Our Team

I was employed by Purvis and Crowley in 1989 as a technician. My role within the practice grew and developed over the years and I saw myself qualifying with Distinction and registering as a Dispensing Optician in 2006. Back in 2008, Gary and Stella Crowley, invited me to join their partnership for which I will be ever grateful! What a wonderful opportunity to further develop my love of people and optics but also to establish some deeper business skills. In April 2015 I took the opportunity to purchase Gary and Stella’s shares and retain 100% ownership of the practice.

It is an exciting opportunity to have Vlad and Jocelyn join me in the partnership and we are already evolving to support our local community in all things vision.

I have been awarded Life Membership to ADONZ (Association of Dispensing Opticians New Zealand) and have served as President of the International Opticians Association and was elected as a Board Director for the Visique Members Company (IO Group).

I have always considered myself incredibly blessed to have found a vocation I have continued to love but which constantly changes and challenges me. My love of unique, exquisite frames and finding the right personality to wear them is my favourite part of the day! I would much rather be with clients, having fun than stuck behind my desk!

I love the technology involved with lenses and lens designs and I want everyone who comes into the practice to leave with the absolute, best vision.

That is my mission: to provide the best quality eye health care and products to improve quality of life by maximising vision and making you feel good about yourself with stylish eyewear.

The scope of practice of an Optometrist is rapidly expanding and there are now many more options in providing you with the best vision and ocular health. I am passionate about working out the best option for you whether this is glasses, contact lenses, or the newly introduced Ortho K contact lenses which are worn at night to correct your vision while you sleep. As an Optometrist, vision correction is only half of the equation. Being therapeutically qualified means I am able to prescribe medications for eye health related issues including Glaucoma. Also managing dry eye issues, systemic links to vision such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and eye problems such as Macular Degeneration and Cataracts makes every day different and exciting for me to provide you with the best service and solutions for you eye care needs.

I enjoy seeing people from many walks of life and working out what is affecting their vision. I find it satisfying to be able to improve my patients’ vision through glasses, contact lenses, Neuro-optometry, and vision therapy. Within optometry there is great variety of care, learning, and diverse opportunities; and I have enjoyed extending my learning and skills by studying to gain an accreditation in Neuro-optometry (Neuro-Optometry is a sub-specialty of optometry involving assessing and treating patients with brain injuries). Behavioural Optometry uses a holistic view of vision, including brain development, to improve visual perception and processing in cases like learning difficulties and eye movement / co-ordination problems, and post-concussion or other brain injury. It has been fulfilling and challenging doing vision therapy with clients, I always look forward to following up and seeing the benefits this brings.

I have been working at Canon Street optometrists for four years now and I am still as excited to come to work every day as I was the first week I started here. I find optics both challenging and rewarding at the same time and there are always new things to learn. As of October 2018, I have completed the certificate IV in Optical Dispensing and am now a Registered Dispensing Optician. I find my job as a Dispensing Optician very rewarding as with my qualification I have the knowledge and ability to help our clients decide on lens design and frame selection. My main role consists of optical dispensing, working with contact lens clients and final spectacle checking. Our Practice believes each pair of glasses is as important as the last and we check every pair that comes back from the lab, which includes prescription, measurements and quality control. We are a great team here and our clients are really important to us, both new and existing and I personally look forward to helping you with your visual needs next time you’re in.

I am enjoying navigating my way through the challenges of this new qualification and helping clients find something they love. I am looking forward to seeing what the future of my dispensing looks like.

I am married to my lovely husband Ian, and we have four daughters between us, two fur babies and two grandchildren. I have 39 years’ experience in this field and I love learning new things all the time. In May 2020 I suffered a stroke which has had its challenges, however I have adjusted and am still adjusting as things arise. I am dedicated to my work and job and absolutely love working with the wonderful Canon Street team.

I started off my career working rurally in Central Otago, where I developed a strong foundation in community-based optometry. I then spent a few years working as a locum across New Zealand for various practices, travelling as far north as Whangarei and as far south as Invercargill. This has allowed me to gain invaluable experience working in many diverse settings. My travels eventually brought me to Timaru, where I fell in love with the city and the region and decided to permanently relocate here with my partner.

My special interests include the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases, as well as dry eye management. I enjoy my gadgets and love keeping up to date with the latest technology, as well as the latest advancements within optometry.

Outside of work, you can find me at the gym, traveling, or making my way up the mountains during the winter months.

I initially started out at Canon Street Optometrists as a locum and was not intending to stay long-term. After working here for a few months, I grew very fond of the practice, the people, the place, and made the decision with Vlad to move here permanently in August 2025.

I have a special interest in dry eye management as I struggle with dry eyes myself and understand how frustrating it can be.

Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, staying active at the gym, and spending time outdoors. I also love to travel and explore new places whenever I get the chance.