a load of rubbish (and a big smile)

It was smiles all around on Saturday 23rd October, when we had completed our first Big Spring Clean Up.  Some of our bushland and parks are now a lot tidier.

Seven volunteers at Moulton Wetland Park worked tirelessly for over an hour and a half to collect this modest haul of rubbish (photo below).  Don't be deceived - there are a lot of bottle caps and tiny pieces of paper and plastic in those bags!  And some weeds...

Here's what they collected from Woodlake Park.  There were twice as many volunteers at this site, so naturally they collected twice as much rubbish...or did they actually work twice as hard for half the time??  But they certainly found some interesting litter, including a cheque book and an electric drill.

Not to be outdone, the volunteers at The Vines decided to clean up their whole neighbourhood...I heard that Ailsa Park became a rubbish collection depot rather than a mere clean up site.  

Volunteers enjoyed a sausage sizzle afterwards, and there were various awards and prizes given out for their wonderful cleaning work.  A good effort, everyone!  I'm looking forward to the Big Spring Clean Up in 2011. (Keep your eye on this website!)

Getting excited about rubbish...

It's almost that time of year again - Clean Up Australia Day!  It's a pleasure to walk around in a patch of bush with people picking up rubbish, knowing that we are doing a service to the community.  

This year is Clean Up Australia Day's 20th year. So far, three Clean Up events have been organised for Ellenbrook and The Vines.  Click on the links for info about times and contact details, or to add yourself to the list of volunteers.

Charlotte's Vineyard - Sunday 28th February at Moulton Wetland Park - link
The Vines - Sunday 7th March at Ailsa Park - link
Coolamon - Sunday 7th March at Mornington Park aka "The Billabong" - link

If you want to organise your own event, please go to the Clean Up Australia Day home page for more info - http://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/