“Women in our own backyard are going without basic toiletries, we believe this is unacceptable.”
This year The Knight honours Emma Sullings, founder of the Happy Boxes Project as our 2021 Australian Knight.
Emma spent five years working, living, and learning in remote communities in the Northern Territory as a teacher, youth mentor, family educator and leader in trauma informed practice in the classroom.
It was during this time that she realised how difficult it was to access basic needs such as food and toiletries. For these communities, the closest store can be up to 1,000km away, some are at the end of 750km of harsh, red dirt roads and others can be cut off by flood waters for months at a time.
Some may be lucky enough to have a small store, but the prices of basic items are exorbitant.
The Happy Boxes Project provides a weekly location to send boxes of donations, where a local Happy Box Coordinator will distribute the Happy Box to those in the community who need it most.
The project has now grown to support more than 50 communities over 5 states.
The Knight has donated $10,000 to support the empowering and generous work that Emma and her team perform for women in our most remote communities.
How can you help?
- Donate directly via the website
- Build a Happy Box
- Shop Happy
- Become a partner or volunteer
- Follow the Happy Boxes Project on Instagram
What is our Australian Knight Award?
Each year, staff at The Knight recognise a worthy recipient for our Australian Knight award; someone who has demonstrated qualities that personify those of a Knight, including bravery, selflessness and leadership.
The Knight donates $10,000 to the winner’s charity, or the charity of their choice.
An update from The Knight.
Australian Knight award, for the past 10 years, has been announced as part of our Australia Day celebrations.
Australia Day, for us, has always been a way of recognising the diversity of our nation. A day for those from all cultures and religions to come together.
However, Australia Day is not a day of celebration for our First Nations people. So, this year and going forward, we have decided to move our celebrations from this date.
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.