3MDR has been gifted an orphaned Rhino named Maxwell!! We are now his proud foster parents and we couldn't be happier!! Thanks heaps Mark Jones... we think what you're doing is truly amazing and inspirational.
So, how did this happen? I hear you asking...
The basic story is, small steps make positive action for change.
One of 3MDR's fantastic presenters Jules met Mark Jones at the Rivoli Theatre at the launch of the Oceanagraphic International Film Festival back in March. Mark Jones' film was debuted as part of the launch and is called 'Ocean and Earth - One Heartbeat'. It is a short 4-5 minute piece on the sea life (often unreported) under our piers in Port Philip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula.
Too good an opportunity to miss, Mark joined Jules on the Sustainability Show to talk about his film on the 16th March. Conversations followed on FaceBook and Mark mentioned how he wanted to do something positive for the environment and proceeded to attempt to 'gift' elephants to schools. Initially this was intended to be anonymous, but this wasn't always possible. Being an ex-teacher, Jules suggested perhaps she could talk to Maccelsfield Primary's Principal about what a 'gift' might involve, to encourage a further small step of awareness. Mark then took it upon himself to 'gift EmFSus a 'tailless' elephant named Amalaya and 3MDR was gifted a baby black blind rhino called Maxwell .Bingo... 3 communities reached out of 1 conversation.
What do we need to do as custodian's of this 'gift' ? Basically just care!
Raise awareness of the plight of endangered/extinct species where possible, encourage others to take one small similar step. We can all do something!
Mark by the way is an Electrician by trade, happens to like diving and decided to do something with a portion of his income for 'a greater cause' ..... couldn't we all?
Mark will be the guest speaker at EmFSus on Monday 8th June, 7.30 in the local Emerald Library and his oceanic film and a short film on the 'Sheldrick Trust' projects will also be shown, so anyone interested in finding out more is welcome to attend.
In total Mark has worked with six schools, and has made eight individual gifts, which has seen fourteen orphans sponsored. He is also working with five more schools at the moment.
As Mark says... "This is my passion, my part in changing the world" and he challenges us to ask ourselves... "What can I do to care for someone or something today?"
SEE MORE ABOUT MAXWELL HERE