A new chapter in culturally secure eye care is about to begin in Fremantle. With the launch of Moorditj Miyal – meaning Strong Eyes – the St Patrick’s Eye Clinic is expanding its impact for First Nations communities.

Recently, Optometry Western Australia’s (OWA) President Stephanie Bahler, and I visited the St Patrick’s Eye Clinic, which is embedded within St Patrick’s Community Support Centre.

The Clinic embodies the spirit of care, dignity, and service that has defined this organisation’s work with vulnerable communities for more than half a century.

The St Patrick’s Eye Clinic was established in 2011, with support from OWA, to address a stark gap in access to eye care for people experiencing homelessness and significant disadvantage in Perth’s south metropolitan region. It offers accessible, compassionate optometric care to individuals who often face multiple barriers to health services.

Through a recent partnership with the University of Western Australia (UWA), the clinic has traditionally operated monthly and will now expand to a weekly service – an important step in meeting growing demand.

The clinic itself is also growing, with recent investments in new equipment and the introduction of an electronic health record system – enhancements that improve both clinical capacity and continuity of care.

Further, we are about to launch St Patrick’s first First Nations Optometrist Clinic, known as Moorditj Miyal, meaning Strong Eyes.

OWA worked closely with the Djenabidet Kalleep – St Patrick’s Aboriginal Services team – to explore how best to deliver this service in a way that is respectful, culturally secure, and responsive to community priorities.

Members of Djenabidet Kalleep will support patients before, during, and after their appointments to help ensure people feel comfortable, understood, and confident when accessing eye care – something that cannot be overstated when working with communities that have historically faced systemic barriers and, as a result, have mistrusted health systems.

Reflecting our ongoing commitment to expanding access and quality, plans are also underway to deliver a larger, refurbished clinical space by the end of this year.

The vision for this new culturally safe service Hub has been shaped by guidance from Walyalup Elders and members of St Patrick’s Aboriginal Reference Group. Together, they crafted a powerful message of intention written in Noongar:

“We have stor es to tell, and healing will begin when they are received with open ears and an open heart.”

Accompanied by the Elders’ signatures, this statement will be engraved into wood as a permanent symbol of guidance, truth telling, and respect – grounding the clinic firmly in its cultural and community purpose.

A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

The work of the St Patrick’s Eye Clinic is made possible through collaboration at every level.

Volunteer optometrists form the backbone of service provision. OWA, with coordination support from staff member Jude Martindale, plays a key role in organising member volunteers to attend the monthly clinics, ensuring continuity and quality of care.

Frames are donated by local OWA members, offering patients a wide choice, while prescription lenses are supplied by CR Labs at heavily discounted rates, enabling the clinic to operate in a cost effective and sustainable way.

To understand the significance of this work, one must also acknowledge the broader context of St Patrick’s Community Support Centre.

Founded in 1972, St Patrick’s began with the simple distribution of sandwiches from the veranda of the Presbytery at St Patrick’s Basilica. Its first home was a rundown former schoolhouse in Fremantle, offering meals, showers, and basic amenities to those in need.

Now, 50 years on, St Patrick’s is an independent, not for profit, accredited community housing provider, delivering a comprehensive suite of services including accommodation, health care, crisis intervention, emergency relief, social inclusion programs, and specialist supports.

St Patrick’s works alongside people aged 16 and over – including families and couples – who are experiencing rough sleeping or significant disadvantage.

The integration of optometric services within this holistic support framework recognises that eye health is fundamental to wellbeing, independence, employment opportunities, and quality of life.

None of this work happens in isolation. It is sustained by trust, partnerships, and a shared belief that everyone deserves access to quality eye care, regardless of circumstance. For OWA, the St Patrick’s Eye Clinic exemplifies the profession’s capacity to advocate beyond the consulting room and to contribute meaningfully to community health.

This work is only possible because of the generosity and commitment of volunteer optometrists.

Together, through Moorditj Miyal and the continued growth of the St Patrick’s Eye Clinic, we can further strengthen vision, dignity, and connection across our community.

Evan MacRae is the Chief Executive Officer of Optometry Western Australia.