00:00In the forest near Walpole, a retired policeman is on the beat, looking for rubbish offences.
00:10This area is paradise, we've got to keep it clean.
00:14For the past 20 years, Michael Philby has been patrolling this stretch of highway.
00:19If this had bottles, tins, McDonalds, it would spoil this entire image.
00:24We're heading north now towards Pemberton.
00:27A 200km round trip he does every week.
00:32It bisects the Walpole wilderness.
00:34This highway has to be kept clean for environmental reasons.
00:39I'm an ambassador for Keep Australia Beautiful.
00:42This is given out to drivers to help keep the environment clean.
00:47They then dispose of it beside the road.
00:49He's lost count of the bags he's filled.
00:52Bin it, but don't throw it.
00:54And the hundreds of tonnes he's collected.
00:57An average selection of half a bag.
00:59This would have been dumped in the bush by people who are travelling.
01:03Picking up someone else's litter is a simple but profound act.
01:08Now his selfless solo work has been recognised nationally.
01:13An award brings accolades, but there's still no government department willing to shoulder his load, or the expense.
01:22I spend myself $10,000 a year, so I've spent $200,000.
01:27But now, after the award, private sponsors are showing interest.
01:31But we are chasing places like IGA, supermarkets that actually make benefit from much of this packaging.
01:40And Clean Up Australia too.
01:42They actually suggested that there might be some funds available to help support it.
01:49Michael knows his time on the highway is finite.
01:53Do you think people are getting better?
01:55Yes I do. Not soon enough.
01:58Turning 80 this year, nothing is soon enough.
02:02So we do need it to hurry up.
02:04The power of one, working to start a chain reaction.
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