Cleaning Up Australia, One Piece of Rubbish at a Time

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“Picking up rubbish helps me feel close to the Saviour by making me feel like I’m saving the Earth He made. I do this because I want to help save the environment,” says fifteen-year-old Isabella Burgess of Robina, Gold Coast. Isabella is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 2018, her younger sister, Rubina, came up with the idea to pick up rubbish along their walk home from school. Other friends and families would join them.

Isabella says, “I did a school science project about it for grade six which marked where we found the rubbish and what kind of rubbish we found, fast food being the most common.”

After 2018, Ruby would help sometimes, but being in two separate schools made it more difficult.

Isabella has been recognized for her consistent efforts by local Councilors. At the end of grade six, she received an environmental award from Glen Tozer, and was recognized again in grade eight by Herman Vorster.

“I also had experiences of breaking or losing my phone on the way home which my parents and the wonderful community helped me replace,” she remembers.

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“I still pick up rubbish; it’s basically a habit now. Every afternoon while gathering as much as I can, I have fun listening to music and dancing. I feel the Spirit close when I listen to music that I used to sing in Primary.

 “I don’t want to die in a world full of trash and everything destroyed. Each year there is less and less rubbish in my path; it makes me so happy. I have been told even picking up one piece of rubbish makes a difference.”

Every March, when Australians participate in “Clean Up Australia Day,” Isabella continues what she has already been doing every day – cleaning up Australia – one piece of rubbish at a time.

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Watch here as Bishop Gerald Caussé teaches the duty we have to take care of God’s creations as stewards over them.