Cameron McMaster (CM) and Georgina Zerk (GZ) are the owners of three Sankey Fraser Eyecare practices spanning across Toowoomba and Central Queensland. Both are QUT graduates, as is Cameron’s wife Kyleigh, who leads the Accounts Team — and perhaps most impressively, so is every optometrist across the entire group.
The QUT Alumni Team sat down with Cameron and Georgina to discuss the challenges and opportunities of running a regional practice particularly a well-established one celebrating its 100-year milestone in 2025.
Can you tell us about your journeys since graduating from QUT?
CM: I graduated in 1988 and started work in Toowoomba with Chas Sankey Fraser Optometrists. In the early days I also worked in our Roma practice two days a week. Roma is 370km west of Toowoomba (approximately a four-hour drive); I would drive there every Wednesday morning and home every Thursday night. In 1991 Kyleigh and I married and moved to Dalby to open the Sankey Fraser Dalby branch, still travelling to Roma two days a week. Dalby is 100km west of Toowoomba.
We moved back to Toowoomba in 1994, and 1999 I went into partnership with then owner Frank Roberts. We owned practices in Toowoomba, Roma, Dalby and Emerald. There was a lot of traveling over the next decade.
Frank retired in 2012; Kyleigh and I ran the practices for the next five years. Georgina became a partner in 2017.
Over the years we have had some terrific staff, people we could not have functioned without. We have always put our staff first in our decision making, excellent staff are very hard to find and they must be looked after.
GZ: I took the position at Sankey Fraser Eyecare in the Roma location as a graduate in 2014. I thought I would enjoy the exposure that working in a small country practice would provide and then return to a more metropolitan area. However, I absolutely love my job and the town and have been here since 2014!
What might a standard week look like for you?
GM: Currently, I am raising three young boys. Therefore, I am in the practice part time. I work Monday to Wednesday. I am then at home with the boys Thursday to Friday. With three young boys under five - the days at Sankey Fraser often feel like my days off!
CM: These days I am in consultations Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until late. I work on the business on the Friday and relax the remainder of the week.
What are the unique challenges faced by health professionals in regional communities and how do you navigate them?
GZ: There are several challenges we face in regional communities. One difficulty is the wide range of ocular disease we diagnose/treat - it really is full scope work. We always ensure we are up to date with our equipment, as it is vital in diagnosing eye conditions. Furthermore, our patients often travel anywhere from one to five hours to see us, to it is important that we can diagnose and treat as much as possible here. We are lucky to have a visiting Ophthalmologist, Dr Steven Rodwell, once a month. However outside of those days, our next closest specialist is Toowoomba.
CM: The most difficult thing in regional communities is making connections. I have always found service clubs give you exposure to a broad section of the community. You make great friends and they last a lifetime.
Can you tell us what emerging issue/s will have the greatest impact on ocular health in the next 5–10 years?
GZ: The ageing population and the burden on the health care system that will create, and the increasing levels of childhood myopia in a screen-based world!
CM: Myopia management will be very interesting to watch evolve.
Do you have any advice for graduates embarking on their optometry journey?
GZ: I would highly recommend that they go regional or rural. Whilst it can be challenging, it is incredibly rewarding. You get to know your patients for the people they are and get to know their families, and being able to provide continuity of care is great! I am extremely passionate in advocating for better healthcare in rural and regional settings, I believe that everyone should have access to excellent care, and no one should be disadvantaged for where they live.
CM: Start your working life in a regional centre. This will allow you to use of everything you learnt at university. You will become an excellent optometrist; you will be appreciated, and you will set yourself up for the rest of your career.
Can you name some of the individuals who inspire you? What qualities in these individuals do you admire and seek to emulate in your own work/life?
GZ: Professionally, Cameron has always been my mentor, and I am very appreciative to him for the opportunity he has provided me. His vast knowledge across all things optometry inspires me to stay up to date and always learning.
Personally, my parents are both retired teachers and business owners. They have both inspired by love of learning and shown me that a work/life balance is achievable and rewarding.
CM: I have always admired Geoff Somerville. Geoff is the best optometrist I know, always on the cutting edge and a true gentleman.
QUT degrees
Cameron - Bachelor of Applied Science (Optometry) (1989), Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics (2013)
Kyleigh - Bachelor of Applied Science – Chemistry (1988), Graduate Diploma of Education Secondary Teaching (1988)
Georgina - Bachelor of Vision Science (2011), Master of Vision Science (2013)
Do you have a question for Cameron, Kyleigh or Georgina? You can contact them via the Sankey Fraser Website.
Author
Joanna is an integrated marketing communications specialist with an interest in the Faculties of Health, Business and Law. She holds a Master of Business, Bachelor of Mass Communication and Diploma in Business Information Systems.