Shane Webcke kicks off recycling education at Murri Carnival

Rugby league legend Shane Webcke dropped by Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe this morning to attend the Queensland Murri Carnival where he met with Indigenous kids from across the state to talk to them about football and recycling.

Shane, who is a Containers for Change ambassador, took part in educational sessions aimed at teaching the young footballers about recycling and the role collecting and returning containers has not only for the environment, but also their clubs.

Representatives from Containers for Change, who are supporters of the Murri Carnival, were also in attendance to encourage families and clubs to start recycling and collecting their 10-cent refunds.

As a passionate recycler, Shane said the 10-cent refund on eligible beverage containers would make a big difference to those who live in rural and Indigenous communities.

“Not only is recycling these containers and bottles good for the environment, but they are also a good source of revenue,” Shane said.

“In some of these regions, there are not a lot of avenues for fundraising and to get money for their communities, so the 10 cent-refund is a huge thing.

“We want to ensure that everyone has access to the scheme so anyone can go out and pick up those containers and get some extra cash.

“The recycling scheme also teaches the kids about business, saving and working hard towards an end goal.”

Speaking exclusively to Moreton Daily, Shane said he and his brother used to collect recyclables for cash when they were kids.

“I grew up in a poor community, and before the days of Containers for Change, you could still get money for bottles and cans, so that’s how my brother and I got any money,” he said.

“If we wanted anything, that’s what we did, and it was incredibly empowering because it meant we could save up and get stuff.

“With Containers for Change, there are now opportunities for any little kid to go out and get enough of those containers so they can buy a new pair of footy boots.”

Raising money for clubs and players

The Murri Carnival is an annual rugby league carnival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Queensland rugby league teams, showing off young talent and acting as a launch pad for some of the NRL’s biggest stars.

Containers for Change have partnered with the Murri Carnival for four years.

They have provided a number of recycling bins for this year's event, with all money raised from recycling eligible containers being donated to the Arthur Beetson Foundation, which engages Indigenous Australians and works on creating better outcomes in health, education, sport, employment and business development.

Container Exchange Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spokeswoman Petrina Villaflor said fundraising for clubs will be a key focus at the 2022 carnival, with lots of fundraising information and giveaways being held on the first four days.

“We really hope young people, parents, and coaches take the message away that returning drink containers for a refund is the easiest way to fundraise for clubs,” Petrina said.

“Cashing in containers can become a community effort to help fund their clubs travel or equipment, so we encourage all clubs to sign up for a Scheme ID and start collecting.

“There are over 360 container refund points across Queensland, so whether it’s a young person saving up for new boots, or a club funding a trip, each and every container refund is making change.”

The Murri Carnival runs from September 27 to October 2 at Moreton Daily Stadium.

Inspiring the next generation

As a rugby league great who has played for the Brisbane Broncos, represented Queensland in the State of Origin, and wore the green and gold jersey for Australia, Shane has some advice for all the young players at the Murri Carnival who dream of one day playing professionally.

“It is the hardest workers who win – always,” Shane said.

“At this age, you don’t necessarily have to think about becoming a professional football player - you just gotta go out and play and enjoy the game.

“I will say to these young ladies and men, if you’re good enough, it doesn’t matter where you play, because they will find you.

“You might feel like you are going back to these rural communities and will never be seen again, but that’s not true.

“Because in our game, particularly with the expansion of the club here at Redcliffe, they will need players, and they will search from the top to the bottom of this state to find them.”