About The Big Lift
The Big Lift is an environmental organisation that coordinates community cleanups in partnership with ActivateUTS. This event was part of Clean Up Australia Day—a national initiative to remove litter and restore natural environments.
Clean Up Australia Day brings together volunteers across the country to take action for the environment. The Big Lift focuses on making these cleanups accessible and engaging, often involving unique experiences like kayaking to reach areas that need attention.
My Role
Date: 2 March 2025 (8:00AM – 12:00PM) Hours: 4 hours Location: Uhrs Point Reserve, NSW
What I Did
I was rowing a kayak and collecting things that are not supposed to be there in the water. It was a great experience to be honest, as I have never tried something like this back in my home country.
Key Activities
- Kayak-based Cleanup: Rowing through the waterways and collecting waste from the river
- Environmental Restoration: Helping restore the natural environment of Uhrs Point Reserve
- Debris Removal: Removing rubbish and debris that had accumulated in the water
- Community Connection: Engaging with locals who appreciated the visible cleanup efforts
Reflections & Learnings
What Made It Special
A few of the locals (domestic people) thanked me on their way when they saw me collecting garbage—it was so refreshing and heartwarming. These small moments of appreciation made the experience even more meaningful.
What I Learned
This experience taught me:
- The importance of visible, hands-on environmental action
- How impactful small contributions can be when scaled across a community
- A deeper respect for the volunteers who continuously support environmental restoration
- The value of teamwork in outdoor settings
Looking Forward
Such events should happen more often and people should actively be part of these. I want to try as many times as I can. This opportunity broadened my understanding of sustainability, teamwork, and civic responsibility.
One-time Event: Clean Up Australia Day – 2 March 2025
