Rob Shehadie will be kicking off another year of jet ski safety campaigns commencing Australia day 2012. The 2011 “tuck it eazy” campaign received nation wide media coverage and also won a government award.

Australia Day at Botany Bay: Jet ski Campaign. Media release

Roads and Maritime Services will roll out the first of five lightning strike education campaigns targeting personal watercraft (PWC) behaviour on Australia Day around Botany Bay and the Georges River.

Maritime Services Operations Manager Botany Bay/ Port Hacking Graeme Dunlavie said actor and comedian Rob Shehadie would spearhead the ‘Take it Easy’ campaign.

“Personal watercraft, otherwise known as jet skis, are popular in and around Botany Bay,” Mr Dunlavie said.

“This campaign is about reaching out to young men who use PWC in places such as Brighton Le Sands and Revesby.”

“Rob, who played Rocky from Fat Pizza for 12 years, will use humour when he gets out among the PWC riders encouraging them to observe the rules for safe and responsible boating, and to take it easy,” Mr Dunlavie said.

“Rob understands that while it is definitely good fun to head out on the water on a PWC, it is crucial for safety reasons for riders to apply care, courtesy and common sense. While the majority of PWC riders are responsible, there is a minority who either ignore or become complacent about safety.

“Rob is helping to raise safety awareness and to reach out to young men who may be tempted to take risks.”

A special licence is required to drive a PWC regardless of what speed it is driven. To obtain a PWC licence, the general boat licence test must first be passed. Riding a PWC between sunset and sunrise is prohibited, regardless of whether navigation lights are fitted.

To promote safe and responsible use of PWC, Roads and Maritime Services developed the ‘Ride Right’ safety package – including a DVD, a mobile phone pouch, a behaviour sticker to attach to all PWC, a flier, a booklet outlining safety requirements and website – aimed to promote safe and responsible use of the craft.

Mr Dunlavie said after Australia Day, another four lightning strikes education campaigns targeting PWC will take place prior to the end of the close of the official boating season at the end of the Easter long weekend.

“This education work that Rob is helping us with is not about compliance and fining people for doing the wrong thing. It is more about educating people on PWC so everyone on the water – including other boaters and swimmers – can share the waterways safely,” Mr Dunlavie said.

“When riding a PWC, remember to: keep a proper look out; keep to a safe speed; slow down to under 10 knots when near other vessels, the shore or people; carry your PWC licence; observe local navigation restrictions; and always wear a lifejacket.

Roads and Maritime Services is collaborating with Cultural Partners Australia, who specialise in working with culturally diverse communities, in this safety education campaign.

For more on using a PWC safety see: http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/rec_boating/pwc.html

For Rob Shehadie’s PWC safety tips go to:

Media contact: Penny Robins 0457 756 797

Regards

Rob Shehadie

I spent an evening with my old friend Joe Esposito in Melbourne, raising money for cancer at a fundraiser called Taking Care of Cancer (TCC)

I was MC on the night to a room filled with big Elvis fans who came together to help raise money.

Joe Esposito met Elvis in the army and went on to work for him for 18 years. They became the best of friends and Joe was Elvis’ best man at his wedding.

Another special guest on the night were the sweet inspirations: Estelle Brown (pictured) She was Elvis’ back up singer from 1969-1977

Regards

Rob Shehadie

Make sure you check it out October 24th on SBS @10pm

One night only in Melbourne 16th November

The Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesley presented the NSW Community Education Project of the Year Award to NSW Maritime for its Take it Easy campaign.

Read more about it:
http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/news/media-jetski2011.html

It features Mario Fenech, Tahir, Nathan & Hayley Bracken, Phil Gould, Singers, politicians, entertainers, Footballers etc etc

What do a dozen sports stars, politicians, businessmen and entertainers have in common? They’re standing up to bullies.

A coalition of well-known Australians have thrown their support behind a new anti-bullying campaign created by anti-bullying organisation Underdogs. Thecampaign aims to raise awareness of bullying and remind Australians that standing up to bullies is everyone’s responsibility.

Underdogs’ anti-bullying ambassadors include rugby league commentator Phil Gould, former cricketer Nathan Bracken and his wife Hayley, Australian wicket keeper BradHaddin, hot new singing sensation Elen Levon, and politician-turned charity CEO Reba Meagher.

The campaign also has the support of the NSW Government.

Underdogs is the brain child of Christian Marchegiani, an NRL/AFL boxing trainer. He was bullied for being overweight and Italian when he was a teenager, and knows how the effects of bullying can damage lives.

“Too many people turn a blind eye when they see bullies, and don’t want to get involved,” he says. “A quick word of support for the victim can make an enormous difference.”

Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli says “Christian’s story and his work to combat bullying are truly inspiring but whole-of-community solutions are required because it is everyone’s responsibility to stop bullying”.

Former NSW minister Reba Meagher joined the campaign to raise awareness for victims of bullying in the home. “An aggressive, domineering partner, parent of sibling can turn a home into a living hell from which escape can seem impossible,” she says. “We all have a responsibility to help free victims of domestic bullying.”

Mario Fenech wants to help stop bullying of people from different cultural backgrounds – a lesson he learned from personal experience. “Growing up in Australia in the 70’s with a name like Mario was like having a tattoo on my forehead reading ‘please bully’,” says Mario.

Other ambassadors include Penrith Panthers player Sandor Earl, CEO of LivingSocial Colin Fabig, netballer Susan Pratley, Fat Pizza comedians Tahir Bilgic and Rob Shehadie.

They will take their message to schools, workplaces and community organisations. A community service television commercial will launch on FTA & Pay TV this Tuesday.