Bendigo primary school student Toyah Widdicombe nominated for Fred Hollows Humanity Award

Now those virtues have been formally recognised, with the 12-year-old grade 6 student nominated for this year’s Fred Hollows Humanity Award, named for the ophthalmologist who dedicated much of his professional life to helping those less fortunate

Teacher Erin Garside, who along with fellow teacher Jake Wilkinson nominated Toyah, said several teachers had suggested she be put forward for the honour.

“She’s just a joy to have in the school,” Mrs Garside said.

She said Toyah had a strong sense of social justice and from a young age had shown care for others, herself and the environment.

Toyah’s kind acts came without any prompting, Mrs Garside said, and she did what needed to be done without fuss.

She said she felt her student embodied the values demonstrated by Fred Hollows, and when reading the criteria for the award, realised Toyah ticked every box.

“I think she’ll go on to change the world, this girl; she’s amazing,” Mrs Garside said.

“The care and respect she has for all the kids and staff is unbelievable.”

Toyah said she was happy to have been nominated for the honour.

Toyah likes to talk to other students who might be going through a tough time, to let them know they are not alone, cheer them up, and encourage them to focus on the positive things in life.

She said she did it because sometimes she understood how they felt.

Mrs Garside added that she thought Toyah had an ability to see that some people were not always as fortunate in life as others, and understood that this might explain their behaviour.

Toyah told the Bendigo Advertiser that she wanted to encourage other children to be themselves, and that even if they had been “bad”, they still had an opportunity to be a good person and do good things.

Toyah has also participated in community-minded activities as a school captain, a leader for fundraising for Caritas Australia, and an organiser for a fundraiser to help a family in a difficult situation.

Toyah’s mum Donna said she was “very proud” of her daughter and her nomination.

Toyah will be recognised at a presentation ceremony in Melbourne with Fred Hollows’ wife Gabi Hollows later this year, at which a Victorian junior ambassador will be chosen.

This ambassador will be able to allocate $5000, donated by Specsavers, to one of the Fred Hollows Foundation’s programs.

Grade 6 students can be nominated for the Humanity Award until September 10 online at the Foundation’s website.