Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, is a magnet for four wheel drivers far and wide.
Unfortunately with such popularity comes side effects, one of which is the amount of rubbish left behind.
Due to the island’s location a large amount of rubbish is also washed up onto the 125 kilometers of open beach from the South bound current down the Great Barrier Reef, carrying waste from Papa New Guinea, the Philippines and beyond.
Nineteen vehicles from the Bundaberg 4WD Club joined in once again to lend a hand on what was the 20th 4WDQLD Fraser Island Cleanup.
With nearly 400 vehicles from 24 Four Wheel Drive Queensland Clubs and various sponsors in attendance, the event was organised by Four Wheel Drive Queensland in conjunction with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
A welcoming ceremony by the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, the Traditional owners of K’Gari (Fraser Island), started the activities.
This year the area cleaned reached from Hook Point to the Sandy Cape Lighthouse entrance, and also covered some of the inland tracks.
A final wrap up saw approximately 6500 kilograms of assorted rubbish picked up by the 950 participants, taken to the collection skip bin sites to be sorted and a snapshot of items from various overseas locations identified.
The Tangaroa Blue Foundation joined the event this year to do the statistical count.
Tangaroa Blue Foundation is an Australian registered charity focused on the health of our 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 their stretch of coastline.
The opportunity to explore the world heritage listed site was available with drives to the various tourist hot spots such as Lake McKenzie, Kingfisher Bay, Eli Creek, and the Maheno Shipwreck to name a few.
A social function had been organised for those that had registered for the event on the final night at Cathedrals on Fraser. The venue proved popular as clubs based at the top end of the island were able to attend.
Lucky door prizes and raffles were drawn, and it was good to see most clubs represented won a prize that had been donated by the many sponsors.
This event is not possible without the support of its sponsors, and this year saw over $40,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.
The Platinum Sponsor this year was Fulcrum Suspension, supplying the major prize in the raffle, a suspension kit valued at $2500.
Planning is already underway for next year’s event and 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 we have on contact us via email at bundy4wd@bigpond.com, on the net at www.bundaberg4wdclub.com or catch us on Facebook or Instagram.
Brad Praed, Bundaberg 4WD Club
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