For more than 25 years, optometrist Helen Summers has been devoted to caring for the vision of Top End communities, and helping to prevent blindness through education and employment. Helen also lectures and volunteers in not-for-profit and charities for people with vision loss and learning and neuro-developmental delays.

Helen is an advocate for the goals of Vision 2020 and Close the Gap for Vision – to reduce preventable blindness and provide vision services to regional and remote Australia. As well as active involvement in vision-related national and internal organisations, Helen has served as a non-executive director and committee member on Australian boards across health, social, indigenous and sporting sectors. Helen’s passion for life has also seen her join a team to complete a 64 km group trek on the Sunshine Coast, raising money for charity. She inspires many with her motivation, commitment and dynamic personality.