The volunteer program that clears rubbish from the Brisbane Water foreshore, Clean4Shore, has been chosen as the NSW Grand Champion and state representative at the National Landcare Awards.
Clean4Shore was one of the three NSW Champions chosen in the Coastcare category and will now be the NSW representative in that category at the National Landcare Awards in 2018.
Clean4Shore teaches children and adults how to keep the waterways and foreshores clean, according to co-ordinator Mr Graham Johnson.
“We have created a winning formula for retaining taught knowledge in the community by enabling participants to receive practical, hands-on experience taking volunteer groups on excursions removing tonnes of garbage via inflatable rescue boats and oyster barges,” Mr Johnson said.
“These excursions target specific problem areas for the region and provide much-sought-after relief for our marine environment to thrive again,” he said.
“Clean4Shore is about educating while doing the clean up and clear out of pollution from our foreshores and mangroves.
“Local schools and businesses can take part in our educational excursions that will impact themselves, their environment and their community,” he said.
According to the notes from the Landcare Awards, Clean4Shores history of successfully engaging with community groups including schools, youth, disability, disadvantaged and the corporate sector was one of its competitive strengths in the judging.
The awards were announced at the NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference in Albury on Thursday, October 26.
SOURCES:
Website, 26 Oct 2017
Graham Johnson, Clean4Shore
Media release, 26 Oct 2017
Chris McCulloch, Landcare