Unlike previous years, we have not had a single confirmed death from old age or other causes.

On the other hand, from our sighting records, we think we have as many as five new babies this summer, including the one in the photo taken in Coorilla Street, Hawks Nest.

Baby koalas, or "joeys", are born into their mother's pouch after a 35-day gestation period.

They spend about six months permanently in mum's pouch after which they emerge with increasing frequency until 12-18 months when they finally disperse from mum.

Recently we learned that the Native Animal Trust Fund (NATF), whose carers look after our sick and injured koalas, was suffering from a severe cash flow problem. Although all their carers are voluntary and local vets provide their services free of charge, NATF has many costs such as medications, dressings, specialised foods, cages, pens, rescue equipment, transport costs, training etc.

Because NATF is vital for the ongoing support of our koalas, our group decided to donate $500 to help them to defray some of their costs.

The Koala Group will be holding its annual stall on Easter Saturday outside the Hawks Nest Newsagency.

We will have cakes, koala merchandise and bric-a-brac for sale, and as usual, we'll be selling tickets in our monster raffle.

We'll also have photos of many of our koala experiences.

Come along and see us on Saturday morning, March 15, have a chat about your koala experiences and perhaps buy an item or two to help us continue our work of protecting the local koala community.

This month there have been 70 koala sightings, including 12 of our old friend "No Ears" and 17 of his nemesis "Arnie", but still at opposite ends of the Magic Square.

Report koala sightings to us on the Hotline (4997 0878) and sick, injured or threatened wildlife, including koalas, to Great Lakes Wildlife Rescue on 4997 6388.

The next meeting of the Group will be held on Tuesday, April 18, at 7.30pm in the Silver Dolphin Room in the Tea Gardens Hotel.

We would love to see you there.