Essilor’s Queensland laboratory celebrated 85 years on the 9th October. The business was started in 1924 as 'Willmott & Hopkins Limited' and was originally founded in Brisbane CBD to provide optical services to the then, recently founded and growing state of Queensland. Since 1924 the laboratory has changed hands several times until 1998, when it became part of the Essilor Australia Group.
The Queensland team chose to celebrate their roots with customers and suppliers who were described by Essilor’s State Manager, Tim McCann, as an "integral part of the journey and history that have made us who we are today". 1920’s Jazz was the theme for the birthday party, which was held on site at the laboratory’s current Windsor location. There was a second birthday to be celebrated at the same time: The invention of the first Varilux progressive lens, 50 year ago. Longest servicing employee, Maintenance Manager Robert Walker, who has been with the company for 40 years, had particular reason to celebrate and spoke of high hopes for a strong future and another successful 85 years!
