Spreading Hope & Kindness With Tammy Robinson: The 'Formal Fairy Godmother'

The high school formal is a rite of passage for Australian students during their final year of school.  It’s a way of recognising that transition from childhood, as a celebration of 12 years of hard work, and a way to usher in a new season of life. 

But going to the school formal is not as easy as it seems if you come from a family that is doing it tough financially. 

Tammy Robinson has earned her nickname of the Formal Fairy Godmother, through her tireless work helping students in South East Queensland attend their school formals.

When Tammy found out that many students in her city of Logan were missing out on their school formals because they couldn't afford the cost of formal wear, she decided to do something about it.

She started Formally Ever After in 2019, both as a way to support students and families in her community, but also as a way to cope with the grief she was experiencing after losing a number of important people in her life.

Formally Ever After provides formal wear, shoes and accessories at no cost to those who need it, with all items being donated by the community.

In this episode of Chappy Chats, Tammy talks about her story, how a simple act of kindness can change someone's life, and how she's come to help almost 6000 students attend their school formal.

To find out more about about supporting the work of Formally Ever After, or to make a donation of formal wear or accessories, please visit the Formally Ever After Facebook Page.

Tammy is also a Home Care Lifestyle Carer with Carinity, assisting the elderly to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.  Having worked or volunteered in the aged care sector since she was 12, Tammy calls this work her life purpose.

Chappy Chats is a production of 96five Brisbane and SU Australia.

Artwork by Tamar Petersen of Red Box Studios.

To find out more about becoming a chaplain, visit the SU Australia website.

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