By NICOLE WILLIAMS
A PAKENHAM woman took matters into her own hands and cleaned up a lake everyone was complaining about.
Kate Thompson donned the gumboots on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 April to clean up the lake at Lakeside when the water was low to clean up the ‘visible and reachable’ rubbish.
“I have lived in Pakenham for just on four years and from day one I have been enjoying the lake, but in that time it has become obvious that no one picks rubbish up in it,” she said.
“I have often wondered why someone isn’t paid to walk around with a pool net or something and scoop the floating rubbish out, it’s disgusting and almost embarrassing.”
Ms Thompson said she did not take action for personal gain but the greater good of the community.
“I wasn’t in it for the limelight, just hoped a few people might see me doing it and think a little more about the situation and even take action – after all actions speak louder than words,” she said.
“Honestly picking up some rubbish to make the place look nice and be safer for all users including the wildlife of the lake is fairly basic.”
Ms Thompson said she knew that other residents were aware of the ‘disgusting’ state of the lake.
“There are lots of residents that are unhappy with the state of the lake but want to do little about it,” she said.
“Local residents can clearly see that isn’t happening, and it is disappointing that out of the 3500 plus residents in the estate, I haven’t noticed anyone else do the same thing.”
It is something she will do again if the time came.
“There are actually a few bits I missed and some new rubbish floating,” she said.
“I would try and do it again before we get too much rain and the water comes up because it would be easier to stay on top of it than let it go again.”
Ms Thompson wanted to thank her friends Trudy and Emily for looking after her children while she was knee-deep in the lake.
“I took action and didn’t just sit and complain,” she said.
Hopefully, I set a good example for our children.”
