Albany leader wins Young Legend gong at WA Tidy Towns Awards

A zest for brightening the lives of others and rallying her community to act on climate change has earned Albany’s Bridget Mason, 19, the title of WA Young Legend at this year’s Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards.

The Statewide awards, presented in Perth on Friday last week by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson, acknowledge the sustainable efforts of groups and individuals across WA. Albany was a finalist in three categories.

Through her role as team leader of the Disabled Surfing Association Great Southern and Albany’s Breakfast in the Park, Ms Mason has clocked more than 250 volunteer hours this year.

“Seeing people’s reactions to being helped and knowing how much this benefits them is very special for me, and I am so grateful to be a part of it,” she said.

Judges recognised Ms Mason’s commitment to sustainable living — such as making her own toiletries. She helped to organise a school climate demonstration and was part of Albany’s Climate Strike committee.

The UWA Botany and Conservation student was invited to a Global Young Leaders conference in Washington earlier this year.

Albany and Regional Volunteer Service also shone at the WA awards, taking home the Community Action and Wellbeing title for Breakfast in the Park.

Since February, a team of 15 volunteers has held three breakfasts a week for those in need. They are now looking to add a pizza oven to their food trailer and bring in a hairdresser to offer free haircuts to the homeless.

ARVS is also helping to roll out similar park breakfasts in Denmark and Mt Barker.