The Queensland town of Atherton, set in the scenic Atherton Tablelands, has lost some of its charm in the eyes of fed-up locals. They point to graffiti that greets people as they walk down the street, litter along the main street, and garden beds that were no longer being cared for, all chipping away at the town's appearance.
Rather than keep complaining to the council, a group of residents decided it was a case of clean-up or shut-up and took matters into their own hands. They have formed the Atherton Enhancement Group, with the stated aim of bringing Atherton back to a place that people feel proud to be part of.
The effort has put a small army of volunteers in high-vis vests onto the streets. They have been adding sparkle to the central business district and clearing away trash by the truckload, gradually restoring the town's former glory through hands-on work rather than waiting for someone else to act.
There is a specific prize in mind. Atherton was once named Queensland's tidiest town, all the way back in 2004, and it is that title the volunteers are now trying to win back for their community. For them, the campaign is about reviving a sense of local pride that has faded over the years.
The motivation is not only pride but also the practical benefits a cleaner town can bring. The group sees added tourism and marketing opportunities in such an honour, and wants to encourage people to stay an extra day on the Atherton Tablelands rather than simply passing through to somewhere else.
Business owners say they are already noticing the difference. One described how visitors from out of town are now happy to sit outside and take in what has been done, calling that kind of impression worth its weight in gold to every business on the main street as the volunteers press on with their work.