Grass roots champions Max Shanks, Bill Vandenberg and Billy Short are back with more than a vengance as volunteer caretakers of Cooranbongs pretty 6 acre park. The unlikely lads, all in their late 70′s, were reported on the front page of the Lakes Mail in January as having cut their last blade of grass because their 15 year old mower was worn out and council’s policy doesn’t allow the supply of equipment to volunteers. The story roused locals into action resulting in a brand new professional quality mower being bought for their use after two Cooranbong community groups made lump sum donations.
“It’s fantastic. We are all very dedicated to the park but we thought we were finnished as council clearly wasn’t going to replace our old mower.” Mr Vandenberg said. With $2500 from the Cooranbong Community Services Centre and $3500 from the Cooranbong Senior Citizen Association, the ‘caretakers’ were able to buy a 42 inch cut JOHN DEERE from PARSONS.
“The mower is valued at around $7000 but PARSONS kindly gave us a serious discount,” Mr Vandenberg said.
But Max Shanks has one more request. “We pick up litter in the park every day but it would help enormously if parents who bring their children into the park could make sure they pick up their kids’ lolly wrappers and any other rubbish and put it in the bin,” Mr Shanks said.
