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| Anna Rogers picture |
By Daniel Bateman, Wednesday, August 10, 2011
© The Cairns Post
SHE'S the woman who is turning trash into treasure - literally. Megan Bayliss is the mastermind behind The Junk Wave.
The students work with waste products such as used milk bottles, egg cartons, cans, newspapers, magazines, ex-factory materials and defunct machinery. The items are cleaned and turned into colourful works of art.
So far, students have turned milk containers into flowers and useable handbags; and aluminium cans and upholstery into reef fish and sharks.
It is hoped the students will one day turn a profit from their artwork at markets.
The Junk Wave is also working on a float for the Cairns Festival.
"I can get eight useful craft items just from one milk bottle," Ms Bayliss said.
The social worker was inspired by a documentary on oceanic garbage patches, which have gathered floating plastic, chemical sludge and other debris.
"For us, living next to the Great Barrier Reef, it is almost our civic duty to make sure none of this garbage enters the ocean."
The program is at My Other Mum Training College in Manunda but so much junk has been donated Ms Bayliss is in danger of an avalanche of craft products.
While the The Junk Wave always welcomes materials, it is also in need of volunteers to help with the program, and is looking for a bigger location to work in.
Reference: http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/08/10/177671_local-news.html Downloaded 28 May 2012
Compiler's Note: To date, 16 June 2012, Megan Bayliss has been nominated for:
- AusMumpreneur Awards,
- Telstra Business Women's Awards
- Pride of Australia Medal (Environmental)
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