Anglesea community awarded for climate action

ANGLESEA Community House has won a statewide climate action award following efforts to divert 144 tonnes of non-organic material from landfill each year.

Since 2014, ‘The Anglesea Resale Shed’ otherwise known as ‘The Tip Shop’ has been run by the Anglesea Community House as a much-loved resource for shire residents to up-cycle and reduce waste.

Neighbourhood Houses Victoria held the awards for the network of 400 community houses found across the state which aim to respond to the needs of their communities.

The Anglesea Resale Shed won above two other regional projects including Heyfield’s ‘Mytown Microgrid Feasibility Study’ which endeavored to design a more sustainable and equitable local energy model, as well as ‘Climate Ready Maldon’ which encouraged the ageing town to get climate ready with practical home improvements.

Program and events coordinator Marcelle Renkin said the award recognised the work of the Anglesea Community House to involve the wider community in its sustainability initiative.

“We manage the Resale Shed which was set up by Jim Tutt, a former coucnillor of the shire, who was passionate about saving waste from landfill,” she said.

“We have about 16 community groups that volunteer to lend to the shop on a Saturday morning including a disability support group.

“All the money raised through the shop is then dispersed back to each community group that volunteers.”

The diverse community groups involved in the program include local sporting clubs, The Historical Society, local primary schools, The Men’s Shed, Lions Club, and community garden groups from across the shire.

While having raised $210,000 for the community to date, Ms Renkin said the shed also plays a significant role in helping people to understand the benefits of the circular economy.

“There is a space where people can put things that would otherwise end up in landfill like furniture, toys, bikes, wetsuits, surfboards, sporting equipment and tools,” she said.

“The items then get picked up by the recovery officer who selects what can be sold at the shed.”

Ms Renkin said the Surf Coast Shire Council has supported the program by employing the recovery officer and providing the licensing to sell the up-cycled treasures.

Along with winning a $500 donation, the Anglesea Community House is hoping to raise awareness for climate action in the region.

“We hope to inspire people to think more about non-organic waste and what they take to the tip, as well as things that can be up-cycled,” she said.

“We encourage people to visit ‘The Tip Shop’ as a first point of call to purchase up-cycled goods.”

The Anglesea Resale Shed is located at 50 Coalmine Road, Anglesea.