General News
23 May, 2025
Daily steps for a cleaner future
David Bucknall was raised by his parents to keep things tidy and he has maintained this philosophy all his life.
As part of National Volunteer Week celebrations, local parkrun members wanted to publicly say thank you to David for his efforts in keeping the Goldfields Reservoir walking track litter-free.
When asked how long he has been picking up rubbish, David said it is just something he has done on an informal basis forever.
“In the many years I have lived and walked in Amphitheatre and Maryborough, I just can’t go past rubbish left on the ground,” David said.
“I simply don’t know how anyone can drop litter like that.”
Every morning, David walks around the Goldfields Reservoir with his legendary grabber-claw, ensuring the environment is as pristine as possible.
“But on Saturdays I have to get up earlier because the parkrun event starts at 8 am,” he said.
Parkrun spokesperson and run director, Debbie Macer, said David has become famous among the group’s runners and walkers.
“We always know the track will look fabulous for the many visitors we have from far and wide each Saturday morning,” she said.
“We really appreciate what he does for us and love his warm smile when we wave to him as we pass him by.
“Informal volunteering like this is growing and is so important to our community.”
David was an assistant principal at the former Maryborough High School, before retiring to Amphi-theatre for a number of years and then returning to live in Maryborough.
The Maryborough Volunteer Resource Group publicly recognised David’s contribution at the Central Goldfields Shire’s highly successful Volunteer Thank You Night at the Maryborough Harness Racing Club last Monday night.