Michael grew up in Canberra and completed a Bachelor of Optometry graduating with honours in 1992, He spent the first few years of his career in and around Adelaide and South Australia before heading off overseas on a backpacking odyssey through most of South East Asia and a year travelling through Mexico, Central and South America.
Upon his return he cut off his long hair and beard and returned to work in Sydney with one of Australia’s leading contact lens practitioners in Jim Kokkinakis, from there he developed a lifelong interest in fitting difficult contact lenses for conditions such as kerataconus and other corneal diseases. He also has a special interest in the treatment of dry eye conditions .
Michael is a member of the CCLSA (Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia), OSO (Orthokeratology Society of Oceania) and IAO (International Academy of Orthokeratology)and the SLS (Scleral Lens Society) as well as Optometry Australia (OA) .
He previously sat on the board of Optometry NSW/ACT and was also the Deputy Chair of the Optometry Australia board. He graduated with post graduate qualifications in ocular therapeutics in 2010 and is currently a credentialed optometrist (CO) with CASA. He also currently sits on the board of Provision a network of independent optometry practices, he is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Australian institute of Clinical Governace (AICG)
He became a partner in the practice with Greg in early 2003.
He is more than happy to chat about his extensive collection of Dr Who memorabilia which he has on display in his consulting room.
Naomi joined our practice in 2014 when she moved to the area with her family and was welcomed on board as a partner at RJK Optometry in 2016. She had previously worked in private practices in Tamworth and Sydney. Her background is primarily working in full scope optometry practices but includes working in a behavioural optometry practice with a heavy emphasis on children’s vision and vision therapy. Naomi has completed three Vision therapy courses focussing on binocular vision dysfunctions, visual skills that are used with reading, and amblyopia and strabismus. She is a member of the Australian College of Behavioural Optometrists. Naomi has also spent time working in clinics with patients with low vision within Vision Australia. In 2015 Naomi completed her Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics and is enjoying being an ophthalmic medicine provider and the increasing challenges this has brought to clinical optometry.
When not at work, Naomi and her husband Keith are part of Harbourside Presbyterian Church. Naomi is an avid reader and loves walking and swimming at the beach and trying to squeeze in some time at the gym.
Patrick is a Queenslander who spent his formative years in Brisbane and completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Optometry) at Queensland University of Technology, graduating with Honours in 1997. Since then, Pat has worked in optometric practices in five states of Australia and in the United Kingdom.
Before settling in Coffs Harbour in 2008, he and his family lived in Burnie, Tasmania for 8 years. In Burnie,he worked with Daryl Guest, one of Australia’s most respected Optometrists. In 2003, while in Tasmania, Pat was among the first Optometrists in Australia to complete post-graduate qualifications which allowed him to prescribe topical medications for eye conditions.
Pat joined Michael in 2009 and since then he has been able to engage in his area of interest, Children’s Vision and Behavioural Optometry. He has engaged in further post graduate study, he completed his Masters Units in Behavioural Optometry at UNSW at the end of 2012. Since then, he has enjoyed, along with Mike and Naomi, progressing RJK Optometry to be one of the best equipped Optometry Practices in the country with access to the highest quality eyecare and eyewear available.
Pat is a member of the Optometry Australia (OA) and served on the OA (Tasmanian Division) Council of Management for three years prior to moving to Coffs Harbour. He is also a member of the Australian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO).
Pat is married to Meagan (a physiotherapist) and they have two teenage children (Clare and Sean) and a fluffy labradoodle (Remy), 2 chooks (Wendy and Olive), a fish (Finn) and a horse (Marco).
Outside of work, Pat enjoys almost any sport, music and reading. Surfing with Sean and taking Clare to Pony Club takes up a lot of the family spare time. As a family, the Kellys enjoy bushwalking, camping or other active pursuits.
Laura joined RJK in 2024 after graduating in 2022 from the University of Canberra with a Master of Optometry.
She was previously a patient of our practice before she departed to study Optometry
With a solid foundation in full-scope optometry, Laura brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles. She is excited about the evolving challenges in clinical optometry and is committed to delivering exceptional care to her patients.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the gym and exploring our wonderful beaches. She is a member of Optometry Australia (OA) and actively participates in professional development opportunities to stay at the forefront of the field.
Jenny is a Coffs local who has worked in our practice since 1990. Jenny manages all of the ‘behind the scenes’ business of our practice, including liasing with Department of Veterans Affairs and Medicare. She is an expert at managing our appointment books. And at offering unbiased and helpful opinions about form and function, during your frame selection process.
Debbie, another local product, has been with us since 2006 and, with Jenny, manages our appointment book with aplomb. Since that time she has quickly developed a great sense of frame fitting and knowledge. Not only about what looks great, but also meets the needs of today’s advanced optical lenses.
Nicole joined us in July 2022, She is an experienced optical dispenser having gained her qualifications in Switzerland. She recently took on the position of Practice MAnager and is doing a great job co-ordinating our practice and staff
Kellie started with us in February 2021, Shes currently studying her CertIV in Optical dispensing to sharpen her skills
Carolin started with us in early 2021, she’s originally from Sweden where she studied Optometry.After moving to Australia she qualified as an Optical Dispenser and has been a great asset to ur growing RJK family team
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