Humanity award for Ella
Horsham Ss Michael and John Primary School student Ella Officer, 12, has won national recognition for her ‘compassion, integrity and kindness’.
The year-six student and school captain received a ‘Highly Commended’ at Fred Hollows Humanity Awards presentation at Melbourne Town Hall on Monday.
Ella was nominated for her efforts in raising more than $4000 for children suffering from cancer and for collecting eyeglasses for people in developing countries who were visually impaired.
Ella said the awards highlighted the work of Fred Hollows.
“He was a great man and some of the things he did were amazing,” she said. “We should all work to be like him.”
Ss Michael and John Primary School principal Andrea Cox said Ella worked hard to collect glasses for the Recycle for Sight project.
“She has collected 1070 pairs of glasses for men, women and children in developing countries,” she said.
Former Premier and Fred Hollows Foundation chairman John Brumby said the award highlighted inspirational students making a positive difference in their communities.
“Fred believed that Australians had an amazing ability to care for others and help those in need,” he said. Mr Brumby presented students with their certificates before announcing the 2018 Victoria Junior Ambassador to the foundation, Cam Tregaskis of Melbourne’s St Michael’s Grammar School.
The Highly Commended award was given to three students including Ella.
More than 20 children were nominated for the awards.