MILDURA Rural City Council’s Clean Up Australia Day event at Etiwanda Wetlands encouraged several volunteers to come out on Sunday.
The location was chosen as it is a popular destination for recreational activities, including bird-watching and walking and each volunteer was provided with a pair of gloves and a bag for rubbish collecting.
Council environmental sustainability education officer Nardia Baker said the turnout was amazing.
“We’ve got more than 30 volunteers from all ages right down to six years of age,” she said.
“It helps that we’ve got a lovely day today as well, and it’s a popular area for recreation so people want to keep it tidy.
“It’s important to take care of where you live, and I think a lot of people really take pride in that.”
Ms Baker said the event served as a reminder for people to look after the environment, as well as highlighting the benefits of being out in nature.
“You don’t have to be coming here for a clean up day, you might just be walking around and pick up a bit of rubbish you see lying around,” she said.
“Of course we shouldn’t be littering at all, that’s the main goal and the hope is that one day we won’t need events like this.
“In the meantime, it’s nice to come together and volunteer for your community, it’s good to get together and connect.
“There are benefits for us, too, because we get the chance to interact, educate and engage with community members about environmental sustainability.”
