CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY !

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

Clean Up Australia Day is another event that speaks about vivid, unbeatable spirit of  Australians and  their attitude toward environment.

It was inspired by two major local events. The first one was “Clean- up Lake Macquarie” which was instigated on 1987 by Ivan Welsh as a Mayor of Lake Macquarie. The second one, “Clean-Up Sydney Harbour” happened in 1989. Ian Kiernan played leading and more than 40.000 volunteers responded to  the event and collected some 5.000 tonnes of rubbish. Finally in 1990, Clean-Up Australia Day was established as  a countrywide national event by then Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, when almost  300.000  volunteers  turned out.

Since then, every year Clean -Up Australia Day has attracted more Australians and in the past 20 years, the event has spread and developed into many different national projects and campaigns including Business Clean-Up Day, School Clean up Day, and Clean up the Alps and Clean up the Kimberley. The next step for Ian Kiernan and Kim McCay was to gain support from the United Nations Environment Programme to inaugurate Clean Up the World Day. This happened in 1993 and in the first year, the event involved aprox 30 million people in 80 countries. Annually, more than 35 million  from 120 countries around the world take part in activities on this day.

This year, Clean -Up Australia Day will be take place on Sunday, 4 March 2012. Everyone, who wants to become part of this event can participate simply by create or find a clean up site or turn up on the day at certain spots in  areas. All volunteers need to ensure their proper footwear and sun protection while bags and gloves will be provided by site supervisors. To find information about Clean Up Site just search the internet for information about activities in your local area. Kogarah Municipal Council has organized activities at eight Clean Up sites in different suburbs. The closest ones are HogbenPark, San Souci and Kogarah Bay.

This event has been supported by all types of communication media and covers the population from the youngest to the oldest one. There are many special TV shows, newspaper articles and internet sites. Children’s Saturday Disney programme is dedicated to Clean -Up Australia Day.  Queensland Senior’s Newspaper has a special article about this Event in last edition.

You can go and join the site you chose!

References:

-Wikipedia

- Channel seven

- Queensland Senior’s Newspaper

- www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Health problem associated with computers

This is a modern era. But, this is a era of modern health problems too.It is impossible to imagine modern life without computers.We use computers at work, at home,in train...Regular use of computers and lack of physical activities  bring us  various health problems.Most common are eyestrain and injuries to the wrists, neck and back and stress.

1. Eye Strain
To reduce symtomps of eyestrain (which consists off burning or itching eyes, blurring or double vision,
headache,nausea and fatigue )  it is recommended to:
-use quality monitors
-suitable lights
-use a screen filter
-keep eyes at least 18 inches from the screen
-regularly look away from the screen and focus on something in the distance
-take regularly breaks - at least 5 minutes break every hour

2.Back Pain
There are a some useful things that can help people to avoid back pain.These include:
-use of adjustable chair
-use footrests
-use adjustable monitor
-take regular breaks and exercise
-good posture- back straight and head up

3( RSI ) Repetitive strain injurey
Repetitive movements  over a long period of time can cause damage especially to the fingers and wrists,  To reduce this problems ensure the correct height of chair and work station, support wrists using wrist rests,
keep elbows close to your sides and make five minute breaks at least every hour,

4.Stress
Stress can be physical, emotional, psychological...It can be caused by many reasons:
- people don't understand computers  very well  and they are afraid off computers;
-Older people find very difficult   and stressful trying to keep up with new ideas and equipments.
- People feel  unsecure and monitored all the time,

5. Safety issues
It is recommended to pay special attention to the workplace area and ensure that :
- wires across or around the room are removed
- there is appropriate use of electrical sockets
- there is enough space around the desks for people to move
- there is adequeate ventilation and heating