A group of about 10 Holbrook locals have been coming together since April to sew reusable shopping bags, and today handed over their first lot to the town’s IGA.

Gail Davis of Mountain Creek has been among the main drivers of the group.

Since moving to the area with her husband three years ago, Mrs Davis has been working to reduce household waste and no longer utilises kerbside rubbish collection.

“I have become aware of the community’s increasing desire to reduce the use of plastic in our region,” she said.

“Our group came together after I approached our local IGA and asked whether the store would be interested in supporting a Boomerang Bag initiative.

“The management at the store have been very supportive and enthusiastic.

“All the fabric for the bags has been donated by the community, or purchased from our local op shop.”

Cathryn Cottrell, with her mother Margaret, have provided a space for the group in their craft store on Albury Street, Lily Lu Creations.

“We have sewing machines and we’ve had about four or five working bees,” she said.

“We’ve been talking about it for some time but what really pushed us along was IGA getting rid of plastic bags.

“Those who couldn’t sew have been ironing and cutting – there’s always a job for someone.

“I’d like to get our bags into the newsagency and everywhere else in town.”

The Holbrook Boomerang Bags group has now made more than 100 bags.

At their last meeting, Greater Hume Council resolved to give the group $500 for materials and other costs after Mrs Davis approached council for their support. 

In the four years since Boomerang Bags began, an estimated 59,880 kilograms of plastic waste has been removed from landfill, the report to council said.

Holbrook joins Albury, Corowa and Tocumwal, and countless other groups in North East Victoria.