Seeing it through

“He rang out of the blue and said, ‘Would you be interested in a job?’ I told him, ‘Well, I can’t be an optometrist,’ and he said, ‘No, no — I want you in my laboratory.’”

That call in 1985 marked the beginning of a career now spanning four decades.

Today, Trevor is recognised as one of the longest-serving optical technicians in the industry, having spent nearly 40 years behind the scenes at Graham Hill Eyecare.

“I was a qualified motor mechanic,” he said.

“But I didn’t love the job — it was dirty and rough. This was cleaner, and I figured I’d give it 12 months. I never imagined I’d still be here.”

With no formal education in optics, Trevor learned everything on the job.

He quickly discovered that the precision, patience and problem-solving skills from his mechanic days translated well to optical work.

His role is far more than just repairing glasses.

Whether he’s crafting shooting glasses tailored to a rifle’s sightline, repairing surgical loupes for dentists, or salvaging spectacles after a fall, Trevor takes pride in finding solutions.

“People bring in their guns and I have to calculate the distance from their eye to the end of the barrel. It’s a challenge — but that’s what makes the job interesting,” he said.

“I get people out of trouble.

“A lot of elderly patients rely on one pair of glasses. If they break, it can really affect their day-to-day life. I do everything I can to reuse the lenses or fit them to a new frame to save people money and time.”

It’s this blend of practical skill and people-first thinking that has made Trevor a trusted figure in Shepparton’s community.

“I had a two-year-old come in recently with a very high prescription. Seeing him put on those glasses and suddenly take everything in ... that’s what makes it all worth it,” he said.

Over the years, Trevor has seen the optical industry evolve rapidly.

“We used to use actual glass in lenses — they were heavier and more fragile,” he said.

“Now we use advanced plastics that are lighter, safer and more versatile.”

Technology has changed from basic bifocals to high-definition digital lenses and blue light filtering.

“There’s a lot more precision now, lenses are customised to a person’s lifestyle and work, which makes a huge difference in comfort and vision,” Trevor said.

Trevor’s dedication has not gone unnoticed.

“This is a remarkable milestone,” Graham said.

“I congratulate my workmate and friend, I am so grateful to have his expertise in our growing business.”

Now working four days a week, Trevor has no plans to hang up his tools just yet.

With a new home for Graham Hill Eyecare on the horizon, he’s excited about what’s ahead.

“I’m starting to see second and third generations come in — that’s really special,” he said.

“If I had to do it all over again, I would.”