Do Something!

We are a new type of not-for-profit organisation that brings together the resources of the business community and the goodwill of the Australian public. We work to create and promote positive social and environmental change.

Left to right: Tina Jackson, Pat Cash & Jon Dee

Rather than talk about the problems, we seek to "do something" by building alliances between businesses, government and the community. We identify problems and then find answers that achieve measurable benefits for the environment and our community.

As part of our work, we campaign on environmental and social issues. Sometimes on our own, but more often in partnership with others. See our Campaigns section on this website for more detail on our work.

Who's behind 'DoSomething'?

'DoSomething!' was established by Planet Ark founders Jon Dee and Pat Cash in association with Tina Jackson, former Executive Director of the National Trust of Australia.

Jon Dee, Managing Director

Jon Dee is the Managing Director of DoSomething! and was its founding Chairman. He is the 2010 NSW Australian of the Year and one of Australia's most influential environmental campaigners. Since 1992, he has inspired millions of Australians to make positive environmental and social change. In 1991 Jon and Pat Cash founded the environment group Planet Ark. In his 15 years heading up Planet Ark, Jon instigated National Recycling Week, the National Recycling Hotline, and RecyclingNearYou.com.au which is used by over a million Australians every year. He also founded National Tree Day with Olivia Newton-John, an event for which 2 million volunteers have planted over 15 million trees. Jon founded World Environment News, the world's leading environmental news service used annually by eight million people. In a personal capacity, Jon initiated the successful lobbying campaign for Australia's three year phase-out of incandescent light globes.

In 2008, Jon joined with Pat Cash and Tina Jackson to found DoSomething! Since its inception, the organisation has established a series of innovative campaigns to bring about real and measurable change.

Tina Jackson, Chair

Tina Jackson is the Chair of DoSomething! and was its founding Managing Director. Tina has over 20 years experience as a manager and director of organisations spanning the environment, architecture, arts, culture and media. As Executive Director of the National Trust of Australia NSW Tina led a range of campaigns to protect and save Australia's endangered natural and built heritage. Prior to running the National Trust she was Practice Manager of Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp, Manager of the NSW Institute of Architects and CEO of Arts Training Australia. She has held senior positions in the ABC and ABC Staff Association, was a management consultant with firms such as Cullen Egan Dell and has managed her own consultancy practice. She began her career at the University of Sydney where she studied and taught Industrial Relations.

Pat Cash, Board Director

Pat Cash first came to the tennis world's attention as a junior player in the early 1980s. The crowning moment of his career came when he won Wimbledon in 1987. He continues his international involvement in tennis as a respected player, coach and TV commentator.

Together with his friend, Jon Dee, Pat founded Planet Ark in June 1991. He fronted a range of Planet Ark campaigns and was active as a roving ambassador for the organisation. In November 2008 Pat joined with Jon and Tina Jackson to found DoSomething! The Pat Cash Foundation contributed significant start up funds to help establish DoSomething! Over the years, Pat has also helped a number of other charities including the 'Orchid Cancer Appeal' (to help the fight against male cancers) and the charity 'Goal' who work to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable have access to the fundamental needs and rights of life.

Ben Kearney, Board Director

Ben Kearney was the director of the campaign to establish Coles Bay as Australia's first plastic shopping bag-free town in 2003. He was Tasmanian of the Year in 2005 and was Australian of the Year - Local Hero in the same year. He has extensive experience in small business and tourism in various roles including President of the Freycinet Tourism Association, Board Member of the Baking Industry Association of Tasmania and has also been a Churchill Fellow. Ben is currently National Policy Manager of the Australian Newsagents Federation, Executive Officer of the Lottery Agents Association of Tasmania and is also a member of the Tasmanian Climate Action Council that advises the Tasmanian Government on meeting its legislated emissions targets.

Sharyn Lowe, Board Director

Sharyn and Jon have a long association and together conducted major recycling initiatives in the early 1990s when Sharyn was Coles Supermarkets national PR Manager. These included the highly successful the Cards for Planet Ark campaign. Sharyn has over 20 years experience in PR and corporate communications. In addition to operating her own communications firm, she is also a senior retail consultant and advisor with a passion for sustainable fashion.

Our Staff

Luke Barnes-Jones

Luke Barnes-Jones is the General Manager for DoSomething! Originally from the UK, he has worked previously within the commercial sector as Category Manager specialising in the buying and development of consumer electronics. With key skills leant from this role, he progressed to offer work as a Commercial Consultant to help businesses change their processes and systems to become more efficient resulting in a time or cost benefit gain.

Having now moved into the community, not-for-profit sector in Australia, he relishes the fresh challenge and opportunity that it presents. In addition to his job role at Do Something! he manages the finance of the organisation and always takes the time to get his creative side flowing with graphic design.

Thea Soutar

Thea joins DoSomething! as Project Communications Manager. An honours graduate of Social Science from the University of Sydney, Thea has worked in the humanities as a researcher, writer and consultant at the University of Sydney, ABC Radio National and as a children's literature specialist. Her passion for working in the field of social change derives from her studies in history, the experience of which taught her that nothing is static and only change is inevitable.

She likes heated debates, environmental politics and sifting through the exorbitant amounts of food porn that her job entails.

Melanie Hardwick

Mel Hardwick is the Campaign Manager for DoSomething! Mel previously worked with Tina and Jon at a PR agency, and in 2008 moved with them when Do Something! was founded. She has extensive office management skills as well as knowledge of the media industry which she utilises to help generate interest, to further campaign awareness.

Mel is proud to be involved in the continuing success of the organisation's initiatives, from their inception to their continued growth. Alongside this, she manages social media and enjoys the connections that are created though it, meeting like-minded others who also wish to make positive change.

Got a question? Like to know more?

For partnership, sponsorship or media enquiries, please email us or call:

Sydney Office

Ph: +61 2 9519 8766