Australian of the Year: Dr James Muecke, blindness prevention pioneer #AOTY2020 #ausoftheyear
December 20, 2019
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3:05Now PlayingAustralian of the Year: Dr James Muecke, blindness prevention pioneer #AOTY2020 #ausoftheyear
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as posted by the channelSince starting his medical career in Kenya, Dr James Muecke AM has been passionate about fighting blindness. In 2000 he co-founded Vision Myanmar at the South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology. The $1 million program has developed and operated eye health and blindness initiatives in Myanmar.
Inspired by this program's success, James also co-founded Sight For All, a social impact organisation aiming to create a world where everyone can see. With 80% of world blindness avoidable – and almost 90% in poor countries – James treats blindness as a human rights issue.
James creates low-cost programs to fight blindness through research, education, and infrastructure, including the comprehensive training of colleagues in Sight For All's partner countries.
James donates 40 hours of personal time weekly to Sight For All, and is intimately involved in projects in Ethiopia, nine Asian countries, and mainstream and Aboriginal communities of Australia. His leadership, determination, and passion have improved eye health and helped alleviate poverty and disadvantage.
Australian of the Year awards:
Each year our nation celebrates the achievements and contributions of eminent Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards by profiling leading citizens who are role models for us all.
They inspire us through their achievements and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia.
The Awards honour an exceptional group of highly respected Australians who ignite discussion and change on issues of national importance.
The Australian of the Year Awards provides everyone with the opportunity to recognise any Australian who makes them proud.
The four Australian of the Year categories are:
Australian of the Year
Senior Australian of the Year (those aged 65 years or over)
Young Australian of the Year (ages 16 to 30)
Australia's Local Hero
The Awards operate at two levels - State/Territory and national.
State and Territory selection committees select four nominees for each Award category, with one of these nominees being announced as the State/Territory Award recipient.
The National Australia Day Council Board selects the Australians of the Year from the group of 32 State and Territory recipients.
The prestigious year-round program culminates in the announcement of the National Award recipients in Canberra on Australia Day Eve.
For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards, read about the history of how recipients are chosen:
Join the ABC Australia community on social media!
#AOTY2020 #ausoftheyear
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