KEEP BEAUTIFUL MORNING TEA

Tuesday 18th February 2020

Cr Dick Gross AM, Chair, Keep Victoria Beautiful

Ms Sabina Wills, CEO, Keep Victoria Beautiful

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land upon which we are gathering and pay my respects to their Elders past and present and to any Elders here with us this morning.

And in the context of this gathering, when we focus on looking after land, there could be no greater acknowledgement than of those who have done just that in skilful and thoughtful ways for more than 60,000 years.

Tony and I welcome you all to Government House to celebrate the work of Keep Victoria Beautiful across more than 50 years.

The story of this organisation is not an uncommon one in our State. It is a story of active, civic- minded people stepping up to respond to a pressing community need. This one though certainly features a star-studded cast.

It was of course philanthropist Dame Phyllis Frost AC DBE CBE who had the vision to start a significant anti-litter campaign, enlisting none other than the State’s Premier, Sir GCMG.

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You mostly know the story, I’m sure.

After some initial telephone confusion was sorted – Dame Phyllis having raised with the Premier the need for an ‘anti-litter campaign’, which the Premier had mis-heard as an ‘anti-liquor campaign’ – he was then on board, and in turn enlisted Sir AC KCMG, at that time the Minister for Local Government.

There is a lovely connection with this House in that, in 1968, the ‘Keep Beautiful’ movement was launched right here by Victoria’s 20th Governor, Major General Sir KCMG KCVO KBE CB DSO.

We know that over the course of your 50 year history, so much in the world has changed.

We can certainly see that when we read His Excellency’s speech for a ‘Don’t Rubbish Australia’ themed event, delivered within just a year or so of that Keep Australia Beautiful launch.

Expressing his support for the anti-litter campaign, Sir Rohan described there being ‘no finer sight than the lawns and gardens at Flemington [at the start of] a major race meeting….’

But, he continued: ‘Let us contrast this picture with the scene which greets the eye at the end of the day….the litter which remains, the papers, the empty drink containers and all the other necessary trappings which have served their function and have now been discarded’.

Yes, using the races as the reference point, and even the language, might sound quaint today, but the message remains contemporary.

Indeed, despite the passage of more than five decades since your founding, there is consistency in your vision and mission.

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Today, just as fifty years ago, you strive – with and through the community – to achieve an awareness of our environment and the preservation and enhancement of our heritage through beautification and anti-litter programs.

You promote anti-litter messages and run campaigns such as ‘Do the Right Thing’ and ‘Only Dopes Litter’.

You run programs and awards, which include the internationally known Tidy Towns program – now implemented in over 30 countries – Sustainable Cities, Proud Schools, City Pride and Clean Beach Challenge.

Thanks to your leadership, over 200 communities participate in your programs. You are able to estimate that each year, 69 tonnes of rubbish and litter are collected from roadsides alone. And that your programs have resulted in over $400 million in benefits to the Victorian Environment.

Of course, this work would not be possible without the dedication and contribution of the thousands of volunteers inspired by you to protect and enhance their environment by their own actions.

We thank them, your Chair Cr Dick Gross AM and Board members, CEO Sabina Wills and the KVB’s dedicated staff, and all your generous partners and sponsors. That is, all those who contribute today, and all those who have contributed across the last 50 years.

As your patron, may I ask you to please enjoy your time with us at Government House, and we look forward to meeting many of you shortly.

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