Mastering selfies with a cheeky smile – Vincent Ang (right) in the field.

“What an amazing guy you are Vincent and what a beautiful family” – Professor Brien Holden

Today, the Brien Holden Foundation celebrates the life of one of ours, Vincent Ang. A dedicated optometrist, Vincent regularly conducted Retinal Camera training on behalf of our Foundation. He worked tirelessly to support Aboriginal health services across New South Wales in Grafton, Casino, Wyong, Peak Hill and Waminda (Nowra) and many more.

Vincent was always ready with a smile, a quick joke, and a pair of caring hands to help all those that he could. In 2018, he received a Close the Gap Award from Galambila Aboriginal Health Services in recognition of his dedication and contribution to Aboriginal Health.

Darren Barton, Medical Service Manager at the Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre recognised Vincent as “… a quiet achiever in the struggle to improve Aboriginal Health.” And The Hon Christopher Pyne tweeted about meeting him in Casino.

He was one of those rare and special people who was forever hopeful for a brighter future and willing to contribute all that was his to help. Writing about his dreams in an email to our Head of Australia Programs, Colina Waddell;

I hope you win Lotto to fund services before Ophthalmology phase Optometry out of the AMSs.

I hope to dream of Brien, so he can give me 6 good numbers for Lotto.

He’s helped me many times before, especially when I was doing the Masters and ran out of money and wanted to drop out. But Brien gave me $500 to keep going. A lot of money at the time.

Vincent died on Tuesday, the 5 May. On behalf of the Brien Holden Foundation, please join us in celebrating the life of a man who in Professor Holden’s own words was a truly “…amazing guy”!