Who is Fred Hollows and what was he all about?
This month we celebrate World Sight Day and focus on eye health as a key global health issue, both in Australia and around the globe. I’m not sure about you, but when I think of eye health in the developing world and within remote parts of Australia I think of Fred Hollows. For those of you who don’t know much about Fred Hollows here are the key facts about this incredible man:
• Born 1929, passed away 1993
• Studied as an ophthalmologist
• Pioneered the introduction of modern cataract surgery to developing countries
• Started the National Trachoma and Eye health program in 1970s that screened thousands of people
• Named Australian of the Year in 1990 as well as many other international awards
• Started the Fred Hollows Foundation with his wife Gabi a few months before his death from cancer to ensure the work he had been doing would continue
Hollows said:
'To my mind, having a care and concern for others is the highest of the human qualities.' (http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/pages/page75.asp)
The Fred Hollows Foundation strives to achieve four key goals:
• Ending avoidable blindness in the communities and countries where we work.
• Improving the life chances and choices of Indigenous Australians through improving their health.
• Working through strong partnerships and cross-sector collaborations - at local, national and global levels.
• Building a strong and dynamic organisation, capable of facilitating effective eye and Indigenous health programs and having a positive impact on public opinion, policies and practices.
Over the last 5 years the foundation has had some amazing results:
• Over 6.6 million eye examinations!
• 784,378 eye operations and treatments
• 31,121 medical and support staff assisted in training
• Over $10,000 of medical equipment
• Built or upgraded 119 eye health facilities
• Expanded to work in more than 55 Indigenous communities
How can you help?
1. Donate
For as little as $25, you can give someone a gift that keeps on giving for a lifetime - the gift of sight.
Gift of Sight cards can be personalised and delivered directly to loved ones on your behalf. Alternatively, we can send the Gift of Sight card to you to personalise and deliver yourself.
Your card will let them know they have contributed to restoring someone's sight and changed their life forever.
Give the Gift of Sight today.
2. Community fundraising
3. Get active
Below is a list of opportunities both within Australia and overseas for those of you eager to get direcetly involved with the Fred Hollows Organisation:
Australia-based opportunities
A. International IT Coordinator
• Challenging New leadership position
• A truly international remit
• Collaborative team environment
The International IT Coordinator will be a member of the Information Management (IM) team and will be responsible and accountable for:
• Providing IT support and advice to overseas offices ensuring that IT services leverage and follow Australian "best practices"
• Coordinating and managing the delivery of international IT facilities in developing countries.
• Ensuring that all technology to be implemented internationally is consistant with practices in Sydney.
• Developing, implementing and managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Supporting and working cohesively with members of the IM team.
To be considered for this role, your application and resume must indicate your demonstrated achievements and experience in the following areas:
• SME operations covering Desktops, Laptops, Servers and Small Networks.
• Excellence in the delivery of new Desktops, Laptops, Servers and Small Networks.
• Support and selection of software solutions.
• Procurement, contracts, and vendor management.
• Interpersonal and change management skills (preferably with other cultures)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Some international travel is required for this role.
Indigenous Traineeship - Administration
• 12 month contract position located in Sydney (Rosebery).
• Entry level administration opportunity.
• Support to undertake study in business administration.
The Administration Assistant reports to the Administration Manager and is responsible for providing assistance in administrative, clerical and other functions of the Administration Division.
Selection criteria
• Willingness to complete Certificate lll in Business Administration or equivalent.
• Ability to work in a team as well as autonomously.
• Well developed verbal and written communication skills
• Basic Microsoft Office and Outlook skills.
Eligibility
• Obtained Higher School Certificate.
• No recent or relevant Australian accredited qualifications, e.g. accredited certificate/TAFE qualification/higher education e.g. University Diploma or higher.
• Only Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.
B. Corporate Support
• New position due to growth
• Challenging role supporting Board and Executive Management Team
• Supportive team environment
The Corporate Support role will be a member of the Administration team and will be responsible and accountable for:
• Providing executive support to the Executive Team members
• Providing assistance to the Executive Support position
• Organising events and catering for events
• General administration support
To be considered for this role, your application and resume must indicate your demonstrated achievements and experience in the following areas:
• Strong administration skills working with and managing Exective members
• Ability to prioritise, manage, organize and plan workflows
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Proven high level of attention to detail
C. Project Officer
• Dynamic and fast paced environment
• Part time 12 month contract position located in Melbourne
• Supportive team environment
The Project Officer is required to support, coordinate and develop the new Global Partnership Program and will be responsible and accountable for:
• Program Support and Coordination
• Program Development
• Delivery of high quality Global Partnership Program Projects
To be considered for this role, your application and resume must indicate your demonstrated achievements and experience in the following areas:
• Strong project coordination and support experience
• Ability to deliver high quality projects
• Ability to prioritise, manage, organize and plan workflows.
• Strong Microsoft Office suite experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Proven high level of attention to detail
Overseas opportunities
A. Human Resources Development Coordinator - Africa
There is an exciting opportunity to join the International Programs division within The Fred Hollows Foundation and contribute to the growth of an international development organisation that focuses on blindness prevention and Australian Indigenous health.
This is a newly created position that will be responsible for the development and implementation of The Foundation's Human Resources Development Strategy for the eye health sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This position will be based in Africa with regular international travel. There is flexibility to negotiate the location with the successful candidate, although we anticipate that the role will most likely be based in either Kenya or South Africa.
You can also get involved on a volunteer basis. In Australia, the Foundation welcomes enquiries from interested people to volunteer in our Australian offices. These opportunities generally involve administrative support to our Australasian based staff. The upcoming Christmas appeal is a busy time for the Organisation and requires volunteers to help the Donations and Database team in The Foundation's Sydney office in Rosebery to open and sort our large quantities of mail, and to fold and post out receipts to our fabulous donors.
The appeal starts Monday 31 October and will run until Christmas. Both morning and afternoon shifts are available.
If you're interested in getting involved, please RSVP to one of the information sessions by contacting Nat Newman on (02) 8741 1900 or email nnewman@hollows.org. Alternatively, you can contact the Volunteer Coordinator on (02) 8741 1900 or email fhf@hollows.org for further information on volunteering on an ongoing basis.
The Foundation does not generally place volunteers in our international programs. This is because we aim to develop the skills and capacity of local people in the disadvantaged communities we work within.
The Australian Volunteers International website may be worth a visit if you are interested in these kinds of opportunities.
4. Spread the word
Give a gift of sight to someone, or sign up for the e-newsletter for more information
