Gabi Hollows
Encyclopedia
Gabi Hollows is one of Australia's 100 Living Treasures
. She was also given the Advance Australia Award for Community Service, and was made Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International
.
, and raised on an orchard near Gosford
on the Central Coast of New South Wales. She first became interested in medicine when she had eye surgery at the age of three.
, with whom she did a great deal of work treating aboriginal Australians for a range of eye conditions including trachoma
. Over a period of three years, they visited over 465 remote communities.
She worked tirelessly with Fred until his death in 1993, and continued his work afterwards through The Fred Hollows Foundation
, both overseas and in Australia.
in 1980 and had five children with him: Cam, Emma, Anna-Louise, and the twins Ruth and Rosa. In 1996, the third year after Fred's death, she married lawyer John Balazs.
for services to community welfare and development.
Australian Living Treasures
Australian Living Treasures are people who have been nominated by the National Trust of Australia. The first list of 100 Living Treasures was published in 1997....
. She was also given the Advance Australia Award for Community Service, and was made Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
.
Early life
Hollows was born in Newcastle, New South WalesNewcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, and raised on an orchard near Gosford
Gosford, New South Wales
Gosford is a city located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, approximately 76 km north of the Sydney central business district...
on the Central Coast of New South Wales. She first became interested in medicine when she had eye surgery at the age of three.
Career
In 1972 she graduated as an Orthoptist from the NSW School of Orthoptics. During her orthoptic training, she met Fred HollowsFred Hollows
Frederick "Fred" Cossom Hollows, AC was an ophthalmologist who became known for his work in restoring eyesight for countless thousands of people in Australia and many other countries...
, with whom she did a great deal of work treating aboriginal Australians for a range of eye conditions including trachoma
Trachoma
Trachoma is an infectious disease causing a characteristic roughening of the inner surface of the eyelids. Also called granular conjunctivitis and Egyptian ophthalmia, it is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world...
. Over a period of three years, they visited over 465 remote communities.
She worked tirelessly with Fred until his death in 1993, and continued his work afterwards through The Fred Hollows Foundation
The Fred Hollows Foundation
The Fred Hollows Foundation is a non-profit aid organization based in Australia founded in 1992 by eye surgeon Fred Hollows. The Foundation focuses on treating and preventing blindness and other vision problems...
, both overseas and in Australia.
Personal life
She married Fred HollowsFred Hollows
Frederick "Fred" Cossom Hollows, AC was an ophthalmologist who became known for his work in restoring eyesight for countless thousands of people in Australia and many other countries...
in 1980 and had five children with him: Cam, Emma, Anna-Louise, and the twins Ruth and Rosa. In 1996, the third year after Fred's death, she married lawyer John Balazs.
Honours
In 2001 she was awarded the Centenary MedalCentenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
for services to community welfare and development.
Sources
- Gabi Hollows - Founding Director - biography at The Fred Hollows Foundation website
- Gabi Hollows: a conversation - 27 May 2005 (abc.net.au)