International Women’s Day: Hannah Miles, young citizen of the year, steps up protect Geraldton marine life

One young woman in Geraldton is leading the way by showing older generations the importance of protecting the environment, as well as being a shining inspiration for her friends, family and younger generations. On this International Women’s Day, 14-year-old Hannah Miles is an example of leading the way in sustainable living and protecting the natural environment we all inherit. Hannah was named Geraldton’s young citizen at the Australia Day awards this year for her efforts to keep the Mid West coast clean and protect marine life. Hannah and her family spend most weekends at the beach and enjoy travelling to Port Gregory to visit her grandparents. Hannah said she was not sure how much waste she had collected so far, but would pick up anything she could get her hands on. She also collects cans and bottles for the containers for change scheme and won’t allow her parents to purchase products tested on animals, always reading labels and opting for cruelty-free goods. “Conditioners are made from a specific palm tree in a habitat for monkeys and birds that’s taken away for products that we’re using,” she said. “I love the planet, the ocean and animals so when I go to the beach I’ll pick up rubbish, rope, cans and bottles. We’re a family that likes to go to the beach every weekend when we can.” Hannah said when she was younger her family observed a seagull with a fishing hook caught in its eye and ever since she has been an avid ocean animal protector. “We captured the seagull with the picnic blanket and we took it to the vet and it ended up surviving which was really nice,” she said. Her mother, Kelli Miles, said the family was always urged to pull over and move animals like bobtail lizards away from the road if Hannah saw them at risk. Hannah said she was not huge on sport, but she had a creative brain and enjoyed art and music. Hannah said she also hoped to manufacture a biodegradable balloon that would dissolve in water so it would not be a risk to animals or get blocked in drains. “When I was in primary school it was right next to the church and at funerals they let balloons go and made roseries out of balloons. Because of how windy it gets, it’s obviously going to blow the balloon to the ocean and then turtles are going to try and eat it,” she said. “I thought to myself what if I could try and figure out how to make a biodegradable balloon that would dissolve in the water so it wont harm the animals.” Hannah’s advice is simple: she hopes people tried their best to help heal the environment and act as a positive role model for others to adapt the same good habits “If you see a plastic bag blowing away, don’t just dust it off, pick it up, throw it away and be responsible,” she said. “At recess, people at school can get lazy and leave their rubbish rather than take it to the bin. I try to make a joke out of it and say ‘what about the turtles?’ to keep the mood light I guess.”