Melody’s fight to stop trafficking earn Pride of Australia nomination

Melody Towns is just one of the many caring and committed Tasmanians to be recognised in the Pride of Australia awards.

Melody Towns at the Be Her Freedom event which she founded to raise awareness of human trafficking. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

BE Hers founder Melody Towns and her army of volunteers are celebrating another huge night to raise funds to fight human trafficking.

The Be Her Freedom ball in Hobart on Saturday night was the ninth event hosted by Be Hers, in what has become a major event on the Tasmanian charity ball calendar.

“It was an amazing evening, we had 820 women and we again sold out for the fifth year in a row,” Mrs Towns said.

After establishing Be Hers in 2010, the 38-year-old from Sandford is now at the helm of a major Australian charity, which runs events in four states.

Be Hers has also taken further steps to directly help survivors of trafficking by partnering in a sewing centre in Cambodia.

“This year in particular is quite significant for us because we have launched our new social enterprise,” she said.

Mrs Towns’ inspiring volunteer work has led her to be nominated twice for the Pride of Australia Awards.

Another Tasmanian Pride of Australia nominee who has expanded his community work is Luke Williams, 19, who won the Young Leader category in 2015.

His charity the Lend a Hand to Hugo Foundation runs programs in Tasmania to help children with disabilities get involved in AFL and cricket.

Mr Williams was nominated for Pride of Australia by classmates from Sacred Heart College.

“That was pretty special,” he said.

Nominations for the 2019 Pride of Australia Awards are now open.

You can nominate someone who is making an inspiring or selfless contribution to the community at prideofaustralia.com.au