Eye for Detail | Bruce Mellick
Eye for Detail
Bruce Mellick
Words by Stacey Carrick
Bruce Mellick is a born and bred Cairns local – so local, in fact, that his optometry practice is just down the road from Cairns Base Hospital where he was born, and both his family home and his primary school were in Abbott Street.
His elder brother Victor just happens to have a men’s fashion store in the same street as his practice, Bruce Mellick Optometry in Abbott St.
The practice was established by Bruce in 1974 and has been at its current location since 1994.
Upon completion of his degree in Brisbane, Bruce made a point of returning to the far north to continue his passion for providing exceptional eye care.
“We give our patients the best possible vision performance and subsequent quality of life by providing the best vision and eye health care possible,” he said.
“With state-of-the-art instruments and commitment to continued improvement in our profession, we maintain the highest health care standards.”
When you have an eye examination, Bruce will test your vision, the health of your eyes and also look for any signs of general health problems.
“It is important to have regular health check-ups so we can check for conditions such as glaucoma and diabetes,” Bruce said.
“I recommend every two years for people under 65 and every 12 months for people over 65.
“I make sure we take time and care with all of our patients.”
Bruce and his team also understand the importance of finding the right frames.
“People need to see properly, but they also need to look good,” he said.
“They need to feel good and look good at the same time.”
Bruce and his team ensure they keep up-to-date with the latest style of frames to ensure they are high quality, fashionable and unique.
“I get a great sense of satisfaction when I help people,” he said.
“Service is the main thing. I do everything I can to exceed people’s expectations. My profession is optometry but my business is service.
“The profession is definitely expanding, it’s interesting and it keeps me alive.”
Bruce has high praise for his team, which comprises two optometrists (the other being Alex Norris) and six support staff, including practice manager Karyn Mann, who has been working with Bruce for 15 years and has a Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing.
“We’ve been together for so long it feels like we are family,” Karyn said.
“We’ve got patients whose kids and grandkids are now coming to see us.
“I love having the scope to help people. We are able to source the best frames and best lenses for people to look and see their best.
“Bruce loves what he does so much – he keeps his education up to date, he loves assisting people and solving problems.
“He has no intention of retiring any time soon. He enjoys what he does and he’s in it for the long haul.”
Bruce is obviously in it for the long haul just like Victor, who is passionate about men’s fashion just as Bruce is passionate about optometry.
“We are a very close-knit family,” he said.
“I’m proud of Victor – he’s honest, reliable and optimistic. We are both passionate about our business – I think the most important thing is to be true to yourself.”
Bruce Mellick Optometry
187 Abbott St
Ph: 4051 6795
www.brucemellick.com.au
