As one of Australia’s most respected journalists, Ray Martin has covered some of the world’s biggest stories and sat down with an array of notable figures from Sir Donald Bradman to Sir Elton John. Yet there was one story that stayed with him. “I’ve easily interviewed 10,000 people over my career, and Professor Fred Hollows is probably the most remarkable human being I’ve ever met,” Ray tells The Weekly today.
Ray first met Fred and his wife, Gabi, in 1980 for a 60 Minutes story on the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program which Fred helped roll out across Australia to tackle the high incidence of blindness in Indigenous communities. While Ray recalls thinking Fred was a “cranky old bugger”, he was seriously impressed by his work, not only restoring sight but highlighting the appalling state of Aboriginal health, and a close friendship ensued.
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