Koala rescue advocate Peter Luker dedicated his life to protecting both wildlife and people

Corrections officer Peter Luker's sudden death has devastated two communities, with colleagues and wildlife carers remembering a man who gave everything to help others.

A huge turnout is expected for the funeral of a well-known koala advocate and popular corrections officer who died suddenly last week.

Ipswich Koala Protection Society President, Peter Luker, unexpectedly passed away just before his shift at Wolston Correctional Centre on September 10.

The custodial corrections officer supervisor, who would have been 61 on October 2, was known by family, friends and workmates as a generous man who was “there for everyone.”

Corrective Services supervisor Peter Luker. Picture: Supplied

Mr Luker’s family even nicknamed him Oprah, a nod to the famous former US daytime television host Oprah Winfrey, who was known for lavishing generous gifts on her audience members.

His 28-year-old daughter, Taylor, said her father was very caring.

“Dad was so giving, so caring, so loving,” she said.

“He dedicated his life to protecting, whether it be people or wildlife.”

Miss Luker said her dad, who also loved to go fishing, was “pretty funny.”

“We used to call him Oprah because he would share everything or give things away,” she said.

“If he heard that someone wanted to borrow something or needed something … he would sometimes go and buy it purely so he could lend it to them, because he didn’t want that person to not have what they needed.

“If he knew you liked something if you told him – say I came over one day and said that was ‘a cool fishing rod’ – he would just give you the rod and he would go buy a new one.”

Peter Luker with a koala joey rescued following a bushfire in December, 2019. Picture: Supplied

Mr Luker also prioritised special time with Miss Luker and her younger sister, Emily, 24, taking them to breakfast and a wildlife park on their birthdays every year.

Helping koalas became Mr Luker’s passion more than a decade ago after joining the Ipswich Koala Protection Society.

He even built a custom-made rehabilitation enclosure at his home.

Miss Luker said her mum Trudie Timbs, 54, was a wildlife carer before Mr Luker, but she wasn’t sure who loved helping animals more.

“Sometimes I think he loved it more than she did, particularly with the koalas,” she said.

“Because he would come home after two or three back-to-back 12-hour shifts and he would still want to (drive out to the bush) and cut off koala leaf.

“Or he’d grab (a joey) out of the cages or the room and fall asleep on the couch holding it.

“They were pretty little so they’d fall asleep too.”

Corrective Services officer supervisor, Peter Luker, died suddenly and unexpectedly on September, 10, 2025. Picture: Supplied

Former IKPS president, Ruth Lewis, 69, said Mr Luker’s death was “a total shock.”

“His loss has left our Ipswich Koala Protection Society family devastated,” she said.

She said Mr Luker got involved with the koala rescue group about 13 years ago thanks to her late husband, David, who also worked at the prison.

“David came home from work and said a friend at work’s wife wants to help wildlife,” she said.

The 30-year Queensland Corrective Services veteran soon became involved in rescuing and rehabilitating koalas of all ages in his spare time, particularly orphaned joeys.

“It’s hard work. It’s not paid, there’s no money in wildlife caring, Mrs Lewis said.

“It’s a passion and a dedication and the whole family were involved.”

Mrs Lewis said Mr Luker worked tirelessly behind the scenes to advocate for the not-for-profit group’s work, including liaising with the local council, educating the public about koala conservation and by supporting other wildlife carers.

One of the many orphaned koala joeys that Mr Luker helped. Picture: Queensland Corrective Services

“If not at work, Pete would be doing koala stuff or meeting with local government to try to make changes for koalas,” she said.

“He reminded us that making a difference for koalas, wildlife, and our community started with courage, honesty, and heart.”

Mrs Lewis said Mr Luker was always “there for everybody.”

“He was always running around for everyone else,” she said.

“Whether for his family, or the carers or buying formulas for koalas.”

The former NT police officer was instrumental in many things, from obtaining humane koala traps for the rescue group to ensuring injured, ill or grieving work colleagues were supported through a staff welfare fund, according to friends.

He also spearheaded the making of humane koala traps by prisoners at Wacol’s Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre in 2018.

Upgraded ones were later designed and built by Wolston inmates in 2024.

A young koala in a trap built by inmates at Arthur Gorrie Correction Centre in Wacol in 2018. Picture: Queensland Corrective Services

The traps, which enable wildlife rescuers to safely capture koalas, leading to a 60 per cent increase in rescues of the endangered species.

Former workmate Matt Walton, 41, said his old boss loved sharing his passion for koalas.

“He was so proud of his koalas and knew all of their little individual personalities,” he said.

Now an acting supervisor at the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre, Mr Walton said Mr Luker’s caring nature extended to his colleagues.

“Peter was phenomenal,” he said. “He was so generous of his time. Everything he does is literally from a pure heart.

“He likes seeing other people around him succeed and likes hearing about the wins we were having. I think (his) will be one of the most attended QCS funerals that has taken place.”

Mr Walton said an existing employee welfare fund that had lapsed was reignited thanks to Mr Luker.

Peter Luker loved to go out fishing. Picture: Michael Dragt/High Calibre Fishing Charters

Made up of regular donations from staff members, money in the fund was then used to help contributing employees in times of need, such as financial donations for additional sick days or if a death in the family occurred.

“If someone needed to take time off work we would make contributions to ease with their cost of living or would make contributions to cover certain medical bills or other situations where somebody might have suffered an injury at work,” Mr Walton said.

But he said Mr Luker would find ways to help colleagues even if they couldn’t contribute to the fund, like paying for a TV for a workmate in hospital or organising a raffle to raise money for a colleague who suddenly lost her husband.

“Peter was always the first person to be looking after his staff members,” he said.

Peter Luker was heavily involved in koala rescue. Picture: Ipswich Koala Protection Society/Facebook

Both Mrs Lewis and Mr Walton said they would never forget Mr Luker’s infectious laugh.

Mr Walton said he could hear Peter’s “distinguishable voice and laugh” just by looking at a photograph.

“People know his laugh and his voice,” he said.

Wolston Correctional Centre Acting Chief Superintendent Robert Wood said Mr Luker was dependable, well respected by his colleagues and always willing to go above and beyond to help others.

“Peter’s sudden passing has shocked and saddened the tight knit staff of Wolston Correctional Centre, and many of his colleagues across QCS,” he said.

Mr Luker’s funeral is scheduled for Monday.

His family has requested the details be kept private.