In memory of Ivory Koala

In memory of Ivory Koala

Almost 40 people from all walks of life and from all points of the compass gathered at the historic St Andrews Anglican Church at Ormiston to say farewell to Ivory.  They concluded the gathering with a political barb…

“Mayor hear us roar….Next election you’re out the door!”

Ivory Koala was well known to the local community for more than four years. She was euthanised on Saturday, 31 January, after her stress-related health condition deteriorated.

The death of Ivory was reported in full in the Redland City Bulletin 4/2/2015.

The gathering was addressed by Meghan Halverson from the Queensland Koala Crusaders (QKC). She spoke about the world wide attention koalas are receiving and the regional and statewide plight of koalas. QKC filmed the event for a documentary to be shown in Australia and overseas. The documentary will alert people everywhere about the decline in koalas and koala habitat across Queensland.

Tribute to Ivory

Church in Ormiston

Church in Ormiston

Judie Rose and Adelia Berridge coordinated the gathering, having led the community fight to protect the trees including offering to buy the land.

Judy opened proceedings and welcomed all,  she went to say “we are gathered today to acknowledge the death of Ivory who was our community’s special companion for 5 years and to honour the unique role that native animals play in our environment and our lives”.

“Not everyone understands the extent that a loss of such a unique animal can affect us, particularly as Ivory and her kin are becoming a diminishing part of our Redlands landscape, and a threatened species Australia wide.

“It is important for us to acknowledge that any grief we feel is nothing compared to what you (Ivory) have suffered and lost.

Our community fought hard to save your (Ivory’s) habitat-we did all we could.  But forces bigger than ourselves , came in and took your trees away”.  

Gathering for our memorial ceremony during this huge loss helps us to acknowledge the significance that koalas and other native fauna and flora have in the circle of life.  

Ms Rose concluded “This ritual also brings light to the grief that will take time to heal as with any loss.  RIP Ivory.

A number of people presented through poem, oration, reading and song …… including…

The Koala’s Plea

20150208_112214Can you see my ragged fur, fur which once was silver grey?

Do you see that now I wander, whether it is night or day?

Do you see just how I suffer,  how my eyes are red and sore?

If you just ignore this warning, we soon will be no more.

 

You are my last hope for salvation

You have to recognise my plight

You need to stop the bushland clearing

You must believe this is not right.

 

If you do not hear my crying, do not listen to my pleas

Then the Redlands will be lonely, no koalas in the trees

No corridors of bushland: just roofs and roads you’ll see.

Tomorrow is too late to listen; there’ll be no tomorrow then, for me.

….with permission of Jan Smith

 

Those gathered joined in the reciting (or chanting) of a poem by Madeleine Mionnet…

Redlands Hear Us Roar20150208_112251

Redland Councillors hear us roar

In numbers too large to ignore

We know too much about your current spend

we do not believe your pretend

Cuz we’ve heard it all before

We’ve thrown the gauntlet to the floor

Next election you’re out the door!

You may have wont’s round

Koala trees are on the ground

Your callous disregard20150208_112240

only serves to make us strong

Our fight will be lifelong

Our koalas to safeguard

Our resolve is unbowed

Save koala land we shout from the treetop

Rampant development must stop

Our campaign will be nonstop

Mayor hear us roar

Next election you’re out the door!

….with permission of Madeleine Mionnet

Sarah, Feb 16, 2015

Saw a couple of koalas on the weekend…. one painted on the noise barrier fencing on Moreton Bay Road and another painted on a yellow `watch out for koalas’ sign. I think this is about as good as it gets! I hope our children learn lots from these pictures… Maybe we could have some seats erected so day care groups and caring families can go to see the animals as they are now in the wild! Well done Council. You’re doing a lot to help make the Redlands just like every other overdeveloped city!

Just had a thought! In time, the children of the Redlands won’t even be able to see the Koala signs, as they’ll also be extinct! No point advertising something that doesn’t exist any more – right?

Kim Ferguson, Feb 10, 2015

wow, I take my hat off to all of you who are willing to fight for those who have no voice.

Its a sad state of affairs when the all mighty dollar is more important than anything that gets in the way.

Very Sad

Jan Smith, Feb 10, 2015

The people of The Redlands are realising that we do have a choice as to the sort of future we want and that choice will start in earnest at the next election. We do realise that progress will come, development will come but we must have a say as to the type of development they approve. We want a Council that will consult with the people. We need a Council to realise that wildlife habitat is just as important as human habitat so we hope the present Councillors are listening and do realise that we are very serious about this.

Toni, Feb 09, 2015

Beautiful verses, very sad. keep the fight going, it is happening everywhere, Mt Cotton, Sheldon, Redland Bay, 401 Redland Bay Road, Capalaba

Pam, Feb 09, 2015

Excellent comment Sarah. The memorial was a very sad occasion. If only Alan Beard had followed through with his plan for koala corridors for the shire which was a wonderful idea, not just a dream, then we wouldn’t have koalas die of stress and disease because of habitat loss. The koalas would be thriving and we would all be enjoying the natural features of the Redlands that we cherish so much. What happened Alan Beard to change your thinking when Seccombe was mayor?

Toni, Feb 09, 2015

Alan Beard and Wonderful idea in the same sentence is amusing.

Debra, Feb 09, 2015

It’s a sad time, and a shameful time. What a pity the Mayor didn’t build on her relationship with the developer and have him come to an understanding that to retain the trees would have been a win-win-win. Established gardens add value to properties/neighbourhoods and the developer would have had a unique product to market; the Mayor could have fullfilled her obligations to the broader Redland community (and posterity); and, the koalas would have suffered less habitat loss induced stress, disease and malnoursihment. Alas, opportunities continue to be squandered and obligations squashed.

Pat Hall, Feb 09, 2015

It was such a sad time .. I could not be there . I believe in Karma ..what goes around comes around . For certain people I hope that will be very soon .

Sarah, Feb 09, 2015

RIP Ivory Koala. What a sad, sad time for the Redlands community. I can’t believe (or can I?) after all of the furore and community input, the Council still moved ahead and took down the trees. Redlands Council, just remember you work for us. Without us, you’re out of a job and Karma’s a female dog.

You must feel so proud to be able to be the keepers of the beautiful Redlands…. fast becoming known only for the hot, overcrowded, overdeveloped area that is no different from any of the other councils on the north side of Brisbane. Imagine if you could be the keepers of a community that had gorgeous natural environments, the ocean, plenty of flora and fauna and a community who worked WITH YOU to keep the area gorgeous!.. sounds like one of those fantasy shows…..

Wake up and start listening to your constituents! How dare you destroy what we’ve all come here to enjoy (thanks for the quote Browney)

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