2023 Fred Hollows Humanity Award Junior Ambassadors
In 2023, 6 Junior Ambassadors from across the nation were recognised at a Fred Hollows Humanity Award ceremony, hosted by The Honourable Margaret Beazley, Governor of New South Wales at Government House, Sydney.
The Humanity Award celebrates children who show compassion, integrity and kindness in their everyday lives. Whether it’s helping others, supporting good causes or volunteering, no act of kindness is too small to acknowledge.
Below are the 2023 Junior Ambassadors who are embodying a humanitarian spirit, just like Fred did:
- New South Wales - Zakrya Swade, Peakhurst West Public School
- Victoria – Harlow Cooper, Wandiligong Primary School
- Australian Capital Territory - Elizabeth Banks, Macgregor Primary School
- Queensland – Rose Ness Wilson, St William’s Primary School
- Northern Territory – Jorja Zelley, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
- Western Australia – Fay Rendell, All Saints’ College
New South Wales
Zakrya Swade, Peakhurst West Public School
Year 6 student, Zakrya, has been a Junior Cadet for St John Ambulance for over three years.
He is an exemplary role model and a Positive Behaviour Leader at his school.
Zakyra is currently fundraising for The Penny Appeal, to build four water wells in developing countries.
He is a gentle, yet confident leader and has already been nominated for an Outstanding Leadership Award.
Victoria
Harlow Cooper, Wandiligong Primary School
Captain and Environmental Warrior, Harlow, is being recognised for her passion for the environment.
She has organised fundraising events for The Koala Conservation and has used her voice for good, writing letters to her local politicians about the plight of Alpine dingoes in Victoria.
Australian Capital Territory
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Banks, MacGregor Primary School
Lizzie is an active and committed honorary member of the Castle of Kindness Refugee Sponsorship Group, that is run by her parents.
This organisation supports refugee families within their first 12 months of living in Australia.
Lizzie is autistic and has ADHD, so she understands how it feels to be different.
She is particularly excited about welcoming refugee children to Canberra and making new friends, despite occasional language barriers.
She is kind and considerate, often giving away her allowance to charity.
Queensland
Rose Ness Wilson, St William's Primary School
Little Humanitarian and Community Captain Rose goes above and beyond to help people in need.
Rose participates in fun runs to raise money for medical research and for charities that support premature babies, just like she once was.
Annually, she packs Christmas hampers for St Vincent de Paul Society and includes personalised handwritten messages.
She is always eager to volunteer her time to causes she is passionate about and visits aged care facilities to entertain residents with her school choir.
Keen to have her voice heard, Rose also started and ran the school newsletter, which was written by the students, for the students.
Northern Territory
Jorja Zelley, St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Western Australia
Fay Rendell, All Saints' College
Young humanitarian, Fay, is being acknowledged for her activism.
She advocates for what she believes in, and recently made an inquiry into the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground signage.
She urged the Rottnest Island Authority to show greater respect for and acknowledgment of the grounds.
She also started the Give a Can, Give a Dam initiative, urging her peers to take care of the environment.
Nominate a Year 6 student today!
Do you know a Year Six student who follows in Fred's footsteps by making a positive difference in their community? Then nominate them for The Fred Hollows Foundation Humanity Awards.