Chloe Payne’s heartfelt gesture for her friend has led her to be named The Fred Hollows Foundation’s 2018 Tasmanian Junior Ambassador.
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The Norwood pupil was one of 13, grade 6 pupils recognised with a Fred Hollows Humanity Award at Parliament House, Hobart, on Friday.
The awards are presented to grade 6 pupils who follow in Fred Hollows’ footsteps by demonstrating humanitarian values towards others.
Chloe, 11, was nominated for the award after helping her grieving friend, Ammi, whose brother Rhys died in his sleep aged two.
There is no clue about who nominated Chloe.
“Someone did it sneakily as my mum,” she said.
The award was exciting enough, but to be named as the state ambassador was a thrill for Chloe.
“Being an ambassador is about being a person that does things for other people; who helps others.”
She made and sold friendship bands to raise money for a swing for bereaved siblings and then delivered bands to grieving children nationally.
Since February Chloe has made around 270 friendship bands and keeps getting “order and orders”.
As a Junior Ambassador, Chloe will allocate $5000 support The Foundation’s Indigenous Australia Program.
“I liked the program because it helps people in Australia. I liked how much impact [the funding] was going to have,” Chloe said.
Katie McCarron and Matthew Duffy, of St Finn Barr’s Catholic School; Charlotte Ball, of Scotch Oakburn College; and Pierra Scaife and Sonny Targett, of Newstead Christian School also won awards.
Fred Hollows Foundation founding director Gabi Hollows and Community Development Minister Jacquie Petrusma presented students with their awards and announced Chloe as the ambassador.
Gabi Hollows said the awards highlighted inspirational students making a positive difference in their communities.
“Fred would have been incredibly proud of the contribution these students are making to society and of The Foundation for recognising and encouraging them to help others, no matter how big or small their actions,” Mrs Hollows said.
“To all of this year’s Humanity Award recipients and to the 2018 Tasmanian Junior Ambassador to The Foundation, I offer my warmest congratulations and my heartfelt thanks.”
The awards recognise wonderful acts of generosity and kindness, Ms Petrusma said.
“We need more young people like you to help make Tasmania, Australia and the world, a brighter place for everyone,” she said.
For more about the awards visit www.hollows.org/humanityaward