Busselton Dunsborough Mail

KALEN Bennet has been named the latest recipient of the Busselton Freight Rising Sports Star Award, recognising an outstanding year of achievements on the local, state, national and international stage.

A student at St Mary MacKillop College Busselton, Kalen has established himself as one of Australia's most promising young endurance athletes, consistently producing exceptional performances in trail running, cross country, road racing and athletics.

In 2025, Kalen claimed victory at the Asia Pacific XTERRA Trail Run Championships, winning the 10km event outright in the open age category.

He continued his outstanding form in 2026, being crowned the Asia Pacific XTERRA Under 19 Champion while also finishing Runner-Up Overall in the 21km Championships.

He then represented Australia at the XTERRA Trail Run World Championships in Gozo, Malta, where he won the silver medal in his age group, further cementing his place among the world's leading young trail runners.

On the national stage, Kalen has proudly represented Western Australia on multiple occasions at the School Sport Australia National Cross Country Championships, competing in Canberra, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

In 2025, he was honoured to captain the Western Australian State Team, leading his teammates at the national championships while helping the relay team to a fourth-place finish.

His athletics achievements are equally impressive.

Kalen won gold in the 1500m at the 2025 Athletics West Country Championships, claimed gold in the 3000m and silver in the 1500m at the 2024 WA All Schools Championships, and has collected medals at numerous State Cross Country Championships, ACC Championships and WA All Schools events.

Away from championship competition, Kalen has dominated road and trail running events across Western Australia.

He has recorded victories at the Perth Trail Series, Pemberton Trail Festival, Dwellingup Mighty Jarrah Trail, Bunbury 3 Waters Road Race, Australia Day Fun Run, Runningworks events and many other open-age competitions, regularly competing against experienced adult runners.

His dedication and leadership have also been recognised through the South West Academy of Sport Connor Lambert Community Achiever Award, acknowledging not only his sporting excellence but also his commitment to giving back to the community.

Kalen is an active volunteer, recently assisting at the Bunbury 3 Waters Road Race by working at a drink station and supporting competitors at the finish line.

He also dedicates countless hours to coaching junior basketball with the Busselton Basketball Association, mentoring players across Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 19 teams.
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The Busselton Freight Rising Sports Star Committee congratulates Kalen on his remarkable achievements and looks forward to following his sporting journey as he continues to represent Busselton, WA and Australia on the international stage.

The Award recognises outstanding young athletes aged 13–18 who reside within the City of Busselton.

Monthly winners receive $400, with all monthly recipients becoming eligible for the annual awards, including the $800 Encouragement Award, $2,000 Runner-Up Award, and the $4,000 Overall Rising Sports Star Award.

To nominate, email [email protected] with the athlete's details and accomplishments

THE Busselton community was given a chance to learn more about Kwaba Bidi's services at a well-attended recent event.

Dozens of people headed to the High Street Hall for the Kwaba Bidi Community Day, where they were able to ask questions of staff about the organisation's three programs, while enjoying good food and conversation.

Manager Janene Gray was pleased with the turnout.

"The Community Day was a fantastic way to strengthen our connections within the Busselton community and give people the chance to learn more about what we do," she said.

Kwaba Bidi is a South West Aboriginal Medical Service program, and was founded in 2023 to provide culturally-appropriate foster care to Aboriginal children across the region.

It has since expanded to include the Regional Family Support Hub, an early intervention service delivered in partnership with Key Assets, and the Home Stretch program which provides support to young Aboriginal people leaving the foster care system.

Ms Gray noted all three programs operate in the Busselton area.

"One of our Regional Family Support Hub workers is actually based in Busselton and is here to support the community," she said.

"We recently relocated our Busselton office to the Community Resource Centre, which has allowed us to be open to the public more days every week.

"If you are a family or a young person aged 18 to 25 years old with a past care experience in need of help, please get in touch with us."

To learn more about the Kwaba Bidi's services in Busselton, visit the Kwaba Bidi page or call us on (08) 9726 6072.