A student in Melbourne Angus Liddell has raised thousands of dollars for disadvantaged communities has been recognised as Kingston’s 2026 Young Citizen of the Year, reports Bayside News. He invested a year in fundraising, volunteering, leadership and a 10km swim for charity and his efforts yielded him rewards. He was recognised for his work organising a Mission Action Day charity swim, and his efforts to raise almost $7,000 through St Bede College’s annual fundraising campaign. Over the years, has raised close to $10,000 through the campaign over several years.
He also volunteers as a lifesaver at Mentone Life Saving Club, and is a College Leader and Swim Captain at St Bede’s. Angus Liddell was recognized with the Young Citizen of the Year award at the 2026 Kingston Youth Awards for his ongoing commitment to helping others and encouraging fellow young people to get involved in their community, states the latest media release by Kingston Government website.
One of Angus’s significant achievements was organizing the first Mission Action Day Swim, a 10km charity swim involving 20 young people. The event was held to raise money and awareness for communities in need of help.
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Kingston mayor Cr Georgina Oxley congratulated the winners on their success. She said “Angus and the St Bede’s College Captains Team are fantastic examples of the difference young people can make when they see an opportunity to help others and put their hand up to lead. Angus has shown incredible initiative through his fundraising, volunteering and the creation of the Mission Action Day Swim, while the College Captains Team has brought their wider school community together to raise more than $86,000 for people in need.”
“These awards are about recognising young people who aren’t waiting for the future to make a difference, they are doing it right now. We hear a lot about the challenges young people face, but we don’t always hear enough about what they are achieving,” Cr Oxley said. “The awards are a chance to celebrate that contribution and remind young people that their ideas, energy and leadership are valued in Kingston.”
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A volunteer lifesaver outside classroom
Outside the classroom, Angus is a volunteer lifesaver at Mentone Life Saving Club, as well as a College Leader and Swim Captain. He volunteers as a lifesaver at Mentone Life Saving Club, combining his passion for swimming with a commitment to serving the community. At St Bede’s College, he is a College Leader and Swim Captain, playing an active role in student activities and school initiatives. His involvement reflects a broader effort to encourage other young people to take part in community service, rather than simply raising money himself.
The Mission Action Day Swim brought that approach to life, giving students, families and members of the wider community an opportunity to come together and support the cause.
A student team making a wider impact
Angus was not the only St Bede’s student recognised at this year’s awards. The St Bede’s College Captains Team was named Young Community Group of the Year after leading the college’s 2026 Mission Action Day campaign. The campaign has raised an impressive $86,197, supporting projects in disadvantaged communities across Australia and overseas, including Indigenous communities in Western Australia and communities in Thailand and Pakistan.
The student leaders also worked to build a stronger culture of service throughout the college. They encouraged classmates to develop their own fundraising initiatives and find practical ways to support others in their communities.
The Kingston Youth Awards celebrate the achievements, leadership, creativity, community involvement and contributions of young people across our city. The awards recognise young people who are making a difference through volunteering, advocacy, sport, education, community projects and supporting others.
Cr Oxley said celebrating the achievements of young people was an important part of recognising the contribution they make to the Kingston community. “We hear a lot about the challenges young people face, but we don’t always hear enough about what they are achieving,” Cr Oxley said. “The awards are a chance to celebrate that contribution and remind young people that their ideas, energy and leadership are valued in Kingston.”
