Ben Golder

WHEN the teachers at Dalby Christian College approached Gina Golder and told her their plans to nominate her son Ben for the Children of Courage award, Mrs Golder couldn't help but feel proud and quite flattered.

"I was really chuffed actually that they considered him for that," Mrs Golder said.

For a boy of 10, Ben has had his fair share of challenges.

He suffers from a hemiplegia, leaving him partially paralysed on the right side of his body.

"Everything is very challenging for him, from eating to getting dressed," Mrs Golder said.

Ben has also had three brain surgeries, and has an acquired brain injury, but that doesn't stop him from staying positive, and happy.

In his first year at the Christian College, he has already began making his mark on the sporting scene, particularly in soccer, cricket and cross-country, in between being a kind and caring friend.

Braxton Rayner

YOUNG Braxton Rayner has made a big name for himself in Dalby at the tender age of seven.

Diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in 2013, Braxton was faced with challenges tougher than what his parents Clinton and Kirsten could have imagined.

But with each day, Braxton defies the odds and embraces life the way any young boy should.

"Every child is special to you, but with everything he's been through I just think he's one brave boy," Mrs Rayner said.

"He makes us proud every day. He's very special to us.

"You look at him and you look at all the stuff he's been through and you think 'could I have done that when I was a kid?'," Mr Rayner said.

"He's courageous."

When it came time to nominate Braxton for the Children of Courage awards, his parents didn't have to think twice, as he shows his courage every day.

Jackson Brown

JACKSON Brown, 12, is most confident with a basketball in his hand.

He wants to be a professional basketballer when he's older, and can always be found practising tricks and perfecting his skills.

But becoming confident in his day-to-day life, when a hoop and ball isn't readily available, is something Jackson has worked very hard to do.

When a teacher from Jackson's school told his mum Amy she wanted to nominate him for the Children of Courage award, she couldn't help but feel flattered by the decision.

"It was really lovely," Mrs Brown said.

Jackson and his family moved from Brisbane to Dalby when he was in grade three, and he became the new kid at Dalby State School.

"He's still quite shy now, but when he was in grade three he was very, very shy," Mrs Brown said.

"You would be, because we had to move out here and we didn't know a soul so it was quite daunting for all of us."

Three years on, Jackson is the vice captain at his school, and is known for his kindness and compassion.

Despite moving on from some of his shyness, he still had some nerves going up to receive his award and having all eyes on him.

"I was surprised that I would get an award like that," Jackson said.

"I didn't think I'd get nominated for something like this."

Jackson's kindness is beyond that of a regular 12-year-old boy.

He said being kind is just one way he shows courage.

"I like being a role model for the younger kids, and trying to make everyone else not so afraid of something," he said.

Michael Whitby

MICHAEL Whitby is one remarkable 12-year-old boy.

An avid swimmer, runner, and sportsman, Michael has had to overcome his fair share of obstacles that other children his age wouldn't have to experience for a very long time, if ever.

Michael was born deaf, and has had cochlear implants from when he was just four months old.

When he was eight, his mother Elissa was tragically killed in a car accident.

It was the way he tackled these challenges that made the Cecil Plains Lions Club nominate him for the Children of Courage award.

His father Rob said the award couldn't have been more well-deserved for young Michael.

"I've always known he's a good lad, he always makes me proud," Mr Whitby said.

"He's just a really good kid, he's a trier and he doesn't let too much get him down."

Michael's special day bought about a mix of emotions as he went up to receive his award.

"I was proud of myself a little bit," Michael told the Herald.

"I was a little bit nervous getting up on stage."

Just a regular 12-year-old, Michael enjoys playing computer games, and is already a gold medallist for his swimming.

But it is the way he has handled and overcome challenges that makes him courageous.

The Somerfield Family

THE Somerfield siblings are a well-oiled machine.

To take care of their little sister Harriet, who has cerebral palsy, the family has to work in harmony.

Misty-Ann, 12, helps her mum Lynda dose out Harriet's medication every day.

Asher, 10, is the only one who knows how to calm Harriet down, and it's as simple as speaking to her in a calm tone, and even singing.

Harriet's twin sister Isobel, 7, may only be young, but she helps with Harriet's food and provides plenty of giggles in the family with her electric personality and funny stories.

As Mrs Somerfield watched her children take care of their sister, she didn't think twice about nominating her children for the Children of Courage award.

"Harriet gets so much attention all the time, so I thought it was something special for them just to feel it was about them for once," she said.

Harriet also received an award for her continual improvement with her condition.

Through weekly physical therapy and speech pathology, Harriet is improving day by day, making her a worthy recipient of the Children of Courage award.

As for Misty-Ann, taking care of Harriet is such a normal part of her life that when her name was called, the first thing she thought was, "do I actually deserve it?"

"It's normal stuff that I was bought up with," Misty-Ann said.

The Roger Family

MODESTY might not be the quality you associate with children aged 9, 7, and 3.

But the Roger siblings are putting that to rest.

Ivy Roger was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at just two weeks old.

Her big brother Herbert and little sister Pearl have helped take care of her, so much so that caring for Ivy has just become a normal part of everyday life.

So when the three children were nominated for the Children of Courage award by mum Michelle and dad Tom, they simply didn't believe they deserved it.

"Herbert's reaction was pretty cute, he said 'why am I getting this award'," Mrs Roger said.

"It recognises that siblings have different lives when they have siblings with special needs and that you do lots of special stuff to help Ivy.

"They're just normal brothers and sisters, they fight like cats and dogs sometimes.

"It is great when you see them work together as a little team."