At Mowbray Golf Club, a group of retired volunteers known affectionately as the Green Team – or “Dads Army” – is proving that collecting empty drink containers can make a real difference.

The small team of volunteers spends its time maintaining the club and tackling the many jobs that keep the course looking its best. From gardening and general maintenance to smaller improvement projects, there is always something that needs doing.

And now, thanks to Recycle Rewards, there is a simple way to raise funds for the equipment they need.

For the last 12 months, the Green Team has collected eligible drink containers from around the golf course and clubhouse. With bins positioned throughout the course and behind the bar, volunteers collect and sort containers once a week – and twice a week during the busier summer months.

The approach is straightforward, but the results have added up. In just one year, the team has raised $4,200 through Recycle Rewards.

The funds have helped the volunteers purchase tools, personal protective equipment and other equipment needed to maintain the club, including items such as gloves, chainsaw oil and garden tools. They are now looking towards bigger purchases, including a pole saw and additional club equipment.

“It’s nice having some good equipment, where we have in the past just had to struggle through with what we had,” says Green Team volunteer Rodney Eiszele.

Sometimes, the difference is as simple as being able to replace an everyday item when it is needed.

“We needed something simple like a leaf rake, and with Recycle Rewards we are now able to just go and get it,” says Rodney.

For the volunteers, the benefits extend well beyond the money raised.

The weekly collection and sorting has become another reason for the group to get together, catch up and enjoy each other’s company.

“The social aspect of doing this together is really important,” the team says. “We have morning teas together. It’s a bit like a Men’s Shed and really important to us all.”

There is even a friendly competition around how many containers they have collected each week.

“We love to see how much we’ve got. We have little guesses each week.”

The Green Team has also noticed another positive change; “litter around the course has reduced substantially too!”

With around $1,000 surplus in their kitty, the team is considering how they can help others.

At Mowbray Golf Club, every 10 cent container is helping the Green Team keep more than just the course in good shape.