A Trio of Triumphs: How Three Grants Transformed SKER
Late 2024 brought a wave of good fortune to Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue (SKER) as we were awarded three invaluable grants. For a small charity like ours, running a wildlife vet clinic without government funding, these grants have been nothing short of transformative. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Awesome Foundation Fleurieu, the Australian Wildlife Society, and Human Kind Studios for their generous support in helping us complete some much-needed projects.
Awesome Foundation Fleurieu: Laying the Groundwork for Change
The Awesome Foundation Fleurieu, who previously supported our koala food tree planting in 2021, once again came to our aid in September 2024. Their $1,000 grant allowed us to hire an excavator to upgrade Buster the Wombat's enclosures and prepare the foundation for the relocation of our Koala Kindy. This timing couldn't have been more perfect, as it allowed us to utilise the October long weekend, when our dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to complete the groundwork for multiple projects.
Human Kind Studios: Shedding Light on Improved Storage
In October 2024, Human Kind Studios awarded us $1,500 towards upgrading our revegetation shed. Our revegetation team had been struggling with a cramped 1m x 0.5m shed, which was far too small for their needs. Thanks to Human Kind Studios, we were able to purchase a spacious 2.91m x 2.17m shed, a true game-changer for our team. Our resourceful volunteers then paved an adjoining area and constructed the shed, fitting it with shelving and cupboards to maximise storage and improve organisation. We are immensely thankful to Human Kind Studios for recognising and supporting the hard work of our volunteers.
Australian Wildlife Society: Enhancing Koala Care and Rehabilitation
Early November brought more good news, as we received an $1,834 grant from the Australian Wildlife Society. These funds enabled us to purchase supplies to pave the base for the relocated Koala Kindy and repair other enclosures. This marks the second time AWS has provided crucial support, following their 2023 grant that expanded our echidna corner. This time, our focus was on relocating the Koala Kindy to a quieter, more secure area behind our Rehabilitation Centre. This move improves bushfire protection, reduces human interaction with koala joeys, and provides a more tranquil rehabilitation environment. We are incredibly grateful for AWS's continued commitment to improving the quality of care we provide to our native animals.
These three grants have collectively made a significant impact on SKER, allowing us to enhance our facilities, improve our operational efficiency, and ultimately, provide better care for the vulnerable wildlife we serve. We are deeply thankful for the generosity and support of the Awesome Foundation Fleurieu, Human Kind Studios, and the Australian Wildlife Society. Their contributions are invaluable in our mission to protect and rehabilitate South Australia's native animals.
