New Look for PBF

The Prevent Blindness Foundation's website will soon be changing.

As you will see we have a fantastic new logo!!  The current website will be in place until December.

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Notes for Note$

Prevent Blindness Foundation would like to thank the Queensland Philanthropic Orchestra for their amazing performance at the Notes for Note$ concert. The QPO raised a fantastic $11,000 for blindness research!!

Our special thanks go to Christian Brettmaisser, Andrew Robinson and Julie Newport.

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Even at 88 years of age, Madeleine Lenz would give most of us a run for our money. A strong and passionate woman, she has the energy and drive of someone half her age. An eternal optimist, she sees hope and potential in every situation and firmly believes in the old saying 'you reap what you sow'.

It is quite possible that it was this optimism that drove Madeleine to leave her comfortable life in Sydney for the wild and unruly existence of an opal miner in Lightning Ridge. Today it is a popular tourist destination and famous for the highly prized black opal, but back in the 1950's life at the 'Ridge' was not for the feint-hearted. The makeshift sign on the rusted car door at the entrance to town says it
all - 'Highway to Heaven'. A monument to the tenacious optimism of all mankind.
But back then, some would say it should have read 'highway to hell'…

An inexhaustibly resourceful person, Madeleine however, thrived at Lightning Ridge. Despite the lack of housing, electricity and running water she made this mining town her home for over 20 years. As a nurse, her skills were often sought by the locals and lives were saved due to her innate ability to think on her feet in a crisis.

Now, many years later, Madeleine has put pen to paper and written about her life at Lightning Ridge. The finished account 'Lightning Ridge in the Rough' is an interesting story about a remarkable woman. In keeping with Madeleine's philosophy on life, the proceeds from the sale of the book with be shared between the Prevent Blindness Foundation (Brisbane) and the Fred Hollows Foundation (Nepal) - two organisations that Madeleine has generously supported for many years.

'I made a promise to Fred Hollows that I would help keep his dream alive' said Madeleine, as she potters around the tranquil gardens of her home 'I think losing your sight would have to be one of life's worst afflictions and it upsets me to think that many people lose their sight needlessly. And to think that for only $25 an underprivileged person in the Pacific Islands or Burma can have their sight restored'.

Now Madeleine spends her days working for these, her favourite charities, and visiting old friends. She makes the occasional trek back to Lightning Ridge to see the fruits of her hardwork and to marvel at the town's growth. She loves catching up with the old timers, many who share her memories. 'Friendship is a gift to be treasured' she says.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all see the world through Madeleine's eyes?
Well, read her book and you can!

Lightning Ridge in the Rough by Madeleine Lenz is available for $10 (AUD) + Postage and Handling.

Postage and handling within Australia is $1.50 (AUD) (for 1 or 2 books), overseas is $5.00 (AUD).

To puchase a book please send $10 for each book + postage by cheque or money order to:

M. Lenz
PO Box 2132
Wellingtion Point Qld 4160

Note: Don't forget to provide your return address!