ACO hold AGM and launch 2024 Annual Report
The Australian College of Optometry (ACO) and National Vision Research Institute (NVRI) held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 29th May at its Carlton headquarters.
The annual event welcomed Members and stakeholders to launch the 2024 Annual Report, present its annual awards, and reflect on the challenges and successes of the past year.
“The ACO is a very special place; I am honoured to serve its mission of accessible public health, innovative research and optometric education and training. The care provided through our clinical services, under ACO Eye Health, strives to provide the best possible quality care and reach some of our most vulnerable communities, providing significant impact both clinically and socially. It is an incredibly worthwhile cause, and we are grateful for our Members who play an important role in supporting public health eye care,” said Sophie Koh, ACO Board Chair.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to the ACO Board and members of the various committees who work diligently to strengthen the ACO. While we have faced challenges, we have also celebrated wins in the past year. Most significantly, the advocacy by ACO’s Board and teams across the organisation to secure an additional $495,000 payment to support the Victorian Aboriginal Spectacle Subsidy Scheme (VASSS) for 2024- 2025. We are grateful to the Victorian Minister for Health and our Department of Health colleagues for this positive outcome.”
Several ACO Awards were presented at the AGM, including ACO’s most prestigious award, ACO Honorary Life Membership, presented to those who have provided distinguished and meritorious service to the ACO and/or the optometry profession. This year the Honorary Life Membership was awarded to Pamela Sutton FACO. Further awards are outlined in the list below.
List of 2025 Award Winners
Honorary Life Membership Awards
ACO’s Honorary Life Membership is our most prestigious award presented to those who have provided distinguished and meritorious service to the ACO and/or the profession.
Awarded to: Pam Sutton
Pam Sutton receives Honorary Life Membership from Darrell Baker (Deputy Chair)
ACO Outstanding University Graduate Award
Australian Universities are invited to nominate their most outstanding optometry graduate through combined evaluation of academic excellence and professional commitment.
Awarded to:
- Deakin University: Wade O’Brien
- Flinders University: Muhammad Husnain
- University of Melbourne: Nancy Huang
- UNSW Sydney: Justin McNamara
- Queensland University of Technology: Lauren James
- University of Canberra: Madeleine Hunt
- University of Western Australia: Miranda Seng
Nancy Huang receives ACO Outstanding Graduate Award from Darrell Baker (Deputy Chair)
Outstanding Graduate Award for ACO Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics
This award is granted in recognition of the candidate who has achieved the highest score across all assessments for their graduating year of the ACO Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics.
Awarded to Robert Pietrini.
The ACO 2024’s Annual Report was also launched during the AGM and can be viewed online at https://profession.aco.org.au/news
The ACO Board consists of: Sophie Koh (Chair), Darrell Baker (Deputy Chair), Prof Lauren Ayton AM, Theodora Elia-Adams (Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee), Prof Bruce Thompson, Lien Trinh, Dr Michelle Waugh, Roman Serebrianik, Sayuri Grady.
