SYDNEY, Australia—The Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation (BHVIF) announced that on March 19 the foundation received a donation of $225,000—the organization's largest single donation to date. According to an announcement from the foundation, the anonymous donation will be utilized to fund scholarships to train Aboriginal optometrists and providers of vision care services within regional areas of Australia. Sandra Bailey, chairperson of BHVIF, said, “We are tremendously appreciative of this donation. The Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation is committed to supporting sustainable access to primary eyecare and improved eye health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and this donation will greatly support this mission.”

According to the foundation, the first scholarship will be dedicated to the late Professor Brien Holden, in recognition of his work in building eyecare services for Indigenous Australians. It is the donor’s wish that the second scholarship be dedicated to Yvonne Holden, a tireless advocate for the Aboriginal community.