As a supporter of Vision Australia, you keep company with many other exceptionally like-minded people.

Optometrist Ronnie Lui who, together with his wife, Lily Wu, owns and works in their suburban Brisbane practice, Focus Eyecare Studio.

Ronnie and Lily are really excited about making a difference by changing the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. To do this, they've committed to giving a significant gift every year for the next ten years.

Ronnie's career in eye care keeps everything related to eyesight very close to his heart, especially the people affected.

So when he called us recently to say that his intention was for his business to contribute financially to Vision Australia, we invited him on a tour of our Coorparoo offices in Brisbane. It was, shall we say, ‘an eye opener.’

Asked about his motivation for giving such a high level of support, Ronnie's answer was very straightforward:

‘I believe you should work hard in life, and once you are satisfied with what you have achieved, you should give back to society.

I arrived in Australia in 1982 as an overseas student. And coming from a poor family in Hong Kong, I had to do part time work to sustain myself whilst studying for my professional degree as an optometrist.

I chose Optometry because it gave me the opportunity to interact with and help people every day.

This “every day” type of helping is what inspires me to give. It's real and immediate now, and it makes me so happy to do this.’

Should you meet up with Ronnie, there will be no shortage of conversation besides your common interest in helping people who are blind or have low vision.

Ronnie is also a qualified naturopath, a gemologist, and has his second master's degree in training and development. In addition to these achievements he is currently researching for his PhD in vocational education (Griffith University).

Asked if he had a message for his fellow supporters, Ronnie's reply was:

‘Make your contribution as a warm greeting from your heart - nothing is too small or too big.’

If, like Ronnie and Lily, you'd like to discuss a way your generosity can make a profound impact on those living with blindness or low vision, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]