3230 Rubbish Rangers celebrate one year of keeping our coast pristine

KEEPING our coastlines pristine and rubbish free for one year was formally celebrated by the 3230 Rubbish Rangers, with cakes and plenty of rubbish being collected to mark the occasion.

The Rubbish Ranger branch, in conjunction with the Aireys Inlet and Torquay-based teams, celebrated their one year birthday milestone in style at the Anglesea Community Gardens last week, with members enjoying the day of festivities around a warm firepit.

“It was great to share our birthday celebrations with members of the Anglesea, Torquay and Aireys Inlet Rubbish Ranger groups at the Community Gardens in Anglesea on what was a day of fun with plenty of laughs,” 3230 Rubbish Ranger leader John Mcintyre said.

“We’ve made so many great friendships through our work in the last year, it was amazing to celebrate our hard work.

“Over the last year our group numbers have grown from single figures to having close to 30 different helpers each weekend.

“These volunteers have ranged from school children to retired 80-year-olds who want to assist in keeping the community tidy.”

After the group was brought into action by Mr Mcintyre in May last year, the community volunteers have amassed plenty of interesting items, some of which include designer cocktail dresses and plenty of underpants.

“We collect all sorts of things, and sometimes it’s not just pie wrappers and plastic,” Mr Mcintyre said.

“Usually we are collecting near the river, around the town centre and near the sporting facilities.

“You just never know what you’ll find.”

Mr Mcintyre said the group is not only about collecting and cleaning up our beautiful coastline, but also about making social connections and having a laugh and fun with likeminded members of the community.

The group continues to be humbled by the efforts of all its volunteers as well as their generous supporters including Anglesea Lions, Bunnings Torquay, Hayden Real Estate, Rusty Anchor, Bendigo

Bank, Anglesea Community House, Anglesea Men’s Shed and many more.

They also were grateful for the Rubbish Rangers themed cake prepared by Oaks Bakery to celebrate the birthday milestone.

You can find the Anglesea Rubbish Rangers collecting on Saturday mornings, with the group embarking on their rubbish mission from the Anglesea Bowls Club each weekend.