11-08-2025
‘Aussiest thing ever': Old man yells at koala
An 82-year-old man named Terry has become an unlikely viral sensation after he was filmed rescuing a very confused koala from the middle of a busy Queensland road.
But it's what he did after the heroic dash that's got the internet in stitches.
The roadside drama unfolded northwest of the Gold Coast on Beaudesert-Beenleigh Rd.
Traffic came to a standstill as the elderly driver stepped out of his car, and without missing a beat, scooped up the marsupial, and carried it to safety under a nearby gum tree.
But it was his cheeky exchange with the koala that really sent viewers into overdrive, as Terry appeared to be scolding the animal like a misbehaving child.
@
some one posted this on the local community page and I had to share 🤣 #koalagetstold
♬ original sound - Joe Paints
Social media erupted with theories on what the Aussie grandpa was saying to the furry wanderer.
'Don't worry people, he's got his koalafications to handle marsupials. What a legend.'
'The koala looked up like (he was) being scolded from grandpa.'
'Telling him off in a David Attenborough voice.'
'He said 'don't you listen to that bloody chicken … nothing good comes from crossing the road'.'
'The most Australian thing I've seen today.'
The mystery has now been solved, Terry revealing what was really said to 7News.
'I was telling him not to scratch because I'm trying to help him,' Terry said. 'And the little mongrel just kept scratching.'
Terry assumed the animal was just trying to protect itself.
'If you get hold of the bear quick enough and hold him the right way, they realise – especially when you start moving off the road – that they're getting out of danger.'
Despite now being hailed a national treasure, the humble saviour was quick to brush off the praise.
'Well, I didn't know all of that,' Terry said with a laugh.
Terry went back to check on the traffic-disrupting koala, now nicknamed Ted, twice in the same day. He is reportedly safe and sound.
'I had to look up and I couldn't see him. All of a sudden he moved – I spotted him,' Terry said.
'Yeah, he knew I was back.'
Blokes like Terry are living proof that not all heroes wear capes, some just wear a few battle scratches and have a soft spot for native wildlife.
