Milly Hobson, from NSW DPI of Fisheries, found a pink flamingo "partying" in the river with a multitude of other rubbish flotsam.

"What's interesting is that I don't think there was quite as much rubbish - maybe because events like the country music festival were cancelled," she noted.

Tamworth Urban Landcare Group project manager Anne Michie said she had 50 people sign in on the COVID register and "countless" QR code sign-ins, but reckons they easily cracked 70 and maybe hit 100 all up.

"More people are really wanting to get involved in things since COVID, and I think Clean Up Australia Day was a really great way to get into it."

READ ALSO

While they were there, volunteers also planted 170 trees "like magic", in no time at all.

Across the river, the Rotary Club Of Tamworth First Light were joined by McCarthy Catholic College representatives for their clean up.

Last year, they found a safe with no loot. Their weirdest find this time: a couch.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: