GRAHAM Brown is a numbers man. He is an accountant, organiser of Tidy Up Taree (TUT) Day and in recent days has been closely watching the volunteer head-count for the second clean-up event on May 4.
The number is increasing but a far-cry from the 150 people who worked to improve the central business district of Taree in November last year.
Today Graham says around 30 people have registered on the TUT website to volunteer their time and labouring skills this Sunday but he is hoping there will be a sudden rush of volunteer sign-ups during the next few days on the website www.tidyuptaree.com.au
This Sunday volunteers will be put to the task of improving Victoria Street between Manning and Macquarie Streets, as well as Manning Street between Victoria and Albert Streets. The rallying point will be the corner of Victoria and Manning Streets, opposite The Exchange Hotel.
Graham says early starters who are keen to help paint kerbs and street fixtures will need to meet at 6am and everyone else is welcome to come at any time during the morning.
Today the clouds have released steady rain in Taree and Graham is looking to the weekend weather forecast and hopes the wet weather will peter by Sunday.
The Manning River Times is a keen supporter of TUT and to help Graham try to boost local business team numbers it will award $500 in advertising to the team that takes out the inaugural King TUT Trophy. Graham says he hopes businesses will rally and use the event as a team building exercise.
However, it is the TUT Block Challenge with $1000 in reduced water charges from MidCoast Water that Graham is keen to see awarded to a really inspiring transformation within a residential area.
"The aim of the Block Challenge is to get residential areas involved, to make people look at their street and to try to improve its presentation," Graham explained.
The Block Challenge prizes will also see prizes awarded for:
* Most improved block
* Largest amount of rubbish collected
* Highest percentage of participants from a block and;
* Greenest block
To register as a volunteer, nominate your project, or upload a photo go to www.tidyuptaree.com.au