Rotary Melbourne is proud to celebrate the achievements of our former Honorary Member, Professor Hugh Taylor AC.
On 6 August 2025, Professor Taylor launched his autobiography Opening Eyes: Preventor of Blindness at Guide Dogs Victoria, followed later in the month by a celebration at Ormond College, University of Melbourne. The book reflects his lifelong commitment to the prevention of blindness, from pioneering trachoma and river blindness control programs to improving Indigenous eye health and advancing global ophthalmology.
Adding to this milestone, Professor Taylor has been honoured with the 2025 Laureate Recognition Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology – the Academy’s highest distinction. This award acknowledges his outstanding leadership, groundbreaking research, and tireless advocacy to eliminate avoidable blindness in underserved communities worldwide.
Professor Taylor’s work, inspired in part by his early mentorship with Fred Hollows, has led to transformative strategies adopted by the World Health Organization and beyond. His contributions continue to shape the global effort to close the gap in vision care.
We congratulate Professor Taylor on these remarkable achievements and his enduring impact on sight-saving initiatives across the world.
Professor Taylor's book is available now online and in all good book stores.
