New Year Message from the Chairman
Welcome to the new year although it is already shaping up to be a difficult one for many of our fellow Australians affected by flood.
In my speech at the Australian Sustainable Cities Awards in November I quoted from the Dorothea Mackellar poem ‘I love a sunburnt country’ as a way of reminding us all to look after this country we love. Little did I know that within a few months we would be battling the ‘flooding rains’ up and down the east coast.
Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the floods, especially those communities who have been such strong participants in our awards, who have been called upon to show their community spirit once again.
As you will see below the poem is also a feature of our Australia Day press release.
Wishing you all a beautiful 2011
Sincerely
Don Chambers
Chairman
Keep Australia Beautiful National Association
Love your country on Australia Day
Australia Day is a day for patriotism and for all Australians to show how much they love their country, with outdoor celebrations held all around the country.
Yet according to Keep Australia Beautiful, this love is often left behind at the end of the day, along with vast amounts of rubbish left littering our parks, beaches and other public places.
“Doing the right thing with our waste is easy’, says Don Chambers, Chairman of the Keep Australia Beautiful National Association (KABNA). Yet so many people don’t.
“On Australia Day, and indeed every other day of the year, we are calling on all Australians to dispose of their litter responsibly. Put it in the public rubbish or recycling bins, or if there aren’t any nearby, pop it in a bag or car and take it home. It’s a little effort for a big result if everyone plays their part.
“With floods devastating many parts of our country and so much debris being left behind, the rest of us should avoid adding to the problem. The fantastic community spirit and pride amongst the devastation has been seen in communities all across Queensland and Victoria despite their hardship, so we should all take this lead and avoid rubbishing Australia at the local level.
“And for those that don’t, we’re asking others to dob in the litterers to state authorities where a fines scheme exists. Hitting people in the hip pocket is sometimes the only way a message can get through unfortunately.
“If you see someone toss a cigarette butt or some rubbish out of their car, many people don’t know that you can actually do something about it. Recording the number plate, date, time and location of the offence can result in a fine in a number of states and territories around the country.
“So if you’re celebrating all you love about Australia on the 26th January, make sure you do the right thing, put your waste in the right bin and help keep Australia beautiful”, Mr Chambers said.
In a move to remind people to put their rubbish in a bin or take it home with them, Keep Australia Beautiful has reached into the archives to recycle its iconic TV 1970’s TV ad
‘I love a sunburnt country’.
Featuring a young boy reciting the poem, ‘I love a sunburnt country’ as litter is tossed and piles up around him, the ad is a nostalgic reminder to us all to keep Australia beautiful as we celebrate all we love about it.
The TV Community Service Announcement will be distributed via social media including Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and supporting TV networks. To download the CSA visit http://www.kab.org.au/history/past-tv-community-service-announcements/
Dob in a Litterer
NSW - Dept of Environment, Climate Change and Water Ph 131 555
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/esdlitteringapp/default.aspx
VIC - Environment Protection Authority Ph 1800 35 25 55
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/reporting/#litter
WA - Litter Reporter Program Ph 1300 766 541
http://www.kabc.wa.gov.au/kab/litter-reporting/litter-reporter-form/Page-2.html
TAS - EPA Division Ph 1300 135 513
http://www.environment.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=2432
ACT - City Rangers Ph 02 6207 7132
http://www.nobutts.com.au/file/1271
Top Tips to reduce your waste this Australia Day
1. Avoid excess packaging. Pack your own lunch and drinks in reusable containers and pack reusable cutlery and crockery
2. Use the rubbish and recycling bins provided, or take recyclable waste home for kerbside recycling.
3. ‘Please butt it, then bin it’ – put your cigarette butts in the bin or a pocket ashtray.
Sustainable Communities Fundraising Appeal
Keep Australia Beautiful has been working with local communities across Australia since 1968 to encourage, motivate and celebrate local community initiatives in environmental, social and economic sustainability.
We need your help to continue our work with outstanding communities such as the current national winners of our awards programs:
-Beechworth VIC: a small town working hard on local environmental issues
-City of Stirling WA: an innovative council with great achievements in environmental protection
-South Port Noarlunga SA: a beach community that loves and cares for its beach
Your sponsorship or gift will enable us to
-document case studies from participating communities that provide all Australians with practical local examples of sustainable living
-ensure that participating communities benefit from a visit from an experienced judge who is able to share stories from other finalists and to provide feedback on local initiatives
-help finalists from around the country gather to share their stories
To sponsor or donate simply call 02 9698 8773 02 9698 8773 or 0419 016 401or donate on line at www.kab.org.au/support-us/philanthropy/
In the comments section nominate ‘sustainable communities’ to receive your tax deductible gift.
More details in our annual report at www.kab.org.au/about-us/reports/
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