The 2020 South Australian of the Year is eye surgeon and blindness prevention pioneer Dr James Muecke, Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
The national awards ceremony is in Canberra on 25 January 2020, where Dr Muecke could be crowned Australian of the Year.
Since starting his medical career in Kenya, Muecke has been passionate about fighting blindness. In 2000, he co-founded Vision Myanmar at the South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology. The AU$1 million programme has developed and operated eye health and blindness initiatives in Myanmar.
Inspired by the programme's success, Muecke also co-founded Sight For All, a social impact organisation aiming to create a world where everyone can see. With 80% of world blindness avoidable, almost 90% in poor countries, Muecke said he treats blindness as a human rights issue. He has created low-cost programmes to fight blindness through research, education and infrastructure, including the comprehensive training of colleagues in Sight For All's partner countries.
Muecke is closely involved in projects in Ethiopia, nine Asian countries, mainstream and Aboriginal communities of Australia. The award is a recognition of his leadership, determination and passion that has improved eye health and helped alleviate poverty and disadvantage, said National Australia Day Council CEO Karlie Brand. "The 2020 South Australians of the Year are all passionately devoted to helping others and they remind us we can all make a difference," she said.
