Ethiopia 
United States 
Canada 
New Zealand 
United Kingdom 
Netherlands Sydney ferry named after Australian icon Dr Catherine Hamlin AC
Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation is thrilled that one of Sydney’s ferries is named after the late Australian icon and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Dr Catherine Hamlin AC.
Dr Catherine Hamlin was a pioneering Australian obstetrician-gynaecologist who travelled to Ethiopia over 60 years ago and was deeply touched when she met her first obstetric fistula patient. Obstetric fistula is an entirely preventable childbirth injury that causes horrendous internal damage.
Catherine never left Ethiopia. Instead, she set about dramatically transforming the maternal health care landscape for the women of Ethiopia.
Since 2017, Sydneysiders can travel on her namesake ferry and can continue to be inspired by Catherine. Catherine dedicated her life to ensuring the health and dignity of Ethiopian mothers who suffer from preventable and treatable childbirth injuries.
When the ferry announcement was first made in 2017, Dr Catherine Hamlin said, “I am so grateful. It really is lovely to know that so many people have tremendous love for our work and for our patients. I hope that this will help draw the attention of the world to this great need in Ethiopia for maternal health care. I want to help these women. I know you would all be touched if you could see them in their plight. Thank you for your support.”
Carolyn Hardy, CEO, Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation said, “Catherine dedicated over 60 years of her life to Ethiopian women, working tirelessly to eradicate the most horrific type of childbirth injury, obstetric fistula. She transformed the lives of more than 60,000 Ethiopian women and most importantly, helped to restore their dignity.”
Catherine was a Sydney girl. The ‘Catherine Hamlin’ ferry on Sydney Harbour is a wonderful way to celebrate and remember this inspirational woman. Dr Catherine Hamlin passed away in March 2020. Her legacy will live on forever and the Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation won’t stop until fistula is eradicated.
I am so grateful. It really is lovely to know that so many people have tremendous love for our work and for our patients. I hope that this will help draw the attention of the world to this great need in Ethiopia for maternal health care. I want to help these women. I know you would all be touched if you could see them in their plight. Thank you for your support.
– Dr Catherine Hamlin
Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s life-changing treatment is provided free of charge to patients, thanks to the generosity of donors around the world.
Past media about the ‘Catherine Hamlin’ ferry
ABC News
Transport NSW
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/aussie-doctor-lends-name-newest-ferry
The Guardian
Eternity News
https://www.eternitynews.com.au/good-news/australian-christian-doctor-wins-ferry-honour/
NEWS.com.au
Herald Sun
The Mercury
ABC 702 – mornings with Wendy Harmer. Wendy interviews our CEO, Carolyn Hardy, to talk about the work of Dr Catherine Hamlin and the new Sydney Harbour ferry. Listen in at 1:10:30
https://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/per3mnlGVQ?play=true
We believe in a world where all women are able to deliver their babies safely and where childbirth injuries are a thing of the past.
Eradicating Fistula. Forever
Help restore the lives of Ethiopian women.