The award was held in New South Wales for the second time and recognises Year 6 students who follow in Fred Hollows’ footsteps by showing care and compassion for others.

“The response to the award has been incredible with children from 55 schools across the state nominated,” founding director Gabi Hollows said.

“It was wonderful to meet so many young people making a positive difference in their communities.” 

“The ideas and endless energy that young people exhibit continue to inspire me. Fred would have been incredibly proud that The Foundation has inspired young students to dream big and help others.”

Taylor Young and Zachariah Phillips from Manning Valley Anglican College were recognised for their compassionate hearts.

Teacher Kathryn Murray nominated the pair as she said they are both committed to serving their local communities.

Taylor volunteers as an altar server at church and at school, and Zachariah is a junior leader at his church.

“They are very committed members of their school and local communities,” said Ms Murray.

Ethan Bellman from Croppa Creek Public School in Northern New South Wales was selected as the NSW Junior Ambassador for The Foundation. He has chosen to allocate $5000, donated by Specsavers, to The Fred Hollows Foundation’s Kenya program to help end avoidable blindness.

The Fred Hollows Humanity Award will return to NSW in 2017. To learn more about the award visit www.hollows.org/humanityaward

The award hopes to inspire and challenge students to show care and compassion for others, and make a positive impact in their school or community.

This can be in anything: the aim is to inspire and challenge kids to be generous, kind and caring, embodying the compassion that Fred Hollows had.