Berkley students show Australia what it takes to Clean Up

Media Release - 27 February 2009

Berkley Public School students today made their school grounds the envy of the Illawarra region by taking part in Schools Clean Up Day and joining with more than half a million other children across the country to help improve the environment.

Early estimates suggest that students from 2400 schools could have removed as much as 2,880 tonnes of rubbish from the environment.

Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan AO joined the Berkeley Public School students in Wollongong to assist with their Clean Up and said he hoped the efforts of the students will inspire others around the country to get involved in Clean Up Australia Day this Sunday.  

“I know many of the kids involved today will be back out again on Sunday with their families. It’s a good sign for the future that our younger generation has such a keen interest in doing something real to protect our environment,” Mr Kiernan said.

“Schools Clean Up Day is an opportunity to not only physically clean up the nation’s schools and surrounding areas but also to educate our younger generation about their personal impact on Australia’s beautiful environment and the damage our rubbish can cause.”

Mr Kiernan said that although Wollongong has a range of successful household recycling initiatives in place, there is always more we can and should be doing to limit our impact on the environment.

“It is important that the environment becomes something that we care for and consider in our everyday lives. Participating in Clean Up Australia Day is the first step towards improving our environment. After all, if you don’t help Clean Up Australia, who will?”

Anyone can still get involved in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday by visiting www.cleanup.org.au or by calling 1800 CUAD DAY (1800 282 329).

Berkley Public School students also received prizes from the Oscar award-winning waste collector robot Wall-E for their efforts.

Clean Up Australia Day has been made possible through the support of major sponsors: McDonald's, Veolia Environnement and Commonwealth Bank, sponsors: Sanyo, suppliers: Pro Safety Gear, Qantas, Shop-A-Docket and Stockland.


Further information or interviews:    Alana Mew, 0423 377 567