News
AUG 08 NEWS: Optometry's Rural Workforce
Over the years, members will have read various pieces from Council on one of the looming issues for the profession – our rural workforce. It is clear that the current strategies for getting our new and recent graduates to take up rural positions is not working and so we need to look at other ideas. One of the ideas that has been canvassed is the offering of undergraduate training through a regional university such as Charles Sturt. To see if this idea has any viability, Phil Anderton, Lara Foster and Andrew McKinnon will be heading out to Bathurst in a couple of weeks to meet with the Vice Chancellor of Charles Sturt to talk more about the idea. That’s all it is at this stage. We’ll keep you posted, but understand that, even if the idea seems viable, it will be a long, slow process to get this anywhere near reality.
JUL 08 NEWS: Children's Vision Screening Program
Members might recall that the Aussociation gave its support to the Premier's announcement of a vision screening program for pre-school children during the last election campaign.
Since that announcement, we have attempted to work with the government to make the program viable and valuable for those children who participate. I am saddened to say that, with the program now on the verge of commencement, we are still very unhappy with what is being proposed. By the time the next newsletter comes out we should have a final resolution, but it is not looking positive.
JUL 08 NEWS: Optometry at UNSW
Andrew recently had the opportunity to meet with Prof Fred Hilmer, the Vice Chancellor of UNSW, and is delighted to report that optometry is right at the forefront of corporate consciousness at UNSW, thanks largely to the proposed Guide Dogs' Ocular Imaging Centre.
On that topic, a very big "thank you" to the many members who responded so quickly to the request for letters of support for the Centre - we're hoping to see a final sign-off on the project in the near future.
After a very positive meeting, the Association has been asked to make a formal submission to the Board and will do so in the next few weeks, but things are looking very hopeful.
JUL 08 NEWS: Guild Insurance
Andrew has a story to share regarding the very significant savings he recently made when switching over his family's three cars to Guild Insurance. Full details are available in the July edition of Contact.
JUN 08 NEWS: Guide Dogs Ocular Imaging Centre
Most important! You will recall an email and/or fax of a week ago asking for support for the Guide Dogs Ocular Imaging Centre at UNSW. The response has been fantastic, but we still need more support. If you haven't sent an email or fax to Joe Finucane, CEO of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, please do so now. Your support is greatly appreciated!
JUN 08 NEWS: Yellow Pages Online
In the past we have offered Yellow Pages Online at a discounted rate. Due to numerous errors that have occurred with this service, we have decided not to be associated with the offer again. If you still wish to list online, you will need to arrange this with Sensis directly.
If you have any questions regarding this, please contact Nicole on (02) 9712 2199.
JUN 08 NEWS: Agfest, Launceston
Andrew has just finished a stint at Agfest in Launceston, helping our Tasmanian Division with their exhibit at Tasmania's biggest show. These types of rural events are a great opportunity to get optometry's message out to a group who don't often utilise our services.