John is a Director of Otway Optical and takes pride in crafting glasses that others say can’t be made.

He qualified in Optical Surfacing and Fitting at RMIT in 1992 and worked in several corporate optical stores before joining Otway Optical in 2002.

Outside of work, John enjoys riding his motorcycles, both dirt and road, and spending time with his wife and three sons.

Jodie is a Director of Otway Optical and serves as the practice’s Chief Financial Officer. With a background at Westpac Bank, she brings strong financial expertise to the business while also supporting the team on the shop floor.

Her role spans both behind-the-scenes management and front-of-house care, ensuring patients enjoy a smooth experience from their first visit to picking up their glasses. Jodie enjoys building relationships with patients and being part of a trusted local business.

Outside of work, she values time with family and friends and is actively involved in the Colac community.

Mary joined Otway Optical in November 2015. Growing up in Colac, where her parents ran local businesses, she has strong ties to the community.

Her own vision challenges began in high school, when she struggled to see the whiteboard and was diagnosed with myopia (short-sightedness). At Deakin University Waurn Ponds, Mary was known for having the most sensitive eyes in her cohort, an experience that helps her empathise with patients who have similar sensitivities or feel anxious during eye tests.

She graduated from Deakin in 2016 with a Bachelor of Vision Science and a Master of Optometry. Alongside her clinical work, Mary manages website development for Otway Optical, Eyesports, XplorRx, Cycling Glasses Australia, and other associated sites.

Outside of optometry, Mary plays in the Colac City Band, is an active member of Synergy Christian Church, and is widely known for her collection of terrible dad jokes.

Leigh Plowman moved with his family to the Western District in 2012. His own childhood experience with glasses and patching for a lazy eye inspired him to pursue Optometry. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2006 and worked at Acuity Eyecare in Melbourne before joining Otway Optical in 2012.

Leigh takes a holistic approach to eye care and enjoys building long-term relationships within the community. He was featured in the Colac Herald in 2016 for detecting a patient’s underlying health issue through routine eye testing.

A member of Optometry Australia, Leigh also helps coordinate professional education for colleagues in Geelong. Outside of work, he enjoys cycling, photography, online marketing, and time with his young family.

Kathryn brings over 20 years of optical experience to Otway Optical, having previously worked at Vision Crest in Colac. She completed her Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing at RMIT in 2005 and has since built a reputation for her warm, approachable manner.

She enjoys helping patients of all ages, from children getting their first pair of glasses to adults seeking tailored solutions for their vision needs.

Outside of work, Kathryn loves spending time with her young family. Camping, walking, and exploring the outdoors are some of their favourite activities together.

Jacqui has been part of the Otway Optical team since 2016 and loves helping patients find the perfect frame to suit their style and personality.

Growing up on a dairy farm in South Purrumbete, Jacqui brings a down-to-earth approach and a strong work ethic to everything she does. She has more than 18 years of experience in healthcare, including practice management, which gives her a broad understanding of patient care and practice operations.

Outside of work, Jacqui enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, whether at home or out exploring the local community.

Deb has been part of the Otway Optical team since 2016. Known for her friendly manner, she enjoys helping patients feel comfortable and confident when choosing their eyewear.

With strong experience in customer service and optical support, Deb takes pride in assisting people of all ages. Outside of work, she enjoys time with family, friends, and the local community.

Anne joined Otway Optical in mid-2023 and quickly became a valued member of the team. She enjoys welcoming patients and helping to create a positive experience during their visit.

Tamara works at Eyesports in customer support and brings many years of optical experience, including her time at Eyewear on Pako in Geelong. She especially enjoys helping children adjust to their first pair of glasses and is well-loved by clients, sometimes bringing home chocolates as a thank-you!

Tamara graduated from Deakin University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Forensic Science. She enjoys spending time with her husband Glenn and their two children, as well as gardening, painting, and drawing.

Shane began his career in manufacturing at Sola Optical in 1997, following a background in mechanical work. He has extensive experience in laboratory optics, with more than 15 years in general lens fitting, nearly 10 years in wrap-around lens fitting, and over 5 years in rimless lens fitting. He also served as Backup Team Coordinator at Carl Zeiss Vision in the Stock Lens Line.

Shane holds a St John Ambulance First Aid Certificate, as well as CPR and defibrillator certification.

Outside of work, Shane enjoys photography and custom photo framing, riding and working on motorcycles, home renovation, gardening, welding, and volunteering with the RSPCA.

Heidi has worked in optics since 2009 and joined Eyesports in 2020, where she provides friendly and helpful customer support. She enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and their two young boys.

Mitchell began his Optical Technician traineeship at Otway Optical/Eyesports in late 2022. He specialises in fitting lenses into frames and handling complex prescription jobs, developing his skills in precision lens work and optical fabrication.