ABOUT US


AONA Queensland is an association providing support to ophthalmic nurse members living in Queensland to assist with their professional growth and development.

We also offer associate membership to professionals in the ophthalmic field (e.g. Orthoptists and other allied health professionals).

Healthcare is a rapidly changing industry, and being well educated about the latest research and techniques helps our nurses deliver the best care possible for their patients. By providing access to research and educational materials, organising clinical meetings and an annual conference, and assisting with access to educational grants, we fulfil our aim to provide a forum that promotes the sharing of knowledge and expertise for the advancement of ophthalmic nursing.

 

“Nurses need to take charge of their professional development and equip themselves if they are to survive the increasing rate of change in today's employment market.”

“Nurses need to take charge of their professional development and equip themselves if they are to survive the increasing rate of change in today's employment market.”


Ophthalmic Nursing Course

AONA Queensland has developed a course in collaboration with The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) titled "Principles of Ophthalmic Nursing".

This course is open to any enrolled or registered nurse who has worked for three months or more with patients requiring ophthalmic care. This course is an excellent opportunity to hone your ophthalmic knowledge and increase your quality of patient care.

To register your interest or enrol, contact the course administrator or visit the course page at the QUT website.

Ophthalmic Nursing Course

AONA Qld has developed a course in collaboration with The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) titled "Principles of Ophthalmic Nursing".

This course is open to any enrolled or registered nurse who has worked for three months or more with patients requiring ophthalmic care. This course is an excellent opportunity to hone your ophthalmic knowledge and increase your quality of patient care.

To register your interest or enrol, contact the course administrator or visit the course page at the QUT website.

Our Executive Committee Members

PRESIDENT
Arien Amarindra
admin@aona.org.au

VICE PRESIDENT
Tia Kemp

HONOURARY SECRETARY / MINUTES SECRETARY
Sarah Sabell

TREASURER:
Pene Gill

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY / NEWSLETTER EDITOR:
TBC

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE:
All Executive Members

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Carmen Newman, Amanda Wylie, Jiorgia Collingridge, Fiona Turner, Amy Wagner, Amber Keen & Fiona Stacheel



Our Executive Committee Members

PRESIDENT
Arien Amarindra
admin@aona.org.au

VICE PRESIDENT
Tia Kemp

HONOURARY SECRETARY / MINUTES SECRETARY
Sarah Sabell

TREASURER:
Pene Gill

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY / NEWSLETTER EDITOR
TBC

CONFERENCE CO-ORDINATOR:
Fiona Turner conference@aona.org.au

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Carmen Newman, Amanda Wylie, Jiorgia Collingridge, Amy Wagner, Amber Keen & Fiona Stacheel



Our History

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


The mailing list from this seminar was used to notify interested nurses about a meeting 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 our association was formed. The Executive Committee at the time included President Jenny Streeter, Vice President Eve Wong, Secretary Jenny Nimmo, Treasurer Janelle King, and Committee Members Freda Doran, Shirley Kubach and Sheree Ritchie.


We achieved a great deal in our first six 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 their association personally presented to us by Jean Roberts, their President. 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, our association has gone from strength to strength. We continue to provide educational and networking opportunities for Queensland and interstate ophthalmic nurses, as well as working to further the advancement of ophthalmic nursing throughout the country.

     

    Our Aims and Objectives

    AIM
    The aim of the Australian Ophthalmic Nurses' Association Queensland Inc. (AONA Qld) is to promote the advancement of ophthalmic nursing in Queensland and Australia by providing a forum that promotes the sharing of knowledge and craft (expertise) for the advancement of ophthalmic nursing.


    OBJECTIVES
    To promote the sharing of knowledge and expertise through:

    1. 1.1 Programmed clinical meetings with guest speakers four times each year.
      1.2 Publishing the newsletter, "EYEOPENER", which includes "a focus on your workplace".
      1.3 Hosting an annual seminar, which provides access to guest speakers, trade displays, professionals associations displays and planned networking sessions.
      1.4 Maintaining a resource library.
    2. To promote networking which encourages informal sharing of knowledge and skills.
    3. To provide financial support for members in the form of educational scholarships and grants which can be used for further education or attendance of seminars.
    4. To cooperate with and work with other health professionals for the benefit of patients and workers.
    5. To form and actively maintain associations with other professional organisations to promote ophthalmic nursing and educational opportunities.
    6. To promote the formation and continuation of a national body through liaisons with other state bodies of AONA.
    7. To promote and support ophthalmic nursing at a regional, state, national and international level.
    8. To promote and publish ophthalmic nursing research.
     

    Reminder: your membership is due by 30th June each year!