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Klassic Koalas:
Mr. Douglas' Koalas and the Stars of Qantas by Joanne Ehrich
Color Softbound; 80 pages,
8.5' x 8.5'; (21.5cm x 21.5cm)
May 21, 2007; Category: Humor/Animals;
Retail $31.99; ISBN 978-0-9764698-4-1.
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News: Peter Douglas, famed animal carer and Senior Vice President of The University of
Queensland's Gatton's Past Students' Management Committee, donated past two year's royalties from Klassic Koalas: Mr. Douglas'
Koalas and the Stars of Qantas to
Wildlife Victoria in order to help save lives of animals harmed
in the devastating wildfires that have been sweeping across southern Australia.
Asleep, awake, and ready for anything, the koalas cared for by wildlife carer Peter Douglas present their most adorable faces to the camera in these priceless shots, taken over a thirty-year period. Under Douglas' watchful eye, koalas were photographed in all manner of settings, protected from "pet" status yet allowed to display their unique curiosity for the delight of observers. Unseen by the general public, these pictures, accompanied by famous, witty one-liners will make you smile and laugh as they demonstrate yet again the irresistible nature of Australia's most beloved marsupial.
Also included are some of the most renowned Qantas ads featuring koalas.
The popular I hate Qantas commercials originally featured a talking koala who sat in a eucalyptus
tree while complaining about tourists disturbing its tranquil environment.
These advertisements were first created by the Cunningham & Walsh agency of San Francisco and aimed at an exclusively American audience. Running from 1967 until 1992 (and briefly reinstated around the time of the Australian Olympics in 1999), they became the longest television ad campaign in United States history.
Displayed in this book are some of the best specimens of unusual Qantas koala advertisements from the 1960s through the
1980s. The original ads in addition to other examples, can now be enjoyed in person by visiting the
Q.A.N.T.A.S. Founders Outback Museum in Longreach, Queensland.
These classic publicity shots exhibit all the charm that helped cement Australia's position as a hot tourist destination.
And if you think your eyes are deceiving you, they're not—that's not just one, but two albino koalas in some of the pictures, just as winsome as their more-pigmented brethren—yet a reminder that, without human intervention, the koala may become a mere ghost of a memory.
David Stephensen, Information Architect / Photographer, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia:
"...as a 19 year old university student in 1970 and 1971 I worked there [Lone Pine] one day
a week as relief photographer. Ian Reid, the son of the founder, taught me how to handle
koalas.The 'handling' koalas were
trained to be comfortable with it from when they were young. They were never overworked,
probably being picked up only a few times a day each. I never saw the slightest thing
in their behavior to suggest that it was traumatic for them. Our favorite was young Peanut,
who rode the dogs with flair and was always happy to cuddle a visitor.
I loved my time with them. With Ian's great training I never had any bad
experiences. I would certainly never try to touch a wild one, though.
Those teeth can bite through to the bone!
 photo courtesy of David Stephensen
You may think it sounds silly, but I believe that, somewhere behind that tiny brain,
there is a being who is a really good sport. What other normally wild animal can look
cool and dignified with ballet shoes or sunglasses? The jockey koalas who rode the dogs
looked pretty natural to me, too. Look at the pictures in this book and tell me what you
think. Tame koalas generally pose for photos without party hats these days. I am sure
this change says more about us than them.
Klassic Koalas: Mr. Douglas' Koalas and the Stars of Qantas shows tame koalas as the gentle, endearing good sports that they are. The Qantas ads were beautifully executed and show what an innocent time it was.
The other photos are nearly all surprising, funny, endearing or all three. You can see several shots of albino koalas and some publicity photos that .. um .. will appeal to Americans.
Interspersed with famous amusing quotes, with a simple and pleasing design, this book makes an ideal gift, or even a nice treat for yourself.
Congratulations...for this great addition to...[an] impressive line-up of koala books."
To visit the Klassic Koalas book merchandise store
Click here
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