Baby wildlife helped by Seasons Aged Care Kallangur residents

Seasons Aged Care Kallangur residents have been busy creating pouches and liners to help keep rescue animals warm for Wildlife Rescue Queensland.

They got the chance to cuddle some of the rescued wildlife they’ve helped at a special handover presentation.

Seasons Aged Care Kallangur’s lifestyle coordinator Kelly Rouse said the residents love to hear their work is making a difference.

“They like to be able to help out anyway they can and give back to the community,” she said.

“It gives our residents confidence within themselves and they can see where their hard work is going to.”

The weekly program started six months ago after Kelly, who volunteers for the wildlife group personally, brought the idea to the residents. 

Their next project is making possum boxes, which will give many residents the chance to use their woodworking skills and attract new participants to the program.

Wildlife Rescue Queensland rescues, treats, rears, rehabilitates and releases native wildlife from Bribie Island and around the Caboolture, Morayfield, Narangba and Redcliffe areas. They also raise public awareness of issues relating to native wildlife.

To help their efforts, the residents are calling for donations of 100% pure wool to make the pouches plus old flannelette sheets and polar fleece to make the linings. These can be dropped into Seasons Aged Care Kallangur’s reception at 1321 Anzac Avenue, 2503. 

If you’d like to make your own possum pouch to donate to Wildlife Rescue Queensland or a rescue group near you, this is the pattern used by the residents:

Standard Pouches – 2 sizes

Wool: 8 ply pure wool (we are unable to use pouches made from synthetic materials as the joeys cannot breathe in closed synthetic pouches)

Knitting: Pouches should be knitted in plain stitch both sides

Needles: Size 4 or 8 needles  

Dimensions: 18cm wide by 20cm long when finished (after sewing together), or 24cm wide by 30cm long when finished (after sewing together)

Closed on the two longer sides and one end, and left open at the top.

Lining

Material: Pure cotton or flannelette, washable material only

Dimensions: 18cm wide by 20cm long when finished (after sewing together), or 24cm wide by 30cm long when finished (after sewing together)

The lining should be closed on three sides and open at the top.

Please note that the lining should not be attached to the pouch as it will need to be changed regularly.