The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have praised the spirit of the Kangaroo Island community following the area's catastrophic summer bushfires — and have also gone face-to-face with one of the island's more cuddly inhabitants.
Key points:
- Residents, wildlife rescuers and emergency volunteers spoke with the couple
- The Duke and Duchess were planning an in-person visit to bushfire-affected regions before coronavirus struck
- Kangaroo Island resident Steph Wurst said the chat was a "big boost" for the community
A video posted to social media overnight shows Prince William and Catherine speaking to some of the island's residents and emergency crews, saying it was "fantastic to hear about the community spirit" and strength.
In the minute-long video, Catherine said it was "so sad" to hear stories of tragedy and loss, but there were also smiles as the Royal couple were granted an audience with a koala.
The Duke and Duchess were touted to visit Australia's fire-affected regions this year, but the trip was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Two people died and about half the island — including 96 per cent of Flinders Chase National Park — was ravaged by bushfires in December and January.
Prince William said he and Catherine "always feel the community spirit" when they are in Australia.
"Aussies are always looking out for each other and it's fantastic to see you're all pulling together," he said.
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park's Dana Mitchell introduced the pair to Grace the koala — one of many marsupials rescued and rehabilitated after the fires.
"She's gaining weight pretty well and loves her bottle, and pretty much just sleeps all the time," Ms Mitchell told the Duke and Duchess.
It's estimated that more than 30,000 koalas on Kangaroo Island perished due to the fires, as well as 100,000 sheep, and several endangered species were put at increased risk of extinction.
Many more animals died on the Australian mainland in other bushfires over summer, prompting the Federal Government to pledge $50 million for affected wildlife.
The Duke and Duchess also acknowledged the coronavirus pandemic's impact on Kangaroo Island's residents rebuilding their lives.
Local relishes 'surreal' chat with royals
Steph Wurst lost her house in the Kangaroo Island bushfires but was one of the few who met with the Royal couple.
"To speak with them — it was an amazing experience, quite surreal actually, but such an honour and privilege," she said.
"I admit I did get a little bit tongue-tied but they're so natural and down-to-earth it wasn't long before we were all in a pretty relaxed conversation."
Ms Wurst said the couple wanted to hear about residents' stories and how they are recovering.
"It's such a big boost for our local community, to know that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge care about us, genuinely care about us and our recovery. It really means a lot to us.
"We had a few days to prepare prior to the call, and we also had to keep it under wraps for the last few days as well … we all kept it very quiet."
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTEwLTAyL2R1a2UtYW5kLWR1Y2hlc3Mtb2YtY2FtYnJpZGdlLW1lZXQta2FuZ2Fyb28taXNsYW5kLXJlc2lkZW50cy8xMjcyNTA0MtIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjcyNTA0Mg?oc=5
2020-10-02 02:19:00Z
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