Your ECO committee

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Since graduating from optometry from the Queensland University of Technology in 2013, Jillian travelled and worked in the Northern Territory, and has undertaken outreach trips across rural Victoria, as well as Vanuatu and India. She currently works in private practice in the inner city with a strong contact lens focus.

Jillian is passionate about recognising and supporting early career members, particularly through encouraging them to identify and work towards career progression opportunities.

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Laura Carson graduated in mid-2015 with a Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry from the first Deakin University Optometry cohort. She is now working as an optometrist primarily at Leverett and Kindler, however also consults alongside ophthalmologists at Specialist Eye Surgeons.

Whilst at Deakin she was involved in starting the Deakin Optometry Student Society (DOSS) and held various positions within the DOSS committee including 2013 President. She also was the student representative for the Deakin Optometry Advisory Board and currently holds the position of graduate representative.

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Rowena graduated from Deakin University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Vision Sciences and Master of Optometry, having previously completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Ballarat.

She is now working at Specsavers Ballarat and Wendouree, and enjoying the challenge that regional eye care brings. Throughout the year, Rowena involves herself in outreach programs with Fred Hollows in Fiji, as well as working on bringing school screening programs to her local area.

She is particularly passionate about supporting early career optometrists in more regional and rural settings to ensure that everybody has the support they need to transition smoothly into their working lives within these communities.

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Zenia is a therapeutically qualified optometrist, completing her Bachelor of Optometry (Hons) degree in 2013 from the University of Auckland.

After graduating, Zenia joined a busy Specsavers practice for two years in Dunedin in New Zealand. She then worked as a locum for corporate and independent practices, before relocating to Melbourne in mid-2016. Zenia currently works for a fast-growing independent optometrist in the inner suburbs.

Zenia recognises the importance of quality mentorship for early career optometrists, particularly in the first six months. She hopes to develop stronger connections between early career optometrists and keep them excited about the profession by creating more opportunities to learn about the weird and wonderful cases they see daily.

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Patrick graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2011.

He joined Specsavers Collins Place in 2012. Patrick undertook the Health Sector Leadership Program in 2013 and became Optometry Partner at Specsavers Little Collins Street in 2015. He has a special interest in hard contact lenses and orthokeratology.

With the formation of this group, Patrick hopes to help make the journey from student to optometrist a smooth transition for his fellow optometrists. Furthermore, he thinks this group will provide a great networking platform that allows colleagues to share their experiences and job opportunities in different work environments.

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Katrina finished her Bachelor of Optometry in 2013, and balances her time between Kosmac and Clemens Optometrists in Castlemaine and Lakkis Optometry in Keilor East. In this time, Katrina has been selected as a candidate for the Health Sector Leadership program, has given insights at the SRC 2015 Careers Expo and been a guest speaker at La Trobe University.

"We aim to keep colleagues connected and well informed not only to issues directly related to clinic, but also to aspects which may not have been touched on in prior studies, yet are vital to happiness and efficiency within the profession".