Passionate Hub Clients Celebrate Significant Volunteering Milestone
For five years, clients at one of our Learning and Lifestyle Hubs have been proudly volunteering in a bid to protect marine life. It has led to a wave of positives.
Helping to preserve the environment one piece of plastic at a time.
Every Wednesday, a dedicated group of clients from our Cannonvale Learning and Lifestyle Hub has been heading to Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. in nearby Airlie Beach.
It signals the start of a rewarding weekly outing – for all involved.
Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation committed to protecting the Whitsundays’ marine life and its pristine environment.
It is a challenging task, so any assistance is welcomed.
The Cannonvale hub team is always eager to step up.
Their volunteering efforts include sorting plastic debris, washing materials and even caring for rescued turtles.
And the weekly experience is a win-win. It helps hub participants build confidence, forge friendships and create lasting memories while contributing to the preservation of the iconic Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef.
Supporting the Environment
While at Eco Barge, the hub team focuses on sorting and washing rubbish, organising plastic into colours and types and shredding it into tiny pieces for recycling.
For Hayden, this hands-on work is a highlight.
“I enjoy picking up bottle tops and sorting them into colours,” he said.
“I also like working the ‘crusher’ machine with (his friend) Trent.”
The connection to the environment runs deep, especially when it comes to the turtles.
“I get to see turtles,” Hayden said.
“Mathilde is my favourite. She is special, and I was part of helping her go back into the ocean.”
Connection While Making a Difference
The volunteering experience is not just about supporting a cause – it is about connection.
“I get to talk to a mix of people, be part of the community and help sort out the rubbish,” Jenny said.
“There are always new faces, and I have made great friendships.”
Trent finds joy in working alongside his peers.
“Using the shredder machine with Hayden is my favourite,” he said.
“It makes me happy to know we are helping the environment and saving our turtle friends.”
Johnny is a quieter member of the group, but his enthusiasm shines through.
Though shy to be interviewed, his excitement to participate is clear, and his contributions are highly valued by the team.
For Jenny, meeting volunteers from all over the world adds excitement to each visit.
“There are people from different countries every time, and it is always interesting to hear their stories,” she said.
Memorable Moments
The clients’ time at Eco Barge has been filled with pride and joy, with one standout memory being the release of Mathilde the turtle.
Mathilde, an adult green sea turtle, was found near the Cannonvale foreshore with a shark bite wound.
Known to the Eco Barge team for her love of feeding in the area, Mathilde was brought into care to have her carapace cleaned of barnacles and to monitor her buoyancy.
Once her float was gone and her barnacles were removed, Mathilde was released back into her playground of abundant seagrass around Cannonvale.
The Cannonvale hub team played a special role in her journey, helping with Mathilde’s release.
“I loved letting Mathilde the turtle go. That was good,” Cathy said.
Jenny shared a similar sentiment.
“It was amazing to see her go back where she belongs,” she said.
For Trent, the day was unforgettable.
“Getting to be part of her release and knowing we helped made me feel really proud,” he said.
Five Years of Building Skills
All these special moments during the last five years highlight the positive impact of volunteering – not just on the environment but on the lives of clients at the Cannonvale hub.
Through their weekly visits, the passionate volunteers have developed valuable skills and grown in confidence.
The experiences have also allowed the team to give back to their community – all while creating long-lasting memories.
“We all love seeing our clients feel empowered and valued,” said one support worker.
Join Our Community
From volunteering to Virtual Reality (VR), our Learning and Lifestyle Hubs are loaded with engaging learning programs and fun activities.
These ever-changing programs and activities can be tailored to your needs and interests and are designed to support your unique goals.
You will find our Learning and Lifestyle Hubs across Queensland and in New South Wales and Victoria.
Find a hub near you today.