ODMA’s Industry Awards for Excellence Great Response – Judging’s Commenced
The Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) Awards for Excellence initiative is back in 2023. It will be four years since the prior Awards were presented given the cancellation of O=MEGA21 due to the pandemic.
The ODMA Awards for Excellence aim to acknowledge and reward the very best in fashion, innovation and technology within the optical industry.
ODMA CEO, Amanda Trotman says “We have had an overwhelming response in 2023 from organisations keen to be part of this years ODMA Industry Awards for Excellence program. It’s obvious that there have been lots of great new products in recent years and ‘innovation a plenty’ in our industry. I am thrilled that distributors and manufacturers have taken the time to share the details of these initiatives and are keen to celebrate their achievements.”
87 submissions have been received across 10 categories, from optical frames and sunglasses, , to children’s frames, sports eyewear, lens design, lens coatings, optical equipment, over-the-counter products, accessories and point-of-sale initiatives. Amanda made mention of the new category that ODMA had introduced for the first time in 2023, sustainability initiatives. Amanda commented, “It is great to see how the industry has embraced submissions in this new category and to hear just some of the ways that optical manufacturers and suppliers are finding ways to be more environmentally friendly, whether that be through materials used, production and distribution processes or changes to packaging”.
Submissions closed in July, ODMA has been busy organising the entries and judging will conclude on Monday 14th August.
Amanda explained that judging is always handled by an independent panel of experienced industry experts with various skills and experience. Some judges have participated in prior Awards for Excellence programs for ODMA and availability and the new elements of this year’s program has also seen some new additions to the judging panel.
This year’s judges include:
Richard Banks – Independent Optometrist
With over 30 years of experience as an optometrist and over 20 years running his own practice in Woollahra, Richard is well-qualified to comment on a range of optical products and services. Richard has undertaken post-graduate studies in ocular therapeutics, allowing him to prescribe eye medications for common anterior eye diseases. He also has training in the fitting of orthokeratology contact lenses and other myopia-control modalities.
Before Richard established his practice in Woollahra in 1999, he had gained wide experience in a number of established practices in Australia and the UK.
Richard states that the ethos of his practice has always been to provide the highest levels of personalised professional care in all aspects of eye care. He provides a holistic approach to optometry, supported by well-established contacts with local GPs and ophthalmologists.
Keleigh Walsh – Head Teacher, Clinical Health, TAFE Digital
Keleigh Walsh began her career in the optical industry in the early 1990s, in the “1 Hour Service” and “2-4-1” world. While working in the retail section of a superstore chain, with a fully functioning surfacing and fitting laboratory in-store, she undertook her Diploma in Optical Dispensing through the Guild of Dispensing Opticians. With the 1-hour lab onsite, Keleigh was given the advantage of first hand experience on the other side of spectacle production, surfacing, edging and fitting.
After 5 years Keleigh moved to a smaller franchise practice in Sydney’s CBD, where she continued her journey as an optical dispenser for another 5 years, before moving to an independent optometry practice closer to home. From here, Keleigh ventured across to the wholesale side of optics where she travelled around the state and country, visiting optical laboratories and retail practices, and attending trade shows, including ODMA’s events, assisting her customers to find solutions to their everyday challenges.
Keleigh was asked to join the team of optical dispensing teachers at TAFE NSW. Here, she has continued to share her passion for the optical industry, dispensing skills and product knowledge with students from around the country. Keleigh has been teaching now for over 14 years and is currently the Head Teacher in the Clinical Health section at TAFE Digital, has consulted to optical suppliers and was part of the recent redesigning of the ever-popular W&G PD Ruler.
Fiona Stapleton, Scientia Professor, UNSW
Fiona is well well-known and respected optical industry member and a prior ODMA Awards judge. Fiona’s credentials include:
Ø Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, 2018
Ø Life Fellow, British College of Optometrists, 2019
Ø Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, American Academy of Optometry, 2015
Ø Fellow, Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia. 2012
Ø Fellow, British Contact Lens Association, 2009
Ø GradCertOcTher (University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2008)
Ø PhD, Thesis entitled ‘The pathogenesis and epidemiology of contact lens related disease’ (City University, London, England, 1991)
Ø MSc (by research), Thesis entitled ‘The investigation of spectral sensitivity in diabetes’ (University of Manchester, England, 1988)
Ø BSc (Hons, Optometry) (University of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, 1985)
Stefanos Stefanou – Fashion Guru, www.stefinc.com
Born into the fashion industry in London, Stefanos has memories as a kid sleeping amongst the rolls of fabric in the family business and the clatter of clothing racks along the cobblestone streets, rolling in and out of West End showrooms. Stefanos boasts a career working in concept, design and product development for iconic brands from Couture to Surf and Denim to Suiting.
Stefanos’ fashion industry career has a focus in concept, design, product and business development. Stefanos has worked with some iconic brands both here and internationally. As co-founder, Stefanos also launched a boutique women’s label at Paris Fashion Week. He has a design background across diverse categories from denim to suits for both men and women.
Currently working with an SME suit company as General Manager – Apparel, he has built a corporate segment for the business, providing wardrobe solutions for clients’ including concierge, security, building and centre management needs across the country.
Recently, he has developed a brand for sustainable corporate uniforms and apparel through sustainable brand ‘inka’. Engaging in contemporary recycling initiatives and circular economy opportunities is something Stefanos is very passionate about.
Penny Prasad – Sustainability Expert, Director of The Ecoefficiency Group
Penny has over 25 years of experience working with manufacturing industries. Before founding The Ecoefficiency Group, she worked as a consultant and researcher on eco-efficiency projects across various industries, including metal fabrication, poultry production, and dairy processing. Penny has extensive experience in the food manufacturing industry and has worked managing both production and sustainability for some of Australia’s largest food production organisations. She is a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional, a Professional Credentialed Specialist for the Alliance for Water Stewardship and a member of Reconciliation Queensland.
Penny’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours), Master of Energy Studies, Graduate Certificate in Developmental Planning, Certified Measurement and Verification, Registered Consultant for Climate Active Program and Professional Credentialed Specialist with the Alliance for Water Stewardship.
ODMA Awards for Excellence finalists and category winners will be announced Friday 8th September within the trade fair at the Friday networking event as part of O=MEGA23 being held in Melbourne. A feature media article on the program and images of finalists’ submissions is being prepared soon after the announcements and details will also be posted on the O=MEGA23 website at www.omega-event.org
