OUR TEAM

With many decades of experience, our Optometrists and support staff provide eyecare of the highest quality.

JOHN MERRIN

Optometrist/Partner

John graduated as an Optometrist in 1983 and has since undertaken additional training in Paediatric and Behavioural Optometry. He is a member of the Australian College of Behavioural Optometrists, a body whose goal is to develop and enhance the skills needed to achieve a more effective visual performance for all patients, at work and play.

John is an avid cyclist, enjoys playing the saxophone and tending to his apiary, and is involved at Humeridge Church of Christ.

JOHN MERRIN

Optometrist/Partner

John is an avid cyclist, enjoys playing the saxophone and tending to his apiary, and is involved at Humeridge Church of Christ.

STEPHEN LUCAS

Optometrist/Partner

Stephen joined Somerville & Merrin as a first year graduate Optometrist in 2005 after completing his degree at Queensland University of Technology with First Class Honours, and became a partner of the practice in 2022. His special interests in optometry include orthokeratology contact lenses, myopia control and ocular disease management.

Steve is married with two daughters and enjoys AFL, volunteering on the local church coffee team, playing the viola, walking and cooking.

KATE MERRIN

Optometrist

Kate completed her Masters of Optometry including Therapeutic qualification at Flinders University in 2020. Since graduation she has completed her Vision Therapy accreditation, Behavioural Optometry qualification and is one of only two Optometrists in Australia to have a Neurovisual Medicine qualification. Kate has special interest in Binocular Vision Dysfunction, rigid contact lenses and Behavioural Optometry and is a member of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society.

Kate enjoys gardening, reading a good book and loves all things musical!

BENJAMIN GAMBRILL

Optometrist

Benjamin joined the Somerville & Merrin team in 2022 bringing with him 8 years of practice experience.

Ben has special interests in contact lenses, including ortho-keratology contact lenses, and eye disease management.

STEPHEN LUCAS

Optometrist/Partner

KATALIN KRUCHIO

Optometrist

Katalin graduated from QUT in 2000 with First Class Honours, and worked in rural NSW before moving to Queensland. She has completed a graduate certificate in Ocular Therapeutics, a Practical Vision Therapy certification as well as a certificate in Advanced Contact Lenses. Her interests include dry eye management, myopia control as well as ocular disease management. She believes in treating all patients with compassion and provides high level eye care to her patients.

Outside of work, Katalin enjoys numerous crafts, fitness, and spending time with her family and cat.

JOHANNA BAKER

Vision Therapist

Johanna began her career as a Vision Therapist in 2010 and is passionate about helping people of all ages enhance their visual performance and overall quality of life. A proud mum of four, she enjoys coffee, reading, and gaming.

Johanna brings lived experience with neurodiversity and disability and is currently studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science to extend her knowledge and deepen her expertise.

KATE MERRIN

Optometrist

Kate enjoys gardening, reading a good book and loves all things musical!

BENJAMIN GAMBRILL

Optometrist

Benjamin joined the Somerville & Merrin team in 2022 bringing with him 8 years of practice experience. Ben has special interests in contact lenses, including ortho-keratology contact lenses, and eye disease management.

KATALIN KRUCHIO

Optometrist

Katalin graduated from QUT in 2000 with First Class Honours and worked in rural NSW before moving to Queensland. She has completed a graduate certificate in Ocular Therapeutics, a Practical Vision Therapy certification as well as a certificate in Advanced Contact Lenses. Her interests include dry eye management, myopia control as well as ocular disease management. She believes in treating all patients with compassion and provides high level eye care to her patients.

Outside of work, Katalin enjoys numerous crafts, fitness, and spending time with her family and cat.

JOHANNA BAKER

Vision Therapist

Johanna brings lived experience with neurodiversity and disability and is currently studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science to extend her knowledge and deepen her expertise.

LEXIE WATSON

Vision Therapist

Lexie joined Somerville & Merrin in 2022 as a qualified Optical Dispenser and has since completed her Vision Therapy accreditation. She works closely with our Behavioural Optometrists to develop tailored vision therapy programs that enhance visual function for our primary school-aged patients.

Outside of work, Lexie enjoys spending time with her family, baking, watching the footy and is quite competitive with a game of Scrabble.

LEXIE WATSON

Vision Therapist

Outside of work, Lexie enjoys spending time with her family, baking, watching the footy and is quite competitive with a game of Scrabble.

AMANDA DOBSON

Business Manager

Although you won’t see Amanda in our practices very often, she is a busy little bee working behind the scenes keeping our bookkeeping and accounting under control and making sure our business runs smoothly.