Dear Colleagues,
Membership renewals for 2023-2024 are well underway and are due by 1 July 2023. If you haven’t yet renewed your membership, it isn’t too late! All current members will have received an email inviting them to renew. If you need assistance with renewals including changing to a different membership category, please contact office@orthoptics.org.au. Members with professional indemnity insurance through insurance.com (previously Insurance House) will have received a separate email from insurance.com with information about renewing insurance at OA subsidised rates. If you would like to take out a new insurance policy, please see information on the OA website here.
We have a number of exciting events coming up soon- The History of Orthoptics in Australia presented by Shayne Brown in South Australia on 12 July, as well as the Victoria and New South Wales Annual Scientific Meetings on the 15 July and 5 August, respectively. Early bird registration is also open for the 79th OA Annual Conference in Perth 21-23 October 2023, and with abstract submissions recently closing, we are hard at work bringing together a wonderful program with the theme of ‘Equitable Eye Care for All’. You can find registration and program details for upcoming events on the OA website with some links to upcoming events included below.
OA continues our work to advocate for the orthoptic profession and recently contributed to an Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) submission to the Australian Digital Health Agency on diagnostic imaging and radiology within allied health. We continue to work with AHPA on a project to integrate allied health into the My Health Record. If members have a specific interest in My Health Record and digital health, please email president@orthoptics.org.au. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has recently commenced a review of the list of occupations in Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) for the first time in two decades. This classification informs how Census data is collected and is used to inform other initiatives such as the Skilled Occupation List. OA is working with AHPA on responding to the classification, in addition to developing an individual submission.
We are excited to announce that we will be forming a number of Clinical Advisory Groups in specific areas of orthoptic practice and special interest. These groups will function as communities of practice to connect orthoptists with others working in their area of interest. Clinical Advisory Groups will also play an important role in informing the advocacy work of OA, advising OA on incoming clinical guidelines and legislation and developing resources to support practice, for continuing professional development or for the purpose of patient education. More information on the Clinical Advisory Groups and how you could get involved is available below.
Best regards,
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Amanda French
OA is pleased to open expressions of interest (EOI) for our new Clinical Advisory Groups. The Clinical Advisory Groups will come together
as a community of practice to share experience in specific areas of interest and identify challenges and opportunities for the orthoptic
profession. This expert advice from our Clinical Advisory Groups will help inform directions for OA’s advocacy work and will ensure that
OA is responding appropriately across all areas of strategic priority.
The Clinical Advisory Groups are intended to represent the views of a broad range of members with varied background and expertise and
so, we are looking for both highly experienced orthoptists and younger orthoptists who are interested in becoming more involved in advocacy
for the orthoptic profession. These groups will be supported by the Communication, Policy and Advocacy Committee and the OA Executive
group.
Currently, we will be establishing Clinical Advisory Groups in the following areas:
If you would like to submit an EOI for one or more of our Clinical Advisory Groups or have a suggestion of another area we should consider
including, please email execofficer@orthoptics.org.au. Include in your EOI, your current place of work and expertise/ experience in your
area of interest.
2023-26 STRATEGIC PLAN |
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Orthoptics Australia is proud to launch our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan that will frame the work of our organisation As the peak body representing orthoptists in Australia, we recognise the importance of our role in supporting 2023-26 Strategic Plan here |
Registration is open for the 79th Orthoptics Annual Conference.
Taking place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, the conference will cover a range of topics including our conference
theme - Equitable eye care for all. It will provide a fantastic opportunity to learn about the most recent advances in orthoptic practice
and share ideas with colleagues.
Delegates who register by the end of July will go into the draw to win one nights' accommodation at our Conference Dinner
venue - Parmelia Hilton.
OA members, make the most of your membership and secure the exclusive member’s only early bird full registration rate
of $715 by registering on or before 5 September).
Not a member? Not a problem! Join online now and - once your membership is approved - you will be able to access
the discounted conference registration rate as well as a fantastic range of other benefits.
To kick off #NAIDOCWeek, we're proud to announce that Orthoptics Australia (OA) endorses the Uluru Statement from the Heart and support
the Statement's call for an Indigenous Voice to parliament.
OA believes that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have a right to self-determination and an Indigenous Voice to parliament will
bring about positive changes that will contribute to better treatments, care and eye health outcomes for First Nation's Peoples.
Read the full position statement here
Read more about NAIDOC week here
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Orthoptics Australia (OA) has partnered with insurance.com.au (formerly Insurance House) to provide insurance options at a negotiated rate
for members.
Members are fully supported by a dedicated team of insurnace consultants who are on hand to assit members with their insurance enquiries.
To get your Professional Indemnity Insurance click here
Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) item 82030/93041 and 82035/93036 are the only items numbers under the
MBS which can be utilised to cover Orthoptic consultations. To read more about this click here
NSW Health have been coordinating the development of State-wide Referral Criteria (SRC) for public specialist outpatient services,
including Ophthalmology. The aim of SRC is to facilitate safe, timely and effective referral and prioritisation of patients requiring access to
NSW Health specialist outpatient services. The OA NSW Branch have played an active role in providing feedback for the Ophthalmology
SRC to ensure the inclusion of orthoptists in these documents. The implementation of SRC for selected Ophthalmology conditions will be
commencing from 10 July 2023 with a three-month transition period (up to 6 October 2023). The implementation will take place for Local
Health Districts and Specialty Health Networks to embed SRC within relevant outpatient referral screening and triage workflows.
Link to Ophthalmology Outpatient State-wide Referral Criteria documents here
Frequently Asked Questions document here
The ACT Health Directorate Chief Allied Health Office is delighted toannounce that nominations are now open.
Now is the time to recognise the outstanding commitment of allied health professionals and assistants to the
Canberra community. The Awards are open to eligible public and privately employed allied health professionals
and assistants working in the ACT.
Nominations can be made by colleagues, consumers, supervisors, executives, directors of allied health,
profession or clinical leads, or self.To read more click here
Macular Disease Foundation Australia has partnered with MyInteract to provide digital information and
resources directly to people with early, intermediate, neovascular AMD, geographic, atrophy,
diabetic macular oedema.
MyInteract is a unique and free mobile application providing a single place for patients to quickly access
material relevant to their condition, as well as resouirces to help live well with macular disease.
This is an easy and paper-less way for practices to connect their patients with evidence- based information.
Download a MyInteract flyer for your practice here
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The IOA has recently released the 2023-2027 strategic plan which outlines the goals and objectives for the next
several years and provides a roadmap for achieving them. As a member of Orthoptics Australia you are
automatically a member of the IOA. Please take some time to review the plan. link here.
Spring 2023 IOA Newsletter
The latest IOA Newsletter from the International Orthoptic Association is now available at: IOA Spring 2023 Newsletter.
Orthoptics Australia congratulates Dr Sandra Staffieri who was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List as an Officer of the Order of
Australia for distinguished service to medicine as an orthoptist and vision researcher, and to paediatric ophthalmology.
Dr Sandra Staffieri is a Clinical Orthoptist with almost 40 years’ experience working in paediatric ophthalmology, a Research Fellow at the
Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) and the Retinoblastoma Care Co-ordinator at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Victoria.
Dr Staffieri’s research is focused on retinoblastoma, with her PhD work contributing to supporting parents to identify early signs of
retinoblastoma and other paediatric eye conditions, to reduce delay in diagnosis.
The Officer of the Order of Australia is awarded for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large, and is
the highest honour ever awarded to an Orthoptist. This is an amazing achievement for Sandra and an honour for the orthoptic profession!
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Orthotists in WA gathered for the first time since 2019 for a CPD event, sponosred by Device Technologies (Joel), and Tristel (Steve).
Our theme was The Values of Orthoptists in the healthcare system. We had 5 Orthoptists from differnt workplaces i.e. adults and
children;hospital, non-for-profit organisation clinical trials and sole private practice giving talks about their respective roles and what
patients they would usually see on a daily basis. We had a great turnout with orthoptists and nurses attending the event.
Stay tuned for the next Orthoptics Australia WA event.
A number of UTS Orthoptics students and recent graduates were awarded at the UTS Scholarship and Prize Night held on the 31 May 2023.
The Orthoptics Australia Prize, for the student who achieved the highest mark in the professional practice (clinical) subjects in the final year
of the orthoptics course was awarded to Dan Uyen (Danni) Nguyen. Orthoptics Australia president, Dr Amanda French, presented the award.
Danni was also the recipient of the Lance Jolly prize for achieving the highest average mark in the orthoptics course, presented by Neryla Jolly.
Other awards presented on the night included the inaugural ODMA Richard Grills Memorial Prize (Melinda Mo), the Katoomba Parke
Scholarship (Poa Yin Leung) the Frank Martin Scholarship (Elias Helou) and the UTS Dr Con Moshegov Orthoptics Scholarships
(Majida Alajia and Sangjun (Samuel) Kim).
Orthoptics Australia congratulates all of the deserving recipients of awards!
For full story see: https://www.insightnews.com.au/uts-orthoptics-announces-inaugural-odma-richard-grills-memorial-prize-winner/
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Orthoptics Australia President Dr Amanda French with Orthoptics Australia Prize recipient Danni Nguyen.
Award recipients and donors at the UTS Orthoptics Scholarship and Prize Night.
LYN (NÉE LIPMAN) BRENT (1928-2023)
DOBA, Sydney, 1953
LYN BRENT (née Lipman) was born on 13 August 1928 and grew up in Grafton, NSW. As a child she had
orthoptics for an intermittent exotropia following a bout of measles. Emmie Russell was the orthoptist and so
she had an early introduction to orthoptics. Lyn attended Abbostleigh, a private girl’s school in Sydney’s upper
north shore. She gained her Leaving Certificate and matriculated into the University of Sydney. While orthoptics
was not her first career choice she went on to practice well into her seventies.
After leaving school, Lyn enrolled in a science degree at the University of Sydney. She was offered a position
at the observatory at Mt Stromlo, but when it was discovered there was no female accommodation, she didn’t
complete her degree. Instead she took on an administrative position with ophthalmologist Dr Gregory Roberts
who saw her potential and recruited her into orthoptics. Gregory Roberts was keen for her to go to London to do
the training course there, but Lyn’s father could support her living in Sydney but not London. She was accepted
into the 1952 Sydney orthoptic training course. Her classmates were: Jenny Coghlan (later Hudson);
Sue Friend (later Reid); Mary de Salis (later Mills) and Alison Ward (later Lawson). They graduated at the end
of 1953.
Lyn was typical of most orthoptists at this time who worked in part-time positions to make up a full week of work.
Jobs were hard to come by at this time and Lyn was the only one of her year group to gain full-time employment
immediately after graduation. Her jobs in Sydney included in Patricia Lance’s private practice which was then in
her father’s rooms in Macquarie Street. She also worked at the Orthoptic Clinic with Jane Russell at the Royal
North Shore Hospital.
When she married Royal Australian naval officer Peter Brent in 1954, they were transferred to Flinders in
southern Victoria. While there she did a few locums with Diana Craig (née Mann). The Brents were soon on the
move again and when Peter was stationed in Perth at the end of 1955, Lyn did some locums for Megan Lewis.
When Peter retired from the navy they farmed out of Grafton in NSW. A long-time colleague and friend,
ophthalmologist Bill Scales had always found ‘a few’ patients if he knew Lyn was coming home, so talked her
into working one or two sessions per week.
In 1962 the Brents moved to Armidale, NSW. In 1966 Lyn was talked into relieving a pregnant English-trained
orthoptist Julia Pinson for supposedly three months with ophthalmologist, Edgar Bradley. When Julia decided to
take up librarianship Lyn stepped in and the three months turned into 26 years and as she said, ‘I loved every
minute’. Lyn may have enjoyed her work while being a wife and mother to three children, but this was very much
frowned upon by the matrons of Armidale. Such were the cultural and social mores of the time that she was
socially ostracised because she worked which was ‘not the done thing’ by people of her class.
R-L: Lyn Brent’s research in Wee Waa. (Wee Waa News, The Border News, no. 311, Wednesday 20 May 1998);
Lyn with Jan Wulff in Wee Waa on their day off, having fun; Lyn examining school student. (Wee Waa News,
The Border News, no. 311, Wednesday 20 May 1998).
Lyn’s work was busy and varied. She initiated a vision screening program which she did voluntarily. She
screened many children in Armidale and the districts surrounding the city. She also travelled to Wee Waa and
the North West areas of NSW which she found ‘so rewarding’. With no experience in screening methods and no
equipment, Lyn ‘screened’ the children by performing cover tests and convergence. The referral system was
basic too. She recorded ‘yes’ (a problem detected), ‘no’ (no problem detected) and ‘watch’ (to be reviewed, or
for the teacher to keep an eye on). Lyn’s ‘screening service’ did not end there. She ran a weekly clinic at the
Armidale Hospital which at the time was the only country orthoptic clinic, funded, originally, by the Lions Club.
The nurse screened school children referred by the teachers for hearing problems. Lyn was able to prove that
very few children were, in fact, deaf, but had an inability to use both eyes together. She then became the
consulting orthoptist at the New England Educational and Diagnostic (N.E.E.D) Centre.
Lyn was assigned orthoptic students every July. Like many generous country people, the Brents always hosted
the students on their property, Varuna. Lyn said that at times it was so cold it would snow so they couldn’t
drive into town. No doubt a welcome day off work for the students!
Lyn was a member of the Orthoptic Association of Australia for all the years she worked and only retired her
membership when she gave up clinical practice in the 1990s. In 1977 she became one of the inaugural Orthoptic
Associates of the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists (now the Royal Australian & New Zealand
College of Ophthalmologists).
When summing up her time as an orthoptist, Lyn said ‘I was so fortunate to meet all the wonderful friends at
conferences here and abroad and would follow the same course if I had my time again. I have enjoyed my
retirement, but I am always interested in orthoptics and am still in touch with many ex-patients. I am sure I
analyse eyes while watching television, and certainly bridge players' eyes are scrutinised!’ One could say that in
Lyn’s case, once an orthoptist, always an orthoptist.
In recent years, Lyn returned to live in Armidale after spending many years living in Corlette, in the Port Stephens
area. It was at this point that she donated her synoptophore to the Eye Clinic at the Children’s Hospital. Other
orthoptic equipment was donated for display at UTS.
The esteem in which Lyn was held by so many grateful patients was brought to the fore on her return to Armidale.
Frequently she would run into ex-patients she hadn’t seen for more than 30 years and recognise them and the
ins and outs of their families. Her positive impact on so many was quite remarkable, evidenced by the deep
affection and gratitude shown to her.
Lyn is survived by her three children, sons, Michael and Jeremy and daughter, Anne Trenerry. She is also a
proud and adored grandmother of 8 and great grandmother of 6 great grandsons!
When I was preparing her profile for inclusion in Hindsight: The History of Orthoptics 1931-1960, it was compiled
over many chats which I loved. Lyn had an impeccable memory, and her recollections were an invaluable help in
identifying many orthoptists especially when they changed names when married. Without Lyn’s help many
people’s profiles would be incomplete. I will be forever grateful for Lyn’s help and for her friendship.
I shall miss her vitality and friendship as will many in the orthoptic profession.
Shayne Brown AM
Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Lyn's family, friends, and colleagues. May her memory serve as a guiding
light as we strive for progress in orthoptics.
For more News, please visit our website via the link here
Our committees are busy finalising an exciting range of CPD opportunities - be sure to check your inbox regularly.
Registrations are now open - register now!
Registration to the ASM 2023 includes a full day scientific content & poster display, access to the trade exhibition and catering at
The Grand Hyatt, Melbourne. link here
Join the SA branch for their upcoming event "The History of Orthoptics in Australia: presented by special guest Shayne Brown.
Registrations are limited, so register now! link here
Registrations are now open - register now!
Please join us for the hybrid NSW Annual Scientific Meeting on Saturday 5th August, 2023. link here
We are pleased to advise members that we have only 2 spots remaining for the Level 1 Cultural awareness training course that was
offered in 2022. There are CPD points available for members to undertake this free training. link here.
For more Events and Education Opportunities, please visit our website via the link here
Orthoptics Australia is excited to inform you that the following awards and grants are now open for applications...
The OA Vic Branch has established a grant to assist its regional members to attend the Vic Branch Annual Scientific Meetings (ASM). The once yearly grant is open to:
Victorian members who reside in a regional city or town listed here: http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/victorian-regions
Full or part-time OA member (excludes student members).
Applications close Friday 7 July 2023
Mary Wesson Award - more detail available here
Open for applications 1 July - 30 Sept 2023
Miss Mary Wesson D.B.O. (T) was a British orthoptist who had a great affinity with Australian orthoptists and a respect for our professional ability and development. The Mary Wesson Award was established in 1983 following a generous donation from Miss Wesson. The Award aims to honour and remember OA members for their outstanding contribution to the orthoptics profession. Members and fellows of the OA are eligible to receive the Mary Wesson Award. The specific contribution for which the award is granted may be in the field of either:
Education
Research
Administration
Clinical practice
Comprising several of these areas of expertise.
The award may be given every three years at the discretion of the Board of the OA. Proposers are responsible for the presentation of the nominee’s case to the Board of the OA and it is on this presentation that the decision depends.
Applications close 30 September
Zoran Georgievski Medal - More details available here
The Zoran Georgievski Medal is an award which recognises a member of Orthoptics Australia for their substantial contribution to furthering the profession of orthoptics in one or more of the following areas:
Promoting the practice of orthoptics through professional service
Demonstrating excellence in mentoring orthoptic students in education and training, professional and personal development and career guidance
Demonstrating innovation in service delivery
Applying novel application of applied research methodologies to professional practice
Demonstrating a positive impact on eye health delivery systems
Developing creative educational programs for practice
Developing novel or creative activities to advancement of orthoptics.
Applications close 30 August 2023
OA Research Grant - More details available here
This grant is aimed for researchers conducting pilot studies in order to promote research in areas related to the vision sciences. The amount awarded will depend on funds available but will be up to a maximum amount of $5,000. More than one award may be given if funds are available.
Applications close 30 August 2023
Casey Eye Centre, Located in Narre Warren VIC, is looking for an enthusiastic Orthoptist to join the growing practice. link here
George and Matilda Eyecare are seeking a Practice Manager link here
Inner Lilydale Eye Clinic is seeking a Permanaent Part Time - Wednesday and Thursday link here
Mornington Peninsuls Eye Clinic are seeking a Fulltime a Fulltime Orthoptist link here
Permanent Position Part-Time (16 hours per fortnight) link here
EyeClinic Albury Wodonga are seeking an Orthoptist link here
Bondi Junction are seeking an Orthoptist link here
Cairns Eye Surgery are seeking an Orthoptist. link here
For more Job Vacancies, please visit our website via the link here
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The Australian Orthoptic Journal publishes articles on all areas of the field within which orthoptists work. This includes areas of orthoptic clinical practice such as strabismus, amblyopia, ocular motility and binocular vision anomalies; low vision and rehabilitation; paediatric ophthalmology; neuro-ophthalmology; general ophthalmology, ophthalmic technology; and public health agenda.
To visit the Australian Orthoptic Journal Website, please follow the link here
eNewsletter Contributions
The OA eNewsletter issues on the first Wednesday of each month. Do you have an idea or a story for inclusion? If so, please forward content, links and any graphics to office@orthoptics.org.au by the last Thursday of the month.