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Dedicated optometrist Kyriacos (Kyri) Mavrolefteros was recently honoured with the prestigious Christine Craigie Annual Award for Distinguished Service in Optometry. Presented by Optometry NSW/ACT, the award recognises outstanding contributions to the profession and celebrates Kyri’s more than two decades of Outreach eye care in remote NSW, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of optometrists.
For Kyri, the recognition reflects a career built on service, education and a passion for improving access to eye care in regional and outback communities.
Together with his wife and fellow optometrist, Katerina Mavrolefteros, Kyri has provided vital optometry services across the NSW outback for more than twenty years, serving communities such as Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Bourke, Cobar, Brewarrina and Wilcannia.
Their Outreach work helps ensure residents can access essential eye care closer to home, rather than travelling long distances for treatment.
Kyri acknowledged the role played by Rural Doctors Network and the Visiting Optometrists Scheme (VOS) in supporting Outreach eye care across regional and remote NSW.
“Katerina and I started serving the optometrical needs of persons in outback NSW in the towns spanning from Walgett to Wilcannia,” he said. “We have been given indispensable support through the VOS program via the Rural Doctors Network, also the eye specialists who service the NSW outback.”
Accepting the award, Kyri reflected on the lasting influence of the late Christine Craigie, who supervised him early in his career.
“I am truly humbled to receive this award,” he said. “The late Christine Craigie was my clinic supervisor nearly forty years ago, and her enthusiasm and dedication to patients’ care serves as an enduring example to all of us.”
Kyri and Katerina established their Maroubra practice in 1994 and have long been committed to supporting students at every stage of their journey, from work experience placements, including Rural Doctors Network's Outreach Student Placement Program (OSPP), through to final-year optometry preceptorships.
Over the years, dozens of optometry students from universities across Australia and overseas have accompanied the pair on Outreach clinics, gaining invaluable experience in regional and remote eye care. Through the OSPP, students have had the opportunity to experience first-hand the rewards and challenges of delivering healthcare in remote communities while learning alongside experienced practitioners.
Two such students, Ben Smith and Maddie Tilyou, were inspired by the optometry duo on their OSPP placement:
"Both Katrina and Kyriacos were the most incredible people and clinicians. We truly felt so welcome and they were so, so happy to have us... It was obvious that Kyri and Katerina have developed long-term and meaningful relationships with a large portion of the community."
“Several of these optometry students upon graduating looked for employment in regional optometry practices,” Kyri said. “Work in regional areas is very rewarding and satisfying.”
In presenting the award, the Association praised Kyri’s dedication, resilience and compassion, noting that he has spent two decades flying to remote communities, working long hours and ensuring patients receive the care they need.
Today, Kyri and Katerina conduct around 150 Outreach clinic days each year and perform approximately 1,200 eye examinations annually.
Kyri remains focused on encouraging others to experience the rewards of Outreach optometry.
“We are indeed privileged to be in a profession serving such a basic need of our fellow Australians in the NSW outback,” he said. “I do enjoy optometry!”
He concluded with a message to fellow practitioners: “Finally, I would like to encourage all of you to consider a limited role in Outreach optometry in remote clinics.
“Let’s enjoy all the opportunities offered by our profession."
Rural Doctors Network's Health Access Outreach Services are transitioning to RDN Health and will be administered as part of RDN Health in Financial Year 2026-2027. RDN Health is a social enterprise of RDN - The Charity for Health Access.
The VOS program is administered by RDN Health in NSW and the ACT and funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
