Sustainability & The Environment

We are full of enthusiasm as this recently added Area of Focus - Supporting the Environment - underlies all six of Rotary’s established Areas of Focus - Promoting Peace, Providing Clean Water and Sanitation, Fighting Disease, Saving Mothers and Children, Growing Local economies and Supporting Education.
 
This new Area also aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. And issues relating to the environment feature every day in the media and are an important focus for all levels of government in Australia. It is essential for Rotary to remain relevant and this Area will assist this and hopefully broaden Rotary’s appeal.
 
Clean Up Australia Day 2026
 
On 1 March 2026  the township of Emerald looked a little tidier.
 
The Rotary Club of Emerald and District joined forces with John Hills Landcare and the First Emerald Scouts for Clean Up Australia Day. The team worked hard to ensure a pristine town on Monday morning 🙂
 
 
 
Bird Hollow Project Update
 

🌿✨ Exciting Updates from Our Environmental Project! ✨🌿

Last year, we embarked on a mission to support our feathered friends and small marsupials by creating nesting hollows in the aftermath of severe storms that damaged their natural habitats around Wrights Forest Cockatoo. 🦜💚

In April, we set up 25 hollows across three locations, tailored with varying heights and entry sizes to accommodate all species of birds and small marsupials. Just last Saturday, our dedicated club members, along with Alana Begg and our friends from “Friends of the Forest,” conducted an inspection to check for occupants.

With the help of an extension pole and camera, we got a unique “bird's eye” view inside the hollows, and I’m thrilled to share that our project has been a resounding success! 🎉 The burnt area was particularly fruitful, boasting the highest occupancy!

Thank you to everyone involved in this vital initiative to restore and protect wildlife habitats. Together, we’re making a difference! 🐦🌳💖 

 

Current Activities

Recycle and raise funds!!
 
Why not consider recycling your beverage containers and if you do, choose the Rotary Club of Emerald & District as your donation partner?
 
The easiest location to donate to is the Emerald SES on either a Tuesday night (5:00pm to 8:00pm) or Thursday (11:00am to 4:00pm). Its a drive-through, and the SES members count your containers.
 
However, to donate without much fuss, you need to have your app set up.  Go to https://www.returnit.com.au/ for details.
 
If Emerald isnt convenient, other locations can be found at https://www.returnit.com.au/vic/recycling-locations-return-it-vic/
 

Highlights 2024-2025

Annual Report 2025-2026
 
Clean Up Australia Day
 
If you thought the township of Emerald looked a little tidier this March, then you are right!  The Rotary Club of Emerald and District joined forces with John Hills Landcare and the First Emerald Scouts for Clean Up Australia Day.  The team worked hard to ensure a pristine town on Monday morning
 
Thank you to Barry Plant Real Estate for sponsoring the signage publicizing this event.
 
Areas covered by 36 Garbologists to collect 24 large bags of rubbish included Hogan Park, Worrell Reserve, Main Street, Eastern Dandenong Trail behind Emerald Primary School, Puffing Billy Park and Puffing Billy Reserve.
 
Rotary Club members supplied and cooked a sumptuous BBQ lunch at the Emerald Scout Hall with the food, brownies, drinks and fruit provided by Johns Hill Landcare
 
Wrights Forest Nesting Hollows Project
 
Although this project was completed in May 2025, the signage will be installed in the later part of 2026 once all approvals are received.
 
Using the expertise of Ecology Restoration Australia, our Rotary Club facilitated the establishment of 25 new sites in three areas of the forest. These sites are located at different heights and of assorted sizes to cater for birds and marsupial species such as:
 
  • Birds: Parrots, kookaburras, owls, cockatoos, and numerous other bird species that use hollows for nesting and roosting.
  • Mammals: Possums, gliders, bats, antechinus, and other mammals rely on hollows for shelter and nesting.
Signage will be displayed at a couple of entry points into Wrights Forest advising of our Environmental Project.
 
Thank you to PDG Ken Miller PHF, for his support and perseverance in closing out this District Grant.
PDG PP PHF Vicki Van Den Bergen
Environmental Lead
2026-2027
2025-2026