Buster arrived on 10th November 2003.
He was brought to Roo Gully by a New Zealand sheep shearer
who was travelling Western Australia with his work.

Buster originated in Wickepin, in Western Australia's wheatbelt,
orphaned in a shooting by another man, and dearly loved by the shearer who wanted to raise him.
But the life of a shearer travelling from farm to farm was not suited to a young joey,
and so when he arrived to work in Boyup Brook he brought Buster to Roo Gully.

Buster spent his first few weeks with his head tucked away in the darkest recess of the nearest human.

And when he stood on the lawn...

Buster needed humans.

And so Sandra, a volunteer, made him her special boy.

Buster loved Sandra. He felt relaxed when she was with him.

And, helping him through his shyness, she loved him.

Sandra always doubted that Buster had a name that suited him.
He was so very timid, and for a long time we had to agree with her.

He continued to seek human company.

And because he was a sooky little boy,
lacking confidence, he did not seem to live up to his name.

Because even when he was inside the safety of the house...

Buster often looked afraid...

But eventually, like all young joeys, Buster was to realise he was a kangaroo.

He was being raised with 2 other young joeys,
Cassie and Abby, and he enjoyed playing outside with them.

Suddenly Buster seemed to gain confidence.

And it was Cassie he fell in love with next.

Cassie was very good with young Buster
and even though she was young roo too
she seemed to mother him.

Buster grew in confidence
and began to mix with the older roos.

However he was a little more confident when he met Splodge.

And by the time he met young Billy?

He was quite relaxed.

And then, within the mob, Buster found a mate, a real friend.

A friend named Roly.

And what friends they turned out to be.
They truly loved each other.

Although there have been times we have been worried
as to how much Roly really loves young Buster!

But they were good for each other.
And as they played and sparred it was good to see
Buster learning and Roly gaining confidence.

Theirs is a friendship that lasts today.
They are always together - either play boxing...

grazing together...

A true friendship.

It has been interesting to see that Buster assumed an important role within the mob,
a role he undertook very early in his life.

The role of sentry.

Even with his human mate, Sandra, he was always alert.

Today Buster is one of our younger sentries.

It is a role that is greatly helping our studies into mob behaviour,
and why kangaroos assume such roles.
By 'adopting' you will help us continue to provide a home for Buster, and to study his behaviour,
which we hope will lead to the better understanding and the love of this Australian icon.
Your 'adoption' will also help keep 2 great mates together.