Hi! I’m Sebastian Onate-Henriquez.

I’m a 10-year-old social entrepreneur and the founder of The Earth is My Place.

I launched my business when I was just 6, with a big question on my mind: How can I inspire other kids to join a GREEN REVOLUTION and help SAVE OUR PLANET?

 

My journey has been all about making a difference and showing that even kids can have an impact.

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Here's my story so far:

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At 6 years old, I created The Earth is My Place to make a positive change. I wanted to raise awareness about sustainability and show that kids can lead the way.

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I was thrilled to be recognised with the Edstart Achievement Award in the Entrepreneurship category. Winning this national competition encouraged me to keep pushing forward with my business and my message.

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I was so excited to win the Westpac Youth Impact Challenge in the Primary Category. Knowing others believed in what I was doing made me even more determined to keep going.

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In 2023, I started a market stall to share my recycled T-shirts and products directly with people. It was amazing meeting customers and talking to them about my mission.

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I’m so proud to have been the youngest contributor to the book Dear World, published in June 2024. This incredible book, launched by the Jane Goodall Institute Australia's Roots & Shoots in partnership with Upschool, features environmental and social justice leaders from around the globe who share their personal experiences of creating positive change for animals, people, and the environment.

In Dear World, I join inspiring figures like Bunker Roy (founder of Barefoot College India), Rev. Tim Costello (Micah Australia), Jill Robinson (Founder of Animals Asia, Hong Kong), and Stephen Ritz (Green Bronx Machine, USA), alongside many others. I’m honoured to be part of this group as one of the youngest contributors at just 9 years old, where I share my journey of designing and selling T-shirts made from recycled fibres to help protect our planet.

The book also includes a foreword by the amazing Dr. Jane Goodall, and it aims to spread hope and inspire young changemakers like me to take action for a better world.

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In August 2024, I hit a huge milestone by planting my 1,000th tree. Now, I’ve set a new goal: to plant 5,000 trees and continue giving back to our planet.

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In September 2024, I had the amazing opportunity to pitch at Sustainability Demo Day 2024 (Innovate Moreton Bay) at Eatons Hill Hotel and I won Best Presentation!. It was an unforgettable experience, and I loved sharing my mission to make the planet a better place! 

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Maybe you think I’m too young to make a difference. But you know what? I don’t want to wait until I’m an adult to help our planet—I’m starting now!

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​I was honoured to be named TWEENPRENEUR OF THE YEAR by Young Change Agents and Teens in Business in November 2024. This award recognises the most inspiring and innovative entrepreneurs under 12 years of age in Australia.

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In December 2024, I was officially named a 'Trees for the Future' ambassador, a USA-based nonprofit organisation recognised as a United Nations World Restoration Flagship.

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