Volunteers dive in to clean-up

Tourism Kiama estimates that more than half-a-million people visit the Kiama Blowhole every year.

On Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, Kiama Council turned its attention to cleaning up the waters of the famous natural attraction.

A team of volunteer divers from Windang Dive and Spearfishing dived in and around the Blowhole and Kiama Harbour to remove any underwater rubbish.

A dive to clean up the ocean floor helped to ensure that natural habitats for marine life are left in tact.

Last year the council’s targeted clean-up site was the Minnamurra River, where more than 100 volunteers turned out to retrieve 500kg of rubbish.

An overall total of 1.5 tonnes was collected from the 25 sites registered by more than 300 volunteers.

Some of the unique items retrieved from the river included a large truck tyre and various car parts.

This year the council again provided support for the area’s Clean Up Australia Day campaign, which took place from Tuesday, February 26, with schools participating on Friday and the main clean-up taking place on Sunday.

All schools, businesses and individuals were congratulated for joining the national undertaking with local clean-up teams targeting our beaches, waterways, bushlands, parks and other areas throughout the municipality.

Gerringong Lions Club joined with the community on Sunday and collected 22 bags of rubbish and assorted items such as fencing panels, car batteries and a mooring pole.

They were collected at a variety of sites around the local area.

Werri Beach came in for attention as Gerringong Nippers began their last morning with an emu parade along the beach.

The bush-covered dunes between the beach and the walkway received a good going over from The Culey family, producing six full bags of rubbish.

Lions combed the cemetery and along the foreshore at Boat Harbour, while another team scouted the banks of The Crooked River at Gerroa.

Site supervisor Dave Peade said all involved had done a great job and had made Gerringong a cleaner place to live.

On Friday, Kiama Public School students participated in the annual Clean Up by demonstrating respect and responsibility.

The students took the job very seriously and came to school well prepared, with gloves and lots of enthusiasm. Classes could be seen everywhere on Friday, busy doing their bit to “Clean up Australia”.