Welcome to Country |
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| I pay my respects to the elders of the past, who paved the way in fighting for what was right, the elders of the present, who continue this journey and the elders of the future, the youthful generation learning from our actions of today. I pay respect to these elders, the lands, the waterways and the skies and acknowledge that Australia always was, always will be Aboriginal land, and sovereignty was never ceded |
As organisers start planning the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference for 2026, Harrison Pike provides his personal perspective on the 2025 event, highlighting the priorities of Indigenous eye health.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC25) – held on Whadjuk Noongar Country at the University Club of Western Australia in Perth – was a powerful, mob-led event, organised by the First Nations Eye Health Alliance (FNEHA).
NATSIEHC25 brought together more than 240 delegates (almost 40% from First Nations) including optometrists, ophthalmologists, health professionals, and community leaders, all united by a shared commitment to improving eye health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This theme for the May event, ‘Seeing Our Way’, spoke to the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and the growing momentum of self-determination in eye health. It created space for reflection, collaboration, and a vision for a more equitable future.
Key Themes and Insights
Over the course of the three-day conference, we heard from several inspiring speakers including Productivity Commissioner Selwyn Button, a Gungarri man, and Narrunga Kaurna woman and Deputy CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Adjunct Professor Janine Mohamed.
Mr Button highlighted the limited progress on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, noting that only three of 17 outcomes are on track, while stressing the importance of Indigenous data sovereignty.
Recognition and acknowledgment are the first steps, because when the present ignores past wrongs, the future takes its revenge
Adj Prof Mohamed emphasised the NDIA’s commitment to Closing the Gap and stressed the importance of co-design and trust; highlighting the need for genuine reconciliation beyond inclusion by ensuring First Nations people are meaningfully integrated across all areas of society. Both speakers reinforced the importance of First Nations leadership, culturally safe care, and embedding community co-design into health services – especially within the broader Closing the Gap efforts.
Associate Professor Mitchell Anjou, from the University of Melbourne, shared results from the National Indigenous Eye Health Survey, which highlight that vision loss continues to be more prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, particularly due to preventable causes such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and trachoma. These findings underline the urgent need for accessible, culturally responsive eye health services across the country.
Uncle Anthony (Tonji) Hansen approached the lectern and spoke on his beginnings. Born in Katanning and forcibly removed from his home as a toddler, he is a member of the Stolen Generation. Uncle Tonji has dedicated his life advocating for right and reconciliation with the Bringing Them Home Committee. He spoke on the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and its lasting impact on society’s health. A key moment for me was Uncle Tonji’s message: “Recognition and acknowledgment are the first steps, because when the present ignores past wrongs, the future takes its revenge”.
A Personal Reflection
As a proud Wiradjuri Ngemba man born in Dubbo, New South Wales, I graduated with a Master in Optometry from the University of Canberra in December last year. I am currently working as a new graduate optometrist at OPSM in Canberra where I live with my beautiful wife and two, soon to be three, incredible children. I am only the 15th Aboriginal optometrist in Australia, and First Nations people only make up 0.5% of the optometry workforce. My connection to country is profound, culture means everything to me, and it defines who I am. My goal is to improve the vision outcomes for First Nation peoples and build a legacy that contributes to a brighter future, one that future generations can take pride in.
I play my part in actively working to close the gap in vision care through programmes like the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, where I can deliver services and support to underrepresented and remote communities.
Being supported by EssilorLuxottica to attend NATSIEHC25 was not only an investment in my professional development, but a reaffirmation of the importance of cultural connection in clinical practice. Aside from attending NATSIEHC25, one of the most meaningful parts of my early career so far has been delivering Acknowledgements of Country at company events. These moments spark important conversations and serve as reminders of the shared responsibility we hold in reconciliation.
Looking Ahead
This conference has left me energised and committed to making a difference in reshaping how healthcare is delivered to First Nations peoples. I look forward to contributing to future outreach programmes, particularly those that reach remote Aboriginal communities. I have recently been invited to join the NATSIEHC conference leadership group, and hope to play a key role in organising the 2026. It is a privilege to be considered for this opportunity, alongside other distinguished First Nations individuals, and I am proud to contribute to such an important initiative. I know that real, lasting change requires collective action, and I am honoured to play a small part in that journey.
Harrison Pike, Wiradjuri and Ngemba man, is an optometrist at OPSM Canberra.
