Meet Our Optometrists

Your optometry team in Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Maryborough, Woodend, and Heathcote, Victoria.

We provide a range of comprehensive eye care and eye health services to people of all ages. Our expert Optometrists ensure all people are cared personally, to ensure that we meet all of your needs.

Edward Kosmac

Ed Kosmac graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1989 and began his career practising Optometry in Bendigo. Working in multiple rural and suburban locations over the next two years provided a broad clinical experience, and inspired the opening of the first Kosmac & Clemens practice in Kyneton in 1992, with founding partner Ian Clemens. The vision right from the start was to deliver a “best practice” eye care experience to the people of Central Victoria; a philosophy that has retained its strength to the current times.

Since those pioneering years, Optometry has advanced considerably, and with it came new challenges and interests. In 2015 Ed expanded his qualifications with a Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics, and has strong professional interests in ocular disease management (particularly glaucoma), digital lens technology, and contact lenses for the ageing client.

Outside of Optometry, Ed has active interests in music, the visual arts, enjoys growing and preparing “slow foods” & beverages, and playing competitive cricket. He has for many years been President of the Malmsbury Cricket Club where he has committed countless hours to various roles, including coaching junior cricketers and organising fundraisers.

Ed currently lives in Kyneton, where he enjoys the company of his four sons and good friends.

Ian Clemens

Ian became interested in optometry when he himself needed glasses to see the blackboard clearly at school as a 12 year old.

He studied optometry at the University of Melbourne, graduating at the end of 1989.

Soon after graduation, Ian opened Kosmac & Clemens Optometrists with business partner Ed Kosmac.

He returned to study in 2008 to gain an extra qualification in therapeutics – enabling him to prescribe a range of therapeutic medicines to treat ocular disease.

Travel has played a big role in Ian’s life. He took most of 2000 and 2001 off to backpack around the USA, Europe and Africa with his wife. In 2014 he again took a hiatus from work to travel around Australia – this time with his wife and their 3 children. He looks forward to heading overseas for a new adventure whenever the post-pandemic world allows!

Ian has now been an optometrist for over 30 years. He loves to assist people with their visual problems and really enjoys treating ocular injuries, diseases and removing foreign bodies. He loves an optical challenge and likes to solve complex problems by thinking “outside the square”. Use of the latest gadget and diagnostic technology to make his patients’ lives better is a passion for Ian.

“I want to solve your problem and will work hard to help – no matter how simple or complex the issue is. Communication and thorough explanation are what I consider vital to me fulfilling my role as your go-to eye care professional ”

Eating out with his wife and friends is something he enjoys immensely. He also closely follows the extensive sporting and work endeavours of his 3 teenage children.

Anna Ramp

Anna graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2012, and began work at Kosmac and Clemens the following year. For Anna, it’s her love of problem solving that drives her to find the best solutions to her patients’ vision and eye health needs. She enjoys the wide variety of cases that regional-based optometry can provide, and works enthusiastically in conjunction with other health professionals to ensure her patients’ health is well managed.

Originally from Melbourne, Anna now lives in Bendigo where she is (very slowly) renovating her house. She has two dogs, photos of which she will gladly show her patients (even when they don’t ask).

Anna Holt

Anna Holt was born and grew up in Bendigo Victoria before moving to Geelong to complete her Bachelor of Vision Science/ Masters of Optometry degree at Deakin University. She has happily been working at Kosmac and Clemens since 2016. Her role has given her the opportunity to give back to her local community. Anna’s interests outside of optometry include, making music, offroad buggy racing and looking after her young daughter. She is heavily involved in brass bands and enjoys playing baritone horn with several bands across regional Victoria, including Maryborough City Band and the Geelong West Brass Band. Anna’s family has been involved in the Bendigo Car Club since 1976 and she and her fiancé are currently building an off-road racing buggy.

Caleb Van Cooten

In 2022 Kosmac and Clemens Optometrists welcomes Caleb Van Cooten back to the practice. He moved to Bendigo after graduating from the University of Melbourne at the end of 2007. This has enabled him to develop his skills as a full-scope optometrist.

Caleb has been wearing glasses and contact lenses since he developed blurry vision as a 13 year old. He is passionate about children's vision and orthokeratology ‘reshaping the cornea with rigid contact lenses while you sleep’(which he wishes was available to him as a teenager).

Caleb is convinced that providing individualised care for each and every patient is of paramount importance. He has interests in myopia control, orthokeratology, rigid gas permeable contact lenses, myopia control, advanced dry eye management, and management of a broad range of ocular diseases including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, keratoconus, red eyes, and sore eyes.

Caleb has relished his opportunities to visit South Africa during his final year of study in 2007 and has worked in Papua New Guinea and remote aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.

Away from work he enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children. Caleb loves innovating with 3D printing and also plays hockey.

Catherine Prior

Catherine grew up in rural Victoria and developed a passion for optometry after a family member experienced sudden vision loss. This prompted her to study at both The University of Melbourne and Deakin University, completing her degree in 2022

She has a passion for providing comprehensive eye care to patients from all demographics and backgrounds. With past experience in spectacle sales and frame selection Catherine enjoys discussing unusual optical correction techniques for unique visual tasks - as well as the latest fashion trends! She also manages eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and dry eye.

In her spare time, Catherine enjoys cooking, dancing, dining and camping throughout Victoria. She loves spending time with her 2 dogs.

Georgia Albert

Georgia is a recently graduated Optometrist driven by a genuine passion for eye care. Her journey began at a young age, as she accompanied her grandparents to countless eye appointments as they navigated a range of eye conditions. These experiences left an indelible mark on Georgia, igniting a profound fascination with ocular health and a desire to provide compassionate care to individuals facing similar conditions. 

After graduating high school, Georgia was accepted into Latrobe University, where she pursued a Bachelor of Applied Science and Masters of Orthoptics. Since 2019, Georgia has been actively practicing as an Orthoptist, contributing her expertise to various renowned eye care centres such as the Royal Children's Hospital. Her passion for eye care only grew stronger during this period, prompting her to further education in obtaining a Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry at Deakin University. This decision was driven by a commitment to patient-centered care, as Georgia's primary focus centres around fostering impactful and compassionate communication with her patients from a primary level. Ensuring comprehensive understanding of their ocular health intricacies, along with strategies for prevention and management, forms the core ethos of her practice.

Throughout the 7 years of study, Georgia concurrently worked as an Optical Dispenser, accumulating over 6 years of practical experience while earning her degrees. This blend of academia and hands-on work ingrained a comprehensive understanding of eye care. Beyond her professional endeavours, Georgia finds joy in spending quality time with her family, friends, and her beloved companions - Roxy the dog and Jax the cat. She maintains an active lifestyle through gym sessions, harbors a passion for travel and is a dedicated supporter of the Collingwood Football Club.

Rachel Kilta

Rachel is a dedicated optometrist with a fresh perspective on eye care and a commitment to promoting optimal eye health. Recently graduating from Deakin University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Vision Science/Masters of Optometry, she welcomes patients from different demographics and all walks of life. After completing her placement in both metro and regional Melbourne, she desired to practice in a regional setting as she enjoys everything a small community has to offer!  

As a long-time contact lens wearer herself, Rachel enjoys fitting and teaching patients about contact lenses. She also has a passion in managing a range of eye conditions such as cataract, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and dry eye.   Beyond her practice, Rachel participates in homeless outreach services and giving back to her community. She loves spending quality time with her family and friends.

Natasha McMahon

Natasha graduated with a Doctor of Optometry from The University of Melbourne in 2023. During her final year of university she experienced a range of unique placements across Victoria and overseas, including pushing herself outside her comfort zone, performing vision screening in a rural Thailand community.

Natasha believed that a regional setting would be the best place to put everything that she has learned together whilst being able to enjoy all the community has to offer.

During her placements, she enjoyed managing a range of ocular conditions including macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease as well as children's clinic.

Outside of work, Natasha is an avid reader and foodie, a dedicated Swifitie and a diehard (but often disappointed) Essendon supporter.