Kaola

Date of creation: 1960s

This stuffed toy koala was made by Leslie W M, who was a member of the Pentridge Toymakers.

The Pentridge Toymakers (‘Charity Toy-Makers Group’) were founded in 1961. 

A and (B Division*) prisoners produced toys, coffee tables, lamps, wooden fruit bowls, rocking horses and much more, in the evenings and on weekends.

The toys were distributed to various charitable homes (the Salvation Army, Northcote Helping Hands, Methodist Babies Home, Coburg Helping Hands, Church of England Mission, St. Paul’s school for the blind and Victorian Crippled Children)  for under-privileged children in Victoria.

Currently on display at the National Crime & Justice Museum - Geelong Gaol Museum.

Blick bear, Museum Australia