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Woollahra business feature
Read about some of the businesses that have featured on our website recently

Richard Banks Optometrist
Richard Banks established his business in Queens Court, Woollahra in 1999, after gaining wide experience in a in a number of established practices in Australia and the UK.

Woollahra Village: Richard, optometrists seem to be more than eye healthcare professionals these days...there seems to be a growing fashion aspect to your business?

Richard Banks: There has always been a fashion aspect to my practice, as I enjoy both the optometric and optical fashion sides equally. I have always been interested in design so naturally the design, fashionability and quality of the frames I stock is important to me. The tradition of well-designed and hand-crafted frames has been diminishing with the mass-manufacture of spectacles, but it is very important to keep the tradition alive, as frames made this way still have the best durability and comfort. Yes, they can cost a little more but it's worth it in the long run, as the frames look new and keep their adjustment for longer. Glasses are one of the first things noticed when you meet someone because they are a part of the face. They are a very important part of a person's wardrobe, just as clothes and shoes are.

Woollahra Village: Do we mostly follow European design trends?

Richard Banks: Yes, as in clothes fashion, Europe still leads the way. The best frame design is still coming from countries such as France, Germany and Denmark. And Italy still has a huge glasses manufacturing sector. However the Japanese produce some of the best quality frames, in both acetate (plastic) and titanium. There are also some interesting Australian designs, such as Jono Hennessey, Iconic, and Graz, to name a few.

Woollahra Village: There are a lot of new frame materials and hinge systems now—what are the latest innovations? 

Richard Banks: Hinges without screws are becoming more common. There are quite a few brands each featuring their own approach to the age old problem of screws coming loose and eventually falling out. Companies such as IC! Berlin, Lindberg and Mykita are leading the way here with elegantly engineered solutions. But there has also been a resurgence in older materials such as wood and horn, which feel good next to the skin and have a beautiful hand-made quality to them. In an age of mass production and disposable items, it's nice to wear something that has taken craftsmen weeks to make from scratch.

Woollahra Village: What are the main eye care problems that can go undetected?

Richard Banks: Without a doubt, and because there are no symptoms in its early stages, the main one is the disease glaucoma. However if diagnosed early, vision can be maintained and it can be controlled easily with the use of eye drops. Early stages of macular degeneration and cataracts can also go undetected, and with macular degeneration this can be serious in the long term, as lifestyle changes and in some cases treatment can slow its progress.

Woollahra Village: Do you occasionally refer people on to other specialists?

Richard Banks: Rarely a day goes by that I don't refer someone to an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) for a second opinion or treatment, be it for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, eye lid surgery, or refractive surgery (laser vision correction). Sometimes I'll refer a patient back to their GP, if as a result of an eye examination, I suspect that there is a general health problem such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Sometimes signs of both can be detected by looking at the retina.

Woollahra Village: How often should people get their eyes checked and prescriptions updated?

Richard Banks: Eyes should be checked routinely every two years even if vision is good, so that diseases that the patient may not be aware of can be checked for. Some people need monitoring more frequently if there is the potential for a problem to develop. The patient is advised of this at the time of consultation. There is no reason to put off having your eyes checked. Just as you would go to your GP for a general health checkup, so too you should see your optometrist for a regular eye checkup. And Medicare covers most of the fee.

Woollahra Village: I notice more children wearing sunglasses now. Is there an age that’s too young for sunglasses?

Richard Banks: There isn't really an age that's too young for wearing sunglasses, as the UV radiation of outdoor light can cause damage to the eye in the long term, and young eyes are sensitive to this. However there is some new research which indicates that a little UV exposure may be beneficial. Certainly long hours in the sun without sunglasses is not a good idea no matter what your age.
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Woollahra Village: What about prescription sunglasses? 

Richard Banks: Prescription sunglasses are a great idea for anyone who wears glasses. If your vision needs correcting with glasses, wearing non-prescription sunglasses can make your vision worse than wearing no glasses at all. We can make conventional prescription sunglasses or more sports-specific types with wrapped lenses for running, cycling, skiing and also prescription goggles for swimming or diving. Lenses can be tinted to a wide range of colours or polarized for maximum glare reduction. All sun lenses are 100% UV blocking regardless of tint type.

Woollahra Village: What are the latest advances in contact lenses?

Richard Banks: The latest advances in contact lenses are new super-permeable materials. These allow much more oxygen through the lens to the cornea (front of eye) so that the lens stays comfortable for longer. It's healthier for the eye, and many of these materials are more resistant to drying out which also maintains comfort. These materials are available in most types of contact lenses. Also the latest orthokeratology lenses are doing well. They are worn only when sleeping, and on removal enable you to see perfectly during the day, as they reshape the corneal curvature, in a similar way to laser refractive surgery. They are a non-surgical alternative to refractive surgery.

Richard Banks Optometrist
Shop 7, Queens Court, 118 Queen Street, Woollahra Tel 02 9328 2842
Email rbanks@optusnet.com.au Website www.rboptom.com.au
Hours Mon to Fri 9.00 am - 5.30 pm, Sat 10.00 am - 3.00 pm

Pure Wellbeing Massage & Natural Therapies
Pure Wellbeing Massage & Natural Therapies joined the Woollahra community in 2010 with a focus on offering top quality health and wellbeing products and services. As a local resident, Chontelle Stevens, owner of the business wanted to provide a dedicated therapeutic practice for the community.

Woollahra Village: Chontelle, what services does Pure Wellbeing offer?

Chontelle Stevens: Our degree and diploma qualified team are specialists in sports, pregnancy, hot stone, remedial and relaxation massage with a focus on pinpointing the source of muscle pain, relieving tension and providing deep relaxation. We also have an Ayurvedic specialist who is focused on aiding detoxification and cleansing through her range of treatments. We like to work alongside other therapeutic specialists such as fitness trainers, naturopaths, osteopaths, chiropractors, podiatrists and physiotherapists to ensure our clients’ needs always come first.

Woollahra Village: There are a range of fantastic wellbeing services in Woollahra, what's the point of difference for Pure Wellbeing?

Chontelle Stevens: Our team utilise a range of techniques including remedial, myofascial and trigger point, plus postural assessment to provide an effective massage treatment. Because of our high level of training we are also accredited with all the major health funds in Australia. We want to ensure clients receive a full experience so their treatment starts with a relaxing foot spa and a warming herbal tea to unwind and soothe. They then have time to consult with their therapist to discuss their health background, needs and preferences before commencing their massage to ensure an individualised treatment.

Woollahra Village: What sort of people come to you as clients?

Chontelle Stevens: We have a range of clients from recreational runners/cyclists and gym-goers, city workers, expectant parents and some elderly clients. We also look after clients with chronic conditions such as MS or fibromyalgia.

Woollahra Village: What are the key benefits of receiving massage?

Chontelle Stevens: Massage has proven effective in helping increase circulation, increase muscle and joint range-of-movement, relaxing the nervous system and reducing muscle tension. Our sports massages are focused on preventing/managing injuries, while preparing the body for events and hectic training schedules. With our pregnant clients, massage can help the body adapt to the ongoing changes, providing relaxation while reducing muscle and nerve pain often experienced by expectant and new mums. Our clients come back to us because they experience effective results and enjoy the process.

We are open after work hours and on Saturdays to help busy individuals look after themselves better and our door is always open if you want to come up and say hello.

Pure Wellbeing is at 136a Queen Street, Woollahra 2025 Tel : 02 9362 5886
Email chontelle@purewellbeing.com.au Web www.purewellbeing.com.au

Mortgage Direct
Woollahra Village spoke to Jo Carroll, who along with Peter Gomer, is a principal of Mortgage Direct. They are local residents and moved their business to Woollahra in 2001 after operating for almost a decade in the CBD.

Woollahra Village: Jo, what services does Mortgage Direct offer?

Jo Carroll: We offer clients financing solutions tailored to their individual needs, home loans, investment loans, business loans as well as finance for motor vehicles and equipment. We can save business owners hundreds of dollars a year by refinancing their bank overdrafts at home loan rates. It can be that simple.

Mortgage Direct has partnerships with financial advisers, lawyers, estate planning lawyers, conveyancers and property consultants so our clients can access a full range of services.

Woollahra Village: The major banks claim to offer similar services...what’s the difference when dealing with Mortgage Direct?

Jo Carroll: We offer our clients discreet, high level personal service. We’re mortgage managers and can generally provide same day loan approvals.

Our clients are assured of consistent ongoing support and it’s a simple call to our office for any queries on their loans.

Woollahra Village: Where does Mortgage Direct source its funds ?

Jo Carroll: Mortgage Direct has wholesale funding arrangements with major banks. This powerful combination delivers our clients the best of both worlds, personal service with the security and confidence of knowing that their loan is backed by major financial institutions.

Woollahra Village: What sort of people come to you as clients?

Jo Carroll: We have clients from all walks of life: business owners, professionals, investors and first home buyers. Some of our clients have been with us since 1993 and we have become their trusted advisers.

Woollahra Village: Was moving to Woollahra a good decision for your business?

Jo Carroll: Certainly, Woollahra’s a beautiful village and a great environment to have an office. Many of our clients are locals and it’s great to be part of this community.

We’re happy to arrange appointments on Saturday mornings for clients who want to come visit us out of office hours and enjoy the local cafes and shopping.

Mortgage Direct is at Level 3, 60 Moncur Street, Woollahra NSW 2025 Tel: 1300 360 999 Fax: 9302 0599 Email: info@mortgagedirect.com.au Web: www.mortgagedirect.com.au