Albany Light Opera and Theatre stalwart Linda Leighton given lifetime service award for 61 years volunteering

Six decades of volunteering at the Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company has not gone unnoticed for Linda Leighton, with the devoted patron of the arts receiving a lifetime service award last week.

Leighton, the group’s longest-serving member, accepted a WA volunteer lifetime service award at a ceremony on Friday.

She has turned her hand to almost all roles the theatre has to offer in her 61 years of service, working as a performer, costume manager, seamstress, front of house, director, and president and vice-president of the committee.

Leighton entered the company at age 14, when a schoolfriend asked her to join their production of White Horse Inn.

“I came to see the show and just loved it,” she said.

“They had one more night (to perform) and I asked if I could join.

“I told (the director) I loved singing and after a bit of pleading, she agreed that if I learnt the chorus songs I could join.

“I was over the Moon.”

In the years since, Leighton has performed in more than 80 productions and been involved in more than 100 shows behind the scenes.

She recalls the many homes ALOTCO has had over the years, with its dressing rooms evolving from a tarpaulin-covered muddy alley between two buildings to the state-of-the-art area at the current Port Theatre.

“I find it hard to believe it’s been 60 years since I joined the company,” Leighton said.

“Of course over the years I have seen many people come and go, and many have become dear friends.

“Some of the younger members have gone on to be very successful and I’m always so proud of them.

“I’ve always so enjoyed being a member of the company and hope that the new members will enjoy being here as much as I have.

“I’m proud to have travelled this journey from the humble beginnings to the high standard we present today, and I hope it will continue this way for many years to come.”

Member for Albany Rebecca Stephens presented Leighton with a framed certificate acknowledging her service on Friday, as members of the local group watched on proudly.

Ministers Don Punch and David Templeman — who cover the portfolios of Volunteering and the Arts respectively — sent Leighton personal video messages, congratulating her on both her decades of service to the arts and her recent 75th birthday.

Leighton said though she was now “on her own journey”, following her recent diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, she hoped she could still be involved in the theatre for years to come.