EventsEvents 2026

A date with Koala – Health and Conservation

Contributors – Claudio Paroli, Raj Suri

The koala is an Australian icon thay has captured global imagination because of its “baby-like” physical characteristics and its vulnerability, making it a poster child for environmental activism.
After the tragic bushfires of 2019-20, it is now listed as an endangered species in most of Eastern Australia. But many are working to ensure this charming soft and furry marsupial survives and thrives.
Taking the lead in the effort to reverse the trend is the University of Sydney. And its Camden hospital/research facility is at the forefront of this battle.

FCA has organised a day fully devoted to the koala with a visit to a unique wildlife hospital and a koala park to see it in its habitat.

Discover the deep cultural heartbeat of Australia on our Aboriginal Sydney Harbour Cruise, where 60,000 years of living heritage comes alive. The cruise offers an authentic opportunity to meet Aboriginal storytellers and connect with the world’s oldest continuous culture in the heart of modern Sydney.

WHEN

FRIDAY, 1 MAY 2026

WHERE TO

1st Stop – CAMDEN WILDLIFE HEALTH AND CONSERVATION HOSPITAL – 415 Weronbi Road, Brownlow Hill – 2750
2nd Stop – PENNANT HILLS

DAY TRIP

From 8.30AM to 6PM

MEETING POINT

EDDY AVENUE
CENTRAL STATION

This is a University of Sydney research facility – a dedicated wildlife and teaching hospital working closely with animal rescue and rehabilitation groups. The program includes:
Introduction to the hospital and wildlife care
Dr Annabelle Olsson, Director of the University of Sydney Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital, will outline the hospital’s frontline clinical care and conservation work, and lead a short tour of the facility.

Koala habitat and ecology
Dr Valentina Mella will discuss the pressures facing koala populations, including habitat loss and climate impacts, and the research being done to better understand and protect populations.
Koala genetics and conservation science
Professor Carolyn Hogg will speak about the genetic dimensions of koala conservation, including her work as part of the international team that first sequenced the koala genome in 2018.

1 May – Timetable

8.30am

Depart Central Station

10am

Arrive Camden

12 Noon

Depart Camden

Lunch

2pm

Arrive Koala Sanctuary Pennant Hills

4-4.30pm

Leave Koala Park

6pm

Arrive Central Station

84 Castle Hill Rd, West Pennant Hills, NSW – 2125

Koala Park, Pennant Hills, Sydney

The Koala Park Sanctuary is a privately owned and run Australian wildlife park on 10 acres in West Pennant Hills, a northern suburb of Sydney. The park is known for its collection of koalas and other Australian animals and is set in a rainforest-like area. It exists to show Australian native animals and birds and teach the public about them.

Opened in 1930, the park receives about 400,000 guests annually.
At 2PM the Head Keeper will lead a koala show.
Then the Park staff will be available to answer our journalists’ questions. Just a reminder that in NSW it is not permitted (by law) to hold a koala.
There will be plenty of photo and video opportunities.

FCA MEDIA TRIP

COUNTDOWN
DAYS
HOURS
MINUTES
SECONDS
RSVP

Marie Geissler, EMAIL

Map – Depart , Central Station

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