WORK EXPERIENCE
With Covid19 restrictions easing we are able to re-open our Work Experience placements in 2022 to University and TAFE students undertaking animal studies as well as wildlife carers who work with koalas.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital currently has two work experience programs and the following information will help work experience volunteers to understand what we can provide on the placements as well as what is required of them during their placement with us.
It is important to understand and accept that this is an animal hospital and research centre and, as with all animal clinics, you are likely to see unpleasant things at times. Volunteers must also accept that we cannot save all wild koalas or any of the other species of wildlife that we may treat, and euthanasia/death does and will occur.
Volunteers need to be aware that they are working with wild koalas, and even though some may appear quiet and gentle, they are quite capable of inflicting painful injuries with their razor-sharp claws and teeth. No untrained volunteer can handle or pick up any of the koalas without permission or guidance and patting koalas is definitely not allowed.
We expect all volunteers’ behaviour to be polite, friendly and pleasant for the period they are with us (as we expect of all local volunteers).
All volunteers must provide written confirmation that they have a current tetanus immunisation and that they are also double vaccinated against Covid19.
Being a not-for-profit organisation, the Koala Hospital is unable to provide accommodation or meals for volunteers, so they do need to arrange this themselves.
If you are not from the Port Macquarie area there are many sights to see and many activities you can participate in outside of the Koala Hospital while you are here. We recommend that you go online to https://portmacquarieinfo.com.au/see-do/attractions-activities which outlines all the tourist attractions.
If you would like to apply for a placement, or have any questions, please contact the Hospital Coordinator by email – hosp.coord@koalahospital.org.au stating which program you are interested in.
OUR ONE-WEEK PROGRAM
Volunteers must also be covered for medical and public liability insurance through their University or TAFE. If this is not possible then volunteers will be required to become an associate of Koala Conservation Australia Limited who will provide public liability and personal accident insurance cover during the placement.
Hours and Days
The hospital operates on a twice daily working shift pattern - 8am to approx. 11am (depending on the number of koalas that we have in) and 2.30pm to approx. 4.30pm. Work experience volunteers work both the morning and afternoon shifts - normally this is Monday to Friday, but if a volunteer wishes to work for 6 or 7 days then this can be considered.
Given that there is a break of approximately 4 hours between shifts, some volunteers leave the Hospital during this time. However, if a volunteer wanted to stay at the Hospital that is no problem and if they wanted to, they could also help with work in other areas or some administration work between the morning and afternoon shifts.
A Team Leader runs each shift, and most shifts consist of different volunteers; so, work experience volunteers will see a lot of new faces every day. Currently the Hospital has approx. 175 volunteers.
Yard Work
For the first couple of shifts, work experience volunteers will work with a local volunteer, who will provide the training required.
On the morning shift, the work involves cleaning individual koala yards, cutting leaf within set protocols, feeding formula to some koalas, sweeping walkways and generally tidying up whatever is required in the yards. Volunteers may also be able to attend rescues and releases if they occur on their shift. There may also be the opportunity to watch some clinical checks and procedures, but we cannot guarantee that these will occur during the placement week.
On the afternoon shift, the water containers in each koala yard are filled up and leaf sprayed to refresh it. The rest of the shift consists of tidying up the areas around the hospital, sweeping, mopping floors, emptying bins etc.
The yard work does not stop if there is pouring rain, hail or high winds as the koalas still need to be cleaned out and fed. Even though we do have some raincoats for volunteers to use, we suggest that volunteers bring their own rain protection. During high winds we will provide a safety helmet for volunteers to wear, which is mandatory.
Covered shoes and working clothes are essential. Thongs, sandals and shorts more than 15 cms above the knee are not allowed. In summer, a hat, sunscreen and water bottle are recommended.
OUR ONE MONTH PROGRAM
As we are unable to run our one-month International Volunteer Program at the moment, due to Covid19, we can open it up to Australian residents for the time being, starting from January 2022. The minimum age requirement is 18 years of age.
The following information will help volunteers to understand what is required of them on the one-month program as well as to give them an idea of what we can provide.
If you are selected as a volunteer, you can expect to:
- be trained in caring for koalas
- attend koala rescues and releases, if they occur on your shift
- watch and/or assist with some clinical procedures
- attend a post-mortem (optional)
- attend one of our external educational presentations
- experience work on our 2 plantations
- learn about the overall work of the Koala Hospital
What we will do for you is:
- provide the resources for you to learn about the hospital and koalas
- help you with accommodation information
- meet you at the airport/bus station when you arrive in Port Macquarie if from interstate
- provide you with an information pack
- provide a buddy/go to person for any information or help you may need during your placement
- provide insurance cover for you while working at the Koala Hospital
- provide you with a Koala Hospital polo shirt
- make your placement with us informative and enjoyable
Duration
This Work Experience placement is for one calendar month.
Costs
The cost of this placement is Aud$650, which is non-refundable. After confirmation that we can accept a volunteer for the nominated month, they are required to pay an initial amount of Aud$325 as a registration fee, which confirms their placement. Full details of how to pay will be sent to volunteers when their booking is confirmed.
Hours and Days
The hospital operates on a twice daily working shift pattern.
We expect volunteers on the one-month program to work a minimum of 5 morning shifts per week during their placement, and they are welcome to work more days if they wish. It is likely that if a volunteer would like to work in the afternoons, some afternoon shifts accept “extra” volunteers, but volunteers should not be offended if they are not required. Having too many volunteers on a shift means that there is very little for everyone to do.
A Team Leader runs each shift and most shifts consist of different volunteers; so volunteers will see a lot of new faces every day. Currently the Hospital has approximately 200 volunteers.
Yard Work
The morning shifts involve raking and cleaning individual koala yards, cutting branches of leaf, feeding formula to some koalas, sweeping walkways and generally tidying up whatever is required in the yards. Volunteers may also be able to attend and observe rescues and releases if they occur on their shift.
On afternoon shifts, the water containers in each koala yard are filled up and leaf sprayed to refresh it. The rest of the shift consists of tidying up the areas around the hospital, sweeping, mopping floors, emptying bins etc.
The yard work does not stop if there is pouring rain, hail or high winds as the koalas still need to be cleaned out and fed. Even though we do have some raincoats for volunteers to use, we suggest that volunteers bring their own rain protection. During high winds we will provide a safety helmet for volunteers to wear, which is mandatory.
Covered shoes and working clothes are essential. Thongs, sandals and shorts more than 15 cms above the knee are not allowed. In summer, a hat, sunscreen and water bottle are recommended.
To enquire contact: hosp.coord@koalahospital.org.au
The Koala Hospital is a COVID19 safe business.
