Professor Fred Hollows 

Title:"Professor Fred Hollows" ISBN: 9781921042751 Author:Hazel Edwards Illustrator: Pat Reynolds Publisher;  New Frontier

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‘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.

Check this website for more details and to donate.

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Buy your own copy of "Professor Fred Hollows"

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

Scholastic Booktopia New Frontier  Publisher Bookworld

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The Aussie Heroes Series

The Aussie Heroes series introduces junior readers to heroes who have made an important contribution to Australian society. Aimed at readers 10 plus

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

Educational Resources for Teachers

• You can find more resources and classroom ideas for all of Hazel's Books by clicking through to the Teachers Resources Page.
• Check the Interviews with Hazel for background on writing recent books including 'Weary'.
• 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
• Discussion: What Makes a Hero? 
• The Looking Glass Writing Non-Boring Junior History & Heroes Activity

Premiers' Reading Challenge

Hazel's books are  listed as approved reading on Premier's Reading Challenges throughout Australia:

• NSW Premier's Reading Challenge
• Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge
• South Australians Premier's Reading Challenge
• ACT Chief Minister's Reading Challenge

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Reviews and Feedback

• ' 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.'

Have you read 'Professor Fred Hollows'? Why not send Hazel a comment? You can email Hazel, tweet Hazel or post a message on her Facebook Page.You could also write your own book review. Here are some of the comments online. If you have more why not send them through! 

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