UMOSS

In this academic year, we aim to channel our energy into providing the student body with worthwhile social and educational events, ample notice and information regarding them, as well as tips and guide on both educational and wellbeing matters.

Top: Sam Stephenson (Social), Jack Nguyen (Treasurer), Kieren Do (President) and Baturay Ozcelik (Social) Bottom: Julia Nguyen (Vice-President), Bryant Wong (Education), Owlbert (mascot) and Tiffany Lee (Social)

Top: Sam Stephenson (Social), Jack Nguyen (Treasurer), Kieren Do (President) and Baturay Ozcelik (Social)

Bottom: Julia Nguyen (Vice-President), Bryant Wong (Education), Owlbert (mascot) and Tiffany Lee (Social)

2018

With exam season approaching, the optometry students of Melbourne University exchanged tonometry probes for extravagant dresses and suits at the annual ‘Eyeball’. The 2018 edition boasted the theme of: ‘Black and Goldmann’, held grandiosely at the Pavillion in the Arts Centre. It was the perfect end to celebrate the successes of the UMOSS committee of 2018.

Congratulations to the 2018 team for their dedication and innovation displayed throughout the year! We wish you all the very best in the next chapter of your optometry journey.  Both 2018 and 2019 committees would like to thank our numerous events sponsors for ensuring that 2018 was a great success!

Following the conclusion of the exam period, three students from the OD Class of 2019 (Andrea Smith, Ellin Wong and Moleshri Paliwal) participated in outreach eye camps in Sri Lanka, in partnership with Global Hand Charity. The team included both Australian and Sri Lankan optometrists, as well dispensers, optometry students and volunteers from Global Hand Charity. In four previously unvisited disadvantaged villages, more than 2200 people had their eyes examined and 3000 pairs of glasses were dispensed.

One of the sites included Jaffna, a city once stricken by a civil war. Optometric care here in particular proved to be a much appreciated rarity. While the conditions were trying, the joy of "seeing" displayed by the local community made the experience rewarding and worthwhile. The students had raised $600 during the student conference, which helped provide additional educational supplies for 88 children at an orphanage visited during the trip. The remaining funds are set to contribute to future projects in April 2019.

2019

2019 promises to be the biggest year yet for UMOSS with the largest OD cohort to date!  In light of that, this year’s committee’s focus will be ‘student engagement’, to ensure OD students maximise their university experience by making life-long relationships with future colleagues and potential employers. The committee has refurbished the bulletin board in the Alice Hoy Common Room, set up an Instagram page to provide alternative means of communication to students, and has acquired a new mascot in Owlbert the Owl!

In this academic year, we aim to channel our energy into providing the student body with worthwhile social and educational events, ample notice and information regarding them, as well as tips and guide on both educational and wellbeing matters.

2019 has already had several landmark changes with the committee establishing and organising a series of UMOSS Educational Nights: where industry heavyweights have the opportunity to create and host educational workshops to supplement the OD curriculum. Furthermore, the Big Brother Big Sister Program lead by OD2 Students, David Yosua and Ravindri Weerasingha will now be incorporated underneath the UMOSS umbrella, to ensure that both groups develop and flourish cohesively with the larger cohort sizes. These students will be assisted by our newly elected OD3 Student Representatives, Ashviney Vigneswaran and Chamasha Dissanayake.

Amongst these changes, the core DNA of UMOSS will remain the same with our beloved: Eyemazing Race, Laser Tag & Bowling Night, Trivia Night and the Annual Eyeball all confirmed for the 2019 Calendar. Also not to be forgotten is the DOVS futsal team’s ongoing quest for championship glory. These events are a staple in the UMOSS calendar, and a tradition we are averse to part with.

As February ends, the UMOSS committee would like to warmly welcome this year’s OD1 cohort and wish them all the very best as they embark on their optometric journey. We look forward to having you on board this year and are excited to show you just how the UMOSS community can complete the OD experience.

The UMOSS 2019 committee has worked with vigor over the summer to bring together plans to make this year a meaningful and memorable one for all our members. We are excited to take on 2019 and hope you too await with enthusiasm to see UMOSS transcend.

Warm regards,

Kieren Do & Julia Nguyen

UMOSS President & Vice-President 2019