Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) has capped off a busy month, bringing on CR Surfacing Laboratories as a new partner and announcing plans for an aid trip to Fiji.
CEO Ms April Petrusma and communications manager Ms Lou Thomas flew to Melbourne to visit the CR facility in Dandenong on 24 October 2023, where they were given a tour of the ophthalmic lens lab and met the company’s workforce.
The lab manufactures and supplies lenses to the independent optical market in Australia and is now one of 16 ODA partners that include various lens companies, optometry networks and frames wholesalers, as well as Insight.
“From our very first interaction with CR Labs it was evident how passionate and proud they are of the Australian optical industry, and the achievements they have reached as a company since their foundation in 1976,” Petrusma said.
“CR Lab’s mission is to help Australians and the world see better through cutting edge technologies, high quality products and trustful relationships. Needless to say we are excited about this collaboration and are very much looking forward to the future and where we can both take this partnership.”
Meanwhile, ODA revealed it is heading to Fiji in July 2024 to assist in an aid project, providing vision correction services to hundreds of locals living in rural and remote areas of the pacific island nation.
After landing in Nadi on the mainland, the group will be transported to a base in Lautoka. Over five days, approximately 300 adults and children will have their vision screened, alongside other services such as prescription lens verification, repairs and frame adjustments and dispensing of complete pairs of spectacles.
“On the sixth day, the hard work will be rewarded with an island trip courtesy of our local ODA counterpart,” Petrusma said.
ODA Members can express their interest to take part in the trip. Places are limited and a place is not guaranteed. Participants will need to meet the following criteria to apply:
- Able and fit to travel overseas
- Hold a valid passport and appropriate visas
- Be a current ODA Optical Dispenser Member
To apply, ODA members can email a short paragraph about themselves and experience and include why they would like to accompany ODA on the trip: info@odamembers.com.au
Expressions of interest close 15th December 2023.
Further details will be available in early 2024.
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