Prepare to be charmed, informed and entertained by Wingecarribee Shire Council's second-ever Koala Karaoke Party on September 13 at the Empire Cinema Bowral, starting at 7pm. Don't miss this delightful evening for all which cleverly combines music, science and an urgent call for conservation of our Shire's precious Koala population.
Hosted by radio identity and soloist in his own right, ABC Illawarra's Nick Rheinberger, this year's Koala Karaoke Party follows Council's popular inaugural event in 2021.
Not unlike the effort involved in producing a new album release, our environment team have invested countless hours in preparing for the big event over the past three years, concealing microphones in treetops all over the highlands to capture Koala bellows.
"We've scanned over 30,000 hours of audio recordings for the incredible Koala sounds we'll share on the night," says Casey Taylor, WSC's Koala Officer. And the resulting edit is bound to be a hit with the local audience! Together with Margot Law from the Department of Planning & Environment, Casey will unveil the compelling outcomes of their joint Koala Karaoke monitoring initiative on the night.
"We're so excited for the community to hear the results of our hard work and show them where we've been hearing the most koala activity in our Shire," Casey says.
The recordings are a fascinating glimpse into the secret lives of Wingecarribee's Koalas.
Community members are encouraged to come along expecting so much more than just information sharing. Just like regular karaoke, the Koala variety is a little bit quirky and there are bound to be a few laughs! Nick Rheinberger's engaging Q&A sessions will spark lively conversation around conservation. And the audience will be invited to awaken their inner-Koala by joining in some extraordinary sing-alongs.
The aim is to strengthen the bond between Wingecarribee residents and our resident Koala population. By blending science with entertainment, the intention is to foster collective responsibility for their long-term protection and preservation.
The Koala Karaoke Party headlines a season of captivating, family-friendly events;
For those with an affinity for nature, Weekend and School Holiday Koala Pop-Up Walks from September 16 to September 28 offer a chance to connect with Koalas in the wild. Then on November 4, there'll be a Wild West Koala Karaoke Citizen Science Workshop at Canyonleigh Hall.
Landholders west of the Hume Highway can borrow microphones to actively participate in monitoring, contributing to the conservation cause. Or make a difference from the comfort of home through an online workshop about identifying Koalas and enhancing their habitats, on November 23.
Secure your spot at these enriching events by registering for free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/spring-koala-events-2461249
For weekly updates on all that's happening across our shire join Council's Your Shire e-news https://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/Council/Newsletters
