The remarkable Ryan Hreljac Wollongong bound

Aug 03, 2006

Ryan Hreljac’s story is a remarkable heart-warming tale. Aged only six he made up his mind to help thousands of African children who die each year from waterborne disease.

Since then, 15-year-old Ryan has raised more than $1 million, helped more than 300,000 people access safe water by installing 175 wells and sanitation schemes and spoken to 100 million people around the world about water.

The young Canadian teenager who has twice appeared on the well-known US program, Oprah, and featured in an ABC-TV documentary late last year is heading to Australia with Wollongong the main focus for his visit.

Environmental engineering PhD student at the University of Wollongong, Luke Scott, is organising Ryan’s visit to Wollongong from Monday 7 August to Saturday 12 August which will include talks to 11 high schools followed by a final public address on 12 August entitled “Water, Life Sustainability”. The public lecture is the final event for the University of Wollongong’s International Week of festivities.

Ryan will share the stage at the public address with Arron Wood who has been named one of the world’s 25 most inspirational 25-year-olds. The 2001 Young Australian of the Year (Environment winner) founded and runs the international River Health Conference which uses hands-on student-based learning to teach children to respect and advocate for the environment.

Arron received the Centenary Medal for his outstanding contribution to conservation and environment in 2003.

Ryan recounts how every eight seconds, another person dies in the world because they do not have access to clean water. He says he wants to change that and that from the age of six he did extra chores to earn enough money to buy his first well to be installed in Africa.

The major sponsors for Ryan’s visit include the Community Banking Sector, UOW, Illawarra Mercury, Veolia Water, Wollongong City Council, Shellharbour City Council, Wave-FM, UniCentre and Lighthouse Church.

MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: Schedule for Ryan’s talks at Wollongong high schools (media wishing to visit one of the schools listed below MUST ring Luke Scott first – see contact details below)

* Wollongong (Monday 7 August, 10.30am); * Dapto (Monday 7 August, 1.30pm); * Edmund Rice (Tuesday 8 August, 10am); TIGS (Tuesday 8 August, 12.20pm); * Warilla and Lake Illawarra High (Wednesday 9 August, 10am); * Cedars (Wednesday 9 August, 2pm); * St Joseph’s (Thursday 10 August, 10am); * Figtree (Thursday 10 August, 2.05pm); * Bulli (Friday 11 August, 10am); * Smith’s Hill (Friday 11 August, 1.30pm).

Venue for Saturday 12 August, 7pm public lecture is the University Hall, University of Wollongong. Cost is $5 for adults (under 18s free). Profits go to Ryan’s Well Foundation. Tickets must be reserved by phoning the UniCentre Bookshop on 4211 8173 or on line at www.EdenEvents.com.au

For further information contact Luke Scott on 0413 547679.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128