Great Outback Cleanup - Year of the Outback Event

Hi Michelle,

Great idea but the biggest problem is time for me. It is a bit like the suggestion to help out in Innnesfail that was suggested earlier - it is a great idea and a good opportunity for people to give something back to the community. Just can't afford the time until I retire I guess.

Kind regards

Hi Michelle
I would love the experience! However, I guess like a lot of others, work time is the problem.. Even tho I work for myself (free-lance), my time, when I'm travelling, is usually dedicated to my work ( photography/painting), so I have to fit in my treks with work in mind, Right now, I am comitted to producing work for clients. Maybe soon, I can take time off purely to explore and get involved with others doing the same thing, but until then, I have to combine my travels with what work I can produce along the way. Other problem is, I have a little travelling mate (female dog), and she is just as bad as having a child! I live on my own now, so don't have the opportunity to leave her behind!
Regards
Bronco

Hi again, Michelle
Firstly, thanks for the nice opinions re my paintings. I can tell you, im my case, it never comes easy! I often get frustrated when it doesn't çome together'as it should, so believe me, I still make mistakes! That's where digital photography has been a great help to me, instead of sitting out there on location for hours, I can now take a series of shots, then download to puter, and paint the final product at my leasure, at a later time! Yes, I usually combine my trips with my work, so obviously the selected area of travel hopefully will promote something worth painting! I usually produce work for clients (on commission), and from time to time, prepare artwork for exhibitions. I am also involved with cartooning, and submit work from time to time to whoever requires it! And believe it or not, attempting to finish writing a book ( project that so far has taken too long!), it's a humerous novel about life in the outback. And finally, I still consult from time to time in the area of Risk Management and Intelligence Analysis when I can (my old police partner is now Managing Director of his own company and throws work my way!) So still carry a suit in the bag!! Thanks again, oh, and by the way, recieved all the gear in the mail today..thanks!
Regards
Bronco

Hi Michelle,

I have read all the info and looked at all the tracks, but unfortunately none are on my tour route this year. I believe that the Great Outback Cleanup is a great concept, but I think the organisers and we on EO should be pushing for more to be done by all travellers when it comes to picking up rubbish. I know this would not help in raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Cleanup Australia and the Australian Outback Development Consortium, but it would certainly make Australia even more beautiful than it already is.
Maybe when paying fees to enter parks, one could receive a bag for their spare wheel carriers to assist in carrying rubbish. I know more and more people are purchasing these types of bags (me included) that makes it easier to collect and store rubbish when on the road. Better yet, EO could find a supplier and have the EO logo printed on it and then sell them on here. I also think that rubbish tips need to be advertised more so that explorers know where they can dump their collections, and your "Places" area is a start for this, well done.
We all have a lot of work to do to clean up Australia, and every little bit helps.

Cheers

Glenn

Hi Michelle,
I'd like to help but unfortunately very busy working on 4WD tracks around Sydney..doing Menia cleanups..draging rocks down to holes so big if you drove into them you are indeed risking your life..so in a way doing my bit on...you might say the doorstep of the great outback..every little bit helps...wish you all the luck in the world..as sometime lack of participtation upsets,we all need to give something back to the land as we enjoy our 4wdriving otherwise we will destroy it...not enought time to go round.
JD

Hi Michelle

Why is there always money invoved in these events. Seems like the "Thing to do" for the mega rich. Then there are the prizes. 'You may be eligible to go into the draw for a trip for two to Melville Island' if you...blah blah etc............All in the name of Fundraising............

If each one of us who are travelling this year could just remove a couple of kilos of stuff left behind by other uncaring people, then it will help.

Last year we collected lots of cans and debris from places along our journey through WA and also two vehicle parts which had fallen off Toyotas(one on the Gary Highway!).

My thoughts.

Hi Michelle,

I've read the material on the Cleanup. I have a feeling of "I don't get it" Firstly, I don't understand why it is an "auction" - what are you buying and why is it competitive? If the answer is "a place on a tag-along-tour" than it's not clear that there is a tour leader. If it is a donation towards RFDS then I just make them without expecting something in return (except a sticker for the kids!). Internet auctions also only attract most bids right at the end - not a good planning mechanism for the organisers.

There are expectations eg sat phone so expenses above the bid. The ARB inspection is a point of cycnicism (are they going to finds things like not having a snorkel that they just happen to sell) or is it purely safety. I haven't looked at all of the routes but the ones I saw didn't have details beyond main places - if getting on board meant that I went places not normally accessible then that might help. Finally, the only bid on the system is for $3000 plus fuel, accomodation, food and getting back from Alice - expensive donation and a bit longer than 2 weeks by the time you return! When we make that sort of commitment it won't be to clean up campsites. BTW, prizes aren't a driver at all.

I wonder who fits the target demographic? I guess we don't (family with 2 primary school kids). Lets hope that there are takers as the causes are all good and I genuinely would like to be proven completely wrong in my assessment.

Adrian

Mmmmm Think I agree with Willem and sentiments similar.
Pity its so commercial. Bit like a reddex bush bash? It will appeal to many however and can do no harm if you have say $2000 to spare for the auction.
I like the clean up concept as run by dedicated 4wd clubs - not trendy - just dedicated and enjoying the companionship of others whilst doing it.

I did a trip to a remote reservoir in Tallarook state forest (Vic) the other day.
Had a great time and a BBQ in an existing stone fireplace. Friends were a little surprised when I removed all the cans/ glass left by others in the area.
Why do people have to break glass bottles (stubbies) ?
Point is there will always be pigs in the bush so some of us will always have to
clean up more than just our own rubbish until the culture hopefully changes or "pigs can fly."
I have thought about carrying one of those zero type (non toxic)weed spray packs
for weeds around campsites also. Like the bag idea above.

Hi All,
The Great Outback Cleanup is a great idea for raising awareness and dealing with the Rubbish issue in August but what about the rest of the year?
The funds raised will be going to very worthy causes as well.
I'm sure that most using this forum take part in the Outback Cleanup every time they are out there in the bush anyway.
I would love to take part but health & finances (more correctly--lack of) prevent it this time round.
Still I can do my bit whenever I'm out there.
Cheers

Disco