Our Team

Meet our friendly, expert optometrists and staff

Stephen Langshaw

Optometrist
B.OPTOM (UNSW)

Steve has over 35 years of experience as an optometrist having graduated from UNSW in 1982.

He has been providing eye care to the Shire from the Gymea practice for over 30 years and is a founding partner of Shire Optometrists.

In this time Steve has developed a strong reputation and a dedicated following. He sees the full range of optometric conditions and has a specialist interest in contact lenses, ocular pathology and children’s vision. For 11 years Steve was the clinical supervisor for the University Clinic at Garrawarra Hospital where he shared his experience and helped train future optometrists.

Steve is a lifelong resident of the Shire with his wife and sons.

Richard Bell

Optometrist
B.OPTOM (UNSW)

Richard graduated from UNSW in 1978 and is a founding partner of Shire Optometrists.

He has been consulting from the Cronulla practice since 1979 and has provided eye care to each new generation of local families.

Richard provides a broad range of optometric services including eye examinations, disease diagnosis and management and contact lens fitting.

Richard is also a lifelong resident of the Shire and raised his four children here.

Richard Walsh

Optometrist
BSc. (Hons) Optometry (UK)

Richard has over 15 years of experience and is passionate about providing outstanding care for all his patients.

Richard graduated from City University, London and initially worked in optometric practice in central London. He followed this with two years working with consultant eye surgeons in Harley Street and a further 8 years working for an independent eye hospital. His role involved assessment of patients for eye disease including glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and dry eye disease as well as assessment for refractive laser surgery and refractive lens exchange surgery.

Prior to joining Shire Optometrists, Richard worked for an independent community optometry practice providing eye examinations, disease diagnosis and management and complex contact lens fitting including myopia control. Richard lives in the Shire with his wife and children having moved to Australia in 2019.

Nathan Ho

Optometrist
B.OPTOM (HONS) (UNSW), GRAD CERT OC THER

Nathan graduated from UNSW in 2004 and went on to obtain his therapeutic prescribing qualification in 2013.

He has been with Shire Optometrists for over 10 years and has built a loyal following of patients in this time.

His ocular therapeutic qualification enables him to prescribe medication for a number of ocular conditions. Nathan sees patients of all ages and has interests in all areas of optometric practice.

When not working at Shire Optometrists Nathan is involved in the education of future optometrists in his position of Clinical Supervisor at UNSW.

Kylie Watkins

Optometrist
B.OPTOM (HONS) (UNSW)

Kylie graduated from UNSW in 1993 and commenced her career working in both city and country practices in Western Australia.

Kylie joined Shire Optometrists in 1995 and helped establish the Illawong practice.

Kylie has been a long term resident of the Shire and now enjoys delivering back to her loyal patients with professionalism and dedication

Georgia Tsimos

Optometrist
B.OPTOM (UNSW)

Georgia graduated from UNSW in Optometry with Ocular Therapeutics in 2018. She complemented her studies with training in New York and the provision of eye examinations to remote Indigenous communities in NSW. She is passionate about patient care and education.

After graduating, Georgia went to work in Armidale where she gained a great deal of experience during her two years in practice there. She was an integral part of the local healthcare team as there was only one ophthalmologist within 100km and no Eye Department at the local hospital. Georgia regularly attended meetings with local allied health professionals to improve holistic patient care. Her role prior to joining Shire Optometrist was within a busy Parramatta practice.

Georgia first came to Shire Optometrist’s for her Year 10 Work Experience. This was followed by a front desk role during her university studies. Georgia re-joins Shire Optometrists with a wealth of experience to draw on and looks forward to reconnecting with the Sutherland Shire community.

Kay Koutzas

Optometrist
B. Optom (Hons) UNSW Grad Cert Oc Ther UNSW

Kay has over 20 years of experience in optometry with 12 years practicing in the Sutherland Shire. During this time, she has developed a loyal following with her high level of clinical skills and personable approach.

Kay is passionate about providing a comprehensive eye examination and detecting early signs of eye disease. She has a particular interest in contact lens fittings and dry eye management. Kay completed her Ocular Therapeutics course in 2018. This enables her to diagnose and treat a variety of eye diseases with prescription medications.

During her career Kay spent 2 years working alongside eye doctors where she completed post- surgical aftercares for LASIK and Cataract procedures. She served as the Vice-President of the Optometrist Association NSW board for 2 years.

Kay is a resident if the Sutherland Shire along with her family.

Amelia

Optical Dispenser
DIP. OPTICAL DISPENSING

Amelia is a senior optical dispenser and practice development manager, based at our Illawong practice. Amelia’s first part time job was working in her family owned Optometry practice….and the rest is history! With over 35 years in the Optical industry, working for corporate groups and independent practices across Australia, New Zealand and the UK, Amelia has been able to indulge her flare for fashion and bold statements, as well as helping others look and feel stunning in their eyewear.

Gai

Optical Dispenser

Gai is an optical dispenser at Shire Optometrists.

Warren

Optical Dispenser

Warren is an optical dispenser at Shire Optometrists.

Emad

Optical Dispenser

Emad is a full time Optical Dispenser and has been in Jannali for over 19 years. With over 33 years in the Optical Industry, Emad has developed a loyal following and his passion to provide personalised eyecare and eyewear options for all patients ensures they get the best of care. Other than his extensive experience and qualifications in the Optical Industry, Emad has completed a science degree and also a gardening and landscaping course, so when you see Emad in the practice, he can help you with some outdoor advice as well your optical needs.

Nicole

Optical Dispenser

Nicole is an optical dispenser at Shire Optometrists.

Tony

Optical Dispenser
Performance Eyewear Specialist

Tony is an optical dispenser and performance eyewear specialist at Shire Optometrists.

Adam

Optical Dispenser

Adam is a full time Optical Dispenser, based at our Gymea practice. Adam has been in the Optical industry for 25 years, including 10 years in a laboratory producing 1000s of pairs of glasses. During his time in the lab, Adam realised he prefers the unique connection created working directly with patients, embracing the challenge of ensuring everyone leaves the practice happy and with all their eyecare needs resolved – no mean feat when every person’s eyes are unique and we all have different requirements. Adam has also worked in early childhood education, as a small business consultant, bookkeeper, radio DJ, a Fringe Festival events co-ordinator and in online marketing – with such a wide range of skills and experience, it is no wonder Adam seems to have something in common with everyone. Adam loves the mental workout and imaginative escapism of modern boardgames – and is adamant his performance is greatly improved by his multi-focals!

Ellora

Optical Dispenser

Ellora is an optical dispenser at Shire Optometrists.

Ian

Optical Dispenser

Ian is an optical dispenser and performance eyewear specialist at Shire Optometrists.

Stuart

Optical Consultant
Stylist

Stuart is a stylist and optical consultant with Shire Optometrists in Cronulla. With a background in hair and fashion, and a number of years in the optical industry, Stuart’s skills lie in helping you find options that support your personal style, eyecare needs and budget.

Jean

Optical Consultant

Jean has worked in the Optical Industry for over 30 years, with the last 10 years at Shire Optometrists in Cronulla. Jean’s expertise ensures patients have an amazing customer service experience as well as the best possible optical care.

Brenda

Optical Consultant

For almost 11 years, Brenda has been greeting patients at our practice in Gymea and assisting our patients in all areas of optical care. Brenda excels at building rapport with patients and is skilled at helping our customers with frame selection, ensuring a look suited to their lifestyle and personality. Living and working locally makes Brenda a true local caring for locals.

The Science of Vision. The Art of Fashion. The Spirit of Community.
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