Fred Hollows

Born in Dunedin, New Zealand Fred had originally studied to become a minister of religion; but during a summer holiday job at a mental health facility, changed Fred's view. His talent in science meant that he was offered a place in the medicine faculty at university. After graduating, Fred began to assist eye surgeons. He was to later become interested in ophthalmology, moving to the United Kingdom to develop his speciality. In 1965, he returned to Australia to become Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of New South Wales. In 1968, after seeing two senior Aboriginal men from Wattie Creek as eye patients, he was invited to their camp in the Northern Territory. Fred could not believe the poor standard of health. He was surprised by the high level of Aboriginal people with trachoma. From this beginning, Fred began his journey to assist indigenous Australians with trachoma and other eye diseases. Fred passed away on 10 February 1993, survived by his wife Gabi and children Tanya, Ben, Cam, Emma, Anna-Louise, Ruth & Rosa.