Fred was many things to many people – a husband, a father, a friend, a skilled ophthalmologist and, for a few politicians and bureaucrats, an irritating thorn in their side.

Above all else he was a humanitarian, which made him a terrific doctor. He truly believed it was the role of a doctor to serve, to help those in need.

This explains why he was so passionate about improving the health of Indigenous Australians. And why, unlike many, he didn't just talk – he set about helping local communities do something about it.

It is also why he worked so hard to restore sight in the developing world. He was determined to help break the devastating cycle of disability and extreme poverty.

In 80% of cases blindness is unnecessary; it can either be avoided – through early detection and maintaining basic levels of hygiene and nutrition – or it can be overcome through a simple operation.

This is a shocking figure. But, like Fred, we have to do more than be angry. We have to do something about it – and we are.

"Six months before his death Fred said, ‘Gabi, it doesn’t matter if I die tomorrow, I know you and all those people who believe in what I believe in will carry on.’"

Since Fred died, The Fred Hollows Foundation has restored sight to well over one million people in the developing world.

Fred and I started this Foundation around our kitchen table in 1992 with a group of friends and supporters. By that stage we knew he didn't have much longer to live; cancer was making it more and more difficult to do the sight saving work he loved.

Thanks to our supporters, we continue to build on Fred's legacy, offering independence, dignity and hope to those in need.

We lost Fred while there was still work to do – now it is up to us carry on.
 

Gabi Hollows, Founding Director of The Fred Hollows Foundation