Each morning, Josephine (Josie) Jones starts by collecting rubbish on the beach. A single mum, since 2006 she has volunteered over 10,000 hours and countless dollars to improve the water quality in Mornington Peninsula’s bays – personally collecting over 5.3 tonnes of rubbish from its shorelines.
Josie devotes every spare moment to stopping litter entering Mornington’s waterways, and engaging her community to inspire change. Through personal commitment, public speaking, social media, and consulting with local government, community groups, corporations, schools and businesses, she has educated stakeholders and inspired others to take care of the environment.
A graphic designer, she has used her skills successfully to dramatically decrease cigarette butts on local streets through her 'The Only Butt' campaign.
Josie’s outstanding work has received recognition through awards including the Dame Phyllis Frost Award in 2016, and 2017 Litter Prevention prize from Keep Victoria Beautiful. Currently the Mornington Peninsula Australia Day Citizen of the Year 2019, she is a much-admired local role model.