Congratulating our 2025 Junior Ambassadors
In 2025, we were inspired by seven incredible Year 6 students who were nominated for the Humanity Award by their schools, families and communities, and by three extraordinary adults recognised in the Fred Award for going above and beyond to create a better world. Together, they remind us that humanity is alive and well in classrooms, neighbourhoods, workplaces, and communities all around the country.
We are proud to name the following students as Junior Ambassadors for 2025, each representing their state or territory and each showing that age is no barrier to leadership and kindness!
Matthew Rapson – ACT (Giralang Primary School)
Matthew is a quiet leader who generously gives his time and energy. From running a fertiliser stall, to raising funds for his community, helping with assemblies, BBQs and gardening at school, Matthew demonstrates service, kindness and initiative every day.
Eamon Cope – NSW (Oakhill Drive Public School)
For over five years, Eamon has chosen to give rather than receive on his birthdays, raising funds for hospitals, hygiene kits and meals for the homeless. He also supports his neighbours and contributes to environmental projects, showing deep compassion and commitment.
Pippa Plant – QLD (Cairns School of Distance Education)
Pippa leads with generosity and inclusivity. She has donated her hair to Wigs for Kids, shared her story to inspire younger students, and raised $2,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service with her sisters. She is a role model of resilience and kindness.
Georgia Browning – SA (Scotch College)
Georgia channels creativity into social justice. She co-authored a children’s book raising awareness of homelessness and inspires empathy and compassion in her peers through her leadership and commitment to active citizenship.
Kanishka Kanishka – TAS (Northern Christian School)
Kanishka is known for her quiet but steadfast care for others. She consistently puts the needs of her peers above her own, offering support without recognition, and embodies humility, compassion and kindness.
Alexander Scott – VIC (Nazareth Catholic Primary School)
After experiencing bullying, Alexander turned pain into purpose. He raised $1,800 by recycling cans to fund a short film about bullying and created the Shoot for Kindness, Block Out Bullying project, empowering others to stand up for kindness and inclusion.
Nate May – WA (Mandurah Baptist College)
As Head Boy, Nate led fundraising to support food security and youth empowerment projects, collecting 500 cereal boxes for a breakfast club and advocating for a Kids Board in his community. His humility and leadership inspire others.
Celebrating our 2025 Fred Hollows Humanitarian of the Year
Each year, we honour Australians from across the country who embody Fred’s vision of compassion and action - and we are delighted to announce Marie Tesoriero from NSW as the 2025 Fred Hollows Humanitarian of the Year.
Born with multiple disabilities, Marie has transformed her personal challenges into a lifelong mission to give back. Through her handmade crafts initiative, Made by Cool Marie, she has donated over $16,000 to the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) and raised thousands more for causes including Parkinson’s research and Northcott Disability Services.
Her resilience, positivity and generosity make her a true force for good.
We were honoured to have Ross Kelly, Zakyra Swade and Noah Bartolo-Stafford join us at the ceremony - all previous recipients of the Humanity Award and Junior Ambassadors for NSW. Their ongoing commitment to kindness and community continues to inspire us.
We also extend our warmest thanks to this year’s other Fred Award finalists, Eyes of Hope, and Emma Bancroft, who were both extraordinary contenders for the 2025 Humanitarian of the Year. But Australia spoke and Marie was voted our 2025 Humanitarian of the Year.
“The awards recognise the humanitarian nature of everyday Australians and are a testament to Fred’s deep faith in the goodness of everyday Australians,” said our Founding Director, Gabi Hollows AO, who attended the event alongside Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite MP.
A heartfelt thank you to our host - journalist and proud Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Gooreng Gooreng woman Nakari Thorpe - and to our generous corporate partner Specsavers for their ongoing support.
You can learn more about the inspiring stories of this year’s Junior Ambassadors and Humanitarian of the Year on our website.
The work they are doing for their communities continues to prove that one person can truly make a world of difference.
Carrying Fred's vision forward
Fred believed that humanity was just as important as medicine. He often said that the greatest gift we can give is our time - and these awards are a living legacy of that belief.
Every nominee, finalist and winner helps us shine a light on the good happening in the world and ensures Fred’s message continues to inspire future generations.
Thanks to supporters, alumni, and young leaders like you, here’s what we achieved together in 2024.
8.1
million people screened for eye conditions
562000
surgeries and treatments performed
1000
+ health facilities built, renovated, or equipped
3.6
million students and community members educated on eye health
66000
people trained – from surgeons to teachers
2.2
million years of sight saved
Fred always believed First Nations people deserved the same access to healthcare as anyone else. Here's what we achieved in Australia in 2024.
15981
people screened
3288
treatments delivered, including cataract surgery and diabetic eye care
30
Aboriginal community health workers trained
3291
pairs of glasses provided
1000
students and locals in eye health educated
Big wins on the global stage
We celebrated a historic milestone in 2024: Trachoma was officially eliminated in Pakistan and Vietnam. This painful disease, which blinds millions, is now gone in these countries. It proves that Fred’s dream of ending avoidable blindness is possible in our lifetime.
Read more about our recent trachoma milestones from around the world.
Missed this year's ceremony and want to tune in?
If you or someone you know missed this year’s Fred and Humanity Awards ceremony, you can watch the full recording using the link below and share it with anyone who’d love to catch up.
Watch the 2025 Fred and Humanity Awards ceremony here.
How you can help as Alumni
Whether you were recognised last year or a decade ago, you’re part of Fred’s family forever - and there are many ways to stay involved:
Join Fred’s Big Run 2026: Walk, run or roll to raise funds for sight-restoring surgeries.
Promote the Humanity Awards: Encourage your old primary school to nominate or share your experience as a recipient.
Volunteer: Speak at schools, connect with community groups, or spread the word on social media.
If you’d like to get involved or you don’t want to receive these emails anymore, email us at [email protected].
What's next?
This April we’ll be launching the 2026 Fred and Humanity Awards celebrating everyday Australians who lead with kindness, compassion and integrity. From Year 6 students showing humanity in action to adults making a real, practical difference in their communities, these awards shine a light on the quiet acts that matter most.
As our valued alumni community, we’d love to lean into your good will (and your networks), so stay tuned for nomination details and start thinking about the Fred in your world, because no act of kindness is ever too small to recognise.
