Industry News
Vale Richard Grills
The board of the Optical Distributors & Manufacturers’ Association (ODMA) advises the community that optical industry stalwart, Mr Richard Grills, has passed away suddenly at Kareena Private Hospital 12 July 2022 just a few days past his 79th birthday.
He commenced work as a Dispensing Optician at OPSM in 1960 and rose to become the Principal of the Guild of Dispensing Opticians Optical Dispensing Training Course.
He was a lecturer in Optics on the Masters in Visual Science at Sydney University since 1970. From 1976 to 1978 he was employed by SLE Medical, the distributor of the first Ophthalmic Lasers, Phaco Emulsification and Vitrectomy systems in Australia.
Mr Richard Grills founded Designs For Vision Pty Ltd in 1978 with two Optical Dispensing outlets changing in 1982 from a retailer to a distributor of Ophthalmic and Optometric products.
Designs For Vision (now a Paragon Care brand) is one of the leading distributors of Ophthalmic and Optometric products throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Mr Richard Grills was a director of ODMA having previously served as its Chair for 10 years; a director of the Genetic Eye Foundation (GEF); a director of the Macular Disease Foundation; and a director of the Bionic Eye Foundation. He was also a member of the Visiting Advisory Board at both UNSW Optometry School and UTS Orthoptic School.
Ms Finola Carey, CEO of ODMA, said: "We do not know how we could ever possibly fill the void that he leaves in ODMA and the optical industry. We have lost a true champion of optics and an amazingly talented, humble, caring and creative human being."
eyesmart.com.au would also like to extend its thoughts and sympathies to his family.
On behalf of Faye, Brad and the family, friends of Richard are warmly invited to attend a Celebration of His Life to be held at Wanda Surf Club at 2 Marine Esplanade, Cronulla NSW next Wednesday 20th July, 2022 commencing at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, in Memory of Richard, please make a donation to Look for Life (Genetic Eye Foundation) https://lookforlifefoundation.com.au/membership-and-donate/ or the Macular Disease Foundation https://www.mdfoundation.com.au/get-involved/donate/donate-now/
