NATSIEHC25 Awards for Outstanding Commitment and Lifetime Achievement
(Photo taken by Courtney McCabe)
Honouring Minum Barreng’s Lesley Martin and Hugh Taylor for their exceptional contributions to First Nations eye health
At the 2025 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC25), held in Boorloo (Perth), the Gala Dinner and Awards Night on 28 May was an evening of connection, recognition and celebration.
Hosted by the First Nations Eye Health Alliance (FNEHA), the event recognised a number of inspiring individuals for their outstanding dedication to improving eye health outcomes for First Nations people.
We are especially proud to acknowledge two of our own Minum Barreng: Indigenous Eye Health Unit (MB:IEHU) colleagues, Lesley Martin and Professor Hugh R Taylor AC, who were recognised for their leadership, commitment, and contributions to First Nations eye health.
Outstanding Commitment to Trachoma Elimination Award: Lesley Martin
We are proud to celebrate Lesley Martin, Health Promotion and Community Engagement Officer at MB:IEHU, and recipient of a special award for Outstanding Commitment to Trachoma Elimination at NATSIEHC25. The award recognised the tireless efforts of First Nations individuals addressing one of the last remaining infectious causes of blindness in Australia.
Lesley is a proud Central Australian Arrernte woman by descent, Lore and Culture. A lifelong Territorian, she has lived and worked across many remote communities, and since 2019 has been a passionate and respected advocate in the trachoma space.
In her role with MB:IEHU, Lesley promotes eye health across Central Australia through culturally safe, community-led approaches. Her advocacy for ‘Clean Faces, Strong Eyes’, ‘Milpa’s 6 Steps to Stop Germs’ hygiene education, and health promotion has strengthened services, empowered families, and helped communities prevent trachoma. Lesley’s work highlights that lasting change comes from walking with community, listening with respect, and embedding health solutions in culture and local leadership. Her unwavering dedication has helped lead the way toward the elimination of trachoma from Australia.
We warmly congratulate Lesley on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for her continued leadership and commitment to eye health.
(Photo taken by Courtney McCabe)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Professor Hugh R Taylor AC
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Melbourne Laureate Professor Emeritus Hugh R Taylor AC, founder and now honorary staff member of MB: IEHU, in recognition of more than five decades of visionary leadership, research, and advocacy in First Nations eye health.
Professor Taylor has devoted his career to eliminating avoidable blindness and improving equity in eye care access. From his early work with the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program alongside Fred Hollows, to leadership roles at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Melbourne, Hugh’s influence has shaped national and global eye health systems and policy.
As the founding Director of MB:IEHU in 2008, Professor Taylor led the development of The Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision - a nationally endorsed strategy that guided systemic reform and collective action across Australia. His unwavering commitment to trachoma elimination, evidence-based advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration has helped strengthen services and build momentum across the sector.
Following his retirement as Head of IEHU in 2022, Professor Taylor has remained involved and continues to support the sector. His distinguished career also includes roles as Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne, Founding Director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia, and Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Institute, Johns Hopkins University.
Professor Taylor has published more than 800 scientific papers and authored 30 books and reports, including a leading text on trachoma. He has received numerous international awards and was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2001. His leadership roles have included President of the International Council of Ophthalmology, Vice President of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and Chair of Vision 2020 Australia.
His legacy is one of action, allyship, and evidence-driven change. A career devoted to eliminating preventable blindness and empowering communities to lead their own eye health. Congratulations Hugh.
Whilst these two awards highlight the exceptional contributions of MB: IEHU staff, they were just part of a broader celebration of excellence at NATSIEHC25. We acknowledge and congratulate all other award winners from across the sector, each of whom is making a lasting difference in First Nations eye health in their communities and across the country.
For more information about the First Nations Eye Health Alliance (FNEHA) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC25) visit: www.fneha.com.au