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Sydney ferry to be named after Australian icon Catherine Hamlin AC

Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia Australia is thrilled that one of Sydney’s new ferries will be named after Australian icon and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Dr Catherine Hamlin AC.

Dr Catherine Hamlin is a pioneering Australian obstetrician-gynaecologist who travelled to Ethiopia almost 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.

This phenomenal Australian never left Ethiopia. Instead, she set about dramatically transforming the maternal healthcare landscape for the women of Ethiopia.

Now, Sydney- siders travelling on her namesake ferry can continue to be inspired by Catherine, who has dedicated her life to ensuring the health and dignity of Ethiopian mothers who suffer from preventable and treatable childbirth injuries.

Upon hearing the announcement from NSW Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance, Dr Catherine Hamlin AC 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 healthcare. 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, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia Australia said, “Catherine has dedicated almost 60 years of her life to Ethiopian women, working tirelessly to eradicate the most horrific type of childbirth injury, obstetric fistula. She has transformed the lives of more than 50,000 Ethiopian women and most importantly has restored their dignity.” 

“Catherine was a Sydney girl. A ‘Catherine Hamlin’ ferry on Sydney Harbour is a wonderful way to celebrate this inspirational woman. Catherine will turn 93 in January and continues to live on the grounds of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.

Sydney siders can begin riding on the ferry in January 2017.

Image source: Transport NSW

Read more about the ‘Catherine Hamlin’ ferry:

ABC News

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-21/first-of-new-sydney-ferries-graces-the-harbour-catherine-hamlin/8042328

Transport NSW

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/aussie-doctor-lends-name-newest-ferry

The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/nov/15/sydney-ferry-named-after-australian-obstetrician-catherine-hamlin

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=trueÂ

Eternity News

The Mercury
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/first-of-six-new-ferries-to-be-sydneybound-as-she-tests-sea-legs/news-story/2a22ea83d2b4930139c3523b7008577f

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