Dutch Thunder to host Clean Up Australia Day event in Cobram

Event organiser and Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue operator Kylee Donkers said they were hosting the event to raise public awareness of the impact of rubbish on wildlife.

“We do a lot of community events each year to try and heighten awareness of effects we have on the environment,” she said.

“We get a lot of wildlife entanglement in rubbish ... we’ve had snakes with their heads stuck in cans, kangaroos with their heads stuck in plastic jars and buckets.”

“A lot of the time it’s a really negative outcome for the animals, being entangled in things for a long time.”

“A lot of community members already are out there on a weekly basis to clean up the bush ... this is just a great way to formalise it a little.”

The Cobram event will run from 10.30am to 3pm along River Rd, with registration beginning at 10am.

Community participants will also receive a free clean-up kit with bags and gloves to help.

“It doesn’t matter how many people come along, it doesn’t matter if it’s half a dozen or 50, as many as we can get on the day will make a difference,” Ms Donkers said.

Clean Up Australia chair Pip Kiernan said it was more important than ever to get involved in Clean Up Australia Day.

"There’s no better time than right now to show that you care,“ she said.

“While we have been encouraged by the strong interest from communities right across Australia, more rubbish is entering our environment by the day, so we need everyone to get involved.”

For more information on the event, call Kylee Donkers at Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue on 0417 560 910.