It’s been ten years since Roleystone local June Copley decided to be the antidote to some trashy behaviour.
“I was newly retired and whinging to my husband one day about the piles of rubbish I was seeing along the roads here in Roleystone, and he suggested I do something about it – so I did,” she said.
June started by attending a Keep Australia Beautiful day with Pat Hart which prompted her to take that energy to the streets around her.
“I really wanted to make a difference to the roads that I saw every day that were bothering me,” she said.
“The community had supported my business for 30 years – this was something I could give back.”
She started out as a one-woman litter collector, but it wasn’t long until friends joined her on her weekly mission; at first out of concern for her safety, and then because they could see the impact it was having, and relished the chance to spend time with other community-minded people.
“We’ve grown to about 20 full-time warriors now,” June said.
Together they regularly patrol along the Brookton Highway, Canning Rd, Canning Mills Rd, Mills Rd East and Chevin Rd.
The group meets every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, which led to their moniker: the Wednesday Warriors.
A warrior is defined as someone who ‘remains stalwart and undiscouraged in the face of adversity’, and so the name is rather fitting; after ten years of dedication to keeping Roleystone and surrounds pristine in the face of persistent disregard for the natural beauty of the area, their drive is still just as strong.
“Everyone feels like they’re doing something worthwhile, that’s why they keep showing up,” June said.
“It was our first day back recently after a break over summer and they were all keen as mustard to get back into it – who would have thought picking up rubbish would have that effect on people?”
It’s this can-do spirit that June felt needed some public acknowledgment.
“Back in 2018 I was awarded the Senior Citizen of the Year for the City of Armadale, partly for my work coordinating the Wednesday Warriors,” she said.
“But it’s not about me – it takes a whole team of people to do what we do and cover such a large area. I wanted them to have the recognition.”
And the City of Armadale thought so too, because last month the Wednesday Warriors were named the Group of the Year at the city’s Citizen of the Year awards.
But that gong is not the only kudos the group has received.
Locals regularly toot their horns in appreciation when they pass them on the streets, or stop to offer them money for their service to the community.
“And we’ve been very lucky to have generous people donate things to us, like our own high-vis vests with our group branding on them,” June said.
A community appreciation tin on the Orchard Espresso counter also covers the cost of their hard-earned morning tea after a Wednesday session.
“Some people are really lovely – it’s a very supportive community here,” June said. “It’s fantastic that we haven’t ever had to buy coffee.”
And their work is clearly having an impact.
June said she believes that their presence out in the community has made tossers think twice.
“I think it’s about the visibility – people see us and it starts a conversation,” she said.
“We’re definitely collecting a lot less rubbish now than before – which is a good thing.”
The ban on single-use plastics is having a noticeable effect, June said, with far less straws and bags found these days.
But burger wrappers, beer bottles, and butts are still being discovered by the warriors with concerning regularity.
“It’s the cigarette butts that really get to me – why would anyone throw one out their window when this area is so bushfire-prone?” June said.
One thing that does give her hope is the number of young locals who ask how they can be involved.
“They can’t come out with us on a Wednesday morning obviously, so I encourage them to check out the Keep Australia Beautiful Adopt-a-Spot initiative,” June said.
Adopt-a-Spot is an anti-litter program that engages volunteers to undertake coordinated litter clean-ups of designated sites in their communities.
Participants are provided with tools and support and receive an adoption certificate to acknowledge their commitment.
To adopt your own local spot, visit the registration page at www.wa.gov.au/service/environment/register-adopt-spot-or-one-clean
This Sunday is also Clean Up Australia day, with local clean-ups happening in Piara Waters, Bob Blackburn Reserve, Clifton Hills, and Champion Lakes.
For more information visit www.cleanup.org.au
Photographs – Richard Polden
