State conferences pivot to add virtual formats

With coronavirus continuing to cause border closures, lockdowns and restrictions throughout Australia, two states have announced changes to their upcoming conferences with the introduction of virtual programs.

Tasmania’s Lifestyle Congress (TLC) scheduled for 6-8 August is now a hybrid event and while O=MEGA21 may have been cancelled, it is being replaced with a revamped virtual version of Southern Regional Conference from 2-4 September.

This means that delegates who can’t attend these events due to COVID-19 restrictions or other commitments, can access up to a combined 38 hours of quality-assured education online without the need to leave the safety and comfort of their home or their practice.

TLC becomes hybrid event

Optometry Tasmania has announced that TLC will now be offered in a hybrid format of face-to-face and virtual presentations.

This year’s primary Tasmanian CPD event, being held in both Hobart and online from 6-8 August, incorporates the Australian Low Vision seminar and combined, they offer 14.5 clinical and 4.5 therapeutic hours of CPD, including 5.5 hours of ophthalmologist presentations. Please note webinar attendance is classified as non-interactive for CPD.

Delegates will also have access to recorded presentations until 30 November 2021.

Optometry Australia members can register for the TLC webinar program at a reduced cost of $200 and for full details of this year’s event, including the CPD program and how to register, visit: https://taslifestylecongress.com.au/

O=MEGA21 cancelled but SRC returns as a virtual education conference

In announcing the cancellation of O=MEGA21, Optometry Victoria South Australia (OVic/SA) also confirmed that Southern Regional Congress (SRC) would return this year as a virtual education conference to take place during the O=MEGA21 dates from 2-4 September 2021.

SRC Online provides the opportunity to earn up to 23.5 clinical CPD hours, including up to 14.5 therapeutic hours and 8.5 interactive hours, with assessment.

Members can register to attend SRC Online for $249 with refunds available for delegates who have already paid to attend O=MEGA21 but who now wish to divert to SRC Online.

For more details on SRC Online, including the program and how to register, visit:  https://www.optometry.org.au/institute-of-excellence/cpd-events/srconline/.

In cancelling O=MEGA21, organisers OVic/SA and the Optical Distributors & Manufacturers Association (ODMA) said that while they contemplated rescheduling the event, uncertainty around the ongoing spread of COVID‐19 together with many people’s reluctance or inability to travel, meant postponing would have been an unwise decision.

OVic/SA and ODMA said that the next O=MEGA will be held in September 2023, where O=MEGA23 will be presented in conjunction with the 4th World Congress of Optometry at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.