The festive spirit is brewing in the rural town of Warialda, NSW, and it’s not just the hint of tinsel on street poles and the merry-tunes blasting unapologetically in shops; the town is also staying up late on December 1st for an exclusive Christmas event.
Rivalling a scene from our favourite Hallmark Christmas movies, Warialda will become a haven for Christmas enthusiasts with its bustling Christmas Markets, and the ceremonious lighting of the Town’s Christmas Tree, officially kicking off the festive season.
This year, local businesses and shops are staying open late to mark this special event. The Australian Koala Foundation’s (AKF) Save the Koala Shop is joining in the fun, hoping that the extended hours will encourage shoppers to consider their Christmas gifts more thoughtfully and engage with them to learn about Koala conservation efforts.
Chair of the Australian Koala Foundation, Deborah Tabart OAM, expressed her excitement about this event.
“Warialda is a tight-knit community who are committed to their conservation mission. This event is an excellent chance for everyone to support local businesses while enjoying the festivities.”
“Our Save the Koala Shop has evolved into a community, attracting those seeking meaningful Christmas gifts and knowledge about Koala conservation during this festive period.” Tabart says.
This holiday season, the Australian Koala Foundation is encouraging everyone to deeply reflect on how they can truly impact their local wildlife and community.
“The best gift we can give is a safe and flourishing future for all creatures, great and small.”
“Our Save the Koala Shop offers a variety of wonderful treasures, and each purchase goes towards our vital conservation efforts in protecting Koala habitats.” Tabart says.
The Save the Koala Shop is not the only conservation initiative the AKF has sparked in Warialda. The town is also home to the first site of the Koala Kiss Project – an initiative that seeks to connect key habitats to create a safe refuge for all creatures.
As Christmas approaches, and this unmissable late-night shopping approaches, the Australian Koala Foundation urges supporters to follow Warialda’s lead and take meaningful steps towards Koala conservation.
For gifts that contribute to the AKF’s conservation efforts, visit the Save the Koala Shop in Waraialda or shop online. Supporters can also plant a tree, adopt a koala, donate to the AKF, or find out more information about the AKF on savethekoala.com.
About us:
About the Australian Koala Foundation
The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) is the principal non-profit, non-government organisation dedicated to the conservation and effective management of the wild koala and its habitat. AKF aims to refine and update the Koala Habitat Atlas mapping of all wild Koala habitat and to get the Koala Protection Act enacted, ensuring longevity of Koalas and their habitat.
Contact details:
Media contact:
[email protected]
Office: (07) 3229 7233
Mobile: 0428 104 255