Class of 2024 celebrating their Cert IV in optical dispensing

The sixth New Zealand Dispensing Optician graduation welcomed a record 28 new, wonderful DOs to the industry.

Greeting students and their family and friends, ADONZ president Courtney Chellew shared a few words. “You have been on a wild ride of adapting and learning and you will now be helping someone see the world more clearly,” she said, advising the newly minted DOs to stay curious, keep learning and to bring their authentic selves to work. “You being you is what will make your patient feel seen and want to return to your practice.”

Echoing those sentiments, guest of honour Southland-born Amy Kenefeck, Specsavers head of dispensing advancement, said the journey of professional learning is lifelong and can sometimes take unexpected turns. Remember to be kind, compassionate and caring, she said, adding “may your future will be as bright and clear as the lenses you dispense”.

The top 2024 students were: Kerry Bleaken (first), Rachael Houghton (second) and Jessica Thompson (third). Bleaken also took the prestigious David Wilson Memorial Award for achieving outstanding academic results while overcoming exceptional challenges.

Congratulations to the class of 2024 on completing the Australasian College of Dispensing (ACOD) and Optiblocks New Zealand Cert IV in optical dispensing:

Kerry Bleaken, Jeffrey Clifford, Melissa Coull-Herewini, Caroline Cranwell, Margaux Gregg Dupin, Eleisha Ferris, Angela Galt, Jenna Gilling, Melissa Hadfield, Rachael Houghton, Kerushah Hu, Amber Kealy, Sharvanna Kenny, Seulgi Kim, Shayla McCarthy-Gully, Danielle McIntyre, Guy Millsteed, Sujata Naicker, Devin Ng, Veronica Panoho, Nathan Skelton, Samar Sobuh, Isabelle Southwick, Jessica Thompson, Margot Tindall, Alexandra Tronsberg, Amy Van Der Merwe, Tanique Wilde.