Minister farewells young water ambassadors as they head bush

Transport and Main Roads Minister, Paul Lucas, today farewelled one hundred city kids as they began their 1200 kilometre outback trek for water conservation.

The students from schools across south-east Queensland boarded the Spirit of the Outback train this afternoon at Roma St Railway Station to travel north-west to Longreach.

The students will take part in a week-long water education trip as part of the Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise Central Beach to Bush Program, aimed at educating 10 to 15 year-olds on the importance of preserving the state’s water resources.

Mr Lucas, who represented Premier Peter Beattie at the farewell, said he is proud the Queensland Government supported the program through sponsorship by Queensland Rail and the Premiers Department.

“It was important to give these young water ambassadors a big farewell today and show that they have our support. They set a great example for all city-dwellers in showing that we are serious about water conservation.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the students to gain a better understanding of the importance of water and will go a long way in helping to preserve this precious resource for generations to come,” Mr Lucas said.

“Most city kids don’t have the appreciation of water that outback kids have, they assume water is an endless resource that will just always run out of their taps.

“I couldn’t think of a better way for city kids to learn about ways to conserve water than in Longreach where farmers and their families have battled with drought conditions for many years.”

“The Beach to Bush program will give the kids an understanding of how to be water-wise with knowledge and techniques to use each and every day, both in their homes and at school.”

Mr Lucas said the children will be challenged to save water throughout the program, the highlight being an overnight camp at Bimbah Station where each child will have to make do with only five litres of water.

The children will also visit the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, QantasMuseum, School of Distance Education and LongreachAgriculturalCollege, as well as take part in traditional outback activities such as whip-cracking, sheep-shearing and damper-making.

Queensland Rail CEO Bob Scheuber said he is proud to support such an innovative and important initiative in conjunction with McDonald’s and Network Ten.

“It’s fantastic to see so many people putting their support behind the kids as they make their 24 hour inland journey – it shows just how important we all believe water conservation is,” Mr Scheuber said.

“For the kids this will be a memorable trip because they get to see first-hand the effects of water shortages in outback areas of Queensland – they will take away from the experience valuable water conservation skills that will benefit us all.”

The Beach to Bush kids will return to Brisbane on October 3 and next year a group of Longreach children will visit Brisbane and the Gold Coast in January as part of the Rotary Bush to Beach program.

Media Contact: Roanne Johnson 3237 1145