For more than half a century, Shepparton has trusted its vision to Graham Hill.
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He has looked into more than a million pairs of eyes — and witnessed many generations pass through his consulting room.
Graham graduated in optometry from the University of Melbourne in 1964.
A year later, he and his wife, Dawn, moved to Shepparton.
In 1965, he joined a small practice on Wyndham St run by optometrist Alan Turner.
Just three years later — at only 25 — Graham bought the practice.
It was a bold move.
One that would shape healthcare in the region for decades.
As Shepparton grew, so did the practice.
It relocated to Welsford Chambers, then to Maude St, where it served the community for 35 years.
Mark DePaola joined Graham as co-owner of the business in 2005.
Then by 2016, the clinic expanded again, growing to support six optometrists and more than a dozen staff.
“I’m truly grateful that Mark wanted to take over,” Graham says.
“It means the philosophy of the practice can continue.”
That philosophy was set early.
“Mr Turner told me, ‘Don’t worry about money. Just look after your patients, serve the community, do your work — and everything will follow,’” Graham says.
“That’s the philosophy I started with. And the one I’m finishing with.”
This year brought another milestone, with the opening of a purpose-built clinic at 94 Nixon St.
Beyond the consulting room, Graham’s contribution to Shepparton has been wide-reaching.
He was involved with the Apex Club, the Shepparton South Technical Board, the Association for the Blind and the Shepparton Arts Council, supporting cultural life alongside health and education.
One of his longest commitments was to the Goulburn Valley Base Hospital.
Graham spent 25 years on the board, including three years as president.
He championed change during the major transition from the Mooroopna site to the current Shepparton hospital.
“That was a huge challenge,” he says.
“Getting the government to staff the new hospital properly was a major process.”
“Shepparton is a self help community, if we don't get government support, we (the community) all put in and help ourselves, that has been obvious my whole time here.” he added
He also chaired the hospital’s building committee for 12 years, helping shape facilities the region continues to rely on.
Later, he served 14 years on the Shepparton Retirement Village Board, including two as president, guiding the organisation through a period of growth.
In 2005, Graham’s service was recognised with the Order of Australia Medal.
He was also named a life member of the Australian College of Optometry and served on the Victorian College Council for many years, including 12 years as president.
Optometry, he admits, was not a predetermined career choice.
“A friend of mine wanted to do optometry, so I went along with him to the interview,” he says.
“And here we are 60 years later.”
Alongside private practice, Graham remained committed to education.
He taught one day a week at the University of Melbourne and watched the profession evolve, with student cohorts growing significantly during his time on the Victorian College Council.
For Graham, working in a regional setting was central to the experience.
“There is no better place to practise,” he says.
“You see a much broader scope; no two half-hours are the same.”
While he will miss seeing patients and working alongside his team, Graham’s connection to the town remains unchanged.
“This is our home,” he says.