The Cleaning Crusaders

Many of their stories are too confronting to tell. Needless to say, they regularly face dirty and dangerous conditions to keep us safe. Yet every day they get on with the job, with a smile to boot.

Art, Larry, Scott, and Jeremy clean the public amenities across our shire, including toilets, seating, barbecues, and drinking fountains.

Every morning before the break of dawn they are up and hard at work. Each team member covers one of four zones. Zones one to three covers public amenities across the shire, while zone four takes care of Council’s depot, waste management centre, and animal shelter.

Art has more than 40 years’ experience in the cleaning industry and has been working with Council for 17 years now. He says the first two hours of his shift in Ballina CBD are often spent removing rubbish from the streets, while his colleague Larry does the same in Alstonville CBD.

“I think many people never give a thought to cleaners, but we work in an environment that very few would want to work in,” says Art. “We have everyone’s safety in mind, every day, every week and we’re working hard to keep our public assets clean and fresh.” The team recently received a Team Innovation Award (an internal staff recognition program) for their outstanding efforts since the COVID -19 pandemic started.

Without hesitation, the team ramped up their schedule back in March to fit in additional touch point cleans throughout the day including additional cleans to our public amenities, Council’s work depot, animal shelter, waste management centre, and Burns Point Ferry.

While a downside is dealing with messy situations, the flipside is that positive feedback really helps. Art says he has noticed an increase in compliments since the COVID pandemic started.

“Our routine every day is to make sure the facilities are maintained to a high standard anyway, but I think because of COVID the public is more aware now and they see what we do,” he says.

“The most rewarding part is getting that feedback. The end result is to make sure the public is happy and if they are happy, then our job is as easy as it gets.” Our cleaners are the unsung heroes keeping us safe each and every day. If you see one of our team members, give them a wave and show them your appreciation.