Celebrating the Heart of Koala Conservation Australia : Meet Tony

As part of our International Volunteer Year series, we’re proud to introduce Tony — a volunteer who has been volunteering with KCA since 2011!

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at KCA

I started as the IT support and doing Walk and Talks in 2011, worked in Maintenance and also Koala Rescue. I edited a Koala Recipe Book for our 40th Anniversary, covered the 1st Koala Conference receiving the conference data and doing all the laptop PowerPoints and sound control for the presenters and also created and produced over 3000 DVDs of the National Geographic documentary.

I was involved in Koala Rescue and Release but hurt my shoulder and couldn’t hold the poles, Now I cover the phones on Wednesday nights and Sunday days.

How long have you been volunteering with KCA?

I started in 2011 when I moved up from Canberra.

Why did you start volunteering at KCA?

After moving to Port Macquarie with my late wife, I wanted to keep busy and I went along to an open day and decide to find out what being a volunteer involved.

What is your background or experience outside of KCA?

I started out working in the UK for ICL (International Computers Limited) in 1971 after working as a Research Chemist with Fisons Pharmaceuticals, working on Asthma medication. With ICL I worked all over the UK and in 1977 relocated to Luxembourg working for ICL on contract to the EU (or EEC as it was then) replacing their IBM with ICL.

I met my wife there and we moved back to the UK in 1982/3. In 1986/87 I was asked to go to Paris for a year supporting Southern Europe on ICL mainframes.  

We returned to the UK and then in 1990 I got a transfer to ICL Australia. It was taken over by Fujitsu Australia supporting Woolworths, AJC, Standards Australia and in 1993 I was sent to Canberra to look after Australian Customs Intelligence system. In 1995 I was retrenched and joined the National Library originally as a network support but then worked my way up to Manager of the IT Helpdesk.  I took early retirement as an IT Manager at the National Library of Australia as my wife had a transfer to Port with Centrelink. 

I volunteer with Tacking Point Lions and produce their monthly newsletter and for Feros Care visiting a senior who can’t read or write, and I take him out on Friday mornings. I am also the System Manager for Port Macquarie U3A looking after their IT equipment and software.

Were you new to the area when you joined? Has volunteering helped you meet new people?

We were new to Port Macquarie and only knew two people here but since joining the many organisations have met lots of new friends and colleagues.

Are you able to use your skills (eg trade, admin customer service) in your volunteer role?

I can use my Customer Service skills when on Phone duty and my people skills when I used to do the walk and talk. My IT skills are no longer used in KCA but are in all my other ventures.

What’s something that people don’t realise about volunteering at KCA?

There are such large areas of interest available within KCA both inside and outside.

What does your role involve day to day?

I answer the phones and allocate rescues to volunteers.

What’s the most rewarding part?

Seeing a koala I have rescued be released and returned to the wild.

How does your role help support koala conservation?

Rescuing and releasing injured koalas back to their Home Ranges.

What does being part of this community mean to you?

I can do my small part of keeping koalas safely in the wild and help inform members of the public about how they can help.

What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering at KCA?

There is a huge range of different skills and experience required and even though you may not be as nimble as some, there is still plenty you can do to help the koalas.