Renowned optometrist Dr. Tony Hanks has been awarded the prestigious ‘Order of Australia’ (OAM) in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
He received the award for his “significant commitment, dedication and meritorious service deemed worthy of particular recognition.” This involved his service to optometry and the community, as well as for his involvement in improving international eye care and education.
Dr. Hanks, the founder of Eyecare Plus, says he feels “quite humbled, but also very pleased” with having received such recognition.
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He received the award for his “significant commitment, dedication and meritorious service deemed worthy of particular recognition.” This involved his service to optometry and the community, as well as for his involvement in improving international eye care and education.
For almost 40 years, Dr. Hanks has worked to improve the standards of eye care and vision correction for patients throughout Australia and worldwide.
He says he was attracted to optometry by a yearning to make a difference and to work with people one-on-one in the field of science.
“The thought of being able to make a difference in people’s lives was very appealing… and I was interested in science so it was just a natural progression,” he says.
Dr. Hanks has founded a group of practices in Port Macquarie and Queensland and his career in optometry has spanned corporate and private practice roles, research and teaching.
As well as being the founder and Chairman of Eyecare Plus, Dr. Hanks is also the founding member of the Australian Optometric Panel. He is a well respected leader in the optometry industry in Australia and still practices optometry part time in his Port Macquarie practice.
In 2006, the Optometrists Association of Australia (OAA) awarded him the Josef Lederer Award for Excellence in Optometry. Dr. Hanks continues to work within the business and, in particular, in guiding the Port Macquarie and Queensland practices.
“I don’t consider my work to be work,” he says. “It probably sounds a little corny but I really do consider it a hobby more then anything else. Even after 40 years, I thoroughly enjoy what I do.”
The OAM was awarded to Dr. Hanks not just for his work as an optometrist, but also for his work as an educator.
“That is probably my favourite aspect of what I do. I enjoy the education side of my work and being able to give lectures.”
“I am very appreciative of the recognition and feel fortunate to be able to work with so many fantastic people, one of whom is my wife,” says Dr. Hanks proudly.
