We met at the Mount Compass tavern car park and left at 9.30 9.50 a.m. for the park.

Near the park we drove alongside a paddock that had a long row of something heaped about 2m high that was parallel to the road.  It was covered in plastic and this was held in place by a large number of tyres, must have been more than 1000.  It turned out to be silage (preserved stock fodder) and the row was being used from one end.

Ian and Jenny were waiting for us at the park as they had travelled from Goolwa.  Jenny showed us some magnificent photos of orchids they had taken during a previous walk in this park.

Our task for the clean up was very tiring; perhaps an understatement for those of us who are already retired and for Ian Mc on the day.  There was little litter other than vehicle tyres.  We tackled the task using a radial strategy, some worked from the front, others worked around the back and in the end people were going around the whole area.

The tyres were strewn along the creek; many of them embedded in the dry creek bed to some degree.  The banks of the creek were steep and the creek was lined with scrub.  This made the task of removing the tyres more difficult as access for vehicles and trailers was restricted.

Not to be deflated by these surroundings, our workers were pumped up and plied their tools as though it was a good year.  Picks, crowbars and shovels were recovering tyre after tyre.  Workers were blown-out at times with beads of sweat dripping from their foreheads.  Tyres were taken to the trailers by various means.  Some were carried up to the rim of the bank, Jamie and Keith used their winches to drag bundles of them up, and George on his trike had a boyish time hauling up tyre after tyre. Denise and Leonie, our scrutineers, would tread wearily between workers.  They reported that we were quickly achieving our quota. 

Lunchtime was declared.  Everyone converged and chairs sprung up everywhere, like we were in a mushroom patch, in the creek under the shade of some large gum trees.  We ate.  We drank tea and coffee or tubes of soft drink.  Well, no-one had any spare donuts or nuts so Jock handed round some delicious cake and rock buns. 

The hub of our conversation turned to how many more tyres we had to dig out.  Trailer loads were tallied and came close to the quota.  We also had some tyres that were stacked behind some bushes.  Trailers were topped up and tools collected.

We assembled in a clearing so those with cameras could take photos of loaded trailers and workers.  Len handed out his own excellent tasting figs.  Those heading home were farewelled.

Those with recovered tyres set off for the Goolwa landfill site.  Ian Mc began to play hoopla along the track with some of his tyres.  When he finished we redistributed some of his load.  We parted with the tyres at the landfill site.

Statistics for the day:

Written by Greg Young