Fred Hollows took eye care to some of Australia's most remote Indigenous communities, was at the forefront of the establishment of Aboriginal controlled medical centres and never hesitated to tell Australia it needed to do better.

That's why The Foundation's work amongst 55 Indigenous communities goes beyond eye care, helping build strong and sustainable health systems.

And we're working to ensure that the 10 year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians is closed within a generation.

Find out more about the Australia program.

Through the Australia program, The Foundation: 

Eye health

• Coordinated two intensive eye surgery weeks in Alice Springs - 80 cataract operations and 21 other eye procedures
  
• Committed to new eye clinic at Alice Springs Hospital
• Supported eye health coordinators in remote regions of NT
• Provided optometry services and affordable spectacles

Speaking out

• Formed new partnership Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of NT
• Supported Close the Gap coalition
• Worked with Charles Darwin University on social determinants of Indigenous health - what is and isn't working
• Provided training to Indigenous groups so they can better speak out on their rights

Nutrition

• Commenced anaemia prevention trial - tackling high levels of anaemia in remote communities, improving the health of thousands of children

Literacy

• Distributed 15,000 books to 261 communities and organisations Indigenous Literacy Project

Women's development

• Developed and launched cookbook Kukumbat Gudwan Daga (Really Cooking Good Food)
• Supported Banatjarl Women's Talkfest - a gathering of women from five Jawoyn communities

Culture

• Supported four Black Arm Band concerts
• Provided Event Management Training programs for six remote trainees.