It gives us great pleasure to announce the launch of the South Pacific Eye Care Foundation (SPEC Foundation). The SPEC Foundation is a registered charitable organisation dedicated to advancing eye health and reducing preventable vision impairment, within disadvantaged communities of Australia and across developing regions of the South Pacific.

The 2026 ODA National Excellence Awards  were presented across two stylish events as part of the 2026 ODA Gala celebrations, held in Melbourne and Fremantle on 14 and 20 March respectively. Both evenings were vibrant and stylish, embracing this year’s theme, “GET FRAMED,” with guests showcasing their most extravagant and creative eyewear. The ODA Gala is all about bringing people together to celebrate the optical dispensing profession and the individuals who make it so specia

Optical dispensing is a profession with far more breadth and opportunity than many realise - including optical dispensers themselves. While the role is often framed as a support position within an optometry practice, the truth is that qualified dispensers can build full, rewarding careers that extend well beyond the dispensing desk. One of the most significant, yet frequently overlooked pathways is practice ownership. Dispensers already hold deep product knowledge, strong pat