Last week, August 1 - 7, shared two important dates on the calendar, Homelessness Week and Landcare Week.
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I was reminded of both recently, while using the walking tracks under the railway bridge, at the back of the Peter Mowle reserve on Phillip Street.
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How so? Well railway bridges are often the only shelter from rain and other elements for 'rough sleepers', and some of the pylons were covered in chalk messages calling for the protection of wildlife homes and the planting of trees for a better future for our joint home - the earth.
Currently, both humans and non-humans are being left unprotected and out in the cold by politicians and others who seemingly act in their own self interest, and largely ignore those less fortunate in our society. Is it a case of out of sight out of mind?
The above are the very reasons why organisations call for these weeks; to focus attention on these problems and use a variety of avenues to educate and inform.
Most homeless people are not rough sleepers. It is believed they account for only about seven per cent of all our homeless. The rest are the unseen. On any given night about 116,000 people in 'Oz' are sleeping in refuges, crisis accommodation, rooming houses and overcrowded temporary accommodation. Others are couch surfing, or temporarily relying on the kindness of friends and relatives or perhaps sleeping in cars. How many are feeling unsafe, fleeing domestic violence and abusive situations and afraid to go home?
Current polices and legislation are also leaving millions of native animals out in the cold, and the ongoing fragmentation and degradation of the planet that we all call home - the Earth - is at risk for all of us.
Landcare principles seek to make better use of our diminishing resources and encourage the community to take actions for the protection of water, soil and biodiversity.
Is chalk art/graffiti another legitimate means to raise the issues? Or will people forget the message of a safe and sustainable home for us all, just as easily as the chalk fades after the next rainfall?
Mark Selmes, Taralga.
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