The Mid-West shows us how to bottle up brilliance

The Mid-West is defined by its connection to coast, to the land and, most importantly, to community. It’s a place where people know their neighbours, lending a hand without hesitation, because they know more than anyone that small acts can travel far beyond them. It’s this strong sense of community that makes caring for the local environment feel not like a chore but more like shared responsibility, and perhaps even more so a chance to connect once more.

A prime example is the long-standing community group, the Kalbarri Old Bastards, a moniker derived from WWII when American soldiers stationed in Australia were amused to learn that “G’day you old bastard!” was a friendly greeting, not a fight-starter. They took the phrase home and formed the International Order of Old Bastards (IOOB), a tongue-in-cheek group still active in parts of the U.S.

In Kalbarri, that spirit has translated into something much more than a name. Operating for more than two decades, the group has embraced Containers for Change by saving 10¢ containers as a way to give back to their community. Containers for Change is Western Australia’s container deposit scheme that offers a 10¢ refund for every accepted beverage container returned. They make it easy for residents to turn everyday actions into something meaningful. So, when you save your accepted drink container and return it to Containers for Change, you earn a 10¢ refund that can either be kept or donated to a local good cause.

Since October 2020, the Kalbarri Old Bastards have saved more than 1.9 million containers, an extraordinary effort that has kept countless accepted containers out of general waste while supporting a range of local good causes. It shows there’s real value in every container, and it’s this kind of community effort that reflects the impact of small, consistent actions. What might seem like a minor action of setting aside your containers can quickly become something so much more.

A 10¢ container box in the garage. A bag in the car. A shared system at work.

When multiplied across a town, the impact grows. Keeping containers out of general waste means they can be recycled into new products, such as drink containers, creating an opportunity for communities to come together and turn everyday actions into meaningful impact. The Lions Club of Northampton are another example of what’s possible when communities work together. As part of a wider network that spans Western Australia, the club plays a key role in supporting local needs, and container saving has become one of the ways they do it.

Since joining the scheme in October 2020, the Northampton Lions have saved more than 870,000 containers. Even more recently, they’ve kept nearly 130,000 10¢ containers out of general waste since July 2025 alone.

These stories highlight how meaningful change doesn’t have to start big. It can begin with something as straightforward as setting aside your empty containers instead of throwing them away.

And it’s indicative of something bigger than ourselves, but it always starts with us: when individuals take that first step, it becomes easier for others to join in. Workplaces can introduce shared collection points. Community groups can organise donation systems. Local events can encourage attendees to contribute their containers.

It’s no surprise that a region shaped by community spirit holds stories like these. Small pockets of connection that, together, reflect something much bigger.

Containers for Change makes it easy for residents to turn everyday actions into something meaningful: save accepted drink containers and return them for a 10¢ refund that can either be kept or donated to a local good cause. For more information on how you can make a difference, you can visit the website.