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USC students launch world record business
After enrolling in Education degrees at the University of the Sunshine Coast to become school teachers, Glass House Mountains couple Annemarie and Daniel Van Hees are also aiming to rewrite the environmental record books.
The parents of four children intend to not only teach other children about conservation, but also record history-making efforts to help Mother Nature across Australia.
They are establishing a new social enterprise called WILD World Records to document and reward feats relating to the environment as well as extreme fun.
Annemarie said the first attempt at a WILD World Record would be held on Saturday 25 June at Hervey Bay, with “The Largest Paddle-Out Human Circle in Support of Whale Conservation”.
The WILD record attempt will be part of the Bay’s National Whale Day celebrations, to be opened by veteran wildlife crusader Bob Irwin.
There will be talks from whale researchers, live music, markets and the screening of Oscar-winning documentary “The Cove” about a controversial dolphin hunt in Japan.
Annemarie said she and Daniel, who previously worked in retail, enrolled in USC degrees in 2009 to start new careers and follow their environmental passion.
“This world records idea started in 2007 when my young son wanted to do something for the conservation movement in memory of Steve Irwin,” she said.
After a knockback from Guinness World Records, the Van Hees family came up with their business idea for a regular publication recognising people’s efforts to save the natural world.
“My USC courses in Entrepreneurship, Business and Sustainability are excellent,” Annemarie said. “Mentors have helped me fine-tune our plan. We’ll show how the concept works on 25 June and officially launch it in September.”
She said the first book would be published after two years of record-taking, with a percentage of profits going to a community youth education service.
She was grateful to the volunteers and donations that will enable the paddle-out to go ahead in a burst of colour and camaraderie.
“It will be the first record of its kind,” Annemarie said. “Hervey Bay got 500 people involved last year and we’re hoping for 985 for the record.”
University students, staff and the general public interested in joining a busload of whale supporters for the event can contact the couple on 5496 9029 or auswildrecords@hotmail.com.
“We’re also seeking sponsorship for a bus to transport the Uni students, staff and locals to the Hervey Bay event,” she said.
– Julie Gatehouse