Members of the Victorian community have been encouraged to nominate candidates for humanitarian awards.
The annual Fred and Humanity awards celebrate ordinary Australians who make a real difference in their communities in the legacy of eye doctor Fred Hollows.
In the past, the outer east has celebrated two of its own members who gained recognition from the Fred Hollows Foundation for their exemplary compassion and social impact.
The then Year 6 student at Belgrave Heights Christian School Elke Hethaak was one of the Junior Ambassadors for the Fred Hollows Foundation in 2024, while Founder of Leave a Light On and Mount Evelyn resident Suzie Ratcliffe was announced Humanitarian of the Year in 2023.
The Foundation has existed for over three decades and aims to end avoidable blindness and vision impairment across the globe.
In Victoria the Foundation partners with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) to provide culturally appropriate eye care.
The Humanity awards were launched in 2012, “a testament to Fred’s deep faith in the goodness of everyday Australians,” as stated by Founding Director Gabi Hollows.
Almost a decade later, in 2021, the Fred Awards were introduced for adults who demonstrated practical, no-nonsense care for those around them.
Gabi Hollows encouraged Victorians to nominate candidates, stating “We invite you to nominate a friend, family member or colleague in this year’s Fred and Humanity Awards. We all know someone who makes the world a better place and deserves to be celebrated.”
This year, nominations were opened to mark the date of what would have been Fred’s 96th birthday and will close on Friday 18 July, 2025.
The 2025 Fred Hollows Humanitarian will be selected by public vote from a group shortlisted by a judging panel, headed by Gabi Hollows.
Specsavers is the corporate partner of the foundation and donates $50 000 on behalf of the Junior Ambassadors and Humanitarian of the Year to assist the Foundation’s mission.
