Clarity of vision

By Melissa Meehan
NOBLE PARK’S George Barnard remembers the day well.
At the age of just 14, one moment was to have a resounding effect on his life.
“She was a deaf, dumb and blind author and she just captured my attention when she came to our school,” Mr Barnard said.
“From then on I was interested in vision.”
This week he was awarded the Medal (OAM) of Order of Australia for service to the community as a contributor to the development and co-ordination of vision improvement and eye health programs through Lions International.
“I’m surprised and pleased to be awarded an OAM,” he said.
First joining the Lions Club in May 1983, Mr Barnard said he immediately became committed to serving the community.
“In 1989 I was invited to serve as the Sight Chairman for District 201V3, which became SightFirst Chairman,” Mr Barnard said.
“I was also the State Chairman of the Lions Eye Health Program for six years.”
His work with SightFirst in Australia was a first for the country.
“Never before had something like this ever been done in Australia,” he said.
“We were able to raise $1.5 million from Lions Club which we used to promote the education program.
“We didn’t use it all so we were able to launch SightFirst II in 2005 and it was just as successful,” Mr Barnard said.
The project then went world wide, raising over $200 million (US) from international Lion’s clubs.
For now, Mr Barnard is going to enjoy the moment, but said his work was never done.
“I’m going to keep on doing what I’ve been doing,” he said.