The world’s oldest koala sanctuary is preparing for its 100th birthday by asking members of the public to help solve the missing pieces of its iconic past.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary first opened its gates in 1927 with just two koalas called Jack and Jill and today is home to hundreds of native Australian animals including more than 100 koalas.
As the Sanctuary counts down to its historic birthday, it’s hoped Brisbane residents might be able to help with missing pieces of the past.
“We’ve enjoyed going through our archives, but we have discovered a gap. We have records of Lone Pine from the early days and from the 1970s onwards, but there is very little covering the 1930s to 60s. We’d love to find memorabilia of this era before our 100th birthday,” said Lone Pine General Manager Lyndon Discombe.
“We’re hoping there might be somebody out there with a memory or photos of visiting in those decades, and we’d love to see them,” he added.
Lone Pine is collating Sanctuary memorabilia from the general public to build a collective picture of its rich history and to form part of the centennial celebrations.
Conservationist Claude Reid, who established the Sanctuary, named Lone Pine after the huge, singular hoop pine that still stands today at the ticket entrance. The tree was planted by Daniel Clarkson in 1867 when the property was a cotton farm..
“We know how important Lone Pine has been to Brisbane residents and to those who have fond memories of visiting long ago,” said Mr Discombe.
“We’re hoping to gather any anecdotes, photographs or memories that people have so we can form a solid record of the Sanctuary’s incredible history.”
“In particular we’re looking for photographs of the Sanctuary’s early days from the 1930s through to the 1960s which show its unique place in Queensland’s cultural history.”
“We’ve come a long way since visitors were greeted by a koala on the back of a German Shepherd to be now regarded as a leading force in conservation and wildlife education,” he said.
“Very few places in Australia can say they’ve been welcoming visitors for a century and that’s why this celebration is bigger than just us. It belongs to everyone who’s ever walked through our gates, which is why we want their memories to be part of the story too.”
Anyone can upload their memories and photos from Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at https://
