Meet the team

Natalie Beardsworth,  FBDO, BSc(Hons), MCOptom, MClinOptom,
Optometrist

Originally a dispensing optician, Natalie studied optometry at the University of  Wales in Cardiff. After graduation in 2002 she worked as a hospital optometrist at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and emigrated to New Zealand in 2004. Since joining Sercombe & Matheson in 2007 she has completed a Master's degree in Clinical Optometry and Australian College of Optometry's Certificate of Ocular Therapeutics in 2022. Her special interests include paediatric optometry and myopia control. She works at the paediatric clinics at Hutt Hospital and Wellington Hospital as well as working with us. Outside work Natalie enjoys good coffee, reading, and going on holiday.

email Natalie    Natalie's Linked in profile

Annette Morgan B.Optom (Auckland), Cert Oc Pharm,
Optometrist

email Annette

Frances Misich
Optometrist

 

Lucia Cunado
Optical Assistant




 

Ian Bennett
Optical Technician

Ian's first job was working as a technician in a wholesale optical laboratory. Since then he has had a varied working life, including spending time as a cycle courier. Ian is a talented spectacle repairer  - the more challenging the job, the more satisfying he finds it. He has a sideline profession maintaining and installing lens edging machines around the country and occasionally further afield. Ian is a multifocal spectacle wearer. Ian is into tramping, climbing and cycling and he's a volunteer fire fighter and supporter of the Paekawakawa reserve in Island Bay. On the home front keeping chooks and gardening are steps on the way to becoming self-sufficient.

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Arnold Dela Cruz B.Sc
Dispensing Optician

After deciding medical school wasn't for him,  Arnold worked in pharmaceutical sales. He joined the optical industry when he moved from the Philippines to New Zealand in 2008, which was a  change that he's found satisfying and rewarding and he qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 2013. Arnold loves the customer interaction involved in dispensing, especially the challenge of matching the customer's optical needs to their lifestyle needs. Outside work, he's acquired a Diploma in Business Management from Victoria University in Melbourne and he enjoys playing guitar and percussion, gardening, car maintenance, DIY projects, video games and going to the gym.

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Vanessa Sercombe
Practice Manager

Vanessa is a former early childhood teacher. 16 years educating and nurturing children, managing staff and running early childhood centres and community creches gave her an abundance of organisational and people skills which she applies to Sercombe and Matheson's business. Mildly shortsighted and an enthusiastic wearer of avant-garde glasses, she's delighted to be involved in both frame purchasing and sales. Helping our clients choose frames provides a nice contrast with the many administrative tasks she's involved in.  Fostering puppies for an animal rescue organisation keeps her busy outside work. 

email Vanessa

Isabelle Southwick

Dispensing Optician

Izzy hails from sunny Hawkes Bay, and joined us in late 2022. She has been a veterinary assistant, hospitality worker and charity fundraiser. She completed the Certificate IV in optical dispensing in March 2024, and was registered as a Dispensing Optician for the first time in November 2024. Fitness, Football and visiting family take up her spare time.


 

Monique Tobin, B.A.

Receptionist

Monique became the face behind the Featherston Street practice's front desk in February 2021. Her prodigious memory (especially for names and faces) make her an ideal receptionist. She grew up in Whangarei and came to Wellington a few years ago to study at Victoria University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in film and media studies not long after starting work. Monique has perfect eyesight but is enjoying wearing glasses as a fashion statement. When she's not at work, Monique loves to read.

Piper Sercombe
Optical Assistant