GRAFFITI REMOVAL DAY

 
Graffiti challenge ​BIGGER AND BETTER IN 2014!​
The gauntlet has been thrown down to Rotary Clubs and Districts throughout NSW … let’s make Graffiti Removal Day 2014 ‘bigger and better’ than ever before …
Sunday, October 26, is the chosen date and planning is now well underway for another outstanding event.
At a time when so many Rotary projects and organisations strive for corporate sponsorship, Rotary has formed a unique partnership with the New South Wales Government to combat the growing social curse of graffiti vandalism! read more 
 
Our State Government will again fund the project to ensure that Rotary clubs and other community partners have every possible resource at their disposal.
Such was the success of Graffiti Removal Day 2013, that Rotary’s public profile has never been stronger.  Add the overwhelming success of the RI Convention in Sydney last June, and it is obvious that there has never been a better time for Rotary clubs through NSW to ‘connect with their communities’ through Graffiti Removal Day.
The 2013 results speak for themselves –
  • Number of volunteers increased from 597 in 2012 to 1,090.
  • Number of graffiti sites cleaned increased from 100 in 2012 to 210.
  • Area of graffiti cleaned – 23,140 square metres compared with 8,150 the previous year. This community service has an estimated $1.5 million value in savings for private owners and the Government!
Eight Australian based Rotary Districts have Rotary clubs in NSW were heavily involved in the campaign last year, and all eight District Governors have thrown their support behind the Rotary Down Under organising committee again in 2014.
Past District Governor Bob Aitken is Graffiti Removal Day Project Manager and he has requested the support of Governors Wendy Scarlett (9640), Greg Moran (9650), Gerard McMillan (9670), Barry Antees (9675), Ian Scott (9685), David Kennedy (9700, Rowley Thomsett (9710), and Patti Bulless (9790) in ensuring the growth of the campaign in 2014.
More than 50 local government areas will take part in Graffiti Removal Day and it is the goal of the project committee to have Rotary District and Club coordinators working alongside Council coordinators in each of these Local Government areas.
Rotarian volunteers received great support from several new community stakeholders in 2013 – the Australian Men’s Shed Association (NSW Branch), Scouts Australia and Girl Guides (NSW & ACT), Centacare, Housing NSW, the Department of Attorney General and Justice, and members of the general public.
Concerted efforts are being made to enlist support of NSW secondary schools and the NSW Police Force in 2014, which will further share the load.
Bob Aitken explained that Rotary Clubs can lend support to the campaign in many ways –
  • Form a club Graffiti Removal Team – with funding from the NSW Government.
  • Provide volunteers to join and work with existing teams already doing splendid work in many areas.
  • Identify and nominate Graffiti sites in their domestic or business neighbourhoods.
  • Promote Graffiti Removal Day within their communities and encourage public involvement, which could provide a source of new members?
  • Make Graffiti Removal Day on October 26 a fun, social event with provision of a barbecue and refreshments for Graffiti Removal teams and volunteers.
This annual program is only possible through the very generous support of the NSW Government and major sponsor Dulux – by way of supply of paint and logistic support in the preparation and delivery of all resources.  Other significant sponsors include Smart Graffiti of Melbourne – supplier of removal chemicals, Selleys with provision of brushes, rollers, trays and other vital supplies, and Brookfield Johnson Controls who provided the cash component for an extensive media promotion campaign.
Many Rotary clubs have been inspired by Graffiti Removal Day and are maintaining sustained support with the establishment of permanent Graffiti Removal teams as part of their annual service programs – supported by State Government funding.
All information will be available on the official web site – www.graffitiremovalday.org.au   Email info@graffitiremovalday.org.au  or telephone 1300 665 310.