2003

7th April 2003
Knights and Other Groups Back 'Wet and Wild' Weekend
Newcastle Knights fullback Robbie O'Davis feels strongly about being involved in community activities that bring about positive change for people and their environment. While he grew up in Queensland he now calls Newcastle home and believes that he has benefited from the support of the Hunter community and is committed to finding ways to "give back to that community".

That's one of the reasons why he is getting behind 'Wet and Wild', a special event taking place this weekend as part of the International Year of Fresh Water.

Robbie says that the availability of fresh water is something that we take for granted. "Like most things in life, it's not until we don't have it that we realise how dependent we are on it. But unlike most things, we need fresh water to exist."

'Wet and Wild' will be a weekend jam-packed with fun, entertainment and thought-provoking activities centred around the theme of water. Organised by the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, it will be held at Riverwood Downs (near Dungog) this weekend April 11-13.

According to Paul Toohey, Diocesan Young Adult Ministry Coordinator and event organiser, "The weekend has been designed to meet the needs of all ages. It's an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together to raise awareness and galvanise action to better manage and protect this crucial resource".

Other organisations involved in 'Wet and Wild' include Caritas Australia, Amnesty International, The Wilderness Society, Landcare, Hunter Water, Land and Water Conservation, Native Animal Trust, Youth Off the Streets, The Australian Reptile Park, Water Watch and the Westpac Helicopter Rescue.

Families, groups or individuals are encouraged to come and stay for the whole weekend or just come for the day.

WATER FACTS AND FIGURES

• 1.1 billion people lack access to safe water, roughly one-sixth of the world's population
• One flush of a Western toilet uses as much water as the average person in the developing world uses for a whole day's washing, drinking, cleaning and cooking
• Some 6,000 children die each day from diseases associated with unsafe water, poor sanitation, hygiene
• Unsafe water and sanitation cause an estimated 80% of all diseases in the developing world
• Water use has grown at twice the rate of population during the past century. The Middle East, North Africa and South Asia are chronically short of water
• Over-pumping groundwater for drinking water and irrigation has caused water levels to decline by tens of metres in many regions, forcing people to use low-quality water for drinking

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