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Last month, RDN Health's Health Access Services Manager, Amanda Masset, had the privilege of attending the 50-year celebration of the Visiting Optometrists Scheme (VOS) in Canberra — a milestone that marks half a century of dedicated Outreach eye care across Australia.
First established in 1975, VOS is a federally funded Outreach Program, which supports optometrists to deliver Outreach optometric services to remote Australia, and other communities with an identified need, including metropolitan areas. A portion of VOS funding is earmarked specifically to provide improved services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Federal Government’s Outreach Programs are delivered by an approved organisation known as a “fundholder” in each jurisdiction, and are contracted by the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Fundholders are required to commit to “shared decision-making with First Nations people" and “engage with local communities to ensure coordination of services”. RDN is the fundholder in NSW and the ACT.
“As the jurisdictional fundholder for VOS in NSW and the ACT, RDN has proudly supported this program since 2015, ensuring that communities in even the most remote corners receive timely, high-quality optometry services,” Amanda Masset said.
“In that time, RDN has facilitated nearly 125,000 occasions of service, with more than 75 optometrists currently participating. In the last financial year alone, these professionals conducted almost 1,300 clinics across 100 towns, with 64% of all services delivered to Aboriginal people — a testament to the program’s commitment to equity and cultural responsiveness.
"This achievement is thanks to the dedication of Outreach optometrists – some of whom have been with the program for decades. As we reflect on 50 years of the program, we would like to thank all of our partners and participants in the program who have been at the heart of its success."
As Kyriacos (Kyri) Mavrolefteros, a long-term Outreach optometrist explained to RDN in 2021, long continuity of service has benefits for both patient and practitioner.
“For over 15 years now I have been spending over a quarter of the year in the NSW outback, seeing the same communities so regularly that they now consider me family,” Kyri said. “The reality is, for many of the most vulnerable people in these more remote areas, even travelling 100km to Bourke to attend a clinic is too far.
“Improving peoples’ vision can help with schooling, self-esteem and whole quality of life, so it’s a very rewarding thing to do. I’ll never forget the smiles on two young Aboriginal girls’ faces when they got their new glasses and they’ve since told me it had changed their lives."
Colina Waddell has been part of the Brien Holden Foundation (BHF) for 25 years and remains deeply appreciative of the Visiting Optometrist Scheme. She recalls that BHF began delivering clinics in December 1999 at the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service, in partnership with the AH&MRC, through the Visiting Optometrist Scheme — then known as 129A.
"This initiative marked the first time optometry services were provided within NSW Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, offering bulk-billed eye examinations and access to affordable or free glasses," said Colina. "This was made possible thanks to the vision and collaboration of Professor Brien Holden, Professor Brian Layland, and Sandra Bailey — a partnership that continues to this day.
"In 2024–25, the number of outreach clinics supported by BHF has grown significantly, now operating across more than 108 sites throughout NSW. The program delivered 937 clinic days, conducted 7,424 comprehensive eye examinations, and dispensed 6,692 pairs of glasses mainly through the NSW Government Spectacle Scheme — with 88% of patients identifying as Aboriginal. These essential Outreach services are sustained through the ongoing support of RDN and the VOS and through strong partnerships with the communities."
While long-term contributors have been instrumental to the program's success, the enthusiasm of new participants has constantly injected fresh energy. Amanda Napthali’s recent involvement signals a strong future for VOS, and its evolving workforce.
"I'm really enjoying being part of the Brien Holden Foundation Outreach team," Amanda told RDN. "I've previously travelled all around Australia as a locum Optometrist and always found it rewarding to provide vision care to Aboriginal people.
“It’s great to be a part of this long-running pioneering foundation set up by Brien Holden, that looks after the eye health and vision of the most disadvantaged group in our society,” she said. “I really love working with Indigenous people who are truly the most humble, respectful and grateful patients. To assist them in vision care is truly rewarding in every possible way.”
If left unchecked, poor eyesight in school years can have a profound long-term impact on literacy and a range of flow-on health and wellbeing effects. The transformative power of the work of VOS is well illustrated by the program’s recent work with school students at Lightning Ridge Central School.
The children were recently examined by Maekayla Tran, from the Brien Holden Foundation. Over two separate visits spanning four days, Maekayla examined the eyesight of 74 students. As a result, 31 students received prescription glasses through the NSW Spectacle Program.
The impact was immediate and profound. Students expressed their excitement and gratitude with comments including:
“OMG the board is so clear!”
“I can actually see now!”
“Miss, my glasses are making such a difference—I love them!”
Maekayla’s follow up and new patient work continues at the school. From the dirt roads of the outback to the coastal clinics of NSW, each Outreach visit is a story of connection, care, and impact.
As we reflect on 50 years of the Scheme making a difference, RDN remains focused on strengthening VOS for the future, through workforce support, community partnerships, and continued advocacy. Whether it's through honouring long-serving practitioners or welcoming new ones, our 'vision for vision’ remains clear: to ensure that every person, regardless of geography, has access to the eye care they deserve.
RDN Health's Outreach activities were administered under the banner of Rural Doctors Network until FY 2025-2026.