Celebrating 30 Years of Caring for Animals at MARU

Maru Koala and Animal Park

This September will be a milestone achievement for Maru Koala and Animal Park as they celebrate 30 years of business and caring for animals. Maru has gone through continual growth and development over the years, originally starting out as a small art and craft shop.

The business name MARU was originally registered even longer ago by the original business founder Mrs. Ruth Heffer. Ruth combined the first two letter of her daughter Marilyn's name and the first two letters of her own name Ruth, to come up with the business name MARU. Maru operated out of several areas across Victorian, including the St Kilda Esplanade market, selling ceramics and pottery that was hand crafted by the family.

In 1983 Ruth and her husband George purchased an un-cleared bush block in Grantville and began clearing land and building their retirement home and Ruth said to George 'I just want a little shop out the front to keep me occupied in my retirement' and so Maru Craft began trading from a small shop on the Grantville property in 1985.

Whilst all of the family was originally involved, in 1990 son Ian Heffer took over the business and continues to this day to expand and develop the experiences available for visitors. Now trading as Maru Koala and Animal Park and showcasing a range of native animals, including the ever popular koala, but also home to Pirate Pete's Mini-golf and the Homestead Bistro.

Ruth & George

There have been three fires across the years, including a mayor fire in 2009 that totally destroyed the business buildings, but this and other challenges along the way have only strengthened the family determination to prosper and further develop Maru. Still family owned and run, now with Ian's wife Neroli an integral part of the business and their two young children Becky and Tabatha a common delight to visitors. Since Neroli with an animal interest background has been involved, Maru also runs a Wildlife Hospital which rehabilitates local injured and ill native animals for return to the wild.

September is also the occasion of Ruth's 90th birthday. Despite now being a widow and retired, Ruth is still a regular and friendly face at Maru greeting and chatting with the visitors. There are a range of special events and activities planned for the September school holidays so that everyone can join in this momentous occasion.