Celebrating 150 years of eye health in Australia
Dinner guests at The University of Sydney's Great Hall. Photo credit: Bill Green Photography.
Last 13 July 2024, the Save Sight Institute (SSI) community gathered to celebrate an incredible milestone: a combined 150 years of eye health in Australia. The evening marked 60 years of the Speciality of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health at the University of Sydney, 50 years of the Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight Foundation, and 40 years of the Institute itself.
Set at the majestic Great Hall at the University’s Camperdown campus, the event was well attended by a diverse audience of past and present Institute staff, long-time supporters and grateful patients, as well as members of the Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight Foundation. Emceed by science presenter Dr Naomi Koh Belic, the event was opened by Professor Peter McCluskey AO, Director of the Save Sight Institute.
In his remarks, Professor McCluskey highlighted how the Institute has flourished over the past 40 years, attributing much of its success to the unwavering support from its community of researchers, partners, and generous donors like the Lions. After all, it was in 1985 when the Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight Foundation provided the initial seed funding of $150,000 to establish the Save Sight Institute—initiating an enduring partnership committed to promoting vision health in Australia and around the world.
As Patron of the Lions, the dinner was also graced by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales and Mr Dennis Wilson. During her speech, Her Excellency took time to thank the Institute for their contributions to the eye health of the New South Wales community, as well as the Lions for enabling these advancements through their support.
Mr Robert ‘Bob’ Gnezdiloff, Chairman of the Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight and Health Care Ltd, also underscored the strong bond between the Institute and the Lions, sharing that in the past ten years the Lions had donated a whopping $840,000 to the Institute alone.
Professor Kathy Belov AO, Pro Vice Chancellor of Global Engagement at The University of Sydney, closed the opening segment by emphasising the crucial role of the Institute and the Speciality of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health in furthering the University’s mission to lead globally in health.
Another standout moment of the evening was the keynote address by ABC Disability Affairs Reporter Ms Nas Campanella. In a deeply inspiring speech, Ms Campanella, who has the neurological condition Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) recounted her journey achieving career success as the world’s first blind newsreader to read and operate the studio for herself live to air.
The night also featured a captivating performance by long-time Institute patient and performer Ms Lara Nakhle, who delighted guests with a set featuring classics like “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Dancing Queen”.
The event wrapped up on a high note when Professor John Grigg, Head of the Specialty of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health, presented a token of appreciation to Mr Bob Gnezdiloff. In response, Mr Gnezdiloff announced the Lions’ generous pledge of up to $500,000 for specialised equipment, as a testament to their ongoing commitment to advancing ophthalmic research.
The celebration was made possible through the generous support of the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight and Health Care Ltd, ZEISS, BrightFocus Foundation, Glaukos, Optos, HLB Mann Judd and Macpherson Kelley.
Overall, it was a spectacular evening highlighting the remarkable progress made in promoting eye health in Australia and honouring the community that made it all possible.
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