Example no.6: Article Written for Keep Australia Beautiful WA

Every week, women of all ages and more than seven different nationalities gather at the North Coastal Women’s Shed to support each other and engage in a range of shared activities. The Shed was launched in April of this year, and aims to foster good mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing amongst women in the community.

Ja-On Park moved to Perth from her native Korea 14 years ago, and eventually started a family. She recognised the need for greater community connection and support for women in her Northern suburb of Clarkson – based on the popular men’s shed movement. Ja-On started the North Coastal Women’s Shed to bring women together with a range of activities, including: crafting, providing after school tutoring to families who may not be able to pay for private help, and overseeing the maintenance and planting of the Yanchep Community Garden.

When Ja-On noticed litter around the garden and surrounding public areas, she decided to take action. The Shed then became involved in Keep Australia Beautiful WA’s Adopt-a-Spot program to start cleaning up rubbish at sites in Clarkson – especially at parks so children don’t have to play in unhygienic environments.

The Adopt-a-Spot program encourages volunteers – groups, individuals, schools and businesses – to undertake clean-ups at designated sites, such as parks, bush trails, roadsides and beaches. By adopting a spot, like the North Coastal Women’s Shed has done, the environment gets preserved and there is an increased awareness among participants of the effects of littering. 

When Shed member Madeleine is picking up rubbish at her grandchildren’s playground, she has people come up and thank her for the work she is doing, and others have also joined in. By participating in cleaning up litter, Madeline believes she is being a role-model for good behaviour and inspiring others to help.

Shed member Moira Young, after living overseas for many years, loves Perth and hopes others know how lucky they are to live in a beautiful country such as Australia. She hates seeing litter around her neighbourhood and has a message for litterers, “If you don’t throw rubbish in your own backyard, then you shouldn’t litter in public places.”

To find out more information about how to adopt your favourite spot and get free resources to help keep it litter-free, visit www.kabc.wa.gov.au or call 6467 5339. To learn more about The North Coastal Women’s Shed, visit www.ncws.org.au.