GMHBA Eye Care Network

Optometrist
Adam graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry from the University of New South Wales in 2005. He furthered his career with a Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2018. Adam has worked in Adelaide and Hobart before joining GMHBA Eye Care Ballarat in 2016. 

Areas of interest:

• Ocular disease
• Paediatric optometry

When not at work, Adam enjoys spending time with family, learning foreign languages, hitting the gym, running and gardening. 

Adam speaks English, Polish, Spanish and Russian. 

Optometrist
Tara graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology at Deakin University in 2017 before completing a Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry at Deakin University in 2021. Tara furthered her expertise by completing a Dry Eye Disease Diagnosis and Management short course at UNSW in 2023 before joining GMHBA in 2024. 

Areas of interest:

• Dry eye disease diagnosis and management
• Building strong, trusting relationships with patients

Outside of work, Tara enjoys teaching piano to kids, baking and spending time with loved ones. 

Tara speaks English, Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian.

Optometrist
Alice graduated with a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry from Deakin University in 2016. Alice has been part of the GMHBA team since 2018. Therapeutically endorsed, Alice is passionate about having a positive impact on her patients.  

Areas of interest:

• General optometry, including frame selection
• Helping patients with diverse eye conditions
• Utilising the latest in-store technology

When not at work, Alice enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and finding the best coffee spots. Alice is always planning the next trip away.

Optometrist
Anna graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry from the University of Melbourne in 2004, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Optometry with therapeutic endorsement in 2007. Having completed her graduate years in the rural community of Maffra, Anna spent a year practicing in Melbourne before settling in Geelong where she has been with GMHBA Eye Care since its inception in 2015. Anna finds it incredibly rewarding to help patients, whether it’s improving their clarity of vision or empowering them to make informed health decisions.  

Areas of interest:

• General optometry
• Children’s vision and myopia control

Outside of work, Anna enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking her dog and gardening. 

Anna speaks English and Cantonese. 

Optometrist
Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry with Honours from UNSW in 2002 and completed a Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2023. Sarah has lived and worked in the Geelong region since her graduation and has been part of GMHBA Eye Care since its inception in 2015. 

Areas of interest:

• Caring for patients and providing tailored advice
• Building strong relationships with patients
• Offering comprehensive eye care

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys reading on the beach, playing card games, cheering at the footy, and wrangling her teenage children and cats. 

Optometrist
Georgia graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne in 2014 before going on to complete a Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry from Deakin University in 2017. Georgia is therapeutically endorsed and enjoys all aspects of general optometry, particularly glaucoma and joined GMHBA in 2017. 

Areas of interest:

• Glaucoma management
• General optometry

Outside of work, Georgia loves spending time with family, cooking, grabbing a coffee and heading out for a walk. 

Optometrist
Natasha completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999 before going on to complete a Bachelor of Optometry in 2003 and Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2013. Natasha has worked in practices across South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, gaining experience across diverse patient demographics and ages to complement her clinical learning. Natasha joined GMHBA in 2019 where she continues to provide eye care and thoroughly enjoys building patient report. 

Areas of interest:

• Diabetic eye health assessments 
• Glaucoma 
• Macular pathology
• Myopia control

Outside of work, Natasha enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has a keen interest in golf and appreciates outdoor activities. 

Natasha speaks English and Afrikaans. 

Optometrist
Tobi completed a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) at Melbourne University in 2014, after earning a Bachelor of Biomedicine in 2010. Tobi has diverse experience working across Victoria and Tasmania prior to joining GMHBA in 2017. Tobi is a credentialed optometrist for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and serves as primary supervisor of optometry students on clinical placement at GMHBA. 

Areas of interest:

• Dry eye disease
• Paediatrics
• Sports vision

Outside of work, Tobi enjoys baseball, music, and spending time with family.  

Tobi speaks English and Japanese. 

Optometrist
Zara graduated with a Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry from Deakin University in 2018. Zara has worked in rural Victoria for most of her practising career before returning to her hometown of Geelong and joining GMHBA in 2022. Zara is a credentialed optometrist for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and has a special interest in Orthokeratology. 

Areas of interest:

• Paediatrics
• Orthokeratology (including Toric OrthoK)
• Myopia control
• Glaucoma
• Macular diseases

Outside of work, Zara enjoys adventuring around Australia and abroad with her dog, Meshki and partner, Nick. She is a passionate Geelong Cats supporter. 

Zara speaks English and Farsi. 

Optometrist and Optometry Manager 
Amanda graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry from the University of Melbourne in 1997 and completed a Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics with the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) in 2019. Amanda owned a multi-site optometry private practice before joining GMHBA at its inception in 2015 and currently manages the team of Optometrists. 

Areas of interest:

• Disposable contact lenses
• Preventative eye care
• OCT technology for diagnosis and management

Outside of work, Amanda is often found on the sidelines at junior footy and basketball. She is an Essendon AFL fan who enjoys the social element of sport and how it can bring friends and family together. 

Optometrist and Location Manager
Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce/Science from Monash University in 2008 and a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry from Deakin University in 2015. Dan joined GMHBA as an Optometrist in 2015, continuing his family’s long history in the profession. He currently balances the role of Optometrist with responsibilities as the Location Manager at GMHBA Waurn Ponds. 

Areas of interest:

• Children’s vision
• Myopia management (including Orthokeratology)
• Dry eye management

Outside of work, Daniel is a life-long Tigers fan (his father a 1980 premiership player) and enjoys spending time with family, including his three kids and Border Collie. 

Optometrist
Alannah completed a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University in 2012 and a Master of Optometry at Deakin University in 2016 before joining GMHBA in 2017. Alannah enjoys all aspects of general optometry, with a strong focus on eye diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. 

Areas of interest:

• Glaucoma
• Diabetic retinopathy

Alannah is currently on maternity leave and is due to return in late 2025.

Optometrist
Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry from the University of Melbourne in 2010. After gaining experience in general optometry across Melbourne and Geelong, Andrew joined GMHBA in 2022, with a particular focus on contact lenses and ocular therapeutics. 

Areas of interest:

• Contact lenses
• Ocular therapeutics

Outside of work, Andrew enjoys taking walks along the Barwon River with his daughter and loves to travel and explore new places whenever possible. 

Optometrist
Asmaa graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne in 2019 and completed a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry at Deakin University in 2023. Asmaa is therapeutically endorsed to treat a wide range of eye conditions and has a special interest in myopia control treatments. Having joined GMHBA in 2024, Asmaa is passionate about empowering patients with the knowledge and tools they need to take care of their eyes. 

Areas of interest:

• Myopia control treatments
• Therapeutic eye care

Asmaa enjoys spending time with her family at the farm, binge-watching crime and medical TV shows on Netflix and traveling abroad. 

Asmaa speaks English and Arabic. 

Optometrist
Lucy completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Western Australia in 2011 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry at Deakin University in 2015 before joining GMHBA Eye Care the same year. Lucy completed a Graduate Certificate of Higher Education in Learning and Teaching in 2019 and is a lecturer at Deakin University. 

Areas of interest:

• Anterior eye and therapeutics
• Dry eye management
• Glaucoma 
• Preventative eye care

Outside of work, Lucy enjoys spending time outdoors with family, skiing and hiking. 

Optometrist
Natalie has completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from Deakin University in 2009, a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Melbourne in 2010, and a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry at Deakin University in 2016. With a compassionate approach, Natalie builds strong relationships with patients, enjoying all aspects of optometry to address their visual and ocular health needs. Natalie has been a member of the GMHBA Eye Care team since 2023. 

Areas of interest:

• Comprehensive eye care
• Building trusted patient relationships

When not at work, Natalie loves spending time outdoors and enjoying the company of her dog. 

Optometrist
Phoebe has completed a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne in 2007, a Certificate IV in Fitness from Swinburne University in 2010, and a Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Melbourne in 2014. After working in Melbourne’s optometry sector for seven years, Phoebe returned to Geelong and joined GMHBA Eye Care in 2022. Phoebe balances clinical practice with part time teaching at Deakin University. 

Areas of interest:

• General optometry
• Children's vision and myopia control
• Contact lenses

Outside of work, Phoebe likes to keep fit by rowing on the Barwon River, enjoys spending time with family and friends and visiting the beach. Phoebe is always planning the next DIY renovation with husband David.