Protecting a Local Icon – Dirk from Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation (MPKC)
At a recent Rotary Club of Mt Eliza meeting, members and guests were privileged to hear from Dirk, founder of Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation (MPKC). Dirk shared his remarkable story of how a simple Facebook page has grown into one of the Peninsula’s most active conservation movements.
After moving to Rosebud nine years ago, Dirk was surprised to hear long-term residents say they used to see koalas regularly—but rarely do today. That sparked his curiosity and, eventually, the creation of MPKC, a group now responsible for planting more than 100,000 indigenous trees across the Peninsula, with a target of 250,000 plants by 2030.
Dirk’s background in virtual leadership and project management at Monash University has helped the group grow year after year. Today, MPKC works alongside Landcare, Deakin University, Parks Victoria, and the Mornington Peninsula Shire to restore habitat, raise awareness, and protect one of Australia’s most loved native species.
He explained that habitat fragmentation—caused by land clearing, road development, and fencing—remains the greatest threat to local koalas. On the Mornington Peninsula alone, around 30 koalas are hit by cars each year, and many more are lost to dog attacks or stress-related illness.
Dirk highlighted the importance of private landholders in conservation, noting that most koala habitat sits on private property rather than in reserves. “Every large tree matters,” he said. “A single mature gum can make the difference between a koala being able to cross the landscape or not.”
Through education programs, re-vegetation projects, and seasonal “Koala Crossing” signs, MPKC is building community awareness and creating wildlife corridors connecting areas such as Greens Bush and Arthurs Seat State Park.
The Club thanked Dirk for his inspiring presentation and for his ongoing work to protect the Peninsula’s koala population. His message was clear: protecting these iconic animals begins in our own backyards.
To learn more or get involved, visit:
🔗 www.mpkoalas.org.au
