Each day David Williamson gets up at the crack of dawn, and drives his mobility scooter from his Barrack Heights home to Windang Bridge.
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But Mr Williamson – or Scooter Dave as he’s become known – is not keen on a spot of fishing; his mission is to pick up the litter left by other careless fishermen, locals and daytrippers.
Knives, broken fishing rods, pizza boxes and bottles are just some of the rubbish he comes across as he clears both sides of the bridge and surrounds.
Read more: Your guide to Australia Day in the Illawarra
His commitment to his local environment will be recognised on Friday, as he’s named Shellharbour’s 2018 Citizen of the Year during the city’s Australia Day celebrations.
“I’ve never been given anything – I’ve always had to go out and get whatever I wanted myself – so this award means a lot,” he said.
Health issues forced Mr Williamson to leave his job as a school cleaner five years ago, a role he had loved.
“I eventually got myself the scooter because I was stuck at home, not going anywhere,’’ he said.
“I decided to take the scooter for a run to the Windang bridge as I hadn’t been there for a long time.
“When I got there, I stopped and thought ‘Oh my God, who’s going to clean this’. Then it was as if a lightbulb went off and I thought ‘You are, stupid’.”
That was 12 months ago and Mr Williamson doesn’t miss a day.
His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Local residents including Eric Taylor and businesses such as Compleat Angler have cheered him on, while Independent Home Care Supplies in Wollongong donated a new scooter after a public appeal when his old one broke down.
“What I get from this community is nothing but love,” he said.
Also being recognised for her community spirit is Kiki Ratna Cuda. At just 12 years old, Kiki is the youngest Young Citizen of the Year in Shellharbour’s history.
Kiki was nominated for her kind and caring nature – for instance on her 11th birthday she asked friends to donate to Sydney children’s hospital in lieu of presents – and raised $500 in the process.
Kiki also makes care packages for the homeless, and Christmas packages for Australian soldiers deployed overseas.
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said the calibre of this year’s nominees was exceptionally high.
“All of the nominees worked tirelessly to support and assist the Shellharbour community through sporting groups, social enterprises, charity organisations, and businesses and as individuals,” she said.
“I’m always inspired by the depth of our community’s charitable nature and I admire all of this year’s nominees for their efforts and contributions that make our city a wonderful place to live.
“The Australia Day committee members that worked through the list of nominees for the Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year found it a heartwarming experience.
“While it was moving to learn about all the wonderful initiatives our residents undertake, it also makes the process of selection that much harder.
“What they all have in common is that their efforts inspired someone to nominate them for one of the highest honours bestowed in any community – to be Citizen of the Year.”
