"Our mission is to promote the conservation of the beautiful nature in Great Brak River. Our aim is to cultivate awareness in our community; especially in our youth, as you are the conservationists of tomorrow," said Anton Dellemijn, chairperson of the Conservancy on Monday, when he handed the prestigious Unsung Hero Award to Scott Mosterd.
Scott, living in Great Brak, is 13 years old and a learner at Holy Cross Primary School in George.
Going to school on Monday, he had no suspicion of being in the spotlight during assembly later on. During the handover, Dellemijn referred to Scott's selfless beach patrol, searching to rescue oil-stained sea birds when the Kiani Satu stranded close to Knysna in 2013.
Scott also encouraged some friends to get involved and in his spare time, he made it his mission to patrol the estuary by canoe.
Dellemijn also referred to another incident when a concerned member of the public reported an injured flamingo in the estuary to Cape Nature. Again, Scott came to the rescue by commandeering some of his friends with canoes to rescue the bird.
"In the process, they all got covered in mud and eventually moved the injured bird to the Hartenbos Animal Hospital, where he and his friends assisted the vet to do X-rays of the injured and badly bruised wing," Dellemijn continued.
During a recent beach cleaning operation in Great Brak River, Scott was first in line to do his bit.
"Other than this community cleaning exercise, this special young man is frequently spotted in his canoe with a refuge bag, cleaning the estuary."
An avid bird watcher, Scott's photographs of birds often appear on the Great Brak River Birding Facebook page.
According to Dellemijn, Scott joins the birding group regularly, and assists by helping members of the group to spot and identify the birds.
"Scott's important contribution to conserve our environment is an excellent example to us all, to appreciate, explore, experience and enjoy. We would like to challenge all of you today, to follow his example by getting involved in this noble lifestyle," concluded Dellemijn.
Extreme adventurer, international motivational speaker, youth developer, TV presenter and author of the best seller The Great Run, Braam Malherbe, who is a friend of the Conservancy, also congratulated Scott.
"Very well-deserved, Scott. Remember always to dream big, plan well, minimise risks... and know that nothing's impossible."
Scott Mosterd, with his mother, Kim, Mr Askew, principal of Holy Cross Primary, where he goes to school, and members of the conservancy, Anton Dellemijn (chairperson), Aussie Eybers and Annatjie J van Rensburg.
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