Canning River kayakers keeping river clean

EVERY Wednesday for three years Maureen Cox and Zita Dobson have hit the Canning River for a morning kayak to fetch rubbish.

The pair has been friends for more than 50 years and their shared love of water has taken them to completing the Rottnest Swim twice, and scuba diving across the world, but their work as “Litter Ladies” is the legacy they are most proud of.

“We’re just friends who love water, we love being in it, on it or near it,” Mrs Cox said.

Mrs Cox said preservation of Perth’s waterways was important to them and in the time they have been paddling the rubbish epidemic had worsened.

“It’s getting worse, it’s plastic, plastic everywhere,” she said.

“One of our pet hates is balloons that are let loose into the sky and end up in the river… people are doing terrible things to our planet.”

Willetton’s Escape Kayaks recently recognised the duo’s efforts by donating two kayaks to help ease their journey.

“It was very nice, the owner Steve Pallister wanted to encourage us to keep going,” Mrs Cox said.

Rain or shine, Mrs Cox promised to get out on the water to continue her work.

“Winter water is better, you don’t get the strong easterly followed by a strong westerly and it’s nice and flat,” she said.

Mrs Dobson said she had one message for the community.

“Put your garbage in the bin and take your rubbish with you,” she said.