OUR TEAM

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

"The best part of our group is that we all bring our own areas of interest and expertise to help each other out when needed, and we have the latest technologies to deliver best practice optometry to Toowoomba" - Geoff Somerville

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.

GEOFF SOMERVILLE

Optometrist

Geoff has been delivering exceptional eye care in Toowoomba since 1979 and enjoys that optometry is constantly evolving. He is a member of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia and enjoys providing excellent eye care to his many long-term patients.

Away from work, Geoff enjoys motor racing and fishing, and looking for more ways to enjoy both.

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 in one of only two Optometrists is 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!

STEPHEN LUCAS

Optometrist/Partner

Stephen joined Somerville and 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 ortho-keratology contact lenses, myopia control and ocular disease management.

Steve enjoys walking, playing the viola, volunteering with his wife on the church coffee team, and raising his young family.

GEOFF SOMERVILLE

Optometrist

Away from work, Geoff enjoys motor racing and fishing, and looking for more ways to enjoy both.

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.

LEXIE WATSON

Vision Therapist

Lexie joined Somerville & Merrin in 2022 as an Optical Dispenser, and has since completed a qualification in Vision Therapy.

Lexie works closely with our Behavioural Optometrists, John Merrin and Kate Merrin to create vision therapy programs aimed at improving visual function and efficiency.

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 is 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 is passionate about providing quality eye care services within the community to those in need.

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

BENJAMIN GAMBRILL

Optometrist

LEXIE WATSON

Vision Therapist

Lexie joined Somerville & Merrin in 2022 as an Optical Dispenser, and has since completed a qualification in Vision Therapy.

Lexie works closely with our Behavioural Optometrists, John Merrin and Kate Merrin to create vision therapy programs aimed at improving visual function and efficiency.

NAOMI ARNOLD

Practice Manager

Naomi is a very familiar face in our practice. She has been practice manager for Somerville & Merrin since the beginning and is integral in making sure all our patients receive the most efficient, friendly service and best care possible at both of our practices.

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.