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Everyone is part of eco-friendly Christchurch (Aotearoa). - 2WAYS bookmark for the participating volunteers in 2009
50 volunteers dirty their hands to clean up Christchurch Avon Riverbank on 19 September 2009. 110kgs (8 bags) rubbish picked up mainly contributed to cigarette butts, plastic bags and beer bottles. Volunteers aged from 3 to 70 plus, included New Zealand-born kiwis, migrants from Spain, China, USA, Britain and Scotland, international students from Japan, Malaysia and USA. The local annual volunteer event was organised since 2003 by 2WAYS Company who specialises in customising New Zealand study and tour packages for Catalan, Spanish and Chinese clients. It's part of the global environmental campaign Clean Up The World. |
Ellen, co-ordinator of Clean Up Avon Riverbank, addresses safety issues prior to the event - gloves on and sunblock on.
Heritage highlight - Bridge of Remembrance It was constructed in 1924 as a triumphal arch to commemorate those lost in WW1. |
The area of Avon riverbank between Bridges of Remembrance and Victoria Square that the volunteers clean up is rich in natural beauty, cultural heritage and tourist attractions.
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Everyone can play an important part in resolving the problem of the growing amount of waste by avoiding, reducing, reusing and recycling in our daily activities and choices.
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Oxford Terrace, dine out zone, located on the bank of Avon river, is one of the largest and most comprehensive restaurant and pub sites in New Zealand.
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As one of 35 million volunteers in 120 countries, a Kiwi student Cliff (14) gives a hand to the outdoor spring-clean in Clean Up The World Weekend, coincident with New Zealand Conservation Week 2009.
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It seems easier to pick up rubbish with a plastic stick.
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10 staff from Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Christchurch office collect food bags, beer bottles and cigarette butts from the bank of Avon river.
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Kate (7) and her brother Jack (5) are excited to encounter two black swans thanks to her insisting on cleaning up the Avon with their mum.
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Heritage highlight - Scott Statue built in 1917
Christchurch was the New Zealand base for the British Antarctic expeditions in 1901 and 1910. Captain Scott's voyage reached the South Pole 25 January, 1912. He died on returning journey. Lady Kathleen Scott, his wife, a sculptor, portrayed Scott in polar dress, facing north on the homeward journey with back of the statue to the South Pole. To avoid damage to the raised hand and a leg of the sculpture, it was transported to New Zealand incomplete. Due to the increased cost of creating the statue in marble and Lady Scott did not travel to Christchurch before her death in 1947 so the statue remains unfinished. New Zealand's Scott Base in Antarctic is named after Captain Scott. |
Heritage highlight - Our City O-Tautahi
It was built in 1887 in the historic Queen Anne building as the Christchurch City Council’s original Municipal Chambers. The red brick house is now used for community exhibitions and events. |
Heritage highlight - Kate Sheppard National Memorial built in 1993
On 19 September 1893 women's suffrage was made law in New Zealand, the first country in the world to grant women the voting rights. Kate Sheppard (1848-1934), was a strong advocate for equal rights for women. In this life sized bronze sculpture, Kate Sheppard and other suffragists are depicted taking the petition to parliament in a cart. |
Rose Kinnaird (67) carefully removes cigarette butts from walkway along the Avon river for young generations behind her, and Paradise ducks and ducklings.
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For domestic and international visitors, the volunteers of Clean Up Avon Riverbank become a part of the pretty scenery in the Garden City, Christchurch.
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What's up here?
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This couple capture a beer bottle.
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Start today...save tomorrow. Roger, like other 10 senior participants, volunteer their time and efforts on cleaning up the Avon for the future generations.
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Heritage highlight - Victoria Square
Originally known as Market Square, Victoria Square was the commercial hub of early Christchurch because it contained the Post Office and markets as well as the Police Station, Women's Prison, animal pound, work stores and Immigration Barracks. |
Let's hand on reducing the unpleasant contrast - garbage against beauty.
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Beer bottles are often found in bushes and shrubs along the bank of Avon river.
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Heritage highligh - Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings built in 1858-1865
They include an older timber portion with a stone paved corridor and a Stone Chamber in the High Victorian Gothic style with a double-faced clock, believed to be one of only five in the world. Its interior timbers are native kauri and rimu. Believe it or not you could call it a miniature Parliament. |
the court buildings, Christchurch District Court
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It's wise to do two things at a time - clean up Avon riverbank and walk dog.
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Lisa, a primary school teacher picks up a beer tin from the bank of Avon river.
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Did you know how long waste lasts in landfill ground?
Cigarette butts - 1 to 15 years Plastic bags - 10 to 20 years Tin cans - 50 years Glass bottles - 1 million years Plastic bottles - indefinitely |
Eco-friendly environmental conditions can affect the economy in may ways, including good human health, increased flora and fauna, and bloomed tourism opportunities.
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Tom (12) shares a lolly with Heather, one of the most active volunteers at the end of the cleaning event.
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Together with mum and dad, Mali and his sister Lola won the family passes to punt ride along the Avon river, which are generously provided by the local tour operator Punting on the Avon.
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Hopefully, Isabela (18 months) will remember or be told one day about her ride in a push car along the bank of Avon river while her parents were cleaning up Avon Riverbank and the free punt ride in a boat along the river.
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Kia Ora! Thank You!
Volunteers, your time and efforts on keeping Christchurch beautiful are priceless for our present and future. The best of all the rewards is the feeling of having made contribution to this pretty Garden City. |
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"Congratulations on organising such a fine effort. I was disappointed not to see anything about it in today's Press. It seems only bad news is published! Anyway, excellent effort, Ellen." Bill Willmott - '09 participating volunteer (21/09/2009)
2ways · 2009-09-23: 05:40
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"This was a great event - the boys (Tom & Cliff) certainly enjoyed it and are planning to do their punt down the river this weekend. I see there was a very good piece on the Target TV programme yesterday about cigarette butts and how non-biodegradable they are. See you next year!" Jeremy Matthews - '09 participating volunteer (23/09/2009)
2ways · 2009-09-23: 05:43
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"I am delighted to hear that the Clean UP at Avon River was a successful event. Such a range of volunteers, too! That is a lovely idea that you have with the rewards for volunteers!" Jillian Hutchinson - coordinator of Clean Up The World (23/09/2009)
2ways · 2009-09-24: 05:22
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