Give back to make a real difference

DESTINATION Phillip Island partnered with the regenerative tourism alliance under the company Regeneration Projects and the Love Phillip Island Millowl campaign had businesses and community members volunteering their time on Monday morning cleaning up the Cowes foreshore.

The collaboration is trialing an environmental initiative to get the community involved in being active on Phillip Island, whether that be volunteering at a beach clean-up day, donating to plant a tree with Phillip Island Landcare, or helping future proof the little penguin habitat.

Serena Cabello of Destination Phillip Island shared that on Monday morning, volunteers were signing up at the Cowes pop up event – willing to take a bag and pick up rubbish during their morning walk, they would then dispose of it appropriately either at home or onsite in Cowes, where the Bass Coast Shire Council team were there to assist with correct disposal.  

Only half an hour into the community event, two bags of rubbish had been filled with volunteers finding glass, beer cans, cable ties from local markets and general waste, both on the foreshore and caught up in the bushes.

Serena shared that although the foreshore in direct sight looks quite clean, it is still important to share the message of disposing rubbish appropriately. “Volunteers can assist in cleaning up the beaches by registering online.”

“The Cowes event was managed by Destination Phillip Island, but Phillip Island Land Alliance have organised one in each area, with local coast care groups asking for more volunteers to lend a hand,” said Serena.

For more information on how to get involved, go online to www.visitphillipisland.com.au and help care for the wildlife by supporting a local environment project.