The late Fred Hollows once said that he believed, “the basic attribute of mankind is to look after each other.”
Today, we are honouring that sentiment with the launch of the Fred Hollows Humanity Awards in Tasmania.
Since 2012, the Awards have recognised the positive contributions of more than 600 ACT and NSW primary school students, I am pleased for Tasmania to now also be included.
The unique thing about these Awards is they recognise things that are often overlooked but are just as important as any other achievement. They celebrate care, compassion, support for others, kindness and generosity – students who make a positive impact in their school or community.
Today, 29 Tasmanian Year 6 students from 22 schools are being recognised for these qualities and I’m sure Fred Hollows would be proud of each and every one of them.
As a young man, Fred trained as an eye doctor, but he had a big dream – to eliminate avoidable blindness that can be fixed through medical treatment.
He spent his career providing services and developing programs in remote areas of Australia and in developing countries, like Nepal, India and Sri Lanka.
Fred was closely involved in the development of a new treatment - called intraocular lenses - which were used to treat cataracts and helped cut the cost of restoring someone’s sight.
Fred actually set up the Foundation himself with his wife Gabi, before he passed away in 1993.
And for the past 23 years, Fred’s Foundation has been carrying on his good work in more than 25 countries around the world and has restored sight to more than two million people world-wide.
Equally, we should never lose sight of the importance of loving and caring for one another – not just for our own family and friends but for everyone in our community.
Congratulations again to the outstanding young boys and girls recognised today and thank you for your wonderful acts of generosity and compassion.
Student's name | School |
Brigitte Fountain | Taroona primary School |
Callum Hutchinson Catherine Thomas | St Aloysius Catholic College St Marys District School |
Charlotte Pears | Perth Primary School |
Chi Canty | Scotch Oakburn College |
Deon King | St Marys District School |
Eilidh Hamilton | Scotch Oakburn College |
Ella Burton | St Aloysius Catholic College |
Erin Cottuli | Emmanuel Christian School |
Evangeline Roberts | Emmanuel Christian School |
Fritha Day | Channel Christian School |
Harrison Tadd | Princes Street Primary School |
Hunter Stokes | Forest Primary School |
James Newell | Campbell street primary |
Jasper Reilly | John Paul II Catholic School |
Kathryn Poland | Launceston Church Grammar School |
Konnor Papapostolou | Kempton Primary |
Laura Ashby Lily Overton | Sheffield School Devonport Christian School |
Logan Atkinson | Summerdale Primary School |
Marisa Santalucia | The Friends' School |
Maya Manaena | St Marys College Hobart |
Montanna Jacques | Warrane Primary School |
Samuel Lee Sophia MacDonald | Scotch Oakburn College St Michael's Collegiate School |
Tayla Radford | Gagebrook Primary School |
Tomas Pears | John Paul II Catholic School |
Ty Haywood | Smithton Primary School |
Zackary Riley | Ulverstone Primary School |