James Prangnell didn’t set out to make a statement. He just didn’t want to see Kiama covered in campaign rubbish.

The morning after the federal election, James spotted a pile of political signs outside Kiama Uniting Church. It was Sunday.

He figured there would be a service, and he didn’t want worshippers greeted by plastic and tape.

After ten minutes waiting in his car, he got out and cleaned it up himself.

Reverend Kath Merrifield later thanked him for his thoughtfulness.

It wasn’t the first time James had stepped in. Years earlier, he posted on Facebook about signs left outside Kiama High School. This time, he expanded his clean-up.

He removed signage, untangled cable ties, and collected soaked how-to-vote flyers from public spaces across town.

Some of the corflute signs found a second life. “One of my neighbours has beehives and used them to make varroa mite traps,” he said. “That felt like a win.”

He walked away with a jar of honey and the quiet satisfaction of leaving things better than he found them.

“This isn’t about politics,” he said. “It’s about looking after the place we live in.”

James and his partner Jancy often collect rubbish when they visit the beach. He said he felt disheartened by the angry tone online and hopes people can channel frustration into action.

“I just want people to think. If you see a mess, maybe help clean it up. You don’t need permission to be kind.”

One Facebook commenter summed it up best: “You’ve done more for the community in one hour than some candidates did all campaign.”

And for those who left Trump of Patriot signs behind, the community has a message.

“Looking at you, Clive. If you can find sixty million dollars to fund a campaign, please find 15 minutes to clean up after it.