The Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) Gala headed to Melbourne in 2024 where the profession was reminded of the critical role they play in the ophthalmic ecosystem and were left inspired by South Australian eyewear designer Mr Peter Coombs whose unique pieces have featured in private collections globally, including that of Sir Elton John.
The event took place on Friday 1 March 2024 at the Melbourne Town Hall and welcomed 157 attendees for a black tie evening – held a little over two years since ODA was first established as Australia’s new peak body for the optical dispensing profession.
A feature of the gala was the ODA National Excellence Awards honouring the country’s most outstanding optical dispensers and celebrating the contribution they make to the industry and within their workplaces. This year’s recipients featured some incredible stories of selflessness (see below).
Alongside this, the event included the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD) graduation ceremony where 37 of this year’s 156 graduating cohort were present to receive their Cert IV in Optical Dispensing.
A highlight of the evening was Coombs – the guest of honour who describes himself as a designer, jeweller and metalsmith. He took attendees on a journey through his career that started in 1985 with his first pair of spectacles while studying for a Bachelor of Design at The University of South Australia, leading to a 30-year exploration of innovative methods to form and colour all sorts of precious and refractive metals into eyewear.
Acknowledging his pieces aren’t for everyone, he sees his eyewear as “jewellery for the face”; all pieces have limited availability with some one-off designs as a result of private commissions. He has even worked with Elton John since the 1980s on eyewear designs, and had his frames feature in movies, including one starring Daniel Radcliffe (not for a Harry Potter movie).
As such, his eyewear has been recognised with international design awards in Japan and Australia, and has appeared in museums and private collections globally.
Also among the keynote speakers were Mr Adam Fletcher who recalled the journey from working in his father’s lens lab during school holidays to now running that business – CR Labs – considered one of, if not the, leading independent optical lens manufacturer in Australia. Attendees also heard from Dr Ben Ashby, clinical services director at Specsavers ANZ, who reiterated the vital contributions of optical dispensers now and into the future, especially with the rise of myopia management.
ODA CEO Ms April Petrusma echoed these sentiments in her address where she outlined the work ODA was doing to raise the profile of the industry through online professional development, in-person events and advocacy. This included ODA partnering with Optometry WA to incorporate a dispensing stream at the WAVE Conference for the first time on 16 March, and an aid trip in July where 12 ODA members will provide vision screening, eye education, optical dispensing and spectacle servicing to isolated villages and communities within the Fiji islands.
“ODA is here to provide opportunities to network, grow and develop at any stage of your career,” she said.
“There really is no greater gift than sight and as an optical dispenser, you personally play a role in the visual outcomes of every single person you serve inside or outside of your workplace.
“Your skills and abilities should never be undervalued as even the smallest action can change someone’s life. You are not just another cog in the wheel in the business in which you work, you have a super-power and provide something very special with your vast skill set and immense amount of knowledge.”
With this in mind, Petrusma said this formed the basis of the ODA National Excellence Awards. The 2024 recipients were:
Rookie of the Year – Astrid O’Connor from Quinn and Co. Eyecare in Horsham, Victoria
O’Connor has made a remarkable impact on her team in the short time she has been part of it, taking on many responsibilities in the practice well beyond the call of duty while excelling in her Cert IV studies with ACOD. Despite her workload, she continues to exceed expectations in the primary roles of dispensing, administration, and reception duties. O’Connor’s presence fosters a sense of camaraderie and warmth, contributing to a supportive and uplifting workplace atmosphere for all.
CEO’s Member Dedication Award – Raymond Moses from RM Optical Dispensary in Merrylands, NSW
Moses takes great pride in his role as an optical dispenser and professional development. He is a wonderful advocate for continuing education and is constantly striving to better himself by seeking new knowledge and engaging in learning opportunities. Even as a business owner, it is unusual to not see him at one of ODA’s CPD events and in 2023 he was a recipient of an ODA Currency Certificate for achieving 10 ODA CPD points for the year.
Outstanding Practice Owner Award – Lucija Valentic from Base Curve Optical in Sandringham, Victoria
Valentic has been an optical dispenser for 15 years, and is a small business owner that prioritises integrity and accountability in delivering what she promises to clients. She shows respect when dealing with patients and embodies the core characteristics of the ultimate professional. Valentic demonstrates a high level of competence and knowledge in optical dispensing and eyecare, is conscientiousness in running her business, and continues to upskill through training and development opportunities.
Role Model & Leadership Award – Kayla White from Quinn and Co. Eyecare in Horsham, Victoria
White is a qualified optical dispenser that has been recognised by her workplace to have such exceptional skills that a specialised role has been created for her to travel to other practices and provide training to both new and experienced dispensers. Her wealth of experience and dedication to sharing knowledge greatly benefits her team members across all locations. Recently White invested numerous hours collaborating with other healthcare professionals to identify the most effective ways to assist and support patients who do not speak English, exemplifying her dedication to inclusive care. She has motivated optical assistants to pursue the optical dispensing course by sharing the valuable skills and knowledge she has acquired through her own experience in optical dispensing.
Community Champion Award – Brett Willis from Friendlies Eyecare in Claremont Western Australia
This special award recognises the acts of someone that has gone above and beyond their call of duty. Willis is a practice owner that is currently training for a 700 km ride with a charity called Ride for Youth. The charity raises funds for youth mental health and suicide support. The ride will take place over four days beginning 19 March. To add to this, Willis is known for acts of selflessness. Not too long ago he assisted someone who urgently needed replacement spectacles, by making a last minute dash to the international airport to deliver new glasses to the patient moments before they boarded their plane.
ODA National Medal for Optical Dispensing Excellence – Joshua Oronce-Simpson from Spex in the City Eyewear & Cooper and Lourie East Victoria Park, Western Australia
Oronce-Simpson, the winner of this prestigious award, not only works full time as a qualified optical dispenser in practice but also owns his own unique mobile optical dispensing business. He shows professionalism by respecting others whether it be colleagues or patients and displays a strong work ethic being diligent, dedicated, and focused on his responsibilities. He has a drive for exceeding patient expectations that is supported by his ongoing search for new personal development opportunities. He takes every opportunity to attend CPD events, ranging from international and local trade fairs to ODA webinars and workshops.
More reading
WAVE 2024 to feature inaugural optical dispensing stream
Optical Dispensers Australia Advisory Board welcomes four industry figures
Optical Dispensers Australia 2023 national conference coverage
