaned joey from Frost Road. After his release
in our then substantial koala food forest he
returned in two weeks to “say hello” , then he
was gone for another 12 months for one last visit. His territory became well known
encompassing all of Eucalyptus Drive, Melaleuca and Casuarina Close. We were alerted
some three years later by Greg Wilson at O’Carrollyn’s that a koala with crusty closed eyes
needed our attention. He was “little” Robbie, now a muscled eight kilo lad! Back then we
were using Mastalone Blue for the treatment for conjunctivitis - it is not eye shadow as it
might appear ! I sensed his awareness of me as his “mum” from three years previous by his
wanting me to nurse him! No way I clearly indicated to him - his head was bigger than mine!
He began to whimper from that rejection so that’s why I am closer to Robbie in the photo
than what is the norm.
To finish this story of Robbie I refer you to the HKPS Newsletter early last year that relates
his demise by a dog attack on January 19, 2011. By strange coincidences we were directed
to this “unknown” koala dog victim after our retirement from caring but backing up Sue when
necessary. When his chip was read - he was “our” Robbie! Just one of the many stories of
success and failure after having 300 koalas pass through our hands over ten years.
All those associated with HKPS know well the upsets and trauma that go with koala caring
and rehabilitation. I understand this fully and look forward to traveling this road with you all
in the years ahead. For now, Sincerely Betty Bartlett.
Having spent a large part of the last 16 years devoted to the koala world in Port Stephens I
consider it a great honour to now continue this engagement as your Patron. It is interesting
to recall our first contact with HKPS. Geoff and I initially bought land in Eucalyptus Drive in
1993 with the intention of building our home in later years following retirement. A shed was
soon built. We spent many short and annual breaks on the block planning our future. The
first task was to start planting native flora as the
land had been denuded of all trees. But what to
plant?As it happened, we returned one weekend
to find a brochure under the shed door from this
koala group called HKPS! It welcomed us to the
area and suggested at least 10 native varieties
of trees to plant including koala food trees
indigenous to the One Mile area. Euc Robusta
headed the list of course ! The brochure said if
we plant koala food trees - the koalas will come!
And so it was!It took just two years for our
Swamp Mahogany tube stock to reach about five
metres. The day arrived that I saw a koala in one
of them. We were so excited! We found out that
he was a local identity named Uki. We were
convinced that we had to find out more of this
beautiful animal so around 1997 we joined the
HKPS. The rest as they say is history!
My photo with this story shows Robbie who
initially had come into our care as a 900g
orphaned joey from Frost Road. After his release
in our then substantial koala food forest he
returned in two weeks to “say hello” , then he
was gone for another 12 months for one last visit. His territory became well known
encompassing all of Eucalyptus Drive, Melaleuca and Casuarina Close. We were alerted
some three years later by Greg Wilson at O’Carrollyn’s that a koala with crusty closed eyes
needed our attention. He was “little” Robbie, now a muscled eight kilo lad! Back then we
were using Mastalone Blue for the treatment for conjunctivitis - it is not eye shadow as it
might appear ! I sensed his awareness of me as his “mum” from three years previous by his
wanting me to nurse him! No way I clearly indicated to him - his head was bigger than mine!
He began to whimper from that rejection so that’s why I am closer to Robbie in the photo
than what is the norm.
To finish this story of Robbie I refer you to the HKPS Newsletter early last year that relates
his demise by a dog attack on January 19, 2011. By strange coincidences we were directed
to this “unknown” koala dog victim after our retirement from caring but backing up Sue when
necessary. When his chip was read - he was “our” Robbie! Just one of the many stories of
success and failure after having 300 koalas pass through our hands over ten years.
All those associated with HKPS know well the upsets and trauma that go with koala caring
and rehabilitation. I understand this fully and look forward to traveling this road with you all
in the years ahead. For now, Sincerely Betty Bartlett.
GEOFF AND BETTY WERE GIVEN LIFE MEMBERSHIPS 22/9/2012
FOR THERE TIME GIVEN AND HELP RENDERED THE BARTLETTS WERE GIVEN LIFE MEMBERSHIPS TO HUNTER KOALAS
SUE SWAIN PRESIDENT WITH PARTING GIFTS
A PRESENTATION WAS MADE BY SUE SWAIN PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF ALL THE CREW AT HUNTER KOALAS
12/2001
Betty & Geoff loading up to visit our veterinarian
in December 2001. A basket lid was placed over the koala for the trip which may
be necessary five or six each week. Especially when koalas were often rescued
daily. For the years 2001 to 2006 we rescued an average of 58 per year, the
highest being 77 in 2003.
It was only when Kathy, Roger then Sue & Noel received training that the rescue numbers were shared.
It was only when Kathy, Roger then Sue & Noel received training that the rescue numbers were shared.
Betty is supplementary feeding Chloe. Chloe arrived
emaciated and grossly under weight for her age. She was diagnosed with
cryptococcosis requiring long-term drug treatment. It was essential that her
leaf diet was supplemented with an animal milk formula and vitamins.
Chloe was “soft released” in our property after treatment so that her progress was monitored while in the wild. She never left our yard and would arrive at the back door from time to time for “just one more” drink of the formula. We had her for over two years before she died in an electrical storm while in a tree nearby.
Chloe was “soft released” in our property after treatment so that her progress was monitored while in the wild. She never left our yard and would arrive at the back door from time to time for “just one more” drink of the formula. We had her for over two years before she died in an electrical storm while in a tree nearby.
4/2002
_ A candid shot of Robbie (Geoff’s legs - not Betty’s). We rescued Robbie in
April 2002 as a 900gram baby that fell of mother’s back during a dog attack. We raised him in the house in a lidded cot, then to an aviary cage then to the last stage in our out door rehabilitation facility. He was released back to the wild after four months.
He returned into care again after five years with conjunctivitis and returned to the wild after treatment. In 2011 we again rescued him after a serious dog attack. Despite all the efforts of our vet and carer Sue Swain Robbie died of his injuries.
April 2002 as a 900gram baby that fell of mother’s back during a dog attack. We raised him in the house in a lidded cot, then to an aviary cage then to the last stage in our out door rehabilitation facility. He was released back to the wild after four months.
He returned into care again after five years with conjunctivitis and returned to the wild after treatment. In 2011 we again rescued him after a serious dog attack. Despite all the efforts of our vet and carer Sue Swain Robbie died of his injuries.
In better days with Robbie. Being a baby - he must be
raised as such providing comfort and security to an orphan - until gradually
growing older and becoming independent and aloof from the carer. The
rehabilitation must result in the release of a wild koala!
Why would a koala find itself in this predicament? It
was the closest thing to a tree. Probably being chased by a dog or interfering
human. On Nelson Bay Road. We recruit the assistance of the local Energy
authority with an elevated bucket. George was rescued and taken into care for a
check up and release.
Yet another koala finds itself marooned in the dunes
of Stockton Beach. Around six each year are rescued from the dunes. This
fellow, named Mr Grace, after the girl in the picture who initially saw him,
appeared to be on the way for a surf!
When we reached him exhaustion had taken over and he
just sat down waiting for the energy to continue - where? Mr Grace put up
little resistance to being placed into a rescue basket and welcomed some fresh
moist Eucalyptus Robusta leaf. Otherwise he was very good health.
This is Kell with a fractured arm. He had a titanium
plate and screws inserted. Obviously distressed, however, a full recovery was
achieved and eventual release back to the wild.
2002
The Tomaree Koala Rehabilitation Facility in 2002 with
Robbie in residence. We were fortunate to obtain a grant of $2000 from the Paul
Newman Foundation; $1000 from the Nelson Bay RSL Club and National Parks &
Wildlife Service another $2500.
A mother and baby taken into care from an unsuitable
environment, for a Vet check, micro chip for the mother and release of them
both back to the wild.
_ The patient is Eric receiving an ultra-sound while sedated. Geoff assists while our Vet, Dr Don Hudson of Noah’s Ark Veterinary Services undertakes the process at the Nelson Bay clinic. He was cleared of possible urinary tract infection generally brought on by the common koala disease Chlamydia. Eric was released back to the wild.