Four wheel drive clubs from across Queensland came together recently to clean up K’Gari, the world’s largest sand island and popular destination for 4WD activities.
In total 300 vehicles representing 22 Queensland clubs formed the clean up crew, including 17 vehicles from Bundaberg 4WD Club.
The annual clean up was organised by Four Wheel Drive Queensland in conjunction with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
Bundaberg 4WD Club President Brad Praed said the iconic island was cleaned from Hook Point to the Sandy Cape and along an assortment of the inland tracks.
“Weather conditions were perfect this year, a thankful change from the wild weather experienced last year,” he said.
Approximately 6,500 kilograms of assorted rubbish was picked up by the 830 participants and then taken to the collection skip bin sites to be sorted, with a snapshot of items from various overseas locations identified.
A large amount of rubbish is washed up on K’Gari every year, carried onto the 125 kilometres of open beach from the south-bound current down the Great Barrier Reef, carrying waste from Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and beyond.
The Tangaroa Blue Foundation joined the event again to do the statistical count.
Tangaroa Blue Foundation is an Australian charity focused on the health of the marine environment, and coordinates the Australian Marine Debris Initiative, an on-ground network of volunteers, communities, organisations, and agencies around the country monitoring the impacts of marine debris along the coastline.
TV personality Pat Callinan, ‘MR 4X4’, attended the event and gave an insight into his four wheel driving experiences.
Popular YouTuber ‘Mad Matt 4WD’ was also at the event to promote how the responsible four wheel drive community can do their bit for the environment.
Brad said the social function for those that had registered for the event, held on the final night at Cathedrals, was very popular as clubs from the various camp zones came together to attend.
“Lucky door prizes and raffles were drawn, and it was good to see most clubs represented won a prize,” he said.
“This event is not possible without the support of its sponsors and their products put forward for raffle prizes.”
“The Diamond Sponsor this year was C.A.O.S., who supplied a range of prizes to compliment 4WD, camping, outdoors and adventure needs.”
“Due to the great support of the various companies this year the prizes have been split into 3 separate raffles, with two online ones due to start soon.”
After the clean up event, many of the participants stayed on to soak up the beauty of the island and to explore the world heritage listed site, including drives to Lake McKenzie, Kingfisher Bay, Eli Creek, and the Maheno Shipwreck.
Brad said planning is already underway for next year’s event.
“We look forward to giving back to one of the most spectacular places we can go, so close to home.”
To find out more on the Bundaberg Four Wheel Drive Club and activities contact info@bundaberg4wdclub.com or look online.
I would come but u got the name wrong Fraser Island got it