How old do you need to be to make a difference for the environment? You will be surprised to learn about an 11 year boy who has developed wonderful and thoughtful apps that are spreading messages about environmental awareness. He is a founder of LitterbugSmash, an app designed to save turtles and protect oceans. He is exceptionally gifted and already has four apps to his name at such a young age. This brilliant young kid has caught the attention of many prominent people including international dignitaries. As a result, Hamish has been invited by the US government to attend the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES). He is looking forward to meet President Obama for a young entrepreneurship program to pitch his idea on how to save turtles from ocean trash and how to improve life for people with ASD. His TripleT&ASD app helps spread autism awareness. He is a proud recipient of OzAPP awards in Perth and received an Australia Day Award from the Townsville City Council for his environmental work. Let us applaud Hamish for his accomplishments and his parents Lindy Creighton and Graeme Finlayson for their great support.

Can you tell us more about your “TripleT&ASD” app? How long did it take you to develop this app?H: TripleTandAsd is an app about teaching people how to manage Autism. You play as TripleT a turtle and he has Autism. The first (and currently only) level is that at a birthday party, TripleT finds out that the noise is too loud so he looks for his headphones while avoiding the children singing along with the Elvis Impersonator. I don't know how long it took me to make it, but my estimate is roughly over the Christmas Holidays. And I'm going to add more levels to my app.

How many apps have you designed so far? How did you learn to develop an app? What is the best thing you love about your apps?H:  I have made four apps. My first three apps (the LitterbugSmash apps) were about what litter is and the effects of it if it gets into the ocean. I learnt to make apps at school using an app called Hyperpad, which was the next generation from Gamepress and I also teach myself alot. The best thing that I love about my apps is that they are in the App Store, because it was a long and complicated process.

You have received an invitation to attend President Obama's Global Entrepreneurship Summit to be held in Silicon Valley. If you meet President Obama, what are you going to ask him?H: When I see President Obama I'm going to ask him to wear a T-Shirt that I made (which has TripleT on it) and to take a selfie with it on two special days (World Turtle Day and World Autism Awareness Day).

What is your favorite app that you like to use during your free time?H: My favourite apps are Minecraft and Terraria.

What do you want to be when you grow up?H: When I grow up I want to be a YouTuber. I want to share with the world the apps I created, and to play games as well.

Who is your favorite celebrity?H: My favourite Celebrity is a Youtuber called PopularMMOs. He makes Minecraft videos.

What are your other hobbies?H: My hobbies are playing video games, reading books, playing guitar and playing with my dog.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?H: My favourite place to go to in the world is Grandma and Grandpa's house because I always have a fun time with Grandma.

What do you like to do when you are with your family?H: When I'm with my family I like to play Cluedo (Sherlock Holmes Edition), ride bikes with Dad and walk the dog.

Any special message for our community?H: I make apps to teach people about Autism and to stop litter getting into the ocean. Try to work out what is special for you.