‘40 for Ash’ campaigner Jemma Edmonds nominated for Pride of Australia medal

JEMMA Edmonds misses her younger sister Ashley every day but her memory lives on in many ways.

Pride of Australia. Jemma Edmonds 15 who's sister Ashley Edmonds died after being hit by a car. Jemma has started the 40 for Ash campaign. Picture Nikki Davis-Jones

JEMMA Edmonds misses her younger sister Ashley every single day but her memory lives on in many ways, including a special online road-safety awareness campaign.

Ashley Edmonds, 13, was killed when she stepped off a school bus and was hit by a car at Karanja, near New Norfolk, in February 2012.

Miss Edmonds, 15, launched the “40 for Ash” campaign in March to promote a 40km/h speed limit in school and bus zones, in tandem with the family’s Road and Bus Safety Organisation Facebook page. She said the goal was to increase awareness that driving through school and bus zones at more than 40km/h could have tragic consequences.

“It was really painful to lose Ash but I didn't want anyone experiencing what my family went through,” she said.

“I wanted to make a change and this organisation seems like the path to help people that have gone through the same thing.

“We’re still trying to get the Road and Bus Safety Organisation up and running and my mum and I are mainly working on it, trying to get more sponsors and setting up a website.”

Miss Edmonds has been nominated for a Pride of Australia medal in the Young Leader category.

“I was shocked to be nom­inated. I didn't expect it and the first thing I did was cry because I was really happy and proud to be nom­inated,” she said.