A new southern alliance between Optometry Victoria South Australia (OV/SA), Optometry Tasmania (OTas) and the national body Optometry Australia (OA) is being explored to drive greater efficiencies and better use of member funds, it has been revealed.
News of the potential amalgamation, via OA’s website, comes as the national body announced the appointment of optometrists Mr Theo Charalambous and Mr Albert Lee to its board as deputy president and treasurer, respectively.
Their appointments follow the departure of Ms Fiona Moore (former deputy president), Ms Tori Halsey (former treasurer), and Mr Rob Howie who stepped down from the board at OA’s annual general meeting on Friday 25 November 2022.
Sydney optometrist Ms Margaret Lam retained the national presidency, while other new board members include Mr Lee Baumwol, Mr Kevin Sun and Mr Shuvagata Bose.
Regarding the potential unification of OV/SA, OA and OTas, OV/SA president Ms Elise Pocknee-Clem and OTas president Mr John Kingshott confirmed that discussions “are currently exploratory”, and no structural details have yet been decided on.
OV/SA, OTas, and OA are currently three separate entities, with individual optometrist members of their respective state divisions. As state divisions, OV/SA and OTas are member organisations of OA.
According to a report on the OA website, the goal of a potential unification is to create a more streamlined single entity to deliver more efficient use of member funds and reduce duplication and administrative burden. The organisations say the benefits of such an approach have been evidence in the 2019 amalgamation between Optometry Victoria and Optometry South Australia.
The boards of OV/SA and OTas have reportedly expressed confidence that if an amalgamation occurred, OA would continue to provide members in Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania with the same direct services it already provides to OV/SA and OTas members.
They also confirmed that OA will continue to function as the peak national body for optometrists, while continuing to provide services to members based in NSW, ACT, Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia, as per agreements with those state divisions.
The decision on amalgamation will ultimately be left up to the members of each state organisation.
“This is an exciting time for our three organisations, and we will keep you updated at every step of the way. In the meantime, please reach out to us with any questions or concerns,” Pocknee-Clem said to members.
Kingshott added: “While our talks are still early, our boards wanted to be transparent by informing you that these discussions are underway. We will keep you updated and provide you with opportunity to input.”
Discussions will run over the next few months with plans for a possible amalgamation to occur in 2023, OA stated.
Governance changes
Lam, OA national president, thanked OA’s departing board members, acknowledging the challenges of the role.
“Being on the national board is not always easy as we often face tough challenges that require sensitive, and at times difficult, decision making balancing the needs to our members, stakeholders, growing and advancing optometry, and meeting our strategic obligations,” she said.
“The regulatory framework in which boards operate these days, also poses complexities that directors must not only need to be cognisant but need to manage. Combined, these factors create a very demanding environment that often results in our directors dedicating many more hours than anticipated.”
Lam said she found it a pleasure to lead the board because the directors have a strong desire to see a robust and sustainable optometry sector.
New board members
Theo Charalambous, deputy president, has extensive experience working in a franchise network as a franchise owner of OPSM practices based in Pakenham, Berwick, Brighton and South Yarra. He is also partners in a private practice, Hastings Optical.
Albert Lee, treasurer, is a clinical optometrist and owner of an independent, full-scope optometry practice based in Rockdale, NSW.
Lee Baumwol, board member, is a practising clinical optometrist, with ocular therapeutics endorsement. Since 2014 Mr Baumwol has been part of the Total Eyecare partnership working out of its Claremont, Sandy Bay, and Kingston practices in Hobart. He also works part-time at the Royal Hobart Hospital Eye Clinic in the general and diabetic eye clinics.
Shuvagata ‘Shuva’ Bose, board member, has practised optometry in retail and medical settings within metropolitan and rural settings. He is currently Optometry Sessional Academic, supervising practical classes and tutorials for students in the Bachelor of Vision Science program at Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Kevin Sun, board member, is a therapeutically endorsed clinical optometrist at Specsavers in Waterford, Western Australia. He provides a range of patient services including aged and residential care home visits. He further has experience in glaucoma co-management, diabetes eye care, dry eye, myopia control, and contact lenses.
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