The outstanding compassion, integrity and kindness of two of the region's students have been honoured with a Fred Hollows Humanity Award.
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Zig Zag Public School's Tahlei Tamanitoakula and Lithgow Public School's Christopher Pilarcik Gee were recognised at a ceremony at the University of Technology Sydney on Thursday, October 17.
Tahlei was nominated by her principal Vicki Gillmore for her kindness and generosity.
"Tahlei has always been a caring, considerate and good-natured child," Ms Gillmore said.
"In all areas of school Tahlei displays a genuine concern for the wellbeing of others.
"On a recent school trip, she comforted a younger student who had a fever - rather than being with her friends. She is a nurturing and patient young woman."
Christopher was nominated by teacher Belinda Trounce, for his thoughtfulness and kind manner.
"Christopher is a model student who displays exemplary citizenship at all times," Ms Trounce said.
"He was elected school captain because of his empathy towards others and his integrity in all areas of schooling.
"He had an idea to fundraise in order to create a school chicken coop that will teach other student about caring for animals and creating one's own food source."
The Humanity Award is a national initiative of The Fred Hollows Foundation that acknowledges Year Six students who follow in Fred's footsteps by demonstrating humanitarian values towards others.
Founding Director of The Fred Hollows Foundation, Gabi Hollows presented 85 students from across the state with their certificates before announcing Zara Matthews of St Philip's Christian College, Gosford, as the 2019 NSW Junior Ambassador to The Foundation.
Teen model turned anti-bullying advocate Natalia Siam said the award recognises wonderful acts of generosity and kindness.
"We need more people like these students to make New South Wales and Australia a more compassionate and brighter place for everyone," Natalia said.
The 11-year-old creator of the nationwide initiative 'A Fiver for a Farmer' Jack Berne, also attended the ceremony, speaking about the difference that every individual can make to help make Australia, and the world, a better place.
"We all believe in community. We believe in having each other's back, and we believe in the Aussie spirit," Jack said.
"We believe that together, we can make a huge difference to support the farmers and other people."
Founding Director Gabi Hollows said the Award highlights 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," Gabi Hollows said.
"To all of this year's Humanity Award recipients and to the 2019 NSW Junior Ambassador to The Foundation, I offer my warmest congratulations and my heartfelt thanks."
As a Junior Ambassador to The Fred Hollows Foundation, Zara Matthews will allocate $5,000 to one of The Foundation's programs to end avoidable blindness. This gift is possible through the generous donation by the award's charity partner Specsavers.
Zara Matthews chose to support The Foundation's program work in Kenya, which works towards increasing eye health services to restore sight to 150,000 people.
The Fred Hollows Humanity Award will return to New South Wales in 2020. To learn more about the award visit www.hollows.org/humanityaward
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