CELEBRITIES TO LIGHT UP COMPASSIONATE AUSSIE SCHOOLYARDS!!

Andrew Daddo

Media commentator and children's author

Andrew Daddo is one of Australia's most popular television personalities. He started writing for children in 2001, when his first collection of stories, Sprung! was published.  Since then, Andrew has become the bestselling author of 20 books, including the hugely successful picture book collaboration with Emma Quay, Good Night, Me.  Andrew lives on Sydney's Northern Beaches with his wife and three children. http://www.andrewdaddo.com/

"I remember the focus of our time at school was on academic and sporting achievement.  The life lessons were generally learnt at home.  It's good to know that these days, with programs like Kids Helping Kids, children learn about the benefits of helping, it's not something everyone does instinctively. It's a good lesson, one that will hold all children in good stead for the rest of their lives."

Steve Crombie

Activist, author and adventurer

Steve Crombie has travelled over 200,000 km as an adventurer in his short lifetime. From Australia to the Arctic, the Himalayas to southern India, or from Singapore to Sydney he has done it. Today, Steve spends his days conjuring up ways to sustain a life adventuring to other parts of the planet as a documentary filmmaker, author and keynote speaker. His current projects include a book deal with Pan MacMillan, and presenting, producing and writing documentaries with Lonely Planet, Discovery Channel and the BBC. In order to motivate others to live their dreams, Steve also works as an ambassador for the Inspire Foundation - creating opportunities for young people to change their world.  http://www.loston.com/

"As an adventurer I travel around the world by land and sea for a living. From India to the Amazon I've spent time living in many poor communities where children suffer on an everyday basis from malnutrition, lack of education and limited medical assistance - so much so, that it has become their everyday reality. In Australia we have the resources and capabilities to work together and raise social awareness of what these kids face, granting our children the opportunity to facilitate and develop the lives of others who are less fortunate. SchoolAid supports Australian schoolkids in their giving, helps them develop a deeper understanding of fundraising and engages them with the cultures of the kids they are helping. The more our kids learn about philanthropy, the better prepared we are for the future."

David Wirrpanda

Former professional AFL player and Director of the David Wirrpanda Foundation

David made his debut with West Coast in Round 5 of the 1996 AFL Season, at the age of 16 years and remains the Eagles' youngest ever debutante. By the mid-2000s, Wirrpanda's career started to get on track, and he became a consistent contributor for the Eagles, playing mainly as a small defender in the back pocket or half back flank. At the conclusion of Round 22, 2009, he had played in 227 of a possible 327 matches for the Eagles (including finals), and has scored 131 goals, averaging 16.6 disposals for his career.

Wirrpanda is also known for his community work in helping to improve the lives of young Indigenous Australians, first and foremost through The David Wirrpanda Foundation, which he launched in 2005.  He was named the 9th most influential Aboriginal Australian by The Bulletin magazine in 2007 and 2008. He also received the 2009 award for Young Western Australian of the Year. www.dwf.org.au

"Through my work with the David Wirrpanda Foundation, I have seen firsthand the amazing things that young Australians can achieve. By encouraging and sharing these achievements, we can create a culture where philanthropy and giving are part of our everyday lives. The Kids Helping Kids Awards are an important step in recognising and rewarding the amazing Australian philanthropic activity that happens in schools, helping kids around the world and in our own backyards."

Anne Sargeant OAM

Former captain of the World Champion Australian Netball team, netball coach and sports commentator

Anne Sargeant represented Australian Netball for over a decade, 1978 -1988, captaining the Australian Netball Team for six years. Anne's representations have included the Australian Sports Commission, the NSW Australia Day Council, Children's Week, Board Member - McDonald's, School Sport 2000 Committee and Patron of the 1994 Year of the Coach.

Her talents as a public speaker are highly respected and resulted in Anne being awarded the 1992 Communicator of the Year Award by the Public Relations Institute of Australia.  In addition, Anne is a respected columnist, after-dinner and motivational speaker.

In 2004, Anne was named Sydney's Greatest Ever Netballer and in 2006, she was listed in Australia's 101 Best Sports Stars of our Time.  Anne runs the Anne Sargeant Netball Clinics, a community based program directed at coaching junior netballers. She is a patron of Manly Warringah Netball and still highly involved in many voluntary activities. http://www.annesargeant.com.au/  

"I am proud to be associated with SchoolAid's Kids Helping Kids Awards. It is so important that we recognise and reward the inspirational philanthropic activities taking place in schools across Australia. By supporting and encouraging their fundraising efforts and giving them a deeper understanding of the value of giving, we are providing our kids with the opportunity to be champions in changing the world."

Sara Haghdoosti

Youth activist and high profile member of Australia's Iranian Community

Sara is a 22 year old Iranian-Australian feminist. She has spent years in the women's movement helping coordinate International Women's Day and Reclaim the Night as well as being on the Young UNIFEM national executive and a management committee of the Immigrant Women's Speakout.

A finalist in the Sydney Morning Herald Young Writer of the Year Awards, editor of several student publications and one of the top 10 delegates chosen for the 2020 Summit, Sara is combining her writing and organising skills in the fight to solve climate change.  She was the national recruitment director for the Power Shift conference earlier this year, has appeared on ABC's Q&A program and currently works as a field organiser for GetUp Australia. www.getup.org.au

"SchoolAid is a great opportunity for young people to have a powerful voice in changing the world. The contributions that Australian kids can make to improving the lives of kids affected by poverty, disaster and emotional trauma benefits not only the kids in disaster-affected area, but helps Aussie kids understand the power they can have in making the world a better place."

Stone Parade

Award winning Aussie band and recent performers in the Rock the Schools tour

Since their inception in 2003, Stone Parade has toured extensively around Australia, most recently in support of their debut album Chase the Setting Sun. 2009 saw Stone Parade take part in the Boost Mobile 'Rock the Schools Tour' providing a rock and roll educational experience to 10,000 students along Australia's eastern seaboard. October 2009 saw Stone Parade providing off-track entertainment with other Australian musical talents at the Nikon SuperGP on the Gold Coast.

Their debut single "My Generation" debuted in the top 20 on the national Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) charts and #1 on the Australian Independent Radio (AIR) charts.  Their second single "Somebody Will Miss You" was the 5th most added track in the country just behind artists Beyonce, U2, Pink and Flo Rida.

 Their debut album Chase the Setting Sun features the award winning composition "Somebody Will Miss You" which won first place in the rock category of the 2008 International Song Writing Competition. Judges included Tom Waits & Nelly Furtado. Stone Parade also won the 2007 'Nokia Be Heard' & 2005 'Coca Cola Live 'n' Local' competitions. 

Stone Parade are in the midst of songwriting/recording for their forthcoming second album due for release late May 2010, with heavy touring expected for the remainder of the year. http://www.stoneparade.com/

"In a world where there is so much devastation, it's truly wonderful to see Australian school kids coming together and raising money for worthwhile causes not just in our own country but overseas.  Through SchoolAid and the Kids Helping Kids Awards, primary school kids have the chance to be empowered, banding together, creating projects and making a real difference to children living in all parts of the world.  Stone Parade are proud to be Ambassadors for such a great cause."