Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) has appointed six new industry figures to its advisory board, representing a strong cross-section of the nation’s optical dispensing profession.
Encompassing a mix of independent and corporate appointees, as well as representation from the lens supply sector, they replace several of 2023/24 advisory board members who recently retired after completing their two-year tenure.
The new 2025/26 members are evenly divided across Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia, and include:
- Faioa Wolterman – a senior optical dispenser and staff trainer across two practices within a unique sensory and optometry clinic group in Western Australia.
- Todd Spencer – senior commercial officer at CR Labs in Melbourne, Victoria.
- Jacobus Boshoff – an optical dispenser and practice owner in the coastal town of Forster in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales.
- Pete Lock – store manager and optical dispenser of both Warrnambool and Portland Eyecare in South West Victoria.
- Allyson Caffell – independent practice owner of 11 years, based in Northam, Western Australia.
- Rhian Evans – dispensing advancement manager for Specsavers Australia and New Zealand, based in New South Wales.
ODA CEO Ms April Petrusma said geographic variance was a major consideration when appointing the advisory board.
“We also prioritise job role diversity on the board. Our advisory board members represent a wide range of roles within the industry, including those from both independent and corporate practices, as well as individuals from the supply and manufacturing sectors,” she said.
Of those who are moving on, she said “it’s tough to see them go”.
“They’ve played a key role in our growth and evolution over the past two years, we remain dedicated to continuous innovation by seeking new and diverse perspectives from across the industry,” Petrusma said.
The advisory board supports ODA in achieving its objectives. The positions are voluntary and require members to contribute their ideas, offer industry insights and provide a level of guidance as ODA grows, she added.
Full bios
Faioa Wolterman – with 24 years of experience in optical dispensing, Wolterman has built a career specialising in complex visual needs, particularly for patients with neurological conditions such as acquired brain injuries and strokes. As a senior optical dispenser and staff trainer, she works across two practices of a unique sensory and optometry clinic group in Western Australia, ensuring high-quality patient care and mentoring the next generation of dispensers. She is passionate about paediatric dispensing, especially for children with sensory and processing challenges, committed to her own continuing professional development and an advocate for educational opportunities in the field of optical dispensing. Wolterman believes that ODA’s monthly webinars and resource library content is invaluable to eyecare professionals looking to expand their expertise in the field, regardless of their level of experience.
Todd Spencer – he has had a long and successful career in the optical industry, spanning over three decades. He began his journey in 1989 as an apprentice optical mechanic in Adelaide. After completing his apprenticeship, Spencer moved into optical dispensing and worked in a fitting laboratory at an upmarket CBD practice. He also gained experience in retail, running and partnering in ownership of a busy shopping centre-based practice. In 1996, he joined SOLA Optical, a world-renowned lens manufacturer. During his time with SOLA (which later became part of Carl Zeiss Vision), he held several roles in both domestic and international markets. Spencer’s dedication to professional development led to his selection for the SOLA/Carl Zeiss Vision senior management program. He completed his MBA from the University of South Australia in 2009, further enhancing his business acumen. Currently, he holds the position of senior commercial officer at CR Labs, an independently owned len laboratory based in Melbourne, Victoria.
Jacobus Boshoff – he is an optical dispenser and practice owner in the coastal town of Forster in the Mid North Coast region of NSW. He completed his Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing in 2018, but his involvement with spectacles started much earlier – dating back to 1983 with his first set of glasses and contact lenses. Boshoff has experienced the life-changing impact of optical appliances firsthand, with his childhood glasses allowing him to read the board in class and play the sports he loved. His optical journey continued when he married an optometrist and was a test subject and sounding board as his wife progressed through various levels of training and certifications. This is where Jacobus found his genuine passion for optics. Through experience in both optics and the IT industries, he believes that continued attention to detail, and caring about a millimetre is what sets great dispensers apart from the “she’ll be right” ones. He is also passionate about the role of education and continued learning for optical dispensers so that great service and delighted clients become the norm in our industry.
Pete Lock – he started in the optical industry as a 17-year-old in 1989 with OPSM in Warrnambool Victoria, gaining his optical dispensing qualification through RMIT in Melbourne. Since then, his optical journey has taken him to Melbourne, Hamilton, Geelong and now back to his home in Warrnambool, working across both corporate and private practice. For the last six years, Lock has been managing both Warrnambool and Portland Eyecare in South West Victoria. With 36 years of experience, he is passionate about giving back to the industry that has given him so much. Guiding new staff members from their first day on the job and seeing them become leaders, teachers and practice managers in their own right has been a career highlight. He believes the profession offers a terrific career path, both professionally and socially, made by a community of great people.
Allyson Caffell – she has been part of the optometry industry since 1998, bringing more than two decades of experience in optical dispensing and small business management. In 2013, she earned her Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing, reinforcing her expertise in the field. That same year, she ventured into small business ownership, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to independent optometry. As a dedicated professional, Caffell keeps pace with the fast-evolving optical industry by attending trade fairs and conferences, ensuring she stays at the forefront of new technologies and advancements. In 2024, her passion for giving back led her to participate in the ODA Fiji Outreach Program, reflecting her dedication to making a difference in global eyecare. She’s also a proud mother of three teenage daughters, balancing her career with family life while continuing to contribute meaningfully to the industry and her local community.
Rhian Evans – she brings a wealth of experience in the optical industry, with a track record of leadership in optical dispensing. After qualifying with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, she has worked as a dispensing and contact lens optician in a variety of independent and corporate practices over the last 20-plus years in both the UK and Australia. Evans is currently the dispensing advancement manager for Specsavers Australia and New Zealand where she drives the dispensing strategy that impacts more than five million patients each year.
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