NZOSS: 2018 roundup
Thanks from the 2018 NZOSS Exec: (back row) Marna Claassen, Nileesha Parbhu, Alice Jackson, Andrew Kim, Menaga Manokaran, Katarina Marcijasz and Simran Kaur; (front) William Tang, Aimee Aitken, Gemma Ji and Nick Lee

NZOSS: 2018 roundup

December 13, 2018 Nick Lee

2018 is coming to a close and another year at Auckland University’s School of Optometry and Vision Science has passed. With optometry students all done with exams for the year, pens and papers are being swapped for bathing suits and summer gear, so perhaps now is a good time to reflect upon the year that has passed.

 

For the members of the New Zealand Optometry Students Society (NZOSS), the year has been full of social events; after all, what better way is there to pass the time between studying, than a party here and there!

 

The year kicked off with our orientation week where returning members had a good chance to catch up with other students and new Part 2 students were inducted into the society. Shortly after, we entered a team in Round the Bays, and had our largest turn-out for this event ever. The annual pub crawl was also a roaring success, while more than 100 students dove down Under the Landolt Sea and partied the night away. There were some incredible costumes on the night, from the gossip of mermaids, to the pod of lobsters and some slightly inebriated scuba drivers.

 

In 2017, NZOSS took an important step forward in furthering its relationships with the wider optometric community with the establishment of its five-way sponsorship with Optics NZ, Specsavers, Hoya Lens NZ and the Eye Institute. We were happy to continue this sponsorship throughout 2018 and, as part of our How to BOPTOM seminar series, held our second sponsors’ seminar for Part 4 and 5 students this year. We worked with our sponsors to deliver a seminar that was useful and allowed our members to gather pearls of knowledge about the industry that are not covered in lectures.

 

The Annual EyeBall, themed this year as Utropia: Welcome to the Island of Vision was held at the Grand Millenium Hotel. An annual calendar highlight, this year was no exception. With drinks flowing, beats playing and everyone rising to the challenge of dressing in their best attire, the event was enjoyed by all. Last month we concluded the social side of the year with our second cocktail party, kindly supported by our sponsors, which proved to be a great night to relax and mingle for one last huzzah before the final exam season.

 

Since its introduction five years ago, NZOSS has grown from strength to strength and I am sure 2019 will be no different. Each year, the NZOSS bridge between industry professionals and students grows stronger helping us to transition into our chosen industry. This community support is amazing, and we wouldn’t be where we are as a society without these interactions. So, on behalf of NZOSS, thank you.

 

Congratulations to the new president of the society, Simran Kaur, and the rest of the new executive team for 2019. I am sure you will all look after the society well and the graduating class of 2018 can leave the school easy, knowing our little community is in good hands.

 

Nick Lee is the 2018 NZOSS president.