People on the move – December 2022

Welcome to People on the move – December 2022, Insight’s monthly bulletin to keep the Australian ophthalmic sector updated on new appointments and personnel changes.

If you’d like to tell the market about a new person in your company, practice, or clinic, please send the person’s name, position, image and a short description about their role to editor Myles Hume for consideration at myles.hume@primecreative.com.au.

Rowena Beckenham – ProVision

ProVision has appointed Ms Rowena Beckenham as its new chair, with Mr Ian Bluntish stepping aside from the role after 13 years. The independent optometry network’s board met on21 November when Beckenham, of Beckenham Optometrist in Avalon Beach, NSW, was unanimously elected. Bluntish will remain on the board, alongside Beckenham (chair), Ms Bernie Eastwood, Mr Brett Jenkinson, Mr Andrew Koch and Ms Leah Meulendjiks.

Lara Foster – Eyecare Plus

Ms Lara Foster from Eyecare Plus Moss Vale has joined the network’s board. A member of Eyecare Plus for more than 10 years, her appointment at the organisation’s AGM on 11 November came as Mr Martin Gregory was returned as chairman and Mr Nick Hansen re-elected as vice chairman. Ms Liz Muller was re-elected for her second term as a director. Mr Philip Rose also recently became general manager, following the retirement of industry stalwart Mr Simon Lewis.

Glenn Vessey – Eyecare Plus

Mr Glenn Vessey, from Eyecare Plus Mulgrave, has also joined the Eyecare Plus board for the first time. He too has been an Eyecare Plus member for more than a decade. Chairman Mr Martin Gregory said having two new directors, alongside two existing directors, meant the organisation was “re-energised and ready to work hard for our members”.

Theo Charalambous – Optometry Australia

Mr Theo Charalambous has been elected as deputy president of Optometry Australia. He 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. A 1998 Bachelor of Optometry graduate from the University of Melbourne, Charalambous also holds a Senior Executive MBA from the Melbourne Business School.

Albert Lee – Optometry Australia

Albert Lee has joined the Optometry Australia board as treasurer. He is a clinical optometrist and owner of an independent, full-scope optometry practice based in Rockdale, NSW. He has worked in private and corporate practice in regional and metropolitan Australia and the United Kingdom. As a former Clinical Supervisor at the UNSW Optometry Clinic, he assisted young optometrists learn and develop their optometry skills. He has further worked in research at the Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit, Brien Holden Vision Institute.

Simon Hanna – Optometry Victoria South Australia

Optometrist Mr Simon Hanna has been appointed to the Optometry Victoria South Australia board at the organisation’s recent AGM. Hanna, currently national professional services manager at Bausch + Lomb, has worked with Optometry Australia for almost a decade, and has represented the profession to the Federal Government on key issues including Medicare, Veterans Affairs, and private health insurance. He has 20 years of clinical and professional experience, has managed his own practice, and has lectured at the University of Melbourne.

Andrew Anderson – Optometry Victoria South Australia

At the recent Optometry Victoria South Australia AGM, optometrist Mr Andrew Anderson was also elected to the board. He is an Associate Professor in Optometry and Vision Sciences at The University of Melbourne and has a long history of research within optometry, and worked as a sessional optometrist while completing a Master of Philosophy and a PhD. He has previously worked with Optometry Victoria South Australia as an education consultant and has been advising on education programs since 2013.