Georgina Preece – Featured Optoms

Georgina Preece

Managing Optometrist

OPSM Fountain Gate, Vic

Having needed glasses from the age of six, I’ve always had a real appreciation for how a quality pair of specs can enhance your life. I met Fred Hollows when I was 12 and heard first-hand about his passion for providing eyecare to those in need and I was hooked! I decided right then that the best way for me to help improve the quality of people’s lives was to become an Optometrist.

I’ve been an OPSM customer all of my life and my Optometrist always said he worked for the best company in the world. When he told me about the Luxottica cadetship program and about the amazing work OneSight does for indigenous communities around Australia, I felt I just had to be a part of it all – so here I am!

I believe that helping our local community receive adequate eyecare and eyewear is a must and through Luxottica’s OneSight foundation I’ve been able to give back. I’ve worked at clinics across Australia including in remote regions and even helped OneSight’s 7 millionth global recipient receive eyecare and eyewear. The 17 year old girl was part of the Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Network in Sydney and attended Year 10 at the school that forms part of the Oasis Centre itself. At first she was nervous about getting glasses, but after I told her how it would help improve her schoolwork she gained more confidence and really came out of her shell.

I’ve also taken part in OneSight missions overseas. The Cambodia mission was probably the most challenging and rewarding. The hours were long and the weather was testing – we were working in 44 degree heat and extreme humidity. It was also emotionally exhausting, but that made for an even more memorable and bonding experience. A standout moment for me was when we helped an 11 year old boy who had never had an eye test before. He was extremely short-sighted and even though he sat right at the front of the classroom, he still struggled to see what was on the board. After fitting him with a pair of specs we were given the opportunity to visit his school the next day. Seeing first-hand the impact of what we do was an awesome experience. It was amazing to see the reaction on his face as he looked up at the board and could clearly see what was written on it for the first time ever.

My future focus is to continue my involvement with the international missions of OneSight and in turn meet more people from the Luxottica family who share my passion for helping those in need. I love working for a company with a social conscience, an appreciation for diversity and a genuine sense of community. Seeing how many other people in the organisation are getting involved in OneSight is pretty cool too! Working with Luxottica has given me the opportunity to meet people from so many different cities, and experience many different cultures. I find that no matter where I am around the world, the gratitude for what OneSight provides is always the same.

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