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12 JULY, 2023
12496404-AV22-21
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Fast hooks, warm hearts Tricia Salau and Jill Bilston are re-purposing their post-COVID project into a donation for the homeless. In 2022, Ms Salau and Ms Bilston came up with the idea to create a crochet granny square Christmas tree. The excess squares from the project are now being repurposed into what they are calling ‘rugs for the homeless project’. “We had so many crocheted squares left, around 1000,” Ms Salau said. “We came up with the idea because we would rather the squares be put to good use instead of wasting them. So we made about 40 blankets and coats for dogs. “We set up the tree project to get people involved, in the end we had 300 people from a range of different groups participating. It took all of us six months to complete 3000 granny squares, now a lot of those same people helped transform them into blankets.” The rugs will be handed to a representative from St Stephen’s Church Williamstown for distribution. Jill Bilston and Tricia Salau with the blankets that will be donated to the homeless. (Damjan Janevski) 344165_01
River of rubbish piles up By Jennifer Pittorino Samantha Meredith is a teacher who has lived in the Joseph Street precinct in Footscray for just over a year. Since then Ms Meredith has been in consistent contact with Maribyrnong council regarding the unkept state of the area. “I have contacted council with many issues, some have been regarding the overgrown nature strip, rubbish on the streets, inappropriate littering from the developers, mostly going around in circles a lot of the time,” she said. The most consistent issue Ms Meredith is facing is the copious amounts of rubbish littering the streets of Footscray, close to the Maribyrnong River.
“I have always had a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the river, the peaceful walks with my dogs, the enjoyable bike rides and the diverse array of birds that inhabit this ecosystem,” she said. “It is disheartening to witness the increasing amount of rubbish that litters the Joseph precinct. “Plastic packaging, plastic bottles, broken glass, cardboard, polystyrene, metal screws and various other miscellaneous items are scattered throughout the area.” Ms Meredith said the rubbish has been sitting there since she moved, so long it is now turning to mulch. “There are now layers of rubbish on top of each other, it’s mulched into the ground if it’s
not being blown away into the river,” she said. “The rubbish is just sitting there, bins are overflowing, rubbish is now all overflowing in the river. “Council have responded a few times saying they can’t access the roads or it is up to the developers to clean.” While she doesn’t find it pleasant, Ms Meredith is more concerned for the wildlife and environment. “The Maribyrnong River is home to a variety of animals, as well as the wetlands which many animals access. “Collectively we need to take responsibility and do something. We just want it cleaned up.” Maribyrnong council was contacted for comment.
Samantha Meredith next to the large amounts of rubbish. (Damjan Janevski) 344363_03
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