Koala watches on as bushfire rolls into Gelantipy

AN EXTRAORDINARY image has emerged of a koala watching on as bushfires rolled into Gelantipy.

Scary scenes: The Timbarra/Gelantipy bushfire approaches Tulloch Ard Rd on February 3. Pictures: Meg Overy

AN EXTRAORDINARY image has emerged of a koala watching on as bushfires rolled into Gelantipy.

Meg Overy, who captured the moment, told The Weekly Times that “thankfully” her family and cattle — and the furry friend — were all safe after a frightening weekend on the front line this month.

A Koala watches on as fires roll into Gelantipy.

“There were scorched leaves and sticks falling from the sky, the winds were swirling from every which way — strange things were happening,” she said. “The wind started coming from the west pushing the fire straight for us.”

“The sky was dark purple.”

Meg and her partner Mick O’Callaghan “tried not to panic” and instead said they focused on giving their cattle the best chance of survival.

But it wasn’t until a few hours later, when Meg had sat down to watch for spot fires, that she realised the cattle weren’t the only animals in danger on her property.

“I was sitting watching for spot fires and looked up in the tree and saw I had company — a koala staring down on me,” she said.

“Not long after, we felt the wind change direction and a few spots of rain fell.”

“What a relief that the wind had turned the fire to head back on itself.”

Meg Overy and Mick O’Callaghan’s cattle as the bushfire approaches.