Optometry Australia appoints Mark Nevin as CEO
Optometry Australia (OA) has appointed Mark Nevin as its Chief Executive Officer, following the departure of outgoing CEO, Skye Cappuccio.
Tagged as: Sector changes
Statement regarding commentary on expanding optometrists’ prescribing rights
‘Optometry Australia supports respectful, team-based eye care. We agree with the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) when it says patient safety must be paramount,’ says Dr Theo Charalambous, Optometry Australia President.
Tagged as: Therapeutics
Nominations open for 2026 H Barry Collin Research Medal
Nominations are now open for Optometry Australia’s 2026 H Barry Collin Research Medal. The prestigious award recognises outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge in optics, vision science, or clinical optometry by a person who is an Australian citizen or a graduate of an Australian optometry school, or who has done a significant part of his or her research in an Australian institution.
Tagged as: Awards - honours - grants
Optometry Australia welcomes Treasurers’ commitment to full scope of practice as key to a more productive, accessible health system
Optometry Australia welcomes last weeks’ announcement that Treasurers have agreed to support reforms that enable health practitioners to work to their full scope of practice, as included in the updated National Competition Policy Federation Funding Agreement Schedule.
Tagged as: Advocacy & government
Ali Abud wins the 2025 OV/SA Student Award for Deakin University
Ali Abud was recently announced as the Optometry Victoria South Australia 2025 Student Award winner for Deakin University. These Student Awards recognise optometry students, as selected by their university faculty, who demonstrate both outstanding academic excellence and a profound commitment to patient care and professionalism.
Tagged as: award winner, Awards - honours - grants
Important update for SA optometrists: upcoming WCHN waitlist audit letters
South Australian optometrists are advised that the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN) is undertaking a detailed review of long-term Priority Two and Priority Three patients on the ophthalmology waitlist. As part of this audit, families will soon begin receiving a letter requesting that a local optometrist review their child and that an updated clinical report be forwarded to the hospital.
Tagged as: referrals
Updated Queensland TMR medical certificate process and OQNT’s ongoing advocacy
Optometry Queensland Northern Territory (OQNT) recently met with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to seek clarification on the changes to the Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver Form F3712 and to reinforce the critical role of optometrists in assessing visual fitness to drive.
Tagged as: Advocacy & government
Richard Lindsay honoured with OV/SA Life Membership
Optometry Victoria South Australia (OV/SA) is thrilled to announce that Richard Lindsay is the recipient of its prestigious Life Membership honour. Life members are recognised for their meritorious contribution of long and distinguished service to the profession of optometry, and Richard’s career exemplifies this dedication.
Tagged as: Awards - honours - grants, life member, OV/SA Awards
OV/SA 2025 Award recipients announced
The 2025 OV/SA Awards were presented on 17 November in Melbourne. We warmly congratulate the 2025 Award recipients, Janelle Scully and Ching Yi Wu, as well as Life Member, Richard Lindsay on their invaluable contributions to optometry.
Tagged as: award winner, OV/SA Awards
Olivia Almond: A week in rural practice
OQNT was thrilled to support QUT Master of Optometry student Olivia Almond, who completed her rural placement in Yeppoon and Rockhampton. Here’s her reflection on the experience.
Tagged as: Students