THE region's favourite koalas will carry iconic images of the Hunter along with their musical instruments when they head off on a tour of Canada on Saturday. Members of the Marching Koalas - the Hunter's youth marching band - were given books of local photography as well as plaques and letters of introduction to host towns by Newcastle lord mayor Jeff McCloy yesterday. In a first for the group, they have been invited as guests of honour to the town of Bruderheim to celebrate Canada Day on July 1. Band manager Geoff Lynch said he anticipated this would be the highlight of the trip. The Marching Koalas will be showcasing their talents at several events in their two weeks away, including a performance at the Calgary Stampede Grand Parade. Band member Dylan McElhone, 18, said he was most looking forward to this 5.6-kilometre march. The Marching Koalas have been running for more than 30 years and have been on 14 tours around the world.
HAT TRICK: Lord mayor Jeff McCloy sends off Marching Koalas Brandon Bourke, Dylan McElhone and Matthew Probert yesterday. Picture: Ryan Osland
THE region's favourite koalas will carry iconic images of the Hunter along with their musical instruments when they head off on a tour of Canada on Saturday.
Members of the Marching Koalas - the Hunter's youth marching band - were given books of local photography as well as plaques and letters of introduction to host towns by Newcastle lord mayor Jeff McCloy yesterday.
In a first for the group, they have been invited as guests of honour to the town of Bruderheim to celebrate Canada Day on July 1.
Band manager Geoff Lynch said he anticipated this would be the highlight of the trip.
The Marching Koalas will be showcasing their talents at several events in their two weeks away, including a performance at the Calgary Stampede Grand Parade.
Band member Dylan McElhone, 18, said he was most looking forward to this 5.6-kilometre march.
The Marching Koalas have been running for more than 30 years and have been on 14 tours around the world.
