Elizabeth Clarkson is a Sunbury resident and a graduate of the 2021 Hume Enviro Champions program. The council-led initiative provides 10 weeks of free training for people who wish to develop environmentally conscious community activities. She spoke with Oliver Lees
What is your connection to Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges?
I moved from the busy city of Pascoe Vale to the relatively lovely quiet life in Sunbury in 2017-18. My kids attended school at Goonawarra Primary School and Sunbury Downs College. I did a lot of community work with my kids at their old school and really wanted to continue doing something in my new area as well.
Do you have a favourite cafe/park/restaurant part of town? And if so, why?
I am pretty fond of the skyline at the top of Rolling Meadows Drive, which goes down into the Nook near the heart of Sunbury. I like to join in with the local Park Run on a Saturday morning and walk with friends. This was my route during the pandemic when we were permitted half an hour of outside time to exercise.
Why did you apply for the Hume Enviro Champions program ?
After moving to Sunbury, I started to investigate our families waste footprint and discovered we were not doing really well. So I wanted to reduce our families output of waste and began making some changes to our choices as consumers. About six months into my journey we were down to only putting out our landfill bin every two months. I’m still keen to reduce the items I purchase that end up in the recycling bin. This is an ongoing journey. So with this kind of knowledge I really wanted to share it, and learn more from others in Sunbury.
What did you get out of the experience?
I was supported to flesh out my idea and how it could be implemented in Sunbury. Figuring out how I would get people involved and how I could inspire people to waste less in their own households. All these questions were talked about, as well as how to access resources with other like minded people in the room. I learnt a lot about movements and how they start, I learnt how residents can access the council’s resources. But most of all, the meeting of like minded people was the best outcome. Hearing other people’s ideas and passions and hopefully seeing many of their projects come to fruition.
What advice would you have for any new applicants?
If you don’t have a clear idea of how you want to use the program, that is OK. It is a really professionally run course with super friendly and supportive staff.
If you do have a great idea about getting the community you live in excited about something, this group will help you realise it. Give it a go. It will be an exciting group of people to spend 10 weeks learning alongside.
Applications are now open for the 2022 round of the Enviro Champions.
Details: www.hume.vic.gov.au/
