A vast investment to improve the appearance of Hume and raise community pride was vindicated on 2 December 1999 when thousands of Hume residents, students, Council staff, and local businesses turned out to give the City a makeover.
Over 3,000 volunteers from local schools, businesses, the broader community and Council staff launched an assault on the City’s parks, bus shelters and other amenities. Deborrah Jepson, Coordinator of ‘Improve Our City Day’, said the response to calls for volunteers was overwhelming.
“There were more than 3,000 people taking part in on site activities such as planting, landscaping, painting, litter and graffiti removal,” she said.
Also supporting the activities were a number of businesses. Various companies supplied sunscreen, plants for a creek rehabilitation and gloves for participants. All students received rulers made of recycled materials.
Activities ranged from a general clean up and aquatic planting at Aitken Creek in Craigieburn, mulching, planting and a litter blitz at Broadmeadows Town Park to installation of a community sculpture at Roxburgh Park Homestead.
The Citywide working bee was deemed to be a huge success. Not only did it show residents were prepared to back Council in implementing changes the community had asked for, it helped educate young people about the value of improving and looking after their City.
“Activities like this give people a sense that they are being listened to,” Deborrah Jepson said. “And given the coordination and tools to do it, they readily help to bring about change.
“The support for Improve our City Day by schools and local businesses was fantastic as was the commitment by Council staff participating on the day.”
