Maxime Bone, a Year 12 student at Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn, spent a week of her summer holidays volunteering at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Maxime’s passion for her work inspired Trinity Catholic College to sponsor a koala. 

During her time at the hospital, Maxime gained a wealth of information participating in a number of clinical screenings and procedures. Maxime assisted with the cleaning of koala exhibits and feeding non-lactose formula to those koalas who required extra supplementation. Maxime also attended the rescue and release of a rehabilitated koala. 

Maxime chose a fire-affected koala named Arwen for the College, who is currently a resident at the hospital. Throughout the year, the College will host a number of events to raise funds towards Arwen’s medical care.

The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital sees between 200 and 250 koalas annually who are mainly victims of motor vehicle accidents and dog attacks. However, the recent bushfires saw 31 koalas from the firegrounds be admitted into care.

“The work that the team does is incredible. It was an honour to be able to join them for a week,” said Maxime. “It has been a fantastic eye opener, confirming my future (hopefully) in veterinary medicine.”

“While it was devastating to see some severely burnt patients admitted to the hospital, it was calming to know that they were in safe hands to be cared for and one day be returned to their homes,” said Maxime.

Maxime encourages others considering donating or adopting a koala to please do so.

“All funds go straight into caring for each of the 75 plus koalas at the hospital.” she said.