DALE LEACH

Hello Koalas

In 2014 I was commissioned to paint Crusader Koala for the Hello Koalas project in Port Macquarie, NSW.

Crusader now resides at Sea Acres National Park and is part of the 50 and growing, other Koalas on the Hello Koalas trail.

The fibreglass koala arrives.

The fibreglass koala arrives.

Lily and her friend find the one metre tall koala has arrived from Port Macquarie.

Welcome little Koala

Welcome little Koala

Now the work begins to paint Crusader Koala.

CrusaderKoalaDesign

CrusaderKoalaDesign

Crusader Koala came about in consultation with Sea Acres National Park Manager.

Crusader undercoated and drawing applied.

Crusader undercoated and drawing applied.

All the animals depicted on Crusader are locally vulnerable species. Including frogs, snakes, mammals,bats and birds.

Pygmy Possum

The front of the cape has 2 snake species guarding the little possum. They all wear masks and capes, as they are also heroes.

Crusader Front

Three Bats are represented on Crusader. They are the Grey Headed Flying Fox and

A Wallaby and a Quoll

A Wallaby and a Quoll

A Wallaby and a Quoll sit together on Crusaders left side.

Crusader Koala's cape showshow important the trees and other plants are to us all.

Crusader Koala's cape showshow important the trees and other plants are to us all.

Crusader's Cape has some very large trees on it. These represent how important trees are, not only to the animals, but also for the health of the planet.

Crusader's head and mask.

Crusader's head and mask.

I tried to make Crusader look kindly and although a
warrior acompassionate one.

Painting Crusader in the loungeroom.

Painting Crusader in the loungeroom.

This was before we built my big studio.

Koala workshops

Koala workshops

I had a lovely time with a great bunch of kids from a local school. They knew a lot about the local animals and told shared some of their stories.

Crusader Koala

Crusader Koala has now been joined by another koala and they can be seen at Sea Acres National Park in Port Macquarie. They are part of a growing group of koalas (over 50 I think) to be found in Port Macquarie on the Hello Koalas trail.