Dakota Moor couldn’t wait to get to school one morning a couple of months ago – she had a story to tell about a koala sitting on a post in her street.

By that time, the Moor’s neighbours had contacted the Ipswich Koala Protection Society, which, Dakota’s words, had very mucky eyes.

On Thursday afternoon last week there was a happy ending to Dakota’s story when Society member, Maureen Hall, released the now healthy koala onto one of the school ground trees.

Maureen told the students that the young male had been nicknamed Walter by his carers and was suffering from two life-threatening diseases including conjunctivitis when he came into their care.

As koalas quite frequently use the school grounds as a tree-way on their cross country moves, Maureen decided to choose one of the trees for Walter’s release.

“We choose smaller trees for this as the koala’s muscles often haven’t had much exercise while they’re in care,” she said.

A few head turns to take in the surroundings, a helping bottom lift from Maureen and Walter was soon scaling the tree at a good pace.

Unfortunately, Dakota missed the event as she was attending one of the Year 6 familiarisation days at the Boonah High School.

However, she, like the rest of the students at Mt Alford, are now on Walter Watch, ready to report any sightings of the koala with the ear tag, to the Ipswich Koala Protection Society.