The variety of cast away items never ceases to amaze us. Everything from mattresses, to disposable nappies (Eewwk). Vast quantities of drink containers in all shapes and forms as you might expect, but surprisingly volunteers picked up a heavy duty, well made wrought iron table frame and two matching chairs! Who throws this kind of stuff away?
But I get ahead of myself; A cross section of the community gathered at the hall last Sunday, bringing together representatives of all organisations in Preston Beach. The golf club had put in a several hours on Saturday due to prior golfing commitments on Sunday.
The weather was threatening and didn't disappoint, but our dedicated volunteers shrugged it off, getting on with the job of clearing away the unsightly litter despoiling the entrance to town. Which beggars the question, what ever happened to respect for your surroundings? Who are these people who think so little of a national park, the local fauna and our beautiful little town that they happily toss anything and everything out the window of the car? Are they illiterate, uneducated, despots or merely ignorant and arrogant? Perhaps a mix of all the above?
The most disturbing find for me were two containers that had held kiddies drinks. There they were on the roadside almost side by side, indicating they had been tossed together from a moving vehicle. I found this particularly disturbing because it was either thrown by an adult in the presence of children or thrown by children with the consent of adults! I shake my head...
Every year I ask the question, why don't we in WA impose the same deposit impost on all drink manufactures as they do in South Australia? We know it works.
Let's not put up with it. You can and you should report a litter bug or persons who dump illegally. Here's how to go about reporting them; http://www.kabc.wa.gov.au/litter-reporting.html
I'll get off my soapbox now.
Our band of workers set off in private vehicles, armed with sturdy gloves, fluoro jackets, mechanical grabbers (not sure what they are actually called but they work a treat) and dozens of orange rubbish bags which they dutifully stuffed with rubbish over several hours.
In a well coordinated effort, the Rangers came behind to collect the rubbish from the roadside and deposit it back at the hall for later collection and disposal by the Shire of Waroona.
All of this was rewarded with a sausage sizzle, a few stubbies and a glass or two of wine back at home base. Well deserved I'm sure you will agree.
A bedraggled, damp and cold group stuck it out in the shelter of the hall to devour the offerings. A few headed home for a hot shower and a set of dry duds before the footy game started, which was played on the big screen. Great to see everyone enjoy themselves after their hard work.
No comments:
Post a Comment