MEDIA RELEASE

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO
THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SENATOR THE HON KAY PATTERSON

AA 00 49

28 Nov 2000

Canberra Rotary Helps to Remove Landmines from Cambodia

Australia’s Special Representative for Demining, Senator Kay Patterson, will congratulate the Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin on Wednesday 29 November for raising more than $6000 for the Destroy-A-Minefield Campaign.

'Special thanks must go to the Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin and it’s President, Mr Graeme Howieson, for their significant effort in raising money for the people of Cambodia,' Senator Patterson said.

The Destroy-A-Minefield campaign is an Australian Government initiative whereby the Government works together with the community to clear minefields in Cambodia. Every two dollars raised will be matched by one dollar from the Government.

Funds are used by Australian and Cambodian deminers to clear minefields in the provinces of Siem Reap and Battambang.

'These funds will also contribute to clearing mines from the ‘Sunrise Orphanage’ just outside the capital, Pnomh Penh. The ‘Sunrise Orphanage’ is well known to Australians as it was established by expatriate Geraldine Cox,' Senator Patterson said.

'The orphanage is being relocated to land that is unfortunately contaminated by landmines, so the Australian Government offered assistance through the Destroy-A-Minefield campaign to make the new orphanage site safe for children.'

Through the Australian Government’s overseas aid program, Australia funds demining, victim support and mine awareness in Cambodia. So far, Australian aid has helped cut by two thirds the number of Cambodians killed or maimed by landmines.

However, landmines are still widespread in Cambodia and a devastating one in every 384 people is an amputee due to landmines. World wide, one person is killed or maimed by a landmine every 20 minutes.

Australians can contribute to demining in Cambodia by supporting the Government’s successful Destroy-A-Minefield campaign by calling 13 32 40.

Media contacts: Louise Ahern (Senator Patterson’s office) 02 6277 3800 / 0409 034 403

Fionna Douglas (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489