Our Story
From community conversations to national leadership — the story of how FNEHA came to be.
The beginning — Larrakia Country, 2022
FNEHA was born out of key discussions at the 2022 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC22) on Larrakia Country in Darwin, NT. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health professionals from across the country came together and called for a dedicated body to lead the advancements needed to improve eye health and vision care outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Vision 2030 Workshop at NATSIEHC22 brought together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, clinicians, researchers and community members to map a shared direction for eye health. The resulting Vision 2030 First Nations Workshop Report laid the foundation for what would become FNEHA.
Establishment
FNEHA was established as Australia's national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation and peak body for eye health and vision care. The Alliance was built on the principle that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must lead the decisions that affect their eye health — and that community control, self-determination and cultural safety are not optional extras but the foundation of effective, equitable care.
A longer movement
FNEHA did not emerge in isolation
FNEHA is part of a much longer movement toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice, representation, leadership, ownership, self-determination and community control in eye health. Over decades, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, communities, health professionals and allies continued to push for greater authority in determining the future of eye health. The milestones below trace that progression — from early national programs through to the establishment and growth of FNEHA as a national organisation.
Key milestones
National Trachoma Program
The National Trachoma Program, led by Professor Fred Hollows, screened and treated over 60,000–100,000 people for trachoma nationally. Uncle Trevor Buzzacott OAM (Arabana man) worked closely with Professor Hollows on the delivery of the program. This early national effort marked the scale of avoidable vision loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the need for sustained national action.
Indigenous Eye Health Unit and Roadmap to Close the Gap
The Indigenous Eye Health Unit (now Minum Barreng) was established at the University of Melbourne. The Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision was developed, expanding First Nations community capacity and identifying the need for stronger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in eye health systems.
National Experts Group established
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group (ATSIRG) — now the National Experts Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health (NEGATSIEH) — was established, bringing First Nations expertise into national eye health decision-making and signalling growing recognition that stronger community leadership was needed.
NATSIEHC22 — First Nations leadership and Vision 2030 conversations
For the first time, NATSIEHC had First Nations leadership. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health professionals from across the country called for a dedicated national body at NATSIEHC22 on Larrakia Country. A workshop asked what eye care services should look like into 2030. Vision 2030 conversations deepened, and growing recognition emerged that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people needed greater authority in determining the future of eye health. The Vision 2030 First Nations Workshop Report was produced.
Vision 2030 launched
Vision 2030 launched 2 May 2023 at Deadly Vision Centre, Darwin NT — mapping Mob aspirations in eye care and articulating a future shaped by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership. Vision 2030 strengthened the case for a dedicated national First Nations-led body for eye health.
FNEHA incorporated under ORIC
The First Nations Eye Health Alliance was incorporated under ORIC on 18 July 2023 — the culmination of years of preceding work, advocacy, consultation, leadership and evidence. FNEHA did not begin the story; it emerged from it. The Board was established and early governance foundations were put in place.
NATSIEHC23 — Taking Action
FNEHA hosts NATSIEHC23. The Taking Action Report from the 2023 NATSIEHC First Nations Workshop is produced, identifying prevention priorities and areas for national action.
Strategy 2024–2028 launched and national consultation
FNEHA launches its Strategy 2024–2028, setting the national direction for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health leadership across six priority areas. First Nations national consultation on future eye health priorities was undertaken. Interim CEO was supported through Minum Barreng Indigenous Eye Health Unit.
NATSIEHC24
FNEHA hosts NATSIEHC24. FNEHA REVIEW REQUIRED — confirm location, Country, theme and key outcomes.
FNEHA becomes a company limited by guarantee
FNEHA transitioned to a company limited by guarantee in November 2024, strengthening its national governance and organisational structure as the Alliance continued to grow.
National Eye Health Plan development begins
FNEHA begins leading the development of the next National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Plan in partnership with the University of Western Australia and with the support of the Fred Hollows Foundation. A Delphi research process is initiated.
NATSIEHC25 — Seeing Our Way, Perth
FNEHA hosts NATSIEHC25 (27–29 May 2025, UWA UniClub, Perth, Whadjuk Noongar Country) under the theme Seeing Our Way — community controlled for the first time. The Seeing Our Way National Plan Roundtable is held, and the Seeing Our Way: Insights from the National Plan Roundtable report is released.
Minum Barreng partnership formalised
FNEHA formalises a strengthened partnership with Minum Barreng: Indigenous Eye Health Unit at the University of Melbourne (December 2025), including transition of the Check Today, See Tomorrow and Eyecare Now, Eyecare Always health promotion campaigns into First Nations ownership.
UWA research partnership formalised
FNEHA CEO Lose Fonua and Associate Professor Khyber Alam (UWA) formalise a research partnership at Parliament House on Ngunnawal Country (January 2026), strengthening the evidence base for the next National Eye Health Plan.
NATSIEHC26 — 10th anniversary, Naarm
FNEHA hosts NATSIEHC26 (11–13 May 2026, MCG, Naarm, Wurundjeri Country) under the theme Seeing Our Way: Innovation, Excellence and Healing — marking the 10th anniversary of NATSIEHC. Australia's formal WHO validation for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem is celebrated at the conference.
Timeline milestones drawn from FNEHA reference materials: The Evolution of Self Determination in First Nations Eye Health, FNEHA Growth to Date, and Journey of the Next National Eye Health Plan.
NATSIEHC — the national gathering
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC) has been central to FNEHA's story from the beginning. Held annually, NATSIEHC brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, leaders, clinicians, researchers, governments and partners to share knowledge, celebrate leadership and drive coordinated national action. NATSIEHC is the leading national forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health.
Learn about NATSIEHC