Young surf patrol captain wins nomination

Hours spent helping her community on the sand and in the water have led to recognition for young Eaton resident Kiera Albertsen.

Miss Albertsen, 18, has been nominated in this year's Western Australian Young Achiever Awards in the Catholic Education WA Young Leadership Award category for her volunteering efforts at the City of Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club.

The awards aim to show the achievements of young West Australians up to 29 years of age. She will find out if she has won the award on May 13. Miss Albertsen said she was surprised to be nominated in the awards and thought it was amazing.

"I do a lot of patrols with the club and I work with a lot of the kids, which I find rewarding and I think that was a major factor in my nomination," she said.

"I like to follow the kids as they move up the age groups as they learn new skills and succeed."

Miss Albertsen has been involved in the club for a number of years and joined because her family were also members.

"I just find it fun and there's a good family atmosphere around the club," she said.

City of Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club youth director Todd Haffner nominated Miss Albertsen because of her initiative and the respect she commanded from fellow members.

"She's our youngest patrol captain and is respected by all of her peers," he said.

"She exceeds what we are meant to do as volunteer lifesaving members and helps the community so much."