2019 ACOD Graduates, with James Gibbins first row, left and Chedy Kalach far right, top row.
Graduates from the 2018 Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD) cohort celebrated their completion of the Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing at Luna Park, Sydney. ACOD acknowledged the achievements of the 31 students who travelled to attend the event, as well as the 97 graduates based across both Australia and New Zealand.
James Gibbins, ACOD Director, congratulated the “97 qualified dispensers now added to our industry” and said that “in the last 12 months there has been a steady and continuous stream of students crossing their course completion line with ACOD.”
Eyecare is a booming field and you are key players in it
Richard Couch, Head of Dispensing Advancement at Specsavers, acknowledged the achievements of the graduates as, “a true reflection of the quality and the tireless efforts made in order to achieve.
“The benefits to the industry that this represents, to be able to grow the profession of optical dispensing, is so incredibly important, particularly at this time. We’re excited and lucky to be working within a profession and an industry that is continuously evolving – new technologies, new processes, new lenses to be working with,” said Mr Couch.
He also emphasised the “enriching and fulfilling experience” of acquiring this qualification as well as its importance in being able to “support our optometrists” and help “provide better patient outcomes.”
Guest of honour, Andrew McKinnon, CEO of Optometry Australia NSW/ACT, reiterated the success of the graduates in their course completion and provided perspective into how their qualification fits into the broader optical industry.
“You have joined a four prong eye care environment – yourselves, optometry, ophthalmology, and orthoptics,” he said. “Eyecare is a booming field and you are key players in it.”
On the night, ACOD Director Chedy Kalach, presented the graduating optical dispensers with the Certificate IV in Dispensing. Following this, the outstanding achievements of graduates were recognised through the presentation of course awards.
The recipients of the ACOD Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing 2018 Course Award Winners are as follows:
- Kinga Kozlowski, first in course award winner,
- Elizabeth Sumner, second in course award winner, and
- Emma Gorman, third in course award winner.
Kinga Kozlowski
Elizabeth Sumner
Emma Gorman
Recognition and thanks was also given to the ACOD teaching staff.
