|
2017-2019 |
Marion Rivers |
|
2015-2017 |
Julie Hall |
| 2013-2015 |
Meri Vukicevic |
|
2010-2013 |
Connie Koklanis |
|
2008-2010
|
Zoran Georgievski In 2008, Zoran was appointed associate professor with a conjoint appointment at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH), where he was the manager of orthoptics and diagnostic eye services and at La Trobe University, where he was head of the clinical vision sciences department. He was an academic leader in orthoptics and a strong advocate of the profession. He encouraged the development of the relationship between the La Trobe University and the RVEEH because he strongly believed that creating links between clinical care, education and research would promote excellence in the delivery of clinical services and ensure the development of a high quality network. Zoran’s activities extended to his professional association as he lobbied federal and state government in various issues and consistently advocated for initiatives providing opportunities for the orthoptic profession. |
|
2006-2008 |
Heather Pettigrew |
|
2005-2006
|
Julie Barbour Julie’s term as President of Orthoptics Australia (OA) commenced in November 2004. During her Presidency, Julie, along with the Federal OA Council, introduced the first of the Upskill Courses. These were introduced to provide a course level education to OA members through a series of modules. The first two modules were held at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne in May. The OA Council at this time also helped to rewrite and update the Workforce Survey and continued the involvement with submissions to the State Governments regarding Optometry Acts around Australia along with other political issues that affect the profession of Orthoptics. These submissions helped pave the way for the successful achievement for Orthoptists to gain refracting rights in several states. “Orthoptics is a small profession and we are often frustrated at the slow outcomes of issues politically that are important to our everyday work. As President it was always so positive to see the level of personal commitment by OA councillors and individual members of the profession. Many of the successful outcomes of the Association would not have been possible if not for the dedication of our members. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to be President of OA for a two year term.” – Julie Barbour |
|
2002-2004
|
Val Tosswill Val Tosswill has been a member of Orthoptics Australia (formerly OAA) since graduating with a Diploma of Applied Science (Orthoptics) and Diploma from the Orthoptic Board of Australia in Sydney in 1985. Val has been an active member of the association, including NSW Treasurer (1993 – 1996), Federal Sponsorship Manager (1996 – 2002), Federal Promotions and Development Officer (1996 – 2002), Federal HPCA and ARRHT representative (2003 – 2005), Federal President-Elect, President and Vice-President (2001 – 2006) and was NSW State Representative on Federal Council for over 10 years. In 1999 Val was the first recipient of the Paediatric Orthoptic Award and has published works in the Australian Orthoptic Journal a number of times. From 1996-2002, Val was an active participant in the Strategic Planning of Federal OA and has involved OA in numerous public relations exercises. Submissions to the “Review of National Competition Forum” and the “National Eye Care Project” enabled OA to be a prominent entity in these two Australian projects. In 2001, Val approached Vision2020 and paved the way for OA to become a Partner of this national eye care icon. Between 2002 – 2005, Val was instrumental in updating OA’s Rules, Duty Statements and Procedure Manual for Councillors and the Council Body. From 2004 – 2005, she chaired the committee for updating the Professional Competency Standards for Australian Orthoptists and from 2003 – 2007 she co-represented OA by lobbying government bodies in an attempt to gain GST exemption for Australian orthoptists. In 2007, OA bestowed Val with the honour of Orthoptics Australia Fellow. |
|
2000-2002 |
Kerry Martin |
|
1997-2000 |
Kerry Fitzmaurice |
|
1995-1997 |
Jan Wulff |
|
1993-1995 |
Barbara Walsh |
|
1991-1993 |
Anne Fitzgerald |
|
1989-1991 |
Leonie Collins |
|
1987-1989
|
Margaret Doyle Margaret felt quite strongly about the need for Orthoptics as a profession to break away from the control of the Orthoptics Board of Australia during her time as President. Fortunately, the incoming President, Leonie Collins from Melbourne, agreed with Margaret’s philosophy and followed it up during her term of office. Margaret constantly examined why the progress of the development of Orthoptics was slow and believed that Orthoptics should be a truly independent and professional organisation. She also believed that during this time, Orthoptics relied heavily upon the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists who established the esteem and recognition from the community and that this somehow reflected on Orthoptists too. However, Orthoptists neglected to earn this in their own right. Margaret encouraged Orthoptists not to weaken the liaison but to recognize it in a different state. “The standards of our association must be so high that membership is in itself synonymous with good, professional work and a high code of conduct – it should be the password for acceptance as skilled, health scientists.” – Margaret Doyle |
|
1986-1987 |
Alison Terrell |
|
1985-1986 |
Geraldine McConaghy |
|
1983-1985 |
Neryla Jolly |
|
1982-1983 |
Jill Stewart |
|
1981-1982 |
Marion Rivers |
|
1980-1981
|
Keren Edwards Keren Edwards recalls her time as President of the Orthoptic Association: In 1980-81 I was living in Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast. As the 38th Scientific conference was to be held in Queensland that year, I also became conference convenor. My mind was constantly on the task ahead. Typewritten letters in carbon copy entrusted to Australia Post and the very odd phone call was my means of communicating with my southern Orthoptic members. The theme “Time for Review” encouraged some thoughtful examination of our profession in an atmosphere of great fun. At the time I was employed as an Orthoptist at the Nambour Hospital and with a private practice group. The private practice group serviced Gympie, Maroochydore, Noosa, Caloundra and Kingaroy. We travelled to Kingaroy in a 4 seater Cessna. Being young and fearless, the suspense of flying all the way in cloud and just popping out to land on a small country runway did not then appear dangerous. Apart from comprehensive Orthoptic assessments and ophthalmic technician duties, I had to extend into contact lens fitting, low vision management, assisting minor surgery and clerical duties. Our Ophthalmic service had to cover a very large area well outside a major city. At that time there were fewer than 10 Orthoptists in Queensland. We had a branch with Jess Kirby as our President. She would have meetings at her private rooms on Wickham Terrace. Jess was always well organised and really knew how to chair a meeting. I remember with pride the loyalty and commitment of our small group. I would travel the two-hour journey down the old Bruce Highway, as did others from the opposite direction. In bad tropical weather my little car could almost become airborne. Purchasing a box of potatoes from a roadside stall would help weigh down my car to deliver me safely home. I am still doing a session at Caloundra Hospital. The eye clinic moved from Nambour Hospital some years ago. I have my 35-year badge of service and enjoy even more today my chosen Orthoptic profession. |
|
1979-1980 |
Mary Carter |
|
1978-1979
|
Patricia Dunlop Patricia Dunlop has been in the orthoptic world since graduating from the first orthoptic training school in Moorfields in 1949. She met her future Australian husband at Moorfields and later came to live in Australia after getting married in 1950. She lived and practiced orthoptics both privately and publicly in Newcastle. She met Patricia Lance in 1952, which led her to join Orthoptics Australia. She was then elected President on two occasions. After the initial NSW orthoptic course was set up, Patricia, along with Patricia Lance and other NSW orthoptists arranged for all students from Victoria and NSW to qualify equally. |
|
1977-1978 |
Helen Hawkeswood |
|
1976-1977 |
Vivienne Gordon |
|
1975-1976 |
Megan Lewis |
|
1974-1975
|
Patricia Lance Patricia Lance’s achievements are many and her influence on orthoptics in Australia, significant. She was always interested in the orthoptic profession and encouraged enthusiasm and knowledge development in all eye related fields, particularly neurology. Patricia became an orthoptist in 1941 and was a founding member of Orthoptics Australia (OA) in 1944. With the formation of the association, the profession met annually for a General and Scientific Meeting. Patricia saw the conference as an opportunity to talk about issues of mutual interest; see subjects from a different point of view; know others are experiencing the same problem; learn of other experiments and results. In 1953, Patricia was key in the establishment of the Emmie Russell Prize to encourage young presenters. Patricia was president of OA for a record six years, over four terms, and represented Australia during the formation of IOA. Patricia was an orthoptist tutor in 1948 in NSW; Head of School – NSW Paramedical Studies (later CCHS) in 1973 and received an MBE in 1979, before retiring in 1987. Making an important contribution to Orthoptic research, Patricia Lance has a legacy of 21 published articles in the Australian Orthoptic Journal (AOJ). |
|
1973-1974 |
Jill Taylor |
|
1972-1973 |
Patricia Lance (See above for details) |
|
1971-1972 |
Jill Taylor |
|
1970-1971 |
Neryla Heard |
|
1969-1970 |
Jess Kirby |
|
1968-1969 |
Diana Craig |
|
1967-1968 |
Patricia Dunlop |
|
1966-1967 |
Helen Hawkeswood |
|
1965-1966 |
Beverly Balfour |
|
1964-1965 |
Lucy Retalic |
|
1963-1964 |
Leonie Collins |
|
1961-1962 |
Jess Kirby |
|
1960-1961 |
Helen Hawkeswood |
|
1959-1960 |
Patricia Lance (See above for details) |
|
1958-1959 |
Mary Peoples |
|
1957-1958 |
Lucille Retalic |
|
1956-1957 |
Mary Carter |
|
1955-1956 |
Jess Kirby |
|
1954-1955 |
Diana Mann |
|
1952-1954 |
Patricia Lance (See above for details) |
|
1951-1952 |
R Gluckman |
|
1950-1951 |
Emmie Russell |
|
1949-1950 |
E D’Ombrain |
|
1948-1949 |
Diana Mann |
|
1947-1948 |
Lucy Willoughby |
|
1945-1947 |
Emmie Russell |