Barry Jones Vision Oration

Headshots of the Hon Barry Jones, Jenifer Gersbeck, Hugh Taylor, the Hon Christopher Pyne, Carly Iles and Jess Gallagher. Above the group headshot is the Vision 2020 Australia logo and text the says 'Barry Jones Vision Oration'. Below the headshots are the logos of the event sponsors, including the Fred Hollows Foundation, Apellis and Specsavers.

2025 Barry Jones Vision Oration 

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Barry Jones Vision Oration – a celebration of ideas and a milestone in our journey, marking 25 years of advocacy, collaboration, and leadership in eye health and vision care.

This year’s sold-out event brought together leaders past and present for a thought-provoking discussion on our sector’s achievements, challenges, and opportunities ahead. Our gratitude goes to our distinguished panel, valued partners (The Fred Hollows Foundation, Apellis, and Specsavers), and to everyone who joined us in-person to mark this special occasion.

The 2025 Oration Panel speaking on stage.

The 2025 Oration Panel posing for a photo after the event.

Background to the Barry Jones Vision Oration

As part of our work around raising awareness on critical issues related to eye health and vision care, Vison 2020 Australia established an annual address, the Barry Jones Vision Oration, named in honour of its inaugural Chair Prof the Hon Barry Jones AC who has been a long-standing supporter of the eye health and vision care sector, and continues to support the sector in his role as a Patron of Vision 2020 Australia.

This is the premier annual keynote speech from the eye health and vision care sector.

Previous Orations

2024 – Summer & Winter Paralympic Medallist, Jess Gallagher.

2023 – ABC Disability Affairs Reporter, Nas Campanella.

2021 – A/Prof. Kristopher Rallah-Baker, Australia’s first Aboriginal ophthalmologist.

2020 – 2020 Australian of the Year, ophthalmologist Dr James Muecke AM. 

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