Ms Helen Papadimitriou, SRC coordinator, told Insight: “We are happy with the final attendance numbers, particularly in what is now a flooded market in terms of obtaining CPD points. The response proves that our OAA mbers still value the face-to-face method of learning with their peers.This was further evidenced by a high number of New Zealand attendees; 50 in total.
Optometrists could earn up to 53 CPD points through the education program. Sessions ran over three days, and dual streams concurrently occurred on the Sunday and Monday. The education program was designed by an education committee being made up of optometrists.
With more points available than is needed to maintain registration with the Optometry Board of Australia, optometrists were encouraged to skip a session to spend more time in the trade exhibition, in addition to the frequent breaks. There were 52 exhibitors, an increase of three on SRC 2013.
Several social events were included on the program including the SRC dinner on the Saturday night for which 380 delegates were booked. The stand-out of the evening was the surprise swing lessons for guests. Those courageous enough to hit the dance floor to learn some swing moves were rewarded with a good time, whilst those not so courageous were rewarded with a good laugh.
Also on the social program again was a rural optometrists dinner on the Sunday evening providing an opportunity for rural practitioners to share their unique challenges, experiences and ideas. For attendees with morning energy to burn, an outdoor fitness session was held on the Sunday morning taking advantage of the warm weather.
In 2015, SRC will be held again in the warmer months, on 21-23 February.
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