Dispensers Celebrated at ODA Gala Night

The event, held at the InterContinental Sydney last month, brought together more than 300 industry representatives from across Australia and New Zealand, making it “the biggest optical dispensing celebration in Australian history”, according to ODA CEO April Petrusma. 

“Tonight, it’s all about celebrating the optical dispensing profession and without a doubt, this event has to be the biggest optical dispensing celebration in Australian history. And that’s not an exaggeration,” Ms Petrusma told attendees. 

The evening, themed ‘Spectrum Soirée’, was jointly hosted by ODA and the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD), combining industry excellence awards with a graduation ceremony for a record 239 Australian and 45 New Zealand students who had completed their Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing in 2024. 

ACOD co-founder and director James Gibbins described the graduating cohort as representing “the dazzling, vivacious colours of every wavelength” who will “take and lead our optical industry into a bright and colourful and promising future”. 

National Excellence Award Winners 

The ODA National Excellence Awards, sponsored by CR Labs, recognised outstanding optical dispensers across six categories: 

• Rookie of the Year Award: Rhian Hobbs (Wills Street Eyecare, Bendigo, Vic), 

• Outstanding Practice Owner Award: Barry Telfer (Angelo Street Optical, South Perth, WA) 

• ODA CEO’s Member Dedication Award: Keren Peet (20/20 Sight and Style Optometrists, Mornington, Vic), 

• Community Champion Award: Lyn Simeon (Teachers Health Centre, Parramatta, NSW), 

• Role Model and Leadership Award: Rayleen Tamblyn (ACOD and Specsavers, Erina, New South Wales), 

• ODA National Medal for Optical Dispensing Excellence: Dominique Jorgensen (University of Western Australia Optometry and Vision Science School). 

Todd Spencer, Chief Commercial Officer at CR Labs, congratulated the winners and graduating students. In a nod to the importance of the optical profession he said, “We are in the business of helping people see the world more clearly, and I think that’s something that we definitely should celebrate”. 

So, to my fellow students, well done. This journey was far more challenging than I anticipated, and I salute you all for completing the course.

Student Perspective 

The evening featured a moving speech from student representative Kellie-Ann McCormack, who shared her decision to join the profession, which she made during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I was in an optometry practice and as I sat there, I thought about my [then] current part-time job, standing in front of a hot coffee machine, steaming milk for latte after latte, or dropping another basket of chips into the deep fryer, wearing my grease-covered apron and sweaty t-shirt. And I thought, ‘Gee, it’s lovely and air-conditioned in here, and they wear nice uniforms’. Those two factors were enough to get me into the optical industry,” Ms McCormack recounted to laughter from the audience. 

She spoke about initially underestimating the course, planning to complete it in nine months, but ultimately taking over two years. “So, to my fellow students, well done. This journey was far more challenging than I anticipated, and I salute you all for completing the course. I believe if you can get through those dreaded ORPIs (oral response prescription interpretation), you can handle anything.” 

Ms McCormack urged fellow graduates to remember the importance of their role: “Each pair of glasses we dispense is not just a product. It is an opportunity to enhance someone’s quality of life, to bring clarity to their vision and to help them see their future more clearly.” 

Industry Support 

The graduation ceremony, sponsored by Zeiss Vision Care, saw the presentation of special awards for academic excellence, with Greyson Butler receiving first in course, while Keeley Gould, Alicia Simpson, and Estelle Zaval were awarded equal second after finishing within 0.1% of each other. 

Gail Giordani, Managing Director of Zeiss Vision Care Australia and New Zealand, told graduates: “Tonight’s theme beautifully reflects the diversity and vibrancy of the graduating class. Just as the seven colours of the visible light come together in a spectrum, each of you contribute your unique talents to the optical industry.” 

The guest of honour, George and Matilda founder and CEO Chris Beer, encouraged graduates to embrace change and opportunities in their careers, reflecting on his own 41-year journey in the industry. 

Referring to himself in his early life as “ambitious little shit”, Mr Beer advised, “The changes over the last 40 years that I’ve seen will seem like a mere blink in the eye compared to what’s coming now. We’re living in the most exciting, transformative period of human history. Embrace it and don’t resist it”.