About Bill Wilkinson Optical?

Bill Wilkinson Optical Centre has operated as an optometry practice and optical retail store in Bendigo for almost forty years. From its origins, until early 2012, it was owned and operated successfully by Mr Bill Wilkinson.

In early 2012, Mr Bill Wilkinson retired and the business, Bill Wilkinson Optical Centre, was purchased by Nicole Baines & Jason Richter.

Nicole Baines, an Optometrist and long time employee of Bill Wilkinson Optical Centre, is a co-director of Lilisa Pty Ltd, along with her husband Jason Richter, who comes to the business with Twenty five years experience as an Optical Dispenser.

Both Jason and Nicole, proudly Bendigo “born and bred,” are delighted to continue the tradition of excellent customer care and service that Bill Wilkinson Optical Centre provides.

“We are determined to remain a truly independent and local business, supporting our local community and employing local people”.

Meet the team
Our award winning team is the key to our amazing success

Nicole Baines
Nicole is a qualified optometrist who graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1994, having the degree of Bachelor of Optometry awarded to her in March 1995. Nicole has practiced optometry in Bendigo since graduating, finally settling into her position with Bill Wilkinson Optical Centre in late 1999. Nicole is a member of the Optometrists Association of Australia, a Fellow of the Australian College of Optometry and is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency Optometry Board.

Jason Richter
Jason is a qualified Optical Dispenser having been awarded a Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Jason has worked in retail optics for twenty five years.brings a wealth of knowledge to his position, as an experienced spectacle mechanic and lens fitter, Jason is also skilled in spectacle repairs. Jason also holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Aileen Smith

Originally from Melbourne, Aileen completed her Optometry degree at University of Melbourne around 30 years ago. Soon after graduating she worked at the Victorian College of Optometry (now Australian College of Optometry) for a year before moving to Bendigo in 1994. Since that time, Aileen has worked in both independent and corporate practices and over the years has established a keen interest in ocular disease and therapeutics. She is thrilled to be joining the team at Bill Wilkinson Optical Centre and is looking forward to forming connections with new patients. Outside of work in simpler pre-covid times, Aileen enjoyed spending time with friends and family, cooking, and discovering new restaurants with the occasional glass of bubbles.

The Dispensing Team
Meet Kristy

Kristy is a qualified optical dispenser with over 15 years of optical dispensing experience. Kristy joined our team as a full time optical dispenser in 2016. She not only brings years of experience but also a vast knowledge of frame and lens designs and technologies. Kristy is able to help with all your spectacle related questions.

Meet Imogen

Imogen is our youngest member of our team. Joining the team just over a year ago, she has taken to the world of optometry and optical dispensing incredibly fast, with a keen eye for fashion and colours, Imogen enjoys help our clients the right frame and lens for their best visual outcome