The young women, who are both finalists in the Australia Galaxy pageants to be held at the end of March, will be cleaning up Tanilba Park and the nearby beach front as a way to contribute to their community. 

Ms Hardes, who lives in Tanilba Bay, chose the park as the area to clean up as it is a favourite spot for her young family.

"We celebrated my daughters birthday there, and we use the playground a lot, so I want to maintain it and take care of it.

“Tanilba Park is such a beautiful area, and we should be taking care of our environment for future generations,” Ms Hardes said. 

Whilst the Australia Galaxy pageants don’t require the finalists to engage in community events and volunteer, it does encourage it. 

The sisters will be heading to Surfers Paradise in Queensland for the Australian Galaxy Pageants on March 28.

Gabbi will be competing in the Miss Teen Galaxy Pageant, and Emilie-Rae in the Mrs Galaxy Pageant. 

“I was looking online for ways to help the community, and I came across the Clean Up Australia Day website. 

“I thought this would be a great way to make a difference in the community we live in,” Ms Hardes said. 

The women created the clean up site on the Clean Up Australia website so people in their local community would become aware of the event and help out on the day. 

There are 13 clean up sites across Port Stephens.

For those looking to clean up areas on the Tomaree Peninsula, sites include Bagnall Beach in Nelson Bay, George Reserve at Salamander Bay, and sites in Fingal Bay and Boat Harbour. 

Sites are also being held in Medowie, Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace.

Clean Up Australia Day has been running for 27 years. In that time, Australians have devoted more than 31 million hours towards cleaning up the environment and over 331 thousand tonnes of rubbish has been collected.

The sisters will be at Tanilba Park on Tanilba Avenue cleaning up the area from 8am until 10am on March 5. 

For more information, visit cleanupaustraliaday.org.au.