Answering the need for a full-service koala hospital
Our beloved koalas are facing an unprecedented crisis due to habitat loss, climate change, disease, urbanisation, and recent devastating bushfires. These iconic animals are in desperate need of care, recovery, and long-term protection. Back to the Bush Koalas, Ltd has been helping sick, injured, and orphaned koalas for over 6 years. Now we are a recognised not-for-profit entity in Upper Flagstone, Queensland. We plan to offer a full-service koala hospital able to take in sick and injured koalas 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services offered will be radiology, ultrasound, laboratory diagnostics, and surgical services for koalas in the Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, Granite Belt, and Somerset regions. Since 2019, this property has been used for rehabilitating orphaned, sick, and injured koalas. Since we began, we have helped over 60 orphaned or injured koalas successfully be released into the wild.
Meet Our Board Of Directors
Kristin Doust, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine-Director
Dr. Doust has been a practicing veterinarian for 23 years, much of that spent in emergency medicine. She has been doing koala medicine for 5 years and has been a certified rehabilitation practitioner for 7 years. She has worked with 3 different koala hospitals and maintains relationships with other prominent koala veterinarians across Queensland. As a Director, Kristin brings the medical knowledge and veterinary expertise, as well as koala husbandry knowledge. Her rehabilitation knowledge has already allowed many injured koalas to return to the wild. Kristin is passionate about ensuring the survival of these endangered animals and helping Back to the Bush Koalas, Ltd become a pivotal koala hospital in the Toowoomba region.
Jenny Harrison-Director
Jenny Harrison brings extensive executive-level experience from the Australian Public Service to Back to the Bush Koalas, Ltd. With a strong background in quality assurance, audits, project management, policy writing, and tender management, Jenny has successfully led initiatives across both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. As a board member, she leverages her strategic planning and operational expertise to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Back to the Bush Koalas, Ltd. Although new to wildlife conservation, Jenny is passionate about making a difference in koala care and preservation. In her free time, Jenny enjoys walking, travelling, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Tim Portas, BVSc, MVSc, MANZCVS (Zoo), DACZM-Director
Tim Portas is board-certified zoological veterinarian with 29 years of clinical experience, including over 26 years working exclusively in the fields of zoological and conservation medicine. He has held senior veterinary roles in leading zoological institutions and directed clinical teams in high-volume wildlife hospitals, and consulted on national and international conservation and wildlife research programs. He has authored or co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and technical reports is a co-editor of Current Therapy in Medicine of Australian Mammals (CSIRO, 2019 and 2025). He has extensive experience working with threatened and endangered species including Australian marsupials such as koalas, bettongs, quolls and rock-wallabies.
Timothy Doust-Director
Timothy has been an integral part of Back to the Bush Koalas, Ltd since its creation in 2019. Prior to this, he lived in the USA for 20 years, running a successful building/contracting company. This required him to be adaptable with living and working in a different legal environment. In addition to excelling in management and organization of large building projects, he has successfully managed employees and served on boards of many different organizations. Most recently, Timothy has been responsible for running a small business here in Queensland with high financial and ethical standards as a director. Tim has vast experience in koala handling, as well as building koala enclosures. He has been the instigator and leader for the koala fodder plantation development here at Back to the Bush Koalas, Ltd, and continues to be active in the tree planting community here. He brings enthusiasm and vast knowledge to the role as director for Back to the Bush Koalas, Ltd.
Rochelle Davis-Director
Rochelle is currently completing her Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) at the University of Queensland. She holds a bachelor’s degree with Honours in Ecology and Conservation Biology, where she developed a strong passion for animal welfare and environmental conservation. Rochelle has previously worked for a nonprofit wildlife rescue, where she gained valuable hands-on experience and basic training in wildlife rescue operations. She plans on using her veterinary degree to continue working with wildlife. Additionally, she has experience in the field of law specializing in common place law, which has provided depth to her professional experience. She is excited to bring her knowledge to contribute to Back to the Bush Koalas, Ltd.
Bernadette Brady-Director
Bernadette brings skills acquired in diverse areas of Health to Back to the Bush Koalas, Ltd. Her career evolved from clinical care to a mixture of change management, systems redesign work in the health field, experience-based design, consultant, research assistant and volunteer with a not-for-profit patient and family centred organisation. Whilst building on a knowledge base developed over a substantial period, in the provision of direct health care services, her focus was always on understanding how patients, their families and staff experience health care delivery. Bernadette has had a lifelong love of koalas developed during times in the bush where she went to sleep with the sound of koalas. Bernadette has already developed a 3-year history with Back to the Bush Koalas, Ltd and understands the goals and purpose of the organisation.