Everyone in Australia knows Ray Martin, the journalist and the TV presenter. Known for television programmes like 60 Minutes, Ray Presents, Up Close and Personal With the Ray Martin Show, along with interviewing world famous personalities, he calls his life a “fairy tale” for he had not thought of reaching where he is now.

His surname is thought to have been stolen from a train station advertisement as his family fled Ray’s increasingly drunk and abusive father. As such, he became Ray Martin from Ray Grace at the age of 11.

Now, this five-time Gold Logie winner is not only a TV presenter — he has been working to help raise funds for the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology as the former Chairman of The Fred Hollows Foundation along with doing other charity works.

A friend of Prof Fred Hollows (a New Zealand and Australian ophthalmologist) along with internationally renowned Nepali eye surgeon Dr Sanduk Ruit, Martin was recently in Capital. During his week-long stay here, the 71-year-old Aussie icon visited the earthquake-affected areas of the country while also researching for the biography he is writing on Prof Hollows.

And in an interview with The Himalayan Times, Martin talks about his purpose of his visit to Nepal, life as a journalist, his involvement with The Fred Hollows Foundation to help raise fund for Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, his friendship with Prof Hollows and Dr Ruit and more;

What is your purpose of visiting Nepal?

I am writing a book on Prof Fred Hollows, scheduled to release next year. In that book one chapter will be about Dr Ruit — Dr Ruit and Prof Hollows were soul brothers. So, I am here for that purpose. Russell Crowe , an Academy Award winning Australian actor has already taken the rights of book. He wants to do a film on Prof Fred. He will star as Prof Fred Hollows.

I have known Dr Ruit for almost 30 years. He has taken the eye surgery to another level. He is most remarkable man. I also wanted to come here and help him generate money for rebuilding the villages destroyed by the earthquake. We (my camera person and me) will also make a short film on Tilganga, Dr Ruit, and earthquake.

For that purpose we went to a fishing village in Melamchi, together with Tilganga team. The entire village had been demolished by the earthquake. And Dr Ruit and his team have built 400 houses there. We did some filming of the area.

How did you get to know Dr Ruit and Prof Hollows?

When Dr Ruit was in Australia, he spent one year in Hollows’ house. He was a young surgeon then learning the surgical skills. I had a TV programme in Australia. Long before the construction of Tilganga hospital, when it was just a dream, we raised $300 for it through that programme. And I did a TV documentary of Prof Fred Hollows back in 1980s.

Afterwards I became the Chairman of The Fred Hollows Foundation, and remained in the position for first 10 years. Even today most money raised from The Fred Hollows Foundation goes to Nepal and Ethiopia.

Now, Dr Ruit says that as many as eight million people around the world have had their eyes fixed as a result of what he and Prof Fred did. Doctors from 100 countries have studied and learnt from

Dr Ruit.

What motivated you to get involved with The Fred Hollows Foundation?

I guess two things contributed to it — one was Prof Fred Hollows, who was such a strong individual that if he asked you to do something, you could not say No. The other thing was, what he wanted to do is what Dr Ruit is doing now. Dr Ruit has made a big difference to cure preventable blindness caused by cataract. But Dr Ruit can’t exist without money and I help him raise money.

You wanted to be a teacher of English and History. What inspired you to pursue a career in television?

I would love to teach but television looked more exciting then. After I joined ABC, I was sent to New York for 10 years. I was just 24 then, it was the most crucial time of my life for determining what I could do and could not do. I covered Vietnam war, women’s revolution, civil rights revolution among others as lots of exciting political events happened then.

I was meeting people, going to interesting places. Bigger journalists excited me then and they excite me even now. I would want to be journalist than a banker or a dentist or lawyer — my job is more fun-filled, they have a boring job.

 You have done over 10,000 interviews and become an Australian icon. What is the secrets to being a trusted journalist ?

You need to grow old (smiles). Age helps. If you run for many years, you become familiar. I guess it is also about telling stories — you need to tell honest stories which move people. Not just stories about celebrities but stories that can make people laugh and cry. Good research is must if you want to get answers from your interviewee. You must do research to the point nothing surprises you.

I have met Hollywood stars — including Elton John, Rolling Stones Beatles, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and all such sorts of people. They are the people who are excellent in their fields, but usually interesting and complex people. In journalism, you need to reflect their complexities. Prof Fred Hollows, who is a saint in many ways is also a devil, and you need to reflect that. Complex people are most interesting people and great people are always complex.

At 71, how do you look back at your life?

My life has been a fairy tale. I have come from nothing, without money and house to interviewing the president of United States. My mother and I would not have thought that it would be possible when I was young. I have been to the places, done the things and spoken to people, I have to pinch myself to make sure it is real, and that is real! When I was 11, I never thought I would be here.

If you dream things, it becomes possible. I dreamt as a child. Everyone should dream. I feel sorry for people who don’t dream.