Torquay Lions dismayed by glass in New Year’s Day cleanup

THE Torquay Lions Club’s dawn cleanup of rubbish along Torquay’s foreshore on New Year’s Day has been left disappointed at the amount of broken glass they gathered.

According to Lions president Bill Ferguson, there was more broken glass scattered around than in 2019 or 2020.

“It concerns us greatly that the careless actions of a few counter those who mainly did the right thing,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We recovered more broken glass among the usual bottles, drink cartons and other general rubbish.

“Our Lions swept the foreshore from the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club to Zeally Bay Road and accumulated dozens of bags of rubbish.

“And there were other people doing their bit in removing some rubbish from the lawns, as we checked the beaches, lawns and bushes.”

Torquay Lions Club has cleaned the foreshore and surrounds for several years. They start at 6am as the sun rises and have the job done for the early morning walkers by between 7am and 7.30am.

The Lions leave collected rubbish in bags alongside Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority bins that are cleared as the Lions finish their task.

“We don’t want visitors to Torquay to experience dirty and dangerous foreshore and beaches, which leaves a bad impression of our delightful beachfront and environs,” Mr Ferguson said.

He also thanked his team of Lions who fronted the task so early after New Year’s Eve.

“However, glass is our biggest enemy,” Mr Ferguson said.

“It is difficult to spot in grassy areas, tedious to remove and always concerns us that we might miss some shards which can cause severe gashes in feet.”