Professor Fred Hollows

‘Fred Hollows’ sounds like a place rather than a person, but now many places are named in honour of this eye doctor who took risks on behalf of others.

Even as a small boy growing up with his brothers in rural New Zealand, Fred wanted to make a difference. He was an ideas person with a ‘can do’ attitude.

He became an eye doctor. He was passionate about treating preventable and curable eye diseases amongst the poorest people in Asia, Africa and the Australian outback. His dream was to restore sight to those who could least afford or access health care.

He started travelling hospitals on wheels, trained staff and worked with locals to develop lens factories and eye clinics.

Now there is the Fred Hollows Foundation, and other medical staff continue his work in outback communities, in Australia and overseas. Gabi Hollows, his wife continues their partnership to improve health in remote areas.

As a surgeon, operating on the eye, is a risky operation. Fred had the skill to remove cataracts, which are growths in the eye, blocking sight. But he also inspired others and was involved with indigenous medical services.

Professor Frederick Cossom Hollows was a man who received many awards before and after his death, but his greatest achievement was giving ‘vision’ to more than one million people around the world. He died in 1993.

Bourke in outback NSW has a memorial on Fred’s grave, as this place had special significance for him.

And many bus stops carry his message.

ISBN: 9781921042751
Author: Hazel Edwards
Illustrator: Pat Reynolds
Publisher: New Frontier

Formats: Paperback

Local bookshops or these online retailers have copies available now – and you can purchase online:

The Aussie Heroes series aimed at readers 10+ introduces heroes who have contributed to Australian society.

New Frontier Aussie Heroes series include Weary Dunlop, Dr Fred Hollows and Edith Cowan, the quiet woman of note.

What Makes a Hero? Discussion Activity Use these points to discuss your hero.

Hazel’s other historical books include ‘Antarctic Close Up’ about the Mawson expedition.
How To Write History for Kids, in Non Boring Ways
Writing about Weary for 8-13 year_olds.
From Hippos to Histories: Blog Interview about the ‘Weary’ research process
The Looking Glass: Writing Non Boring Junior History & Heroes activity.

Hazel’s books are listed as approved reading on Premiers’ Reading Challenges throughout Australia:

‘ Fred Hollows’ in junior history books recommended by mylittlebookcase
ABC radio Canberra reviewed by Deb Abela
Aussie Reviews excellent addition to school libraries
Dee White Kids’ Book Capers meticulously researched…very accessible’
Readplus ‘recommended
Herald Sun review April 28, 2012: “Fred Hollows was an amazing man who stopped thousands of people from going blind. Hollows believed blindness was linked to poverty, so he came up with a way to make sure eye check-ups and and operations were not expensive in remote Australian,Asian and African communities. This story about Fred Hollows is part of the Aussie Heroes series.I recommend it for mid to late primary school students.” Verdict: Incredible.
Buzz Words ‘encourage children to dream big’.
Kids’ Book Review Fred Hollows.pdf ‘encouraged to work hard to make a difference,as Fred did.’