Ollie Clarke, age 10, from Palmerston North, has been named this year’s Fred Hollows Humanity Award’s Junior Ambassador, recognising his everyday kindness, leadership, and knack for quietly making life better for those around him.
Ollie, a member of West End Scout Group and a student at Longburn School, found out about the honour during a surprise presentation at a Scout camp on Saturday 29 November.
The Fred Hollows Humanity Awards celebrate young people aged 9 to 11 who are making a positive difference in their communities and who embody the values of compassion, integrity and kindness, inspired by legendary Kiwi eye doctor and humanitarian, the late Professor Fred Hollows.
A natural leader with a big heart
Ollie was nominated by his Scout Group Leader, Christine Halliday, who says he is “the heart of what the Scout Law stands for: doing what’s right, being positive, and having respect”.
From helping at fundraisers and working bees to stepping up as a mentor for the youngest Scouts in the Kea section, Ollie is known for quietly getting stuck in. He patiently teaches practical skills – like how to build and sit safely around a campfire – and makes sure everyone feels included, even if that means letting someone else win a game or happily being tackled by a pile of excited five-year-olds.
At Longburn School, Ollie also plays a big part in daily school life. He is a member of the student leadership team, helps run whānau time, supports with school lunches, and pitches in to organise special activities that make school more fun. At lunchtime he might be out on the field as a sports monitor, checking on the school animals, or weeding the school gardens.
He is a regular at school working bees, adding his efforts to look after the school’s Nature Reserve and is known for spotting little jobs that need doing – and then doing them without being asked.
Dr Audrey Aumua, Chief Executive of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, says this year’s nominations show there is no shortage of young humanitarians across the country.
“We received nominations from all around New Zealand and were so impressed with the calibre of children who were nominated. It’s inspiring to read about the many young humanitarians across Aotearoa who are showing compassion, kindness and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference.”
As Junior Ambassador, Ollie received a certificate and a special goodie bag. Thanks to charity partner Specsavers, he will also allocate $5,000 to a Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Pacific programme of his choice – whether that is helping buy medical equipment, supporting the graduation of eye doctors and nurses, or providing glasses to people in Fiji.
On top of that, Ollie will receive $1,000, thanks to Corporate Traveller and Donaldson Brown NZ, to put towards an initiative in his school or community that helps make the world around him better.
Ollie said it was “epic” to win the award.
“I remember a few months ago mum saying something about me being nominated for some award, but I didn’t think I would get it. It’s so cool.”
His mother, Kendyl Clarke, was proud of her son’s achievement.
“Even getting nominated in the first place was cool, as someone was noticing his efforts – which is awesome,” she says.
“To get narrowed down to the Top 10 would be impressive, but to come down to ‘the winner’ is amazing. We’re very proud. Hard work pays off.”
Celebrating finalists from across the country
Ollie was selected from dozens of nominations nationwide. Nine other young Kiwis were also recognised as Fred Hollows Humanity Awards finalists and received certificates and goodie bags. They are:
- Noah Hindman, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Morrinsville
- Oscar Cakebread, St Benedict’s School, Wellington
- Holly Buchanan, 2nd Whangārei Girls’ Brigade, Whangārei
- Ethan Gaby, Mosgiel Scout Group, Mosgiel
- Maifala Tuala, Westown School, New Plymouth
- Israel Waqairatu, Riverina School, Auckland
- Eason Shen, Te Kura o Manunui, Tauranga
- Amelia Seath-Boyte, Karapiro School, Cambridge
- Milla Burfield, Levin School, Levin
The Humanity Awards are part of a global movement recognising thousands of young people in New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong who are doing their bit to help others – proving that no act of kindness is too small to celebrate.
