A small community in southern WA is rallying to support an 80-year-old volunteer who has been single-handedly maintaining a 200-kilometer stretch of highway clean for the past two decades. Michael Filby, a retired police officer, has been patrolling the South Coast Highway, 412 kilometers south of Perth, with his trusty 1975 Lada Niva, logging enough miles to circle the globe four times. Despite his invaluable contributions, Mr. Filby receives no government funding, relying solely on a $2,000 annual stipend from the Shire of Manjimup. Community members are now stepping up to help cover his operating costs and ensure his legacy by training a successor. Local hairdresser Jo Lane initiated a GoFundMe campaign after learning that Mr. Filby had to pay $4,000 out of his own pocket to keep his old car running. She aims to raise $30,000 to cover his running costs for the next three years, highlighting his quiet dedication to the town. Local chemist Emma KcKinlay was the first to personally donate, moved by Mr. Filby's struggles with car repairs. Shire of Manjimup councillor Jennifer Wilcox, a founding member of Walpole Tidy Town, has explored various funding avenues, including an unsuccessful trip to Canberra. She emphasizes the need for public support to sustain Mr. Filby's efforts, as he has spent $100,000 of his own money over the years. Mr. Filby, determined to continue as long as he is 'fit enough to do it,' seeks funding to keep his mission going, calling it the 'last throw of the dice' to secure the necessary resources.
