The Cove Program Year 9 students grabbed a glove and a garbage bag and lent their hand for this year's Clean Up Australia Day along Scotts Creek. The Year 9 cohort was led by the experienced, local bare foot runner Marc Lee who kindly guided our students through the dense bushland with an abundance of beautiful nature and creatures along the way. Marc helped students dig deep for rubbish in a new, challenging environment. The result was formidable with around 26kg of rubbish collected and not flowing into Fig Tree Bay and the ocean.

Students were challenged by tricky and slippery terrain near the banks of Scotts Creek making their way across boulders and along narrow paths and steep inclines. While looking after the environment, students build a better connection as custodians of the beautiful surrounds of the school, its bushland and waterways. They will feel empowered to continue to take positive action and raise awareness to make their school and community the cleanest place it can be. It also gives them a sense of place and builds humility in doing voluntary service to the community they are a part of.

We thank Marc for his leadership and expertise explaining his longstanding work for the bush and holding Willoughby Council accountable for doing their bit in looking after our beautiful local bushland.