Melyssa Kelly is a lifelong Sunbury resident and volunteer and founding member of community group Boomerang Bags Sunbury. Oscar Parry spoke with Melyssa Kelly about her connection to Sunbury and the Boomerang Bags movement.
What is your connection to Sunbury?
I have lived in Sunbury my whole life; I went to Sunbury West Primary School and Sunbury College for high school.
What do you like about where you live?
I like that Sunbury still has a country town feel while being close enough to Melbourne for
commuting. We have fantastic cafes and restaurants here in Sunbury.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
If I were to suggest changes for Sunbury, it might be [to improve] public transport connectivity to Melbourne to reduce reliance on cars and make commuting easier. During the off-peak times, the trains only run every 40 minutes. Additionally, expanding local amenities like healthcare facilities and recreational spaces could further enhance the town’s appeal as it grows.
Tell us a bit about Boomerang Bags and the aim of the movement
Boomerang Bags is a grassroots movement that began in Queensland in 2013 and has spread
throughout Australia and worldwide! The movement connects and empowers local communities to tackle plastic pollution by making bags out of donated fabrics to divert waste away from landfills. I started the Sunbury Boomerang Bags chapter in 2017; since then, Sunbury Boomerang Bags has saved over 14,000 kilograms of waste from landfill. We have made and distributed more than 5000 bags to the local community. You can find our bags at the Sunbury Library, Home Grown, and the Sunbury Neighbourhood House. The group meets on the first Saturday every month from 9 am–12 pm at the Sunbury Neighbourhood House on Elizabeth Drive. Boomerang Bags will have a stall next to the Sunbury Neighbourhood House at the StreetLife Festival on Sunday, December 1. Please come by to pick out your very own bag and say hi.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Boomerang Bags Sunbury group?
Being a member of the Boomerang Bags Sunbury group offers a unique opportunity to build strong connections within the community while also forming meaningful friendships. It’s a rewarding experience to collaborate with like-minded people who are passionate about environmental sustainability, all while making a positive impact by reducing plastic waste. The blend of social interaction and environmental action makes the group truly special.
