The NZOSS executive committee: William Tang, Menaga Manokaran, Alice Jackson, Andrew Kim, Gemma Ji, Marna Claassen, Aimee Aitken, Nick Lee, Simran Kaur Virk, Katarina Marcijasz and Nileesha Parbhu

Hello dear readers and welcome to my first column for NZOSS, the New Zealand Optometry Student Society for 2018. It almost seems redundant to wish you a Happy New Year now that two months have passed, but to our readers starting back at University in February, Happy New Year. Hopefully you’ve had a good relaxing break.

Since its inception in 2013, NZOSS has grown in leaps and bounds and is growing more and more each year. Serving as a networking platform for the next generation of optometrists both within the university and out into the wider community, NZOSS is very excited to continue this role and we have an exciting calendar of events in the works for this year.

We are continuing our roster of the usual favourites, such as Orientation Camp, pub crawls and the annual Eye Ball, but are also planning more sporting and cultural activities, more networking community-based events and more seminars from leaders in our industry.

Each year, a new executive team is announced. This year we are very fortunate to have many returning executives, plus a smattering of new faces to help build upon our previous experiences. With our eyes focused on the future, our main goals this year are to promote and boost the connections between our members, other health professionals on campus and, of course, the wider optometric community.

The year ahead is already shaping up to be a good one and we will endeavour to keep you regularly updated with the happenings from NZOSS. If you have any suggestions, ideas or wish to contact us about any upcoming event opportunities, please contact us on nzoss.uoa@gmail.com

Till next time.