Upper Hunter Shire mayor Lee Watts said volunteers are urged to come and help out. “Clean Up Australia Day is the perfect opportunity for everyone to come together in a positive way and help make difference to our Shire and our local environments,” Cr Watts said.

To get involved or find out more visit www.cleanup.org.au or contact Jodie Phelps at Council’s Scone Office on 6540 1142.

Aberdeen and Murrurundi will participate in Clean Up Australia Day activities on Friday, March 5.

The Aberdeen Tidy Towns Group will replant the river walk with students from St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen starting at 9.30am at the river end of Graeme Street.

The clean up at Murrurundi will run from 10am to midday with registrations at the Wilson Memorial Oval. There will be a barbecue lunch for volunteers following the clean up and there will be entertainment at Pioneer Cottage from 6pm to 9pm.

Murrurundi Landcare -Tidy Towns group is encouraging community members and groups to Adopt a Spot in 2010. Contact the council’s Murrurundi office for more information or to register.

Merriwa and Scone will hold their Clean Up Australia Day activities on Sunday, March 7.

Volunteers can Adopt a Spot in Merriwa, it could be your street, school or local park.

Contact the council’s Merriwa office for more information or to register.

During registration at Scone, there will be a bacon and egg breakfast courtesy of First Scone Scout Group at Elizabeth Park from 8am. The clean up will take place from 9am to midday.

Residents are urged to clean up their own backyards and as an incentive to do this the Upper Hunter Shire Council will be giving free tip entry from opening until midday at Cassilis on Saturday, March 6, Scone, Merriwa, Aberdeen and Murrurundi on Sunday, March 7. This offer is available for shire residents only, applies to household and green waste only, and is limited to one trailer load per household (or equivalent). All those who take advantage of the free tip entry at Scone will be offered a load of mulch.