About Us

Introduction

Welcome to Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment. HOPE started in Victoria, Australia in 1988; and in 1993, the Toowoomba branch was started in Queensland, Australia.

The core idea of HOPE is that, while we have to think about the environment as a whole – on a planet-wide scale – we need to act locally, in our own communities in a way that’s effective and meaningful. So, our slogan is:

HOPE Toowoomba aims to raise awareness of, and encourage active participation in, waste minimisation and the conservation of energy and resources.

HOPE today

Have a look at ‘what we are doing’ and ‘how we are doing it’.

•  See Current affiliations
•  See Projects, Campaigns and Activities
•  See Mutual Support Partnerships

HOPE’s history

This will give you some idea of our development – our ‘road to HOPE’.

•  See 10th Anniversary Report

HOPE for the future

We can’t rest on laurels – the future needs you and me to be active from now on.

The H.O.P.E. Charter

HOPE encourages people to take responsibility for their relationship with the environment in their daily lives.

HOPE members have the following aims:

• to use as little as possible of energy and resources;
• to create minimal pollution, both directly and indirectly;
• to prefer, in general, renewable to non-renewable, natural to manufactured, and local to imported.

HOPE encourages people to:

• view environmental problems in their social, economic and global context;
• use what is already there; making the most of existing resources, technology and community networks;
• create, communicate and celebrate lifestyles which reduce consumption and improve quality of life.

While HOPE endorses individual action, it also encourages people to act together in their local community, and in society as a whole, to further these aims.

HOPE is a non-profit organization, and is not affiliated with any political party.

Introductory statement – In order to maximise the message of our environmental responsibility, HOPE seeks other groups, activities and events which proclaim similar messages.

HOPE Toowoomba is affiliated to the:
 Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) and the
 Worldwide Home Environmentalists’ Network (WHEN) Australia Inc.

History

Introductory statement – Throughout the last 10 years, HOPE has worked closely with a number of local, regional and State environment and conservation groups to promote our aims and objectives; and also to give help and support to those groups with their activities.

10th Anniversary Report (6.10.2003)

I think the important point to note is that HOPE has shown un-wavering commitment to raising awareness of, and encouraging active participation in, waste minimisation and the conservation of energy and resources throughout the past 10 years.

HOPE has:

• maintained a regular local & regional media presence
• attended a variety of workshops, seminars & conferences
• provided written feedback on various federal, state & local
• discussion papers, strategies & issues

HOPE’s major highlights include:

• Acceptance, support & encouragement of other groups’ projects and activities
• Committee involvement (6 years) and regular participation in Toowoomba’s World Environment Day celebrations (10 years)
• A regular column in the The Star (formerly Downs Star) newspaper for some 8 years
• The introduction of an annual Environmental Events Calendar in 1999
• Development and publication of an Ecology Audit booklet for primary school aged children (1999)
• The establishment of permanent Environmental Information Displays – Toowoomba City Library (1999);
• University of Southern Queensland (2002); and Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE (2002)
• Forming a partnership with the Darling Downs Natural Growers Group to stage the inaugural Toowoomba Organics Expo (September 2002)
• Successful funding request to purchase a new computer with desktop publishing, internet and email access
• Forming a partnership with Queensland Parks & Wildlife Services, > Toowoomba City Council and the Toowoomba Landcare Discovery Centre to stage 2 day Biodiversity Expo (September 2003)

To become a member of HOPE Toowoomba contact:

Frank Ondrus (Convenor)
HOPE Toowoomba
PO Box 6118
Toowoomba West QLD 4350
Ph. 07 4639 2135