Ophthalmic quartet recognised in Australia Day Honours List

Sydney ophthalmologist Dr Craig Donaldson, Queensland ophthalmic nurse Mrs Lynette Grubwinkler, Moss Vale optometrist Dr Timothy McKinnon and Professor Robert Augusteyn were all made Mbers of the Order of Australia.Donaldson, who operates privately at Epping Eye Surgery, received the accolade for his “significant service” to ophthalmology and professional eye health bodies.In 2004 he was a founding mber of the Epping Surgery Centre and rains chairman of the organisation’s board. He is also a visiting medical officer at Sydney Eye Hospital and Sydney Children’s Hospital, and a senior staff specialist at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. His expertise extends into cataract managent, strabismus and paediatric eye disease.Grubwinkler, of Northside Eye Specialists and Queensland Eye Hospital in Brisbane, told Insight she was proud to be recognised for her involvent in international eye health initiatives, and overall service to ophthalmic nursing.She has volunteered for Youth with a Mission Medical Ships (YWAM) in Fiji and Papua New Guinea since 1998, and has been involved in the East Timor Eye Project, Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, Lighthouse For Christ Eye Hospital in Kenya and the IRIS Program for Indigenous Australians.She is also a former executive committee mber of Australian Ophthalmic Nurses Association, Queensland branch, and a current mber of the RANZCO International Development Group.“It’s a huge privilege and I’m very proud to be recognised,” Grubwinkler said, adding that she had an inkling as to who was behind her nomination. Augusteyn, a world authority on lens and eye growth, was honoured for significant service to vision science and eye health. The Victorian is currently a Voluntary Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Miami, a Visiting Professor at University of New South Wales and an Honorary Senior Research Associate at La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne.McKinnon, a retired optometrist, was acknowledged for his contribution to the Moss Vale community in New South Wales, and international eye care programs in the Pacific region, West Samoa in particular.According to the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI), he has volunteered as a visiting optometrist working within the Aboriginal Vision Program implented by BHVI and partners. This has seen him travel to rote areas of NSW such as Brewarrina, Coonamble and Walgett.{{image2-a:l-w:200}}{{image3-a:l-w:200}}{{image4-a:l-w:200}}{{image5-a:l-w:200}}     More reading:Australia honours eyecare professionals