Media Activities

27/07 2019 Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE
Saturday, 27 July 2019

Householders' Options to Protect the Environment Inc.

PO Box 6118 - Clifford Gardens, Toowoomba QLD 4350
(22 Vacy Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350)
Ph: 07 4639 2135; Email: office@hopeaustralia.org.au
Website: www.hopeaustralia.org.au
Facebook: facebook.com/Householders.Options.to.Protect.the.Environment
ABN 48 036 173 161

Think Globally. Act Locally!

Request for Environmental Poems

Saturday, 27 July 2019

Calling all wordsmiths! Here’s your opportunity to pen a poem or two on an environmental issue of interest or concern to you.

Mr Frank Ondrus, President of Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE) Inc. invites members of the community to contribute poems with an environmental theme for a special edition of the HOPE E: newsletter to be published in early 2020.

“In addition, if you can provide a picture or graphic to accompany your poem, it would be used to enhance the message in the newsletter”, said Mr Ondrus.

To start the exercise, my wife Mary penned this short poem for the project.

What can we say

to enliven this day.

As we sit and we think

“this world’s on the brink …”

With courage and care,

instead of despair,

we can save it! … starting today.

Please forward your poem(s) to us at office@hopeaustralia.org.au by 31 December 2019.

Frank Ondrus, President – HOPE Inc., ph 07 4639 2135

23/07 2019 Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Householders' Options to Protect the Environment Inc.

Think Globally. Act Locally!

Volunteering for the Environment

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

It’s official. Volunteering makes you happy. Research has shown that just a few hours of volunteering can make a difference to mood and happiness. Better still, sustained volunteering is associated with improved mental health. Volunteers sleep better, are healthier, and have a greater sense of well-being than those who don’t volunteer. In-fact, the altruistic emotions and behaviours associated with volunteering can even help you live longer.

Environmental volunteering benefits the whole community and is a great way to get outdoors and experience our unique natural environment. Volunteers are rewarded with the knowledge they are making a meaningful contribution to preserving our unique natural surroundings while learning new skills and meeting like-minded people.

Before you start looking for a volunteering opportunity, have a think about what you would like to achieve. Groups such as Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (www.hopeaustralia.org.au), Landcare Australia (http://www.landcareonline.com.au/), Queensland Water and Land Carers (http://qwalc.org.au/), and Friends of the Escarpment Parks (http://www.fep.org.au/) offer various environmental volunteering opportunities from planting programs and weed eradication to clean-up days and fundraising.

The next step is finding an opportunity. Do some research, sites like Volunteering Queensland (https://volunteeringqld.org.au/roles/list?Location=QLD&page=1) and GoVolunteer (http://govolunteer.com.au/) allow you to search for volunteer positions nationally, and to find local contacts. Alternately, just get out there and talk to people, visit your community centre or post a message on a community noticeboard. Anyone can volunteer, age is no barrier. Visit the Junior Landcare website http://www.juniorlandcare.com.au/ for youth groups.

The important thing is getting out there and getting involved. Gather all your good intentions and find a cause you can relate to, meet new people, get some exercise and contribute to preserving a cherished resource. Your body and soul will thank you for it.

Frank Ondrus, President – HOPE Inc., ph 07 4639 2135

02/06 2019 Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE
Sunday, 2 June 2019

Householders' Options to Protect the Environment Inc.

Think Globally. Act Locally!

Queensland Govt’s “Climate Change Week”, 2 -8 June 2019

Sunday, 2 June 2019

The Queensland Government is committed to transitioning the state to a low-carbon, clean growth economy and adapting to the impacts of a changing climate.

As a part of this commitment, the Queensland Government will host political, business and community representatives from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region at Queensland’s first ever Climate Week from 2–8 June 2019.

Climate Week QLD 2019 will provide a forum for leaders and sub-national governments to share ideas and build a community of action against climate change.

Activities throughout the week includes a public program of arts, music, and panel discussions, a First Nations Summit, and climate leadership training with former US Vice President Al Gore and the Climate Reality Project for between 800 and 1,000 people.

Community groups, businesses, universities, not-for-profit groups, schools, landholders and individuals have been invited to host a climate action event during climate week.

Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE) Inc. is hosting an information stall and ‘plant’ give-away outside Grand Central Shopping Centre, corner of Victoria and Margaret Streets, Toowoomba on Wednesday 5 June from 10am.

Please come along and collect some useful information on being “energy-wise” and a free shrub.

Frank Ondrus, President – HOPE Inc., ph 07 4639 2135

01/06 2019 Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE
Saturday, 1 June 2019

Householders' Options to Protect the Environment Inc.

Think Globally. Act Locally!

Using Drones to Survey Landscapes - Gowrie Creek from Above, Tuesday, 18 June 2019

Saturday, 1 June 2019

A community interest event, supported by Toowoomba Regional Council and Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE), is being held to provide an aerial perspective of Gowrie Creek from the Water Treatment Plant to the tree plantation in west Gowrie Junction. Gowrie Creek was flown with a drone at a height of 30m with the occasional rise to 50m. This provides a unique perspective of the creek and will interest local residents with a chance to see the creek from above and ask questions about the creeks condition.

This community event is free and will be held on Tuesday 18th June March in the Gowrie State School Resource Centre starting at 7pm and finishing at 9pm. A light supper will be provided mid event.

The presenter will be Steve Cupitt from Crossroads Rural & Environment. Steve is an environmental scientist and drone operator. Steve will be supported by Frank Ondrus, President of HOPE.

Come along to have a look at “Gowrie Creek from above”, see if you can spot your house and ask Steve about the issues you think may be facing the creek.

To secure a seat, please either contact Steve Cupitt (mob: 0428 874 938 or email steve.cupitt@crossroads-enviro.com.au) or Frank Ondrus on email at office@hopeaustralia.org.au or phone 4639 2135 by Monday 17th June.

Frank Ondrus, President – HOPE Inc., ph 07 4639 2135