Teenagers help clean the beach

MOST teenagers slave over the deep fryer in a fast food store to earn some pocket money over the school break, but for 15-year-old Jessie and 17-year-old Connor, working for the Bellarine Bayside Beach Cleaning Crew this summer has proven to be a great way to earn cash, meet new people and make a difference to the coastal environment.

Jessie, a Torquay local and Connor, a visitor from Avondale Heights, are just two of the five-person team who walk up to eight kilometres a shift along the Portarlington Foreshore and coastal reserves to pick up rubbish that would otherwise end up in the sea or on the beach.

“Saving the ocean from this sort of pollution is really important,” Jessie said. Connor agreed.

When asked to identify the most common rubbish item the pair discover on an average working day, he answers quickly and without hesitation. “Cigarette butts. They’re everywhere and they’re just so bad.”

Among countless cigarette butts, plastic bottles, broken glass, bottle caps and old wrappers and packets are picked up by the team.

It doesn’t take long for the bins they carry to fill. The worst discoveries are the soiled nappies. On one occasion, a dead cat was found.

“We took the poor thing to the vet to have its microchip checked and its owners notified,” recalled Jessie. Chris Dolley, supervisor of the Bellarine Bayside Beach Crew, said he could not be more impressed with the work ethic shown by his crew.

“While their mates are on holiday, these five young people are ready and waiting to start work at 7.30am sharp.

“They’re achieving great results and our campers are very pleased with how clean the beach is.”  Decked out in high-vis vests complete with hats, gloves and boots, Jessie and Connor are proud to do their bit for the oceans and environment.

“People really need to learn to pick up after themselves,” Jessie said.