Fred Hollows AC (1929 - 1993)
1990 Award

Ophthalmologist

A New Zealander, Hollows became involved in the struggle of Aboriginal land rights and better health soon after arriving in Sydney in 1965. In 1971 he helped to set up the first Aboriginal medical centre and in 1976 established the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program which provided treatment to more than 450 remote communities. Hollows also established blindness prevention programs in Asia, Africa and South America. He made several trips to Eritrea to train barefoot doctors to perform simple eye surgery and to help establish a factory to manufacture plastic intraocular lenses. The 'intellectual with the wharfie's manner' became an Australian folk hero, an iconoclast who inspired some and angered other.

Hollows said: 'To my mind, having a care and concern for others is the highest of the human qualities.' He used his tour of honour after the award to argue for an increase in federal aid to developing nations, and for a more energetic approach to youth unemployment. He always tried to challenge people to lead more selfless and dynamic lives.