Cairns Airport and Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation co-host Clean Up Redden Island event

Volunteers have lugged almost 100kg of rubbish - including plastic, styrofoam, bottles, and syringes - away from a Cairns island.

Far North families, Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation, and Cairns Airport collected nearly 100kg of rubbish from Redden Island, reinforcing their commitment to a cleaner, healthier region. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Volunteers have lugged almost 100kg of rubbish - including plastic, styrofoam, bottles, and syringes - away from a Cairns island.

More than 40 people gathered at Redden Island, or Dungarra, successfully collecting 96kg of rubbish, in the spirit of keeping the area clean and healthy.

Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation and Cairns Airport hosted the major clean-up of the island, at Machans Beach on Saturday morning.

Airport environment manager Lucy Friend and Dawul Wuru ranger Jayvan Singleton helped coordinate the waste collection.

The Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation has partnered with Cairns Airport to host a Clean Up Australia Day event on Redden Island (Dirrbal Dungarra) at Machans Beach. Cairns Airport Environment Manager Lucy Friend and Dawul Wuru ranger Jayvan Singleton helped coordinate the collection of 96 kilograms of rubbish from the island, with the help of over 40 volunteers. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Singleton said the clean-ups went beyond waste collection and were about nurturing and safeguarding the land and preserving its natural beauty.

“We’re committed to looking after our country,” he said.

“The significance of that holds cultural importance for the community.”

“Our ancestors are from these areas and it’s about maintaining the connection to our land, our environment, and the wildlife which thrives here.”

“We frequently collect items like plastic, styrofoam, bottles, and syringes – a stark reminder of the pollution that affects the environment.”

Yirrganydji Land and Sea Rangers Manoah Wallace and Taylah Mitchell collect and remove rubbish. Picture: Brendan Radke

Organisers said the clean-ups provided a unique opportunity for community members to get involved and make a difference, with volunteer support amplifying the impact as the group worked together to clear large areas.

“We love seeing volunteers join us,” Mr Singleton said.

He said there was a sense of pride and camaraderie among those who turned up to help.

“It’s great to meet new people and share this experience, plus, it’s special to have others help us protect the land our ancestors lived on,” Mr Singleton said.

For the Dawul Wuru Aboriginal team, these clean-ups are about more than just the environment – they are a way of showing respect for the land and its cultural significance.

The corporation name meaning “three rivers” was established to help protect vital resources.

“Being able to keep our country healthy and clean is part of the respect we show for our ancestors and our future generations. It’s a cycle of care,” Mr Singleton said.

As part of their ongoing commitment, Mr Singleton said the team will continue these clean-up efforts for years to come with the next event tentatively planned to align with World Ocean Day. Brendan Radke

The 32-year-old said he had a growing connection to the area through his responsibility as a ranger.

“We’re a good team, working hard, but we can always do more,” he said.

“We do a lot of diving on the reef but seeing the damage caused by waste is hard.”

The weekend’s clean-up initiative was just one of four events the corporation plans to organise this year as part of its partnership with the airport, with the next event tentatively planned to align with World Ocean Day in June.

As part of the partnership both Cairns Airport and the Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation help maintain the grounds, ensuring the area remains clean for both locals and visitors.

“We take pride in the work we do, and it feels good to know what we’re doing is making a difference,” Mr Singleton said.

“We also feel very supported by Cairns Airport, and we appreciate the respect they show us and our land.”

Originally published as Cairns Airport and Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation co-host Clean Up Redden Island event