A dedicated Melbourne schoolboy who created a new 10-kilometre charity swim and raised nearly $10,000 for good causes has been named Kingston’s Young Citizen of the Year. According to the 2026 Kingston Youth Awards, Angus Liddell, a Year 12 student, college leader, and swim captain at St Bede’s College, received the honour for his strong commitment to community service, fundraising, and youth leadership across the region.
Innovative Charity Swim Brings Young People Together
According to information from St Bede’s College, a major reason for Angus’s recognition was his creation of the first Mission Action Day Swim, a team endurance event created to support the school’s annual charity campaign. Held at the Mentone Aquatic Centre, the event challenged teams of four to complete a combined 10 kilometres within two hours. Swimmers took turns in a relay, pushing themselves physically while raising money and awareness for disadvantaged communities in Australia and overseas. St Bede’s College said the event brought together 20 young swimmers and created a new tradition for the school. It also gave students, families, and local residents an active way to take part in community service.
Outstanding Personal Fundraising
St Bede’s College reported that Angus became one of the school’s most successful individual fundraisers. Through the college’s annual fundraising campaign, Angus raised almost $7,000 in one year. This set a new record for the most money raised by an individual student at the school. Across his years of taking part in the campaign, his total fundraising has reached nearly $10,000. According to St Bede’s College, his fundraising was part of a larger effort by the St Bede’s College Captains Team. The team won Young Community Group of the Year after leading a campaign that raised an impressive $86,197. The college said the money will support important social projects in disadvantaged communities, including Indigenous communities in Western Australia. It will also support development projects in Thailand and Pakistan.
Beach Safety and School Leadership
Angus’s community work goes well beyond school fundraising and swimming competitions. According to St Bede’s College, while managing his studies and leadership roles as College Leader and Swim Captain, he also volunteers as a lifesaver at the Mentone Life Saving Club. He regularly helps patrol local beaches, protects beachgoers, and supports water safety along the Port Phillip coastline. His leadership in sport, community safety, and charity made him a strong candidate for the city’s top youth award.
Civic Leaders Praise Youth Leadership
The Kingston City Council’s Kingston Youth Awards recognise young people for their achievements, leadership, creativity, and contributions to the community through volunteering, education, and support programs. Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley praised Angus and the other student leaders for taking action and finding ways to help others. “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,” Cr Oxley said.“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.”Cr Oxley said recognising young people’s achievements is important for building strong and connected communities.“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.”She also said the award winners showed that young people can make a difference now, rather than waiting for the future.“These awards are about recognising young people who aren’t waiting for the future to make a difference, they are doing it right now.”
An Inspiring Example for Future Leaders
The Kingston Youth Awards’ recognition of Angus Liddell as Young Citizen of the Year shows the strong impact that young people can have through fundraising, volunteering, and community service. According to St Bede’s College, Angus has combined his swimming skills with his passion for helping others to create a lasting charity initiative that can continue supporting disadvantaged communities in the years ahead. His achievements offer an inspiring example for future students, showing how personal initiative, sport, leadership, and community service can come together to create meaningful social change.
