At Inclusion Tree, we have the profound privilege of working alongside incredible individuals every day. We witness their journeys, celebrate their victories, and are constantly inspired by their capacity to shape a more inclusive and compassionate world. Today, we are bursting with pride to share the story of our participant, Marie Tesoriero – a woman whose boundless generosity and fierce advocacy have just earned her one of Australia’s most esteemed humanitarian honours: the National 2025 Fred Hollows Humanitarian of the Year Award.
This award isn’t just a trophy on a shelf; it’s a testament to a life lived in service to others. It’s a recognition that echoes the very spirit of Professor Fred Hollows himself – a belief in practical action, inherent human worth, and the power of one person to ignite profound change.
To understand the magnitude of Marie’s achievement, one must first understand the legacy she now represents. The Fred Hollows Foundation is not a distant, faceless organisation. It was born from love, determination, and a fierce commitment to justice, right around Fred and Gabi Hollows’ dinner table.
Fred Hollows, the legendary eye surgeon, was a man who knew his time was limited. Diagnosed with cancer, he spent his final years not in quiet resignation, but in a whirlwind of planning and action. He was driven by the injustices he saw – the needless blindness affecting millions, the health disparities faced by Indigenous Australians. He believed, fundamentally, that everyone, rich or poor, deserved the right to high-quality, affordable eye care.
As Gabi Hollows recalls, “Fred died less than one year later. It was a terribly sad time, but brightened by the knowledge that through The Fred Hollows Foundation his work would carry on.”
From that humble beginning in a kitchen, The Foundation has grown into a global force, working in over 25 countries and having restored sight to over three million people. They continue Fred’s fight against preventable and treatable diseases like cataract, trachoma, and diabetic retinopathy, focusing on training local healthcare workers and empowering communities to care for themselves. They are, as they state, driven by Fred’s vision to eliminate avoidable blindness, stand up for what is right, and do so with integrity and collaboration.
The Fred Awards are a unique and powerful reflection of this ethos. While Fred was world-renowned, he never valued status. He saw the inherent worth in every person. This award was created to honour that principle – to seek out and celebrate the everyday people who embody Fred’s no-nonsense, practical, and generous approach to helping others.
Unlike many awards decided by a panel of experts, the Fred Awards are chosen by the public. The finalists are selected, but the Australian community gives the ultimate title of Humanitarian of the Year a voice. This ensures the winner truly represents the values we all admire: selflessness, action, and a genuine desire to make the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time.
On Monday, November 10, 2025, at a prestigious ceremony at the University of Sydney, the Australian public’s choice was announced. The room fell silent and then erupted in applause as the name was called: Marie Tesoriero.
Marie, a passionate disability advocate and unstoppable fundraiser, was officially named the 2025 Fred Hollows Humanitarian of the Year. She was presented with her award by The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, a fitting capstone to a journey defined by resilience and compassion.
So, how did Marie react in that moment?
“When they called out my name, I felt AMAZED, FANTASTIC and PROUD,” Marie recalls.
For her mother, Santina, the moment was profoundly emotional, a full-circle triumph over the low expectations once placed upon her daughter. “We were absolutely blown away by the belief and support for Marie,” Santina shared. “My mind flashed back to the day when she was a young child, and a medical Professor had no hope of any future success for Marie. To see her here, being acknowledged for all the work she has done and continues to do, is a complete blessing.”
For those within the Inclusion Tree community, Marie’s story is a familiar source of inspiration. But in the context of the Fred Award, it takes on a new, brilliant light. Marie’s drive to help others is deeply personal, forged in the very halls of the institutions she now supports.
Born with multiple disabilities, Marie underwent three major surgeries as a child at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. Instead of fostering fear, this experience instilled in her a deep sense of gratitude. Her mother, Santina, remembers that every time they would drive past the hospital, Marie would say, “That’s my hospital; they helped me get well.”
This gratitude wasn’t passive. As a young girl, Marie would secretly save her pocket money and travel to the hospital by herself to donate to the Channel 9 Gold Telethon. Her family only discovered this when they saw a photo of their generous daughter on the telethon’s Facebook page, which inspired an outpouring of community support.
This was the seed from which her social enterprise, “Made by Cool Marie,” would grow. Marie is an exceptionally talented artist, creating everything from handmade bags and plush lions to beautiful painted artwork. She decided to channel this talent into a force for good, selling her creations and donating every single profit to the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.
Her impact has been staggering. To date, she has raised over $16,000 for the hospital, with her art finding homes as far away as Germany, England, and the United States. She hosts pop-up stalls at Eastgardens and other shopping centres, turning her passion into a pipeline of hope for sick children.
But Marie’s humanitarian spirit doesn’t stop there. She is a veritable force of nature in the charity world:
Winning the Fred Award has been a whirlwind of joy and validation for Marie and her family.
For Marie, it’s a profound connection to a legacy she admires. “It means a lot to be seen in the same light as Fred Hollows,” she says. “I want to continue his legacy of doing good in the world.”
For Santina, it’s a moment of immense parental pride and gratitude. “Knowing that Marie’s efforts are celebrated by the Fred Hollows Foundation, an organisation built on compassion and helping others, fills me with gratitude and admiration for the amazing young woman she has become.”
And how did they celebrate this monumental achievement? In true Marie style, with joy and community.
“We partied! I didn’t even go to bed until midnight,” Marie exclaimed.
Santina elaborated: “We were taken to a fabulous surprise party in the beautiful QVB (Queen Victoria Building). The whole night just felt so special, and the smiles were infectious. The celebrations have just continued all week long & still going! There’s been so much support coming from everybody, with photos and stories being shared. We are all amazed to see people who have never met, come together through the work & joy Marie spreads.”
This award is not an endpoint for Marie; it’s a catalyst. When asked how the achievement has affected her, her response was pure inspiration: “I am excited! I feel inspired to do even more!”
She also reflected on the beautiful ripple effect of the entire process. “It brought so many people together, and it reminded everyone about the amazing work of Fred Hollows. It also helped more people in the community learn about the work I do, which means a lot to me.”
Finally, Marie summed up her feelings with a statement that perfectly captures the communal spirit of both her work and Fred Hollows’ vision: “I feel honoured to belong to the Fred Hollows ‘family’. It’s inspiring to see the difference we can make together!”
Marie Tesoriero is more than an award winner; she is a beacon of what is possible when resilience meets compassion, and when personal challenge is transformed into universal hope. Her story aligns perfectly with the Fred Hollows Foundation’s mission: it’s practical, it’s empowering, and it proves that one person’s unwavering commitment can indeed change the world.
At Inclusion Tree, we are not just proud of Marie; we are in awe. She reminds us all that the most significant achievements are not measured in wealth or status, but in the lives, we touch, the hope we inspire, and the legacy of kindness we build.
Congratulations, Marie. The title “Cool Marie” has never been more fitting. We cannot wait to see what you do next as you continue to build on Fred Hollows’ incredible legacy, showing the world that everyone is capable, worthy, and able to be a humanitarian.
We acknowledge the connections of First Nations People of Australia to the land, sea and community on which we live and work. As custodians of this sacred land we respect and acknowledge Elders, past, present and emerging.