Celebrating good humans with the Fred Awards

Fred Hollows (left) examines the eye of an Indigenous Australian. Photo: STEPHEN ELLISON

The Fred Hollows Foundation has opened nominations for the 2024 Fred Awards, which celebrate everyday humanitarians across Australia who embody kindness, compassion, and integrity.

Founding director Gabi Hollows is encouraging people to nominate someone who cares for others in a decent, practical and no-nonsense way – just like Fred did.

“We’ve been blown away by the calibre of nominees we’ve received since the Fred Awards first launched in 2021,” Ms Hollows said.

“The awards help celebrate the humanitarian spirit of everyday Australians, which was something Fred had great faith in. These people go out of their way to create a better world, and we would love to see even more people nominated this year.”

In October 2023, the foundation’s Vietnam team visited a primary school in the Hai Duong Province, Vietnam, where more than 1,000 students are learning about eye health. Photo: MICHAEL AMENDOLIA

It could be a neighbour who volunteers their time to help others, the carer who’s always on, or the community advocate trying to create a fairer world.

No act of kindness is too small to acknowledge and the foundation is looking for everyday people who don’t do what they do for accolades.

Suzie Ratcliffe from Victoria was named the 2023 Fred Hollows Humanitarian of the Year at a ceremony held at Government House, Sydney.

The ceremony was hosted by New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley and Dennis Wilson, who are joint patrons of the foundation.

“Standing up there alongside two incredible finalists who’ve dedicated their lives to amazing causes just like Fred did, and then hearing my name – and knowing that the Australian people chose me, it was truly humbling. I couldn’t believe it,” Ms Ratcliffe said.

If you know someone over the age of 18 who lives these values, the Fred Hollows Foundation is urging you to nominate them now at hollows.org/au/fredawards

A judging panel led by Gabi Hollows will shortlist a group of finalists who will be put to a public vote.

Following this, the foundation will name the 2024 Fred Hollows Humanitarian.

Nominations for the Fred Awards opened on April 9 – in honour of what would have been Fred’s 95th birthday – and close on July 21.

For more information on the Fred Hollows Foundation, head to hollows.org