Let's meet up to clean up

March is one of Orange’s biggest months on the tourism calendar so it’s important the city is looking its best when thousands of visitors flock to the region, according to Orange City Councillor Chris Gryllis.

This Sunday is national Clean Up Australia Day and participants have the chance to win $250 worth of equipment for their sporting or community group courtesy of McDonald’s restaurant.

Cr Gryllis is encouraging all residents to take part and anyone who joins in will receive free McDonald’s food vouchers.

“We all know Orange is a beautiful city and we want to make sure that everyone else knows it as well,” he said.

“We’ve got three designated clean up areas this year and everyone who comes along to help out can stay and have a free barbecue”

“Participants are encouraged to sign up from 10am at Elephant Park on Woodward Street and the Carriage Cottage in Spring Street where there will be a free barbecue lunch at each of those locations. The Rotary clubs of Orange will tackle Rotary Park.

“Bring a pair of gloves if you have them but don’t worry if you don’t we’ll provide everything you need to help clean up Orange,” Cr Gryllis said.

“We chose Moulder Park, Hill Park and Rotary Park because they are popular spots with both tourists and locals.

“This month we have the Brass Band Celebration, the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Exhibition, the Rotary District Conference, the NSW Triathlon Cub Championships, the Glow Hard Fun Run at Moulder Park and the start of FOOD Week, just to name a few.

“Not only do we want to make a good impression for those thousands of visitors but let’s clean up Orange so our kids and grandkids can play safely in clean parks and reserves.

“Even if you can’t make it for the official Clean Up Australia Day event, please spend some time over the next week at your nearest park and pick up a few bits of rubbish.”

McDonald’s restaurant is a major sponsor of Clean Up Australia Day and this year everyone who registers at any of the three Orange locations, and returns with a collection bag full of rubbish will receive free McDonald’s food vouchers.

Also local sports clubs or community groups can win one of two $250 equipment vouchers. To win, competitors must dress in their club uniform, take a photo of themselves collecting rubbish and upload that photo to Instagram using the hashtag #CUADORANGE17.

The two best images, chosen by McDonald’s, will receive the prize.

DIRTY JOB: Orange City Council's Natural Resources Coordinator Roger Smith with Cr Chris Gryllis clean up ahead of Sunday's Clean Up Australia Day event.