April Petrusma and Grant Hannaford

Australian dispensing opticians April Petrusma and Grant Hannaford have been named among four global nominees for the coveted International Opticians’ Association (IOA) Silmo International Optician of the Year Award.

Petrusma, a teacher with the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing, currently serves the wider optical industry as the inaugural CEO of the recently formed Optical Dispensers Australia. “I’m really delighted to be recognised not only for my own work, but also to be representing Australian optical dispensers as a whole. I feel like this is a leap forward for our profession in Australia and, regardless of the final result, I will continue to give my all to uplifting the optical dispensing profession in our country.”

A physicist and optical dispenser, Grant Hannaford was also the first qualified spectacle-lens designer in Australia. He’s also an adjunct senior lecturer at the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of New South Wales. The other two finalists are Wendy Buchanan (Canada) and Jean-François Porte (France).

Impressed by the calibre of entries, IOA president Fiona Anderson said she was delighted to announce the 2022 shortlist. “I hope that showcasing these outstanding opticians will inspire the whole profession.” The finalists now have the chance to submit a dossier evidencing their professionalism, communication skills, entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, specialisation, creativity, engagement and championing of the profession. Leading up to Silmo 2022, from 23-26 September in Paris, an international jury will vote on their preferred candidate. As well as the prestigious title, the winner will receive air fares and accommodation to attend Silmo 2023.