Our people

Tel: Email: s.bahler@optometry.org.au

Ms Stephanie Bahler - B. Optom (Hons), MAICD

Stephanie Bahler is a dedicated locum optometrist and surgical glaucoma specialist with Alcon, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the field. Throughout her career, she has worked across Australia and has been an active member of OA for 18 years, including 11 years with OWA, where she currently serves as President for the last three years.

Stephanie is deeply passionate about community outreach and has successfully raised $25,000 for vision charities. She has also travelled to China and Rwanda to help establish sustainable eye clinics. She has over 20 provider numbers for remote communities, and locums at a local detention centre and volunteers her time at St. Patrick’s Homeless Shelter.

In 2017, Stephanie shifted her focus to become a Business/Customer Development Manager to achieve a better work-life balance. In 2021, she transitioned to a Surgical Account Manager role and has finally found her space in glaucoma. When she’s not working, Stephanie is actively involved with the Australian Red Cross and serves on the P&C executive committee at her son’s school.

In her downtime, she loves spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and capturing memories as an amateur photographer. Stephanie also enjoys staying fit through HIIT kickboxing and has a passion for motorclubs. Her commitment to her profession and community reflects her belief in the power of service and the importance of maintaining a fulfilling life.

Tel: Email: admin@optometrywa.org.au

Ms Ella Goh - BVisSci MOptom

My name is Ella Goh and I am the optometrist director at Oscar Wylee Galleria. It has been a challenging but rewarding journey being the partner in an optometry practice. With the changing landscape of optometry scope in Australia, I am looking forward to building a collaborative work environment and mentoring future optometrists. I transferred my membership to OWA after moving from Brisbane, QLD straight after graduating in 2016. Joining the Early Career Optometrist WA committee in April 2020 and then as a board member for OWA in November 2021 has been a truly eye-opening experience and provided amazing opportunities like writing an article for GenWest Careers, the online companion for The West Australian. Outside of work, I love cooking and trying new eateries, and hitting small things very fast (playing badminton and squash).

Tel: Email: admin@optometrywa.org.au

Mr Alan Choy - MBA

Alan is a seasoned people leader, managing and mentoring teams of clinical and operations experts to deliver outstanding client experiences. Recognized for his ability to create supportive cultures and lead change during challenging periods, he excels in communication, negotiation, and influencing skills, leading cross-sector stakeholder collaboration. With deep expertise in healthcare and mental health service provision, Alan has driven innovation, business transformation, and growth strategies that build revenue, reduce costs, and support rapid scaling. He also has extensive experience leading operations divisions in complex business environments, delivering exceptional service across multiple business pillars

Tel: Email: admin@optometrywa.org.au

Tel: Email: admin@optometrywa.org.au

Miss Sinead Denny - BOptom (Hons) BSc

My name is Sinead, I've been working as an Optometrist in Perth for the last 10 years. Originally from New Zealand. I currently work in private practice at For Eyes in Fremantle, Fremantle Hospital Ophthalmology Clinic, UWA Optometry School as a casual clinical skills instructor, and Lions Outback Vision doing outreach clinics. I have been a member on the board of OWA for about a year.
In my spare time I love to Irish Dance and compete in the Ceili (team) dancing for my dancing school.

Tel: Email: admin@optometrywa.org.au

Mr Ben Gilbert - B App Sc (Optometry), Grad Cert Ocular Therapeutics

I moved to Perth immediately after graduating from QUT in 2001, eventually becoming a franchise partner with Laubman and Pank in Rockingham in 2014. This has given me an insight into the challenges of maintaining an optometric practice, and I am excited about the opportunity to advocate for the profession as a new Optometry Western Australia board member.

In 2012 I completed my Ocular Therapeutics qualification. Over the years I have been involved in volunteer work in Tanzania, Vietnam and the Northern Territory, and more recently at St Pat's in Fremantle.
Outside of work I fill my time with running, golf, watching live music, following the Hawthorn football club and caravanning with my wife and three daughters.

Tel: Email:

I am an optometrist with over a decade of experience in clinical practice and have seen firsthand the strengths and challenges that continue to shape our profession. I am proud to represent the high standard of clinical care and community engagement demonstrated by members of the Association. I am currently working with Lions Outback Vision, servicing Broome and surrounding areas. I have gained broad experience across the diverse optometric environments in Western Australia. I am passionate about ensuring the profession remains sustainable, well-supported, and forward-thinking.

I have had the privilege of mentoring and supporting the next generation of optometrists through my work at UWA. I am committed to advancing accessible, high-quality care while addressing the pressures facing the industry, including evolving scopes of practice and shifting optometric business models. I believe in strong advocacy, effective representation, and supporting optometrists at every stage of their career. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my colleagues as a Director on the OWA Board and hope to bring my experiences from both metro and rural settings to ensure WA optometrists' voices are heard at every level.

Tel: Email: admin@optometrywa.org.au

Dr Kevin Sun - BVisSc MOptom AdvCertGlauc AdvCertChVis

Optometry Director, Specsavers Waterford
Kevin is the Optometry Director at Specsavers in Waterford, Western Australia, where he is therapeutically endorsed and dedicated to providing a wide range of patient services. With a special interest in glaucoma co-management, he holds an Advanced Certificate in Glaucoma from the Australian College of Optometry (ACO).

In addition to his clinical role, Kevin is actively involved in the governance of the profession as a director on the Optometry Western Australia board since 2021 and as a member of the Optometry Australia Board. He recently graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors course, and is hoping to apply these new skills towards advancing optometry.

Tel: Email:

I am a highly motivated young optometrist with a diverse range of experience across the industry and I deeply values our profession, believing that optometrists are invaluable members of our community and are a largely under-utilised profession across many sectors. I value fairness, respect and transparency and will bring my energy, ambition and initiatives to Optometry Western Australia to help lead the profession, advocate for optometrists and build stronger communities. I am particularly passionate about expanding optometrists' role into aged care and public health, addressing career satisfaction and broadening the public’s perception of optometry.

My experience includes positions at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, private ophthalmology, Aged care mobile eye clinic, Specsavers, Luxottica, regional practice and independent practice. Beyond optometry I have completed the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program which builds diverse and young leaders and have held memberships with the AICD and ICD. I will bring my governance experience and knowledge from my other director and subcommittee roles with Men's Health and Wellbeing WA, People Who Care, Deakin Optometry Alumni Chapter and ECO committees.

I love this profession. I want every optometrist to be valued and be able to achieve their full potential. I am energised, bring a diverse background, proven governance and leadership skills and a broad network to the board and its members. I will always bring a genuine approach, have an open ear to members and strive to build a strong community of optometrists in WA who are recognised, valued and supported.

Tel: Email: ECOWAPresident@optometrywa.org.au

My name is Charlene and I am the President of ECO WA. I completed my Master of Optometry at Queensland University of Technology in 2017. Following graduation, I moved to Perth as a graduate optometrist. My career in optometry has since evolved from working in corporate practices, to locuming across Perth, Sydney and Canberra, and stepping up into managerial role in corporate optometry.

Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in Ophthalmology and Visual Science at The University of Western Australia while working part-time at Bailey Nelson. I hope to continue the legacy of ECO WA, building a supportive network for early career optometrists to connect, grow and find their true passion in optometry.

Tel: 08 9321 2300 Email: eo@optometrywa.org.au

Tel: 08 9321 2300 Email: admin@optometrywa.org.au