Michael completed his schooling on the Gold Coast and graduated from university in 1975.

Queensland Optometrist of the year 2002, Michael commenced practice at the 17 Nerang Street Southport location of Brian Job Optical in 1977. In 2010 he became sole owner of both this site and the Benowa Gardens practice.

A councillor for the Queensland Division of Optometry Australia for 20 years, Michael served as Gold Coast representative for many of these. He served as State President from 1992-1994 and National Vice President from 1994-1999.

Michael has travelled widely both in Australia and abroad in numerous activities aimed at raising the profile of Optometry. He has lectured, been a clinical supervisor at the School of Optometry, QUT and has published widely in optometric literature. He continues to offer external training placement opportunities for University undergraduate Optometry students.

He became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in 1997 and has completed the 1993 Pennsylvania College of Optometry Ocular Therapeutics course and received a Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics from QUT in 2006.

Michael is a member of the Contact Lens Society of Australia, The National Vision Research Institute, The Australian College of Optometry and Optometry Australia. Member of the Australian Optometric Panel sees him called upon by both the optometry profession and optical industry to provide professional advice and guidance in many optometry related matters. Michael has special interests in low vision care, contact lenses, ocular pathology and clinical photography. He is a previous international ocular photography competition winner. International humanitarian aid missions have seen Michael provide his optometry skills to the people of Western Samoa, Yap in the Federated state of Micronesia, Truk, Pohpei and Kosrae.

A keen runner much of Michael’s little spare time is spent trekking remote Gold Coast hinterland trails. He is the manager and sponsor of the Misfits touch football team now past its 50th season in Gold Coast competition. He’s been married to Maree for over 25 years and has three adult children.

During her five years of study at QUT she worked as a therapist, optical dispenser and for a time worked for the worlds largest lens manufacturer, Essilor. Georgia completed her studies and graduated with highest honours possible, ‘Distinction’ for her Bachelor and Masters studies and was granted entry into the International Golden Key Society for her academic achievements. Her achievements continue as she awaits professional publication of her research completed during her Masters Degree.
Georgia maintains a deep social conscience, having in the past worked on programs associated with Rotary, Red Cross and Lifeline. During her time studying she partook in many volunteer vision screenings throughout South East Queensland, providing optometric services to those with reduced access to eye care. She was selected to complete a placement position in the Northern Territory with the Brien Holden Institute, an internationally recognised organisation providing eye care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote and rural communities.
During her studies, Georgia married her husband and they adopted their first child, their rescue dog Chino. Georgia is very family oriented and is delighted to now be fortunate enough to be expecting their first human child, due to make her debut mid 2018.
Georgia joined the Vision Michael Hare family as an optical dispenser during her studies and is thrilled to be able to continue on with us in her new capacity as an optometrist. She is passionate about people and health care and considers herself a lifelong student, always pursuing new knowledge and dedicated to providing the best tailored optometric service she can for her patients.

Georgia is an absolute delight and we are so proud to have her as a new and motivated member of our team.

Peter joned Vision Michael Hare Eyecare Plus in 2010 after spending some time working as a volunteer in Thailand and Myanmar. He loves the camaraderie at Michael’s practices as well as the passion for excellence in product and customer service found within them. He has also found new passions in exercise, living by the beach, restoring furniture and baking the most delicious bread you have ever set your eyes upon! Go figure!

So, some questions for Peter…

What is it that you do at work?
I do everything except examine eyes and pay bills. One of my specialties is making a great cuppa tea for everyone.

What do you love about your position?
The great bunch of people I get to work with each day. I also really enjoy getting the best possible results for our patients vision.

What’s the most ‘quirky’ or ‘fun’ activity you do at work?

 Making desserts and bringing them in for everyone to enjoy. Anything chocolate seems to go down a treat around here!

Who or what brand are you inspired by and why?
Jono Hennessy – Great designer, great bloke and great company rep.
Maui Jim – All round superb products and great company.

What is your favourite quote?
1. I told you I was ill! Spike Milligan’s epitaph
2. Trust me I’m almost a doctor
3. Decadence a way of life!

How do you spend your time when you are not at work?
Polishing wood, making bread, playing bass guitar, making and drinking beer.

What are you most grateful for in life?
Life – life in Australia!

What is your ideal holiday?
Travelling down the Mekong in a long boat listening to Marc Moulin.

 

Jonathan has a passion for quality eye care. He loves helping his patients understand their vision and look after their eye health. This passion was recognised in August 2010 when he received the Eyecare Plus Professional Recognition Award “for achieving the highest standards of practice”. This included further training at the Essilor University in Paris in multifocal spectacle lens designs and application. We were justly proud of this recognition of Jonathan’s dedication.

Whilst studying optometry Jonathan developed an interest in specialty contact lenses. This includes orthokeratology, the practice of providing a custom designed retainer lens that the patient only wears while they sleep each night. Jonathan pursues excellence in this specialty and has many happy patients enjoying clear vision all day with no glasses on contact lenses in. Jonathan says “I love the look of sheer joy when a patient finds they can see after removing their contact lenses.”

Jonathan has completed further training to register as a CASA Designated Optometrist. Jonathan also provides care for low vision patients and vision training when required for children with eye teaming difficulties.

Away from optometry, Jonathan has been the Bass Trombonist and Band Master for the Salvation Army Band at Southport for many years and recently joined the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra. Jonathan and Julie, his wife of 21 years, have three children.

Memberships:
Optometry Australia
Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia
Orthokeratology Society of Oceania

Certifications:
Civil Aviation Safety Authority Credentialed Optometrist (CASA)

Mandy’s exceptional skills in practice management have been recognised in the ophthalmic industry with her being award the Eyecare Plus Essilor Professional Recognition Award where she was hosted in Singapore for a number of days with other industry leaders.

In what little spare time she has, much is spent watching sport, reading and travelling.