Fashion fairy helps students attend the ball
Community Spirit award winner wants students to feel a million dollars
Since 2019, Tammy Robinson has been like the fairy godmother of Woodridge – and she’s recently had some well-deserved recognition as a winner in the ABC Radio Brisbane Community Spirit Awards
Tammy took away the People’s Choice prize. It’s an accolade that means a lot, but one she never sought.
From her garage, the humble mum-of-four is helping ensure City of Logan’s year 12 students can get dressed up for their school formal. And it’s all for free.
Dresses, suits, shoes, jewellery and handbags have all been donated by the community to Tammy’s Formally Ever After organisation.
Tammy started the program in 2019 after realising many local students were unable to attend their school formals because of the cost of dressing for the occasion.
She says her son, Kaleb, encouraged her to start the program when she first shared her idea with him.
“His whole year at Kingston College was abuzz about formals and dresses,” Tammy says.
“I didn’t go to my formal due to a lack of money and it’s something I regret.
“I wish something like this was around then and I have so many mums say this when they come over.”
Initially, Tammy wasn’t sure what difference she could make and started off with the goal of helping just one student.
But within the first year, she had proudly dressed 236 year 12 students.
“You never know the impact kindness can have in this world”
— Tammy Robinson
Last year, she made dreams come true for 217 children from 45 different schools in the City of Logan. So far this year, she has already dressed 30 students.
Over the past two years, she has also dressed about 100 other students from year 6 to year 10 for important events in their lives.
“I love it. It makes me so happy,” she says.
“At the end of the day it’s not about numbers but about who we help and that we help them.
“I want them to have the exact same experience as people with money.
“You never know the impact kindness can have in this world.”
Tammy says the children who came to her just wanted to feel beautiful for a special occasion in their lives and she was proud when she saw the impact on them.
She says some students can’t even afford socks for their formal.
“I always give them a pair of new socks with their shoes and it means so much. You see them stand taller.”
Many students shed a tear or two when they discover the generous donations made by the community.
“I want to show people kindness can be free,” Tammy says.
“I tell them the community wants you to go to your formal. They are beyond grateful.”
Logan resident, Chantelle Gardner-Hudson, used the Formally Ever After program last year as her daughter Emily graduated from year 12.
She will be calling on Tammy’s services again this year as her son Lachlan graduates.
“There’s not a thing in this world enough to thank her for what she does,” Chantelle says.
Formally Ever After offers clothing sized from size 4 to 8 XL men’s wear.
