www.awnw.com.au
Issue #270 – Wednesday, 25 February, 2015
Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper
Docs treated shabbily Local doctors got a taste of some bad medicine last week when they were left to rough it and eat on the streets. The initiative was a team collaboration between Carevan and the new Wodonga business Marina Radiology, which used its opening night to treat local doctors and guests to a slightly unusual celebration. See more on Page 7
Charity halved By ERIN SOMERVILLE
Kenton, Jenevive and William Childs cycle for a great cause at the weekend’s Lake Hume Cycle Picture: ADAM WILSON Challenge. 134998
Wheels are turnin’ for a cause OVER 600 cyclists and more than a thousand wheels travelled along the mighty Lake Hume over the weekend to raise funds as part of
the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge. With winding roads, steep ascents, and scenic distances to conquer, it was a challenge well met
by the participants who raised over $25,000 for the region’s Cancer Wellness Centre. For all the details, see Page 23.
NEW charity bin regulations in Wodonga has seen the volume of donations to Aware Industries’ new clothing recycling service drop by more than half. Wodonga Council is tackling the problem of illegal dumping by relocating charity bins to private property with better surveillance and security, however the impact is being felt by the team at Aware. The business’s new recycling service that sees workers collect and process unwanted clothing and household goods relies primarily on donations from the public. Workers are involved in checking the bins daily for goods, before sending them to Southern Cross Recycling Centre in Melbourne to be diverted from landfill and reused at overseas’ charities. The team at Aware understand the reasons behind council’s policy, however the removal of their donation bins from public areas such as Hume Street to less-central locations on Kane Road and Moloney Drive means fewer donations to their service. The team was receiving around three tonnes of donated goods a week on the Border, but now this volume has dropped to barely one. With the business supporting 115 employees with a disability, Aware Industries CEO Sharon Muggivan is encouraging residents to help support the service. “The volume was really good and then council decided to target illegal dumping,” Ms Muggivan said. “Aware Industries is proud of the free service we now offer our community for recycling their unwanted clothing and household goods and we are seeking to work with more local businesses to gain their assistance in accessing sites to locate clothing recycling bins.” On average, every five recycling bins Aware Industries installs supports one full-time employee.
U/C
Aware Industries supported employees Adam Hanns and Neil Burke, and supported team leader Gail Reece donate goods to the business’ recycling service.135056 Picture: ERIN SOMERVILLE “Without the bins, it just means we have to absorb the workers into other areas and it puts more pressure on us.” The Wodonga-based business is also appealing to schools and community groups to help provide a collection service. The recycling program has been running since November, and is proving popular with the staff as well as saving tonnes of waste from landfill. “They love it,” Ms Muggivan. “You wouldn’t believe some of the toys that come through, there’s lots of laughing. “They also like getting out in the community.” In the past four months alone, Aware Industries has saved 50 tonnes of goods from going to local landfill and instead being put to use in poorer countries. Those interested in helping can phone Aware Industries on (02) 6022 8300. The business services clothing bins are available daily and keeps sites clean and graffiti-free, and includes a 24-hour call service to ensure any incidents are acted upon quickly.
HOLD
SOLD
1174571-CB9-15
U/C