Frank Billson named NSW Senior Australian of the Year

25 November 2005

Professor Frank Billson, head of ophthalmology and director of the University's Save Sight Institute, has been named the NSW Senior Australian of the Year.

Professor Billson is a pioneer in saving the eyesight of premature babies. His work has saved the sight and improved the quality of life for thousands of people.

The Foundation Professor of Ophthalmology since 1978, he has been director of the Save Sight Institute since 1985. He is the director of the Lions NSW Eye Bank and a staff member of the Sydney Eye Hospital.

He is also invloved in a number of international projects including training work in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, China, PNG, East Timor and Solomon Islands. He believes that developed countries have a duty to help the rest of the world to overcome diseases that have largely been eradicated in the West and that this can best be achieved by the simple transfer of skills and knowledge.