Imagine dedicating two decades of your life to keeping a 200-kilometer stretch of highway pristine, all as a volunteer. That’s exactly what 80-year-old Michael Filby has done for the Walpole community in southern Western Australia. But here’s where it gets emotional: despite his tireless efforts, Michael has largely funded this noble endeavor himself, with only a modest annual stipend from the Shire of Manjimup to support him. Now, the community is rallying to ensure his legacy doesn’t fade—and this is the part most people miss: they’re not just raising money for him; they’re training a successor to carry on his work. But here’s where it gets controversial: Why has it taken so long for broader government support to materialize for someone who’s done so much for the public good? Is it fair to leave the burden of environmental stewardship to individuals like Michael?**
Michael’s trusty companion in this endeavor is his 1975 Lada Niva, a vehicle that has logged enough kilometers to circle the globe four times. Together, they patrol the South Coast Highway, a vital route running through Walpole, 412 kilometers south of Perth. His dedication is undeniable, yet the financial strain has been immense. Over the years, Michael has spent over $100,000 of his own money to keep his mission alive. As he puts it, ‘I’m running out of money, but in the long term, it would help a possible future.’ This campaign, he says, is his ‘last throw of the dice’ to secure the funding he needs to continue.
The community’s response has been heartwarming. Local hairdresser Jo Lane took action after learning Michael had to pay $4,000 out of his own pocket to keep his aging car running. She set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $30,000 to cover his operating costs for the next three years. ‘I think it’s our turn to give a little bit to him, to let him know he’s supported,’ Jo said. She describes Michael as a ‘silent achiever’ who rarely speaks about his own contributions, despite their importance to the town. ‘You can go out there and see how clean it is and the work he does,’ she added.
Support has been growing steadily. Local chemist Emma McKinlay was the first to donate after hearing about Michael’s car troubles. ‘My heart really broke for him,’ she said, recounting how his brakes failed just before Christmas, followed by a punctured tire and a broken jack. ‘He’s just a pensioner having to fund all of this,’ she reflected. ‘I really wanted to do something to help him.’
Jennifer Wilcox, a Shire of Manjimup councillor and founding member of Walpole Tidy Town alongside Michael, has been tirelessly seeking funding for his work. ‘There’s hardly a government department, a shire, a corporation, a grant funding body, philanthropic—you name it, everything,’ she said. Despite an unsuccessful trip to Canberra last year, she sees this community effort as a ‘last gasp’ to allow Michael to retire with dignity. ‘Now that Michael’s 80, I see this as the last chance for all of us to get behind the cause,’ she added.
The broader question remains: Why should individuals like Michael bear the brunt of a problem caused by public littering? As Michael himself pointed out, ‘The government said to us, “It’s the public who litters.” Okay, now we need the help of the public to keep going.’ This story isn’t just about one man’s dedication; it’s a call to action for all of us. What do you think? Should governments step up more to support environmental champions like Michael, or is it the community’s responsibility to fill the gap? Let’s discuss in the comments.
