Logan City has done it again – a hometown hero is in the running to be Queensland’s kindest person.
And if she wins, Logan will have kept its ‘kindest Australian’ bid alive for another year.
Last week, Beenleigh’s Tammy Robinson-Heynatz, who locals might know as the formal fairy godmother, was named as a Queensland finalist in a competition held by Black Pepper to find the country’s kindest gem.
Ms Robinson-Heynatz is known for founding Formally Ever After, a charity that fits and gifts formal wear to students who can’t afford it.
What began with helping one student attend their Year 12 formal in 2019, has grown into a community movement that has helped almost 10,000 people access free, pre-loved formal wear, wedding dresses and accessories.
Six years on, the charity is run entirely by volunteers and community donations from Ms Robinson-Heynatz’ home.
Last year, Eagleby’s Pamela Tatt was awarded the state title for her efforts creating a charity that has knitted, crocheted and sewed close to one million gifts for those most vulnerable in society.
Over the last 20 years, the 77-year-old has gifted handmade items to foster children, prematurely-born babies, the elderly, pets and wildlife all over Australia.
Even now, when you walk through the front door of Ms Tatt’s home, you are greeted by tubs overflowing with handmade teddies, blankets, toys and, of course, yarn.
Like Ms Tatt, Ms Robinson Heynatz said doing good wasn’t about claiming a title.
“My big motto with Formally Ever After is ‘kindness is free’,” she said.
“I love that we can spread kindness in everything we do. Kindness ripples.”
Ms Robinson-Heynatz is up against some tough opponents – a Brisbane nurse who has supported children with cancer for more than 40 years, and a Moreton Bay woman who spent the last two decades helping unpaid family carers facing stress and burnout.
She said she felt honoured to be considered in a group of women so “selfless, kind and inspiring”.
“I think kindness can be in many forms, and no matter the size of the kindness, it can have a huge impact.
“Kindness to me can be anything from saying, ‘you look beautiful today’, to offering to help others.
“For me, kindness is just something I have always felt is the norm because I know how it feels when people aren’t kind.
“We should think before we speak, and speak with love.”
Locals can have their say via blackpepper.com.au/pages/world-kindness-day – with Queensland’s kindest person of 2025 to be announced on Wednesday 8 October.
Photo: Carinity
