Event at Government House a Huge Success

On Thursday 7th July 2011, Their Excellencies Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand (Governor General and Patron of The Foundation) and Lady Susan Satyanand hosted a reception for The Fred Hollows Foundation and their partners at Government House in Auckland.

The Foundation was delighted to welcome over 100 special guests including Gabi Hollows (widow of the late Fred Hollows) who was visiting from Australia, and Ambassador Michael Jones. 

The Foundation's Medical Director, Dr Neil Murray, spoke about the unique challenges of working in the Pacific region where small populations are spread over a vast geographical area. He also spoke of the importance of training local doctors and nurses to deliver high quality eye care in their own communities.

Relative of Fred and long-term supporter of The Foundation, Laura van Peer, gave a passionate speech about her recent visit to Samoa where she met a little 4-year-old boy called Sione who had been blind since birth. You can read Sione's story here.

The evening was a great success and The Foundation would like to sincerely thank Their Excellencies for their wonderful hospitality. 

Images courtesy of James Ensing-Trussell

   
From left: Ambassador Michael Jones, CEO of The Foundation Brent Impey, Her Excellency Lady Susan Satyanand, Harry White from The Kelliher Trust, Chair of The Foundation Rob Fenwick.

 
Her Excellency Lady Susan Satyanand and Gabi Hollows.