Friends, colleagues and family shared in the joy of the seventh New Zealand dispensing opticians graduation, held during the Association of Dispensing Opticians New Zealand (ADONZ) 2025 conference. Ten of the 15 newly qualified DOs were present at Rydges Latimer Christchurch to receive their Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing, pose for photos and hear kind words and messages of inspiration.
Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD) director and educator James Gibbins said he was extremely impressed by the award winners and all the students. “When we recognise that some faced major life challenges in the background, their achievement becomes even more impressive,” he said. “It’s a huge achievement. Your résumé has received a supercharge and your future options have multiplied. We wish you every success and good fortune as you embark on your future careers.”
ADONZ’s Optiblocks Education Committee member Steve Stenersen congratulated the graduates, saying, “You’ve survived your course, working countless hours and trying to explain to friends and family that you don’t just sell glasses. You’ve mastered both technical and people skills, learning to listen to what is said and what is not said. What you do for your patients is life-changing.” He reminded graduates to keep their sense of humour and stay curious.
