NT student one of six kids named Fred Hollows Junior Ambassadors

A Year 6 student from the Northern Territory has received a top honour from the Fred Hollows Foundation for her volunteer work.

Jorja Zelley, from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, has been named NT Junior Ambassador for the Foundation after being nominated for the Humanity Award, which is given for demonstrating practical care and kindness to others.

Jorja learned she was the NT Junior Ambassador after her school livestreamed the ceremony, which was held in Sydney.

A statement from the Fred Hollows Foundation described Jorja as “extremely passionate” for First Nations equity.

“Having grown up in Katherine while her parents trained in remote Aboriginal communities, Jorja is extremely passionate about equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples,” the statement read.

“She has volunteered for several organisations, including aged care facilities, and is always happy to lend a hand.”

Jorja was one of six students nationwide to be recognised at the awards, with young volunteers named Junior Ambassadors across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT.

Harlow Cooper from Wandiligong Primary School was named Victorian Junior Ambassador for her work as an environmental warrior, while Zakrya Swade from Peakhurst West Public School won the top honour for NSW, for his fundraising efforts and work as a junior cadet for St John Ambulance.

Fay Rendell from All Saints’ College in WA, Elizabeth Banks from Macgregor Primary School in the ACT and Rose Ness Wilson from St William’s Primary School in QLD were also named Junior Ambassadors.

Jorja said she “couldn’t believe” she had won the top award.

“Firstly, I was so shocked to find out I was nominated but then to win, I couldn’t believe it,” she told the NT News.

“I think this award recognises people who show kindness and compassion to others – and I feel really proud.”

And how will Jorja celebrate? With family, friends and cake.

“(I will) spend tonight with my family and friends – going out for dinner, and share a cake with my school friends when my award arrives in the post.”

As a Junior Ambassador, Jorja receives $5000, gifted by the award’s charity partner Specsavers, to be donated to the Foundation’s work to end avoidable blindness around the world.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• equity: equal access to things
• ambassador: a representative of the charity

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QUICK QUIZ
1. Why was Jorja Zelley named Junior Ambassador for the Fred Hollows Foundation?
2. What are the names of two other children recognised as ambassadors?
3. Which states and territories are the six ambassadors from?
4. What work does the Fred Hollows Foundation do?
5. How will Jorja celebrate being honoured as an ambassador?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Nominate your own ambassador
If you had to nominate a junior ambassador to someone in your school who shows practical care, compassion and kindness, who would you nominate and why?

Draw up a certificate as an award for this person, write their name and your reasons for awarding a certificate for showing compassion and kindness.

You might like to go give this award to this person, their teacher, or have it presented at a school assembly. I’m sure they’d be honoured to hear this compliment from another student.

Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, HASS, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
A famous quote from Professor Fred Hollows, a famous Australian eye surgeon was ….

“Every eye is an eye. When you are doing the surgery there, that is just as important as if you were doing eye surgery on the Prime Minister or the King”.

What does this quote say about Professor Hollows?

As little as $25 can help restore the sight of someone who could otherwise not afford the surgery. What could you do to help raise money for this foundation?

Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
BAB it!
Show you have read and understood the article by writing three sentences using the connectives “because’’, “and”, and “but” (BAB). Your sentences can share different facts or opinions, or the same ones but written about in different ways.