For the past five years, Hayden, Trent, Jenny, Johnny and Cathy from the Cannonvale Learning and Lifestyle (L&L) hub have proudly volunteered to help protect marine life, leading to positive outcomes for both the environment and them. Each Wednesday, they head to Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. in nearby Airlie Beach, where they assist with protecting the Whitsundays’ marine life by sorting plastic debris, washing materials, and caring for rescued turtles.
Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation focused on preserving the pristine environment of the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The hub team eagerly steps up to support this cause, with tasks that help them develop skills, build confidence, and form lasting friendships.
One of the highlights for Hayden is sorting bottle tops by colour and using the “crusher” machine with his friend Trent. Hayden said:
“I enjoy picking up bottle tops and sorting them into colours. I also like working the ‘crusher’ machine with Trent.
His connection to the environment deepens with his involvement in caring for the turtles, particularly Mathilde, a rescued green sea turtle. “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.”
The volunteering experience offers more than just helping the environment—it also fosters connection. Jenny said:
I get to talk to a mix of people, be part of the community, and help sort out the rubbish. There are always new faces, and I have made great friendships.
Trent enjoys working alongside his peers, adding, “Using the shredder machine with Hayden is my favourite. It makes me happy to know we are helping the environment and saving our turtle friends.”
For Johnny, a quieter member of the group, the excitement of participating speaks volumes. Although shy, his contributions are highly valued. “It’s great to be involved,” Johnny said, his enthusiasm evident. Jenny also enjoys meeting volunteers from all over the world, which adds excitement to each visit. “There are people from different countries every time, and it is always interesting to hear their stories,” she said.
A standout moment in the last five years was the release of Mathilde the turtle. Rescued after suffering a shark bite, Mathilde was cared for by Eco Barge and released back into the wild once she had recovered. “I loved letting Mathilde the turtle go. That was good,” Cathy said. “It was amazing to see her go back where she belongs,” Jenny added. Trent, too, was proud to be part of the release, saying, “Getting to be part of her release and knowing we helped made me feel really proud.”
Through their volunteer work, the group has not only made a significant impact on the environment but also developed valuable skills and grown in confidence. Their support worker said, “We all love seeing our people feel empowered and valued”. These weekly visits have created lasting memories, strengthened the community, and demonstrated the power of giving back.
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