Peter Corris (1990)
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This book was
first published in 1991, claiming it 'replenishes the sense of what it
possible'. Three decades on, it still does. This edition shows what is possible
- problems encountered and overcome, breakthroughs big and small, and the
spread of Fred Hollows' work across the globe with more and more people getting
modern eye care.
FACT FILE: Frederick Cossom Hollows (9
April 1929 – 10 February 1993) was a New Zealand-Australian ophthalmologist who
became known for his work in restoring eyesight for people in Australia and
many other countries through initiatives such as The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Fred Cossom Hollows was the fourth son born at in Dunedin,
New Zealand, to a working class father - "small-time
horticulturalist", formerly a railway fireman, later driver- Joseph
Hollows, whose father was of Lancashire origin, and Clarice, daughter of
ship's cook Frederick Cossom Marshall, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The
family lived in Dunedin for the first seven years of his life. He had one year
of informal primary schooling at North East Valley Primary School and
began attending Palmerston North Boys’ High School when he was 13. Hollows
received his BA degree from Victoria University of Wellington He briefly
studied at a seminary, but decided against a life in the clergy. After
observing the doctors at a mental hospital during some charity work, he instead
enrolled at Otago Medical School.
While living in Dunedin, he was an active member of the
New Zealand Alpine Club and made several first ascents of mountains in the
Mount Aspiring/Tititea region of Central Otago. In 1951, Edmund Hilary was
on a test run for Everest, and was backpacking up the Tasmin Glacier towards
Malte Brun Hut; all five were carrying loads of 70 lb (32 kg) or
more. Hillary was "met by a young man (Hollows) who came bounding down to
meet me and offered to carry my load up to the hut. No one had ever offered to
carry my load before, but it was too good an offer to refuse. I handed my pack
over and saw his legs buckle Frederick Cossom Hollows (9 April 1929 – 10
February 1993) was a New Zealand–Australian ophthalmologist who became known
for his work in restoring eyesight for people in Australia and many other
countries through initiatives such as The Fred Hollows Foundation.
While living in Dunedin, he was an active member of the
New Zealand Alpine Club and made several first ascents of mountains in the
Mount Aspiring/Tititea region of Central Otago. In 1951, Edmund Hillary was on
a test run for Everest, and was backpacking up the Tasman Glacier towards Malte
Brun Hut; all five were carrying loads of 70 lb (32 kg) or more. Hillary was
"met by a young man (Hollows) who came bounding down to meet me and
offered to carry my load up to the hut. No one had ever offered to carry my load
before, but it was too good an offer to refuse. I handed my pack over and saw
his legs buckle slightly at the knees."
Hollows was a member of the Communist Party of New
Zealand during the 1950s and 1960s.
Hollows was married twice: in 1958 to Mary Skiller, who
died in 1975, and in 1980 to Gabi O'Sullivan. He first met Gabi in the early
1970s during her training as an orthoptist, and they later worked together on
the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program. They would ultimately found The
Fred Hollows Foundation together.
Hollows was originally a New Zealand citizen. He declined
the award of honorary Officer of the Order of Australia in 1985. He
adopted Australian citizenship in 1989 and was named Australian of the Year in
1990. He accepted the substantive award of Companion of the Order of
Australia in 1991. Hollows published an autobiography in 1991.
PUBLISHER: Kerr
Publishing, Sydney. Cardcover 196mm x 126mm. 225 pages. Index. Black and white
photographs. ISBN: 0958800472: Weight: 290g