Everyday Heroes in Macedon Ranges

Everyday-heroes-logo.png

Celebrating Local Champions of Recycling and Waste Reduction

We are proud to launch Everyday Heroes in the Macedon Ranges—a new campaign recognising local legends who go above and beyond to reduce waste, recycle correctly, and inspire others to live more sustainably. 

This initiative, led by our Resource Recovery team, replaces the long-running “Let’s Get Sorted” branding and marks a renewed commitment to celebrating the positive actions of our community. 

A Spotlight on Sustainability Champions

For over five years, our community has embraced the four-bin system—separating general waste, recycling, glass, and organics—to reduce landfill and improve resource recovery. Now, we're shining a light on the people who make it happen every day. 

Whether it is someone passionate about zero waste, a neighbourhood organiser on bin night, or someone who educates others about what belongs in which bin, these are our Everyday Heroes! 

What Makes an Everyday Hero?

Everyday Heroes can help reduce waste and promote sustainability by: 

  • using the four-bin system correctly for general waste, recycling, glass, and organics
  • keeping recyclables clean and placing only accepted items in each bin
  • preventing litter and illegal dumping through responsible disposal
  • using reusable items and cutting down on waste
  • sharing recycling knowledge with others and leading by example

You don’t need to be perfect, just passionate! 

Nomination period

We invited residents and ratepayers of the Macedon Ranges to nominate themselves or someone they know as an Everyday Hero. 

Thank you to those who nominated! Nominations closed at 5pm on Friday 31 October 2025. 

The stories may be featured on Council’s website, social media, or newsletter in the coming months.

 

Meet our Heroes

Sharyn


Sharyn.jpg


Sharyn is an Everyday Hero who helps her community recycle right - one Facebook post at a time! Each week, she reminds the 'Mums in Woodend' Facebook group which bins to put out for collection, often pairing her posts with a funny meme or a clever tip.

Her light-hearted reminders make recycling easy to remember and fun to talk about, helping hundreds of local families keep their bins in order. By mixing humour with helpful information, Sharyn inspires others to recycle correctly and take notice of Council recycling initiatives such as promoting the Council’s Waste App and supporting new programs like soft plastics recycling.

Through her weekly posts, Sharyn has created a ripple effect of positive environmental behaviour across the Woodend community. Her practical approach and friendly tone make waste and recycling a topic people actually look forward to engaging with.

Thank you, Sharyn, for helping make Woodend a cleaner, greener, and more connected community!

Mark


Mark_Everyday_Hero.jpg


As the driving force behind the Wash Against Waste trailer, Mark is an Everyday Hero whose commitment to waste reduction makes a weekly impact across the Macedon Ranges. You’ll see Mark and the other Wash Against Waste volunteers at local markets and events helping to substitute disposable cups, plates and containers with reusable alternatives.

Armed with reusable crockery, cutlery, mugs and glasses, plus all the equipment needed to wash and sanitise them for reuse, the Wash Against Waste initiative prevents thousands of single-use items from ending up in landfill each year. Mark’s commitment as coordinator of the initiative has sparked important conversations about sustainability, showing residents and event organisers that greener choices are not only achievable, but can be cost effective and easy to implement. His leadership has inspired other groups to adopt reusable systems, creating a ripple effect across the region and beyond.

A long-standing and active member of the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group (MRSG), Mark is a strong advocate for community involvement. The Wash Against Waste program relies on volunteer power, and would not be possible but for the volunteer drivers and many wash volunteers getting involved. Volunteer power makes these initiatives possible, and even a small contribution of time can create a big difference locally. MRSG is always looking for more volunteers and new members to strengthen their impact, support events, and help bring sustainability projects to life across the shire. For more information, head to Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group.

Mark is a 20-year resident of the Macedon Ranges. At home, Mark lives the values he promotes: growing vegetables, reducing waste, composting food scraps, choosing low-packaging products and buying local whenever he can.

Thank you, Mark, for helping create a cleaner, more conscious and more sustainable Macedon Ranges, and for encouraging others to get involved and make a difference too!