Optical dispensers will be asked to dig deep into their past and polish up their skills when they compete to become “the best hand-edger in Australasia” at ODMA 2015 in Brisbane. The competition will raise funds for Equal Health, a not for profit organisation that provides free health care to people in need living in developing countries.
Using a hand cutter, a shanking plier and hand edger, competitors will be asked to fit a lens to a metal frame in less than 30 minutes.
Entries will be judged by industry identity David Wilson and the winner will be announced at ODMA at 2pm on Sunday July 5. A trophy and a shopping card valued at AU$500 will be awarded.
Mark Stapleton, from Optimed said the competition aims to bring some fun back into the optical dispensing industry while also raising funds for a much needed project. “Hand edging is not an easy challenge, and optical dispensers don’t really do it anymore, but there are still quite a few out there with the skills,” said Mr. Stapleton. “This is the second time the competition has been run, and we hope it will generate plenty of interest in the skill set as well as interest in helping those in need.
“Funds raised will help Equal Health distribute spectacles to people developing countries.”
Those spectacles have been recycled from used frames by inmates at Casuarina Prison in Western Australia, a program coordinated by Optometry Western Australia and Equal Health.
To enter the 2015 competition go to www.optimed.com.au or telephone: AUS 1300 657 720.
