Step Up to Clean Up this Clean Up Australia Day

Now is the time to register or join a clean-up site to help keep Maroondah beautiful during Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 7 March 2021.

First held in 1990, Clean Up Australia Day continues to attract hundreds of thousands of volunteers from communities, schools and businesses across Australia each year to help clean up, fix up and conserve the environment.

Councillor Marijke Graham, one of Council’s representatives on the Maroondah Environment Advisory Committee, said it was wonderful to see both individuals and groups taking initiative by coordinating clean-up sites across the municipality.

“The Maroondah community has always shown strong support for Clean Up Australia Day and we value the many volunteers who keep coming back to join in the clean-up of our community spaces,” Cr Graham said.

The Mullum Mullum Creek Trail in Ringwood, Ringwood Lake, local schools and reserves are so far among Maroondah sites to be registered for the annual clean-up event.

“On average, 1.6 tonnes of rubbish is collected in Maroondah during these clean-up events, which just goes to show how much of a difference can be made if we all do our bit,” Cr Graham said.

“I’d like to thank those community groups, committees and individuals who have already registered a clean-up site and I’d encourage others to join or register one of their own sites. Think of places that are important to you – for example your local park, sporting fields, waterways, walking tracks and neighbourhood streets,” she said.

The Clean Up Australia Day campaign has grown to include other events – Business Clean Up Day, Schools Clean Up Day and Youth Clean Up Day.

“This year, Business Clean Up Day is on Tuesday 2 March. We encourage local businesses to lead the way and demonstrate their environmental credentials by registering a clean-up site at or near their business, and then encourage staff and customers to participate. It can make for an effective team-building opportunity,” Cr Graham said.

Schools Clean Up Day and Youth Clean Up Day will be held on Friday 5 March.

“Schools Clean Up Day is a fun and engaging way to teach young people about taking responsibility for their local environment and taking pride in keeping it clean. Youth Clean Up Day also creates an opportunity for youth-based groups such as local scouts and guides to get involved as a team,” Cr Graham said.

“The rest of the community can easily get involved too, during Clean Up Australia Day 2021 on Sunday 7 March,” she said.

“Remember, you don’t have to register to be part of the movement. We encourage all members of our community to get involved, even in a small way, whether it be picking up rubbish along their street or while out on a walk.

“Even beyond these particular events, the responsibility lies with all of us to dispose of our rubbish responsibly, each and every day,” Cr Graham added.

Council supports the local clean-up efforts and will be collecting rubbish bags from community members cleaning up sites on public land. Please email [email protected] or call 1300 88 22 33 should this service be required.

Like a lot of things, this year’s Clean Up Australia Day will look a little different than usual, however we strongly encourage the community to still get involved.

You must ensure that your Clean Up event is compliant with current Victorian rules for public gatherings.

To ensure the health and safety of volunteers and of the broader community, COVID-safe Clean Up kits have been introduced that include individual gloves and bags for each volunteer to ensure no materials are shared.

Volunteers are urged to bring their own hat, gloves, sunscreen, drinking water and wear closed-toe shoes.

For more information about running your event safely, visit the

To find out about registered locations near you, or to register your involvement and receive a free COVID-safe Clean Up kit, visit the Clean Up Australia Day website or call 1800 282 329.