Celebrate the places you love to win
Australians are being encouraged to share pictures of their favourite outdoor attractions, to help in the fight to protect our country's most treasured natural assets from the effects of climate change.
It's all part of the new Earth Hour campaign, which this year celebrates "Places We Love" with a competition that will provide funding for grassroots environmental projects.
The Earth Hour team, in partnership with Bendigo Bank, hope to cover social media with images of Australia's favourite places, in the lead up to their lights out event at 8.30pm on Saturday 19 March.
As part of the Places We Love competition, entrants must upload their photo to Facebook or Instagram with an explanation of why they want to protect the place they love, using the hashtag #placeswelove.
Entrants will be in the running to win $500 for themselves and $500 in funding for an organisation that works to preserve a place that they love.
Bendigo Bank Executive Alex Tullio urged people to get involved by snapping a selfie in their favourite outdoor spot.
"These are places that make our Aussie lifestyle so great - our beaches, rivers, reefs, snow-capped mountains, farmland and national parks. Even our own backyards," Ms Tullio said.
"These iconic landscapes and marine ecosystems are under threat from rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events caused by carbon pollution."
Ms Tullio said the Bank's partnership with Earth Hour was part of its ongoing commitment to reducing its impact on the environment.
"We share the belief that a healthy economy and healthy environment go hand in hand. And that passionate people can make positive change.
"As the first bank in Australia to offer specialty loans for environmentally responsible products, we are excited to reward those who care about our planet."
This year Earth Hour will take place at 8.30pm on Saturday 19 March. For more information on the Places We Love competition, plus terms and conditions, visit www.bendigobank.com.au/earthhour.
