The optical industry came together to celebrate outstanding achievement and innovation at the ODMA Awards 2025, with winners announced during a special presentation at ODMAFair25’s Friday networking function.
This year’s comprehensive awards programme, delivered by the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA), covered seven categories, from customer service excellence to innovative instrumentation and creative retail presentation, reflecting the diverse nature of the modern optical industry.
With a refreshed approach, the Awards programme saw unprecedented engagement from across the industry with over 2,100 votes cast – far exceeding organisational expectations.
“This truly is a programme offered by the industry, for the industry and with massive industry involvement choosing who should be honoured in 2025,” said ODMA CEO Amanda Trotman, who expressed her delight at the level of industry participation.
The awards recognised excellence across both supplier and independent practice categories, with nominees first selected through industry nominations before being put to a public vote.
Major Winners Announced
Northam Optical in Western Australia took out the prestigious Independent Practice of the Year award, beating finalists Eyewear on Pako (Geelong, Victoria) and Tracton Optometrist (Bondi Junction, Sydney).
Hoya dominated the supplier categories, claiming both Supplier of the Year and Top Supplier Customer Service Team awards. The company faced strong competition from fellow finalists including EssilorLuxottica, CR Surfacing, Rodenstock, and ZEISS across the various categories.
In the Sales Representative of the Year category, there were joint winners: Vineet Chauhan from EssilorLuxottica New Zealand and Kristy Gierisch from Eyes Right Optical Australia. They were selected from a competitive field that included Belinda Bishop (Eyes Right Optical), Katie Cran (Rodenstock), and Roy Parker (Optiqueline).
Innovation and Style Recognised
The Designs For Vision iCare Tonometer was named Instrument of the Year, highlighting the industry’s focus on advancing diagnostic capabilities. The award recognised equipment that is genuinely helping practices deliver better patient care.
In the style stakes, Face a Face’s Didot 1 frame, distributed by Eyes Right Optical, won the Versatile Frame of the Year category, standing out for its appeal over the past 12 months.
The Window Dressing category saw joint winners, with Base Curve Optical (Sandringham, Victoria) and Kenmore Plaza Optometrist (Queensland) both recognised for their exceptional retail presentation skills.
Industry Celebration
The awards ceremony took place at the centre stage of the ODMAFair25 trade show, with a strong delegation of industry professionals in attendance. All finalists received certificates and category winners were presented with glass trophies.
Many entries were showcased either physically or through imagery at a dedicated awards booth on the trade fair floor, allowing attendees to see the breadth of excellence across the optical industry.
The strong participation in both the nomination and voting processes demonstrates the industry’s commitment to recognising and celebrating the outstanding work performed daily by suppliers and practices alike.
