Catalogue Number: 613 Fred Hollows: an autobiography Category: Book Sub-Category: Book of historical note Author: HOLLOWS Fred C, CORRIS Peter Year Of Publication/Manufacture: 1992 Time Period: 1940 to 1999 Place Of Publication/Manufacture: Melbourne Publisher/Manufacturer: Belinda Press Australia Large Print Pty Ltd Description Of Item: Paperback, 284 pages, in large print, photgraphic illustrations. Gift inscription to Kingston Sedgfield on title page. First published in ordinary print size in 1991DEACCESSIONED 28/07/2019 Historical Significance: Frederick Cossom (Fred) Hollows, AO (1985) AC (1991) BA MBBA FRACO (1929-1993) was an ophthalmologist widely known for his work in restoring eyesight for aboriginal people in Australia and in developing countries. He was born in New Zealand, the son of truck driver, and studied medicine at the Otago Medical School. He was a rough diamond, whose speech and autobiography were filled with expletives. He was once an active member of the Communist Party of NZ. He studied ophthalmology in Wales, UK, and came to Australia in 1965 as Associate Professor of ophthalmology at the University of NSW. He was appointed specifically to teach optometry students diseases of the eye to break an impass with the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists, who boycotted such teaching to prevent optometrists being able to use diagnostic drugs. He reneged on that commitment and despite early support for optometry, became a hostile opponent. In the 1970s, Hollows visited isolated NSW towns, stations and Aboriginal communities and became especially concerned with the high number of Aborigines who had eye disorders. In 1971, he set up the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern in Sydney, and was subsequently responsible for the establishment of medical services for Aboriginal People throughout Australia. Hollows himself spent three years visiting Aboriginal communities to provide eye care and carry out a survey of eye defects. He also worked to provide medical and surgical eye care in Eritrea. He established intraocular lens laboratories in Eritrea and Nepal Condition: Fine Location: De-accessioned |