With only weeks to go until the Optometry Western Australia (OWA) WAVE 2025 conference opens, anticipation is building. OWA’s Evan MacRae provides an update
The highly anticipated Western Australian Vision Education conference (WAVE) is back for 2025 and, as always, aims to excel at providing high quality education and interactive therapeutic content in a comfortable, friendly, and relaxed environment. In 2025, WAVE will maintain its highly successful hybrid format, using the same platform for delivery, and returning to the iconic seaside venue at the Fremantle Esplanade Hotel.
For the first time, WAVE will include a multidisciplinary panel discussion on collaborative diabetes management. Leading the discussion will be Professor Angus Turner from the Lions Eye Institute. Prof Turner will be joined by GP and Vice President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Dr Ramya Raman, and Diabetes WA Educator Jessica Weiss. The panel discussion will, of course, be in addition to presentations on a range of clinical and business-focussed topics aimed at providing you with the latest information to improve patient and practice outcomes.
WAVE 2025 is also a prime opportunity to meet the Optometry Board Australia’s continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. The program has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate members’ individual learning plans and provide interactivity, ensuring that all attendees leave with valuable insights and skills to apply in their optometry practice.
At OWA, we are continuing our partnership with Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) in 2025. New for this year will be a Saturday afternoon half day hands-on workshop session on glasses repairs. WAVE attendees will also have access to a trade display, and then there’s the always enjoyable Saturday evening Sundowner by the pool.
Mark your calendars for the weekend of 22–23 March, as WAVE 2025 is an event you won’t want to miss. If you haven’t registered yet, we strongly encourage you to do so.
WAVE 2025 promises to be a remarkable education fest, offering unique insights and networking opportunities that can help advance your optometry career, no matter what stage.
Early Career Assistance and Events
At OWA, we are committed to supporting our members throughout every stage of their careers. With increased employment pressures, the Early Career Optometrists Committee (ECOWA) remains strongly supportive of all members offering regular CPD, wellness, and social events. It also provides general support for optometrists within their first 10 years of graduation. If you are a new graduate from the University of Western Australia Doctor of Optometry course, we’re excited to welcome you into the fold. OWA and ECOWA are only a call or email away from providing you with any assistance and guidance you need – whether that is advice on human resources, your career, professional development options, or your personal wellbeing.
Throughout the course of 2025, you can expect to see events from the OWA Social Committee and the Rural and Remote Committee. We look forward to expanding initiatives to support volunteer optometrists who assist in student training at the St Patrick’s Homeless Shelter.
OWA Leadership
OWA steps into 2025 with a leadership group comprising many well established and experienced committee members along with some new faces. President Stephanie Bahler is back for her third term as President, while we farewell retiring Life Member Gary Crerie and our retiring Treasurer Andrew Nguyen. We welcome Lynne Allard and Ben Gilbert to OWA.
This continuity, mixed with a blend of new eyes, speaks to the Board’s diligence and dedication in shaping the future of optometry in Western Australia on behalf of our members.
OWA comprises a small team, balancing local initiatives with our continued collaboration with other state divisions and Optometry Australia nationally, to achieve broader strategic goals and measurable member benefits.
As the year gathers momentum, we are grateful for the dedication of our Board and the unwavering support of our members. Together, we can continue to elevate the field of optometry, bring about positive change, and create a future filled with opportunities and success for all optometrists in Western Australia.
Evan MacRae is the Chief Executive Officer of Optometry Western Australia.
