A young resident of Connells Point in New South Wales, has recently received an award by Keep Australia Beautiful for bringing his local community together under two beautiful causes, protecting the environment while re-homing stray dogs and cats. The award recognises and celebrate positive actions taken by councils, community groups and individuals in metropolitan areas to protect and enhance their local environments.
Vaughn (Vaios) Arambatzis, now 13, was about 11 years old when his family adopted a dog from Sydney Dogs and Cats Home at Carlton. Sadly, the dog had to be returned to the shelter as it just kept jumping over the fence no matter what.
“Vaughn was devastated but he was appeased to learn that the organisation does not euthanise dogs, instead, it re-homes them,” his mum Barbara Arambatzis who hails from Astypalaia, told Neos Kosmos.
“When he started Year 7, he participated at his school’s initiative called SOL Service at St Patrick’s College in Strathfield, which focuses on giving back to the community.”
That’s when his mum, a high school teacher, suggested that a project he is already passionate about would help him be more focused.
Vaughn immediately thought about the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home and whether he could support them to ensure more strays find suitable homes. Coming from a family that avidly recycles, he decided to raise funds through the NSW government’s Return and Earn scheme. Two birds with one stone.
“So, he put a bin in front of the house,” Mrs Arambatzis said, explaining that it didn’t take long for nearby homes to get on board.
In wanting to help her son’s passion project take off, Mrs Arambatzis posted it in the local community Facebook page which she manages.
“The used containers were rolling in non-stop,” she said, “to the point that we had to enlist a friend with a ute to help us empty it.”
Another Greek, Peter Panopoulos from Advanced Building and Maintenance, came to the rescue.
Not long after, State MP for Oatley Mark Coure heard about the young boy’s efforts, making a cash donation while commending Vaughn on his social media accounts.
Taking into consideration how many empty canisters were recycled, it was a huge project for one person; Vaughn ended up collecting more than 3000 cans and $500 went to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.
How it started, two years ago. Photo: Foti Arambatzis
Vaughn and his mum outside the home. Photo: Foti Arambatzis
Getting momentum. Photo: Instagram
Bunnings came to the party, donating two bins in support of the fundraiser. Photo: Foti Arambatzis
But his efforts did not end there.
Determined to make even more of a difference, he set up a goal to raise $1000 in the second year, which he actually doubled raising $2000 out of a whopping 12,000 drink containers.
When Vaughn was being handed the ‘Young Legend’s’ for the ‘Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards’ the committee said: “The real winner is not so much the recycling or the home. The real winner is the community spirit” thanking the teen for making it possible, especially during lockdown.
The passionate Greek, even received his very own recognition mention in State Parliament as well as a certificate from Mr Coure, who has kept a close eye on his efforts since day one.
“I did not expect it. It was really lovely and made me feel very special,” said Vaughn, who plans to do the whole thing again next year, but on an even bigger scale, and will ask cafes and restaurants to save their cans and bottles for him to recycle.
“I really love all animals and I hope this makes a difference,” he said promising to keep pushing towards a more sustainable way of life in the future.
Speaking of the future, his mum said that “He is freaking out. The pressure is on!… But it’s mainly him wanting to do bigger and better now that he’s gotten more momentum”.
Indeed, Vaughn plans to chat to the Council in order to secure more bins and have more help with the transport of recyclables to Return and Earn.
“There’s a service called Purple Bins so they provide the bins, and then take it away and recycle it for you on rotation. It’s something that can be ongoing and spread out to more locations.”
“Sydney Dogs and Cats Home need our help because they need to build their new shelter at Kurnell; we can do it while keeping the community free from harmful waste.”
Vaughn has started an Instagram account to promote the project further. If you feel like doing your bit for the environment and help re-home some cute cats and dogs on the side, check out @vaughnsfundraiser *The account is supervised by Vaughn’s mum.