SEVERAL Pioneer children set the example on making the community look nicer by cleaning up rubbish in the Great Northern Clean-up on Sunday morning.
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Kasmira, 11, Tiffany, 8, and Benji King, 5, could have slept in, but chose to clean the Minnie Davis Park around 8am that morning instead.
They were among the children who did not hesitate to remove the cans, fast food containers and plastic bags, wisely leaving the smashed bottles on the road for the chaperoning adults.
PCYC manager Sergeant Gina Scott was part of the group who cleaned the park, which was already well maintained. On Thursdays the PCYC held an after school program there, during which children were encouraged to clean rubbish for lollipops.
She said Sunday’s clean-up was “fantastic”.
“It is encouraging a really healthy way of looking after the community and taking ownership,” Sergeant Scott said.
“It’s a family event. It may not take off this time but these kids will remember this one. On Thursday they will be excited and tell the other kids and will pass on the message. I may be a little hopeful but we have got to start somewhere.”
Headspace engagement officer Chris Doyle, Spinifex State College’s new school based police officer Renee Matthew, and Sunset State School principal Bryon Burke also cleaned on Sunday morning.
Mr Burke was proud his students were contributing to the cleaning.
“They are good kids. It just extends on what we do in the school.
“They learn a bit of responsibility, they learn a bit about recycling, they learn a bit about caring for the environment.”
Headspace youth engagement officer Chris Doyle said it would be good for people to see children cleaning up the area they live in.
“Just being out here today is a good thing, encouraging adults and older kids to look after the area today.”
The Mount Isa City Council has recorded two tonnes of litter collected during the entire Mount Isa clean-up. 1.5 tonnes of dumped tyres have also been collected.
“The reduction in the waste collected this year is a true reflection of the community efforts to keep the town tidy,” council spokeswoman Jasmine Barber said.
“There was far less rubbish found dumped in the bush areas and less litter lying around than any previous years.”
Council’s waste management officer Caitlin Pfrunder said cans would be separated for recycling for the first time in Mount Isa’s cleanup.
These cans would be sold to Mount Isa Metal Recycling with the proceeds donated to the Australian Leukemia Foundation, Ms Pfrunder said.