It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Darcy, a very loved member of the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) team who dedicated 15 years of his life to promoting Koala conservation and responsible pet ownership.
The AKF has created a Pet Memorial at Quinlans dedicated to Mr. Darcy’s memory, and it is only fitting that we launch this now he has left us. The AKF Pet Memorial offers a meaningful way to celebrate your beloved friend while helping restore Koala habitat — a living legacy.
Mr Darcy was more than a companion, he was a symbol of harmony between pets and wildlife. He loved Quinlans, AKF’s 40-acre bush property in Queensland, and proved that dogs can coexist peacefully with native animals when raised responsibly.
On his rainbow journey, Mum Deborah Tabart OAM, Chair of the Australian Koala Foundation told him “we are off to Quinlans.”
Deborah shared: “In recent times, he was guarding the car when he saw my familiar suitcases that I take to Quinlans. When the vet arrived, he was more than happy to greet him and get in the back of my car. It was all very peaceful, which was typical of the incredible character he was during his whole life. I can honestly say he never, ever chased anything right from the start and his first night was at Quinlans with his elder Dane the Great (also a Golden). I remember it so clearly and he has bossed me around ever since. I will miss him dearly.”
You can honour and memorialise your pet in two ways —
In person — you could visit Quinlans, the AKF’s 40-acre property in the Sunshine Coast Hinterlands, Queensland, Australia, where you will have the option to spread your pet’s ashes. Your pet’s name will be placed on the honour wall, you will plant 1 fruit tree and 9 native trees in memory of your loved companion. This will include a talk about Quinlans from Ian, our Manager with tea, coffee and a snack —contact the AKF to arrange your visit.
Online — visit the AKF website to make an online donation to honour him or her. Their name will be added to the Pet Memorial honour wall at Quinlans. You’ll receive a personalised tree planting certificate, along with a thank you letter and a beautifully engraved tag with your pet’s name, hung in the memorial forest.
Planting a tree is a meaningful way to give back to the bush. As the forest regenerates, their memory will live on in the leaves, branches, and the native wildlife that returns and thrives.
Mr. Darcy had recently passed the baton to Elvis, who will now take over the reins as an ambassador for AKF and responsible pet ownership. Elvis is quite a different character to Mr. Darcy, so he is still “in training”.
To celebrate Mr. Darcy’s life and legacy — or to honour a beloved pet of your own, visit the AKF website and plant a tree in memory.
Together, we can plant seeds of love that grow into homes for Koalas and hope for the future.
ENDS
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 habita
Contact details:
[email protected]
Office: (07) 3229 7233
Mobile: 0459 451 916
