FOLLOWING the success of the Myrtleford Lions Club's Boxing Day Rodeo clean-up in previous years, the Lions were happy to call upon members of the Myrtleford Swimming Club to aid in the task of cleaning up the showgrounds once again.
After the rodeo concluded, members of the swimming club lent a hand to the Rodeo Committee to tidy the venue and collect cans and bottles to recycle in Wangaratta.
"It's been 10 plus years we've been involved in this rubbish and recycling collection partnership," said Myrtleford Swimming Club president, Helen Howell.
"The rodeo committee has created huge bins to make it easier for the patrons to use this year and for us to bring the bottles and cans to the recycling depot for the government's recycling program.
"The rodeo produced over 2000 cans and we received $218 to put towards the club.
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"Yesterday we took 110 more cans to the Albury depot and we got $11.
"We hope to buy a new barbeque for the club to run social events at the pool during training sessions and to pay for general running costs and coaching fees.
"It would be great to formally have a place in the shire somewhere to bring in your bottles and cans," Ms Howell added.
"The shire needs a small-scale, automated system.
"We're hoping next year we can collect more cans and there'll be a more streamlined process."
Myrtleford Lions Club secretary, Mick Cross said he hopes to double the funds raised for the swimming club at the next rodeo.
"It's just a great program between the Lions Club, the Alpine Shire and the Myrtleford Swimming Club and it shows our commitment to making our rodeo a great experience for everyone," Mr Cross said.
"The recycling program is a high priority for the Alpine Shire Council: the shire asked us to incorporate it as part of our event management plan, which we were very glad to do."
Fellow Lion Chris Buono said said club members will do anything they can to support the local community and the world in general.
"To be a part of the Lions Club, as well as in specific community programs such as this is really important," he said.
"You can see the real impact it has."
The Myrtleford Lions Club received grant funding from the Alpine Shire Council to support the operation of the Golden Spurs Rodeo through the 2024/25 Events Funding Program.
These grants are an annual funding program, with applications open from May to June each year and are designed to support the operation of events across the Alpine Shire.
Councillor Dave Byrne, said it was wonderful the members of the swimming club could gain so much from fundraising.
"The Lions Club organisers used to work at the rodeo until 11pm or midnight, then they'll come back the next day and clear everything up," Cr Byrne said.
"There's only a few of them, so it's great the young people from the swimming club can lend them their energy and work together to fundraise through a good cause."
