Clean Up Australia Sustainability Commitments
1989
First community event “Clean Up Sydney Harbour”
Founder, Ian Kiernan, AO, an avid sailor, was shocked and disgusted by the pollution and rubbish that he continually encountered in the oceans of the world. Taking matters into his own hands, in 1989, Ian organised a community event called “Clean Up Sydney Harbour” with the support of a committee of friends. He expected just a few hundred volunteers. Instead, 40,000 people showed up, sparking a national movement.
1990
Clean Up Australia Day was born
One year after the first community clean up event, the official Clean Up Australia Day was born. What started as a simple idea from an “average Australian” wanting to make a difference in his own backyard, has now grown to become the nation’s largest community-based environmental event.
