Emily Chapman Laing
Lynbrook locals took matters into their own hands as they left a rubbish-laden park sparkling clean.
Clean Up Australia Day was held on Sunday 5 March, with people Australia-wide confronting rubbish in streets and parks.
Lynbrook Residents Association member Dish Johnson created her own clean-up event, alongside fellow committee member Chris McCoy.
“Lynbrook Residents Association have been involved in Clean Up Day for many years,” Dish said.
“Both Chris and myself put our hands up to supervise the day as it is imperative that it continues in this community.
“Lynbrook is home to a wide range of wildlife/birdlife and reptiles, and the Banjo Paterson Park, along with many other of the smaller reserves and vast collection of trees in Lynbrook are home for them.
“It is our role as residents of this beautiful suburb to ensure that they are in a safe and clean environment, so that our children and families can enjoy them and in turn be safe and clean.”
Over 30 volunteers joined in the clean-up, ranging from children to residents 70-plus years old, including a local non-profit organisation.
“We were very fortunate to again have the Dabawenyos of Victoria Organisation come down to lend a hand, as they are dedicated to clean-up days,” Johnson said.
The Noble Park organisation went out of their territory to assist in the event.
“We thank all participants for joining us today and making DAVAO annual activities a success,” they said.
“Let’s continue to inspire people to clean up and conserve our environment.”
The volunteers collected 25 bags of rubbish over the space of two hours from the park area, with more trash being evicted from the lake.
“Plastics that are a hazard to the birdlife were found in the lake, along with an assortment of rubbish,” Dish said.
“We all celebrated our hard work with a barbecue, cold waters and a chocolate or two.”
Clean Up Australia has seen almost one million volunteers over 12,500 sites in the past year.
Unsurprisingly, plastics have been the number one offender.
“Plastics account for 63 per cent of the rubbish items removed from our parks, schools, bushland, creeks, beaches and roadways, indicating a 17 per cent increase from 2021,” they said.
“46 per cent of all reported rubbish found nationally was in waterways including beaches, rivers and dive sites, followed by parks (14 per cent) and bushland (13 per cent).
“Plastic litter dominated all locations, with most found in school grounds (79 per cent), bushland (74 per cent) and parks (60 per cent).”
The Lynbrook Residents Association is dedicated to keeping its special town out of these statistics.
“Lynbrook is a charming community. It has a small country town vibe, where people know one another and really like to get involved in the community,” Dish said.
“The LRA runs events throughout the year that highlights our cultural diversity, investment in the engagement and inclusion of all residents and celebrates our traditions.
“We have Pancake Day, Clean Up Day, Festival of Colours, Lantern Festival, Halloween and our Christmas Festival and Letters to Santa.
“You only have to go to the park of an evening to see how many community members enjoy our amazing parkland.
“There are children on bikes at the track, new mums walking together pushing their babies, families cooking at our barbecues, and people sitting watching the sunset over the lake. It really is a special place to live.”
Litter detracts from the wholesome and festive atmosphere that the LRA works so hard to create.
“Apart from being a visually unpleasant site to see, I have great concerns for the wildlife who have plastics and harmful rubbish pushed into their homes.
“We all want to enjoy our parklands when it is in its raw, natural state.
“We also have small children who are creating childhood memories in this parkland.
“Empty alcohol bottles, sharps and glass is just not necessary in our parks.
“We have rubbish bins supplied or you can take your rubbish home with you.”
The team worked tirelessly to collect as much rubbish as possible and leave the park in stellar condition, though some questioned the importance of collecting someone else’s trash.
“We all walked away really proud of our efforts,” Johnson said.
“What I was surprised with over the weekend, was people’s responses when I told them what my plans were for Sunday.
“Many of them responded with, ‘Why would you want to clean other people’s rubbish?’.
“It’s incredibly important to show our children that just because we didn’t make the mess, for the betterment of community, we need to all put our hand up and contribute what we can.
“Not only are you helping our gorgeous wildlife, we are providing our family and friends a safe and clean place to live and that is such a privilege.”
