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. (AONAQ) 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.