The 2017 ADONZ conference marked a significant milestone in DO’s New Zealand history, with the announcement that future conferences will now host our own graduation ceremony for New Zealand’s home-grown, newly-trained dispensing opticians.

The David Wilson student award

To mark this milestone, outgoing ADONZ President Peggy Savage announced the creation of a new award, the David Wilson Medal. This will be awarded to a new graduate who not only excels at the academic part of the training, but also as a person who has the heart and passion for optics, that David Wilson had, she said. “Previously students have had to travel to Australia for the graduation, but with the course now changing (to ACOD) the Association will now be holding the ceremony.”

The award was named after David Wilson who was, among other things, head teacher of ophthalmic optics at the Open Training and Education Network for more than 20 years, an author of two text books on optical dispensing, an international lecturer, research manager at the Brien Holden Vision Institute and an honorary fellow of ADONZ.

Given the changing nature of DO student training in New Zealand, it seemed fitting to introduce a new award for students and to name it for someone who was so dedicated helping students achieve their goals, said Savage. “David Wilson was instrumental in teaching all our New Zealand students and literally put thousands of hours into optics and helping us. He gave so much of himself, so when he passed away we wanted to honour his memory and the contribution he made to New Zealand.”

New life member awards

It is a rare occurrence when ADONZ awards a life member award, but this year’s conference marked the occasion for two stalwarts of the industry, Steve Stenersen and Mike Blackman.

A life membership award is awarded to someone who has contributed to the association, often in the education of new dispensing opticians, and has been dedicated to our industry well and truly over the norm, said Savage. “These are people who, as time goes by, you forget how much they’ve actually sown into the Association, so we really wanted to honour them and say, ‘thank you’, to acknowledge their outstanding contribution.”

Practising, Gisborne-based DO, Steve Stenersen was an Optiblocks course tutor, examiner and ADONZ board member for many, many years. He represented ADONZ on the Scopes of Practice Committee ensuring DO’s became a regulated and recognised force in the industry under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act and was subsequently part of ODOB’s CPD accreditation committee. He also co-authored the ‘Practical Optical Workshop’ with David Wilson and has worked closely with ACOD and Optiblocks to continue to ensure high training levels across the industry.

Mike Blackman has also been active in the management of the industry and the development and recognition of the dispensing role both under law and in practice, previously serving as chair of the Scopes of Practice Committee. A member of ADONZ for more than 40 years, he kept people focused on the “relevant issues for ADONZ and optical dispensing in New Zealand” and been a tireless worker for the cause, said Savage. He was one of those responsible for bringing over David Wilson to educate Kiwi DOs and was one of the country’s first training examiners. “He has dedicated his life to making optical dispensing a better profession; he was the ‘quiet achiever’ of dispensing optics in New Zealand and a constant supporter of training young people,” said Savage.

Robert Maher Award – Vanessa Cumming

Savage’s ADONZ presidential predecessor Vanessa Cumming was awarded the 2017 Robert Maher Award for her services to ADONZ and dispensing in New Zealand. Owner and practising DO at Cannon Street Optometrists in Timaru, Cumming was also president of the International Opticians Association from 2014 to 2016. On her company’s website, she says she loves the technology involved with lenses and lens design. “I have always considered myself incredibly blessed to have found a vocation I have continued to love but which constantly changes and challenges me. My love of unique, exquisite frames and finding the right personality to wear them is my favourite part of the day!”

Look out for more news about another exciting DO-focused award and the IOA conference in the UK in April, in NZ Optics' February issue.