HOW AONA QUEENSLAND BEGAN

In November 1988, St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital presented a one day seminar entitled "Ophthalmic Nursing - Looking Ahead". It was the first time in Queensland that a group of nurses interested in ophthalmic nursing had gathered to listen to presentations and exchange ideas. The success of this day sparked the idea of forming our own group similar to the Association in Sydney.

The mailing list from this seminar was used to notify interested nurses that a meeting was to be held on the 10th of February, 1989, with the view of forming our own Association. Sixteen registered nurses attended and with their votes plus sixteen proxy votes the Association was formed.

The Executive Committee included President - Jenny Streeter Vice President - Eve Wong Secretary - Jenny Nimmo Treasurer - Janelle King Committee - Freda Doran, Shirley Kubach and Sheree Ritchie

A lot happened in the first sixth months. Jenny Nimmo moved to Sydney and Freda Doran accepted the position of Secretary. Professor Hirst happily became our Patron.

We adopted the Constitution of AONA Sydney and gratefully accepted a donation of $500 from Sydney, personally presented to us by Jean Roberts, the President at that time.

Our first Seminar was held at Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital on the 16th of September, 1989. Registration cost $25 for members and $30 for non members. Topics included Trachoma, Low Vision Clinics, Glaucoma and Laser Therapy.

Since then the Association has gone from strength to strength and the rest is history!

Founding members of AONA Queensland (taken from membership records)