Native animal rescuer

Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue (SKER)
Dedicated. Committed. Passionate.

Mish Simpson devotes much time, energy and money to rescuing and rehabilitating injured koalas and echidnas, and educating the community about the importance of protecting Australia’s unique biodiversity.

She and her husband, Wade, founded the non-profit Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue (SKER). Despite both having full-time jobs, they are on 24/7 standby and often receive calls for help in the middle of the night.

The bushfire crisis in South Australia saw them reaching capacity for koalas in their care and having to create temporary accommodation, as well as an influx of orphaned joeys requiring regular bottle feeds to survive.

SKER is based on a 22 acre property in Onkaparinga Hills and is run 100% by volunteers led by Mish and her husband Wade. They rehabilitate wild koalas and echidnas with the primary aim of returning them to the wild.

Another aspect of Mish's work is the promotion of harmonious human relationships with native wildlife.

“Through education and community engagement, SKER is promoting a harmonious relationship with our native wildlife and empowering the community to actively preserve and protect our unique biodiversity,” says Mish.

SKER also collaborates with other groups and organisations, and the Gemtree winery has accommodated a staged environment where koala joeys can be pre-released to ensure they have the skills to thrive on their own.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. SKER will use its grant to purchase materials to build more enclosures in preparation for the busy summer rescue season.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here