UPDATE: The March 30 Koalathon is now live and running. Website here.
Friends of the Earth's SKAT collective is organising a Koalathon on Sunday March 30.
Participants will be sponsored to walk, run or ride a bike along the Gardiners Creek Trail from Malvern East to Patterson Reserve (next to the Hawthorn velodrome) and return. The return course length and is approx 11.5 km and should take the average walker 3 hours to complete without a stop.
Participants may complete as much of the course as they like as long as they check in and out at one of the 3 official check points.
Participants may complete as many course kilometers as they like as long as they complete them during the 6 course hours (9am to 3 pm) and check in and out at one of the 3 official check points.
This will be the major fundraiser for the Strzelecki Koala Action Team (SKAT). The event and risk plans are attached for more info.
Cranky Koala looking for trees at Sandy Point in South Gippsland in January. Wilsons Promontory in the background. Over summer Cranky has been couch surfing in various locations at Malvern, Sale, Sandy Point and Foster.
Brief Event Description
Participants will be sponsored to walk, run or ride a bike along the Gardiners Creek Trail in Malvern East to Patterson Reserve (next to the Hawthorn velodrome) and return.
The total course length includes a lap of Patterson Reserve and is approx 11.5 km and should take the average walker 3 hours to complete without a stop.
Participants may complete as much of the course as they like as long as they check in and out at one of the 3 official course check points.
Participants may complete as many course kilometers as they like as long as they complete them during the 6 course hours (9am to 3 pm) and check in and out at one of the 3 official course check points.
We are expecting no more than 50, or possibly up to 100 sponsored participants. All funds raised will be used by the volunteer collective of Friends of the Earth Melbourne (FOE), known as the Strzelecki Koala
Action Team (SKAT).
All funds will be used to raise awareness and save the Strzelecki koala and other Australian native animals from extinction. The general public is the target audience through sponsorship and simple promotion
strategies during the event.
Event Date
Sunday 30th March 2025: 9 AM to 3 PM for participants with no more than one hour of setup and pack-up time anticipated (i.e. set up 8-9 AM and pack up 3-4 PM).
Contact Anne at: [email protected]
Specific SKAT Goals
1. Establishment of protected habitat in key places occupied by the Strzelecki Koala:
i. The 8,000 ha Brataualung Forest Park, promised by the Victorian State Government in 2006
ii. A new 18,000 ha koala reserve at Mullungdung State Forest.
2. Listing of the Strzelecki Koala under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
3. Maintaining the Strzelecki Koala map
There are lots of ways you can help
Write to the Victorian Environment Minister calling for new reserve at Mullungdung State Forest.
Find the letter to post on the SKAT website
Ask your local MP why there is no policy to protect our unique koala population.
If you see a koala, or find scats, send through the location to Anthony: [email protected].
Join our online 2-monthly meetings or other events
Contact SKAT: [email protected]
Plant koala preferred feed trees for the area
Remove weeds & rubbish, keep cats & dogs away from wildlife.
Slow down on roads frequented by our precious wildlife.
Look out for & help ill & injured animals: Wildlife Victoria: (03) 8400 7300
Participate in this koalathon as event organiser, marshal or participant. Contact Anne at: [email protected]
Donate to support our new Mullungdung Reserve Campaign here: