A group of eager volunteers from around the Central Coast rolled up their sleeves to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, March 2, as they hit the streets of Blackwall.
Bravely embracing a hot and humid morning, 12 dedicated volunteers, including three young children, collected rubbish from roads, parks and pathways.
In just over an hour, the team managed to fill five large bags with all sorts of waste.
Polystyrene and single-use coffee cups, straws and food wraps were abundant.
“We also picked a shocking number of cigarette butts which, being made of plastic, often break down and leach toxic chemicals that can be washed into our waterways,” a spokesperson said.
“We all got up a good sweat and possibly more than the usual daily steps, and we all got motivated by meeting beautiful people, the company of two cute dogs, and the rewarding feeling of doing something important for our community.
“We even had some awards at the end, such as The Treasure Hunter for finding a pair of very fancy boots.
“One of the participants said the day had been a great experience – well planned and organised.”
The effort highlights the power of community action.
“Events like these not only help clean up our surroundings but also raise awareness about the impact of everyday waste,” the spokesperson said.
“The Clean Up Blackwall crew hopes their efforts will inspire more people to take part in future clean-ups to pick up rubbish found.