Little locals clean up beach and bush
From the bush to the beach, Queensland Childcare Services children from Shailer Park jumped at the opportunity to help out the local community in spirit of Clean Up Australia Day’s 36-year milestone during March.
Queensland Childcare Services’ Hyperdome Early Education Centre at Shailer Park and Prince Charles Hospital Early Education Centre at Chermside took part in their own clean up to honour the national environmental event.
Since Clean Up Australia Day was kickstarted in 1990 by Ian Kiernan AO, over the decades more than 23 million volunteers have stepped up, pulled on their gloves, and donated their time to improve the environment.
Queensland Childcare Centre General Manager Laura Faalili says educating children about recycling, environmental responsibility and sustainable waste practices is not optional – it is essential to protecting the future of our planet.
‘Environmental education must start early as when we teach children about recycling, reducing waste and caring for their surroundings, we are shaping the next generation of environmental leaders,’ Ms Faalili says.
‘Participating in Clean Up Australia provides a powerful, immersive learning experience as children don’t just hear about sustainability, they actively practise it.
‘These lessons extend far beyond school hours and influence the way families and communities think about environmental responsibility.
‘It’s about embedding simple but meaningful actions into daily routines like picking up litter, reducing plastic use, sorting waste correctly — so contributing to a clean, litter-free future becomes second nature.’
PHOTO: Queensland Childcare Services children helping care for the environment for Clean Up Australia Day 2026.
Clean Up Australia had more than one million volunteers participating nationally last year, seen as a testament to the collective power of community action.
Ms Faalili says involvement in initiatives like Clean Up Australia teaches children far more than emotional awareness like responsibility, respect, community contribution and that caring for their environment is a shared responsibility.
‘At QCCS, sustainability is not a one-off event, it is embedded in our curriculum. We intentionally immerse children in outdoor learning environments to foster a respectful, protective relationship with nature — never a careless one.’
‘We are proud to stand alongside our community in this important movement and honoured to be part of such a significant milestone. We will always show up for initiatives that protect the world our children will inherit.’
According to Clean Up Australia’s Litter Report FY25, plastics account for 80.8 per cent of litter found in natural areas and streets, with approximately 250 kilograms of litter entering Australia’s marine and land environments every minute.
QCCS programs, including Beach and Bush Kindy, are intentionally designed to provide children with authentic outdoor learning experiences that build problem-solving skills, adaptability, creativity, and a deep, lasting commitment to environmental stewardship.