Step up and clean up

Mornington Peninsula resident Susan Breskvar can’t understand why people litter our beautiful beaches and parks. Susan is one of many who are hosting an event on Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, March 5, to pick up rubbish that others leave behind.

“Nobody wants to go out and see rubbish in public areas when you’re walking your dog or socialising,” Susan says. “I just feel the need to pick it up. When you think about it, the streets, the park, beachfront . . . it’s all really just an extension of our backyard, and you wouldn’t throw rubbish in your backyard, so I’m not sure why there’s so much rubbish around in public places.”

Since the first Clean Up Australia Day in 1990, more than 20 million Australians have taken part in what’s become the nation’s largest community-based environmental event. Local clean-ups are planned at 25 locations across the Peninsula. Events are organised by individual community members, youth groups, schools, and businesses.

Susan’s event will be held on the foreshore opposite 1777 Point Nepean Rd, Capel Sound from 9am-noon. BYO gloves, and you can pick up an empty rubbish bag from the back of Susan’s ute and join the crew to clean up the foreshore. Whether you can join in for three hours or half an hour, everyone is welcome and every bit of effort helps clean up our environment.

“I think deep down everyone wants to live in a clean place. I’m hoping the event gets bigger and bigger and that even seeing people picking up rubbish might trigger something for people to think ‘hey, if we don’t throw it in the first place we don’t have to pick it up’.”

To find an event near you to join, go to https://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/joina-clean-up and enter your postcode.