28 January 2010
Australia Day theft set back for Clean Up Australia Day
Thieves have dealt a major blow to Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan AO’s plans
to travel the country and meet communities ahead of Clean Up Australia Day on 7
March.
Mr Kiernan’s eco-friendly gas-powered ute was stolen by thieves while he was relaxing
with his family on Australia Day, then burnt and dumped by a roadside in Sydney’s
northern suburbs.
The ute was the not-for-profit organisation’s only transportation and adding insult to
injury was the loss of materials that Ian was planning to deliver for Clean Up Australia.
Mr Kiernan said while the ute was insured, replacing the vehicle will be a major financial
drain on Clean Up Australia at such a critical stage of organisation for Clean Up Australia
Day campaign.
“The theft was not just an un-Australian thing to do, it has set us back in our important
work supporting the community at Clean Up Australia,” Mr Kiernan said.
“The insurance will only cover part of the cost of replacing the vehicle and we’re
scratching our heads a bit about how we will be able to make up the difference at a time
when our resources are committed to the roll out of the national Clean Up Australia Day
on 7 March.”
Mr Kiernan said he will have to rely on friends and a hire car where possible.
“The ute was my office. It had a lot of my Clean Up Australia Day materials in it as well as
my Akubra, tools and other personal items. They’ve all gone up in smoke.
“Clean Up Australia is one of the most respected not-for-profit organisations in the
country. We’ve built that through a partnership with the community, rather than with
dollars.
“However, there’s no time to stop and feel sorry for ourselves, we’ve got to push on.
Clean Up Australia Day is coming up on 7 March and there’s still much to be done to
ensure it’s as successful as possible.”
For further information: Alana Mew, 0423 377 567
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