Minister Barr: 29 Canberra students receive Fred Hollows Humanity Awards
- Written by ACT Government
Released 25/09/2015
29 primary school students in the ACT were today recognised for their community citizenship and compassion through the Fred Hollows Humanity Awards.
The Fred Hollows Humanity Awards celebrate the wonderful and caring contributions our primary school students are making in their school or community.
The Fred Hollows Foundation, with the support of the Education and Training Directorate, has run the awards for four years in the ACT. The Foundation established the awards to inspire students to continue the legacy of the late Fred Hollows (1929-93).
Ms Gabi Hollows AO, The Fred Hollows Foundation Founding Director was also impressed by the response from students. “It’s wonderful to see so many young people making a positive difference in their communities,” Ms Hollows said.
“The ideas and endless energy that young people have continue to inspire me. Fred would have been incredibly proud that The Foundation has inspired young students to dream big and help others.”
Nominations received from 29 students across 23 schools were diverse and inspiring with students showing their humanity in many different ways. A number of young people stood out with four receiving a special mention and Femke Sissingh Meijer the Year 6 School Captain from Giralang Primary School being named the ACT Junior Ambassador.
Femke was nominated by her school’s Principal, Belinda Love who was inspired and impressed by Femke’s caring nature. Despite only moving to Australia with her family last year, Femke has shown that language is no barrier to showing compassion for others.
Femke will travel to Sydney and have the opportunity to extend her humanity by allocating $2500 to one of The Fred Hollows Foundation’s programs to end avoidable blindness. To learn more about the awards visit www.hollows.org.au/humanityaward
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
