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Brennan & Smith Optometrists
268 Rouse Street
Tenterfield, NSW. 2372

02 6736 5855

Mark Smith

Optometrist

Mark graduated in 1982 with a bachelor of Optometry from UNSW. He worked in suburban Sydney before completing the requirements to gain registration in the UK. Working across various practices in England gave him 3 years of valuable and unique professional experience. When he returned to Australia, Mark was keen to establish his own practice and after some searching decided Armidale ticked all the boxes. He moved with his family in 1988 setting the practice up with his good friend whose name is still part of the now familiar Brennan & Smith. Mark continued with Brennan & Smith expanding the practice to Inverell, Tenterfield and Glen Innes in the following years.

Mark is a highly experienced professional who continues to be well respected in the field, and who is still passionate about his work. Recently he reduced his work hours to be able to pursue more of his outside interests which include cooking, nutrition, fitness and farming, and travelling to see his three children who are spread across the world.

Mark St Ledger

Optometrist

Mark St Ledger graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Optometry in 1982. He continued further studies in London in 1983,  after which he practiced for 13 years in the UK.  Mark owned an Optometry practice in Sydney from 1998 to 2005.

After selling this practice, Mark commuted from Sydney to Armidale for 10 years until settling in Armidale on a more permanent basis in 2015,  and more recently becoming a business partner,  bringing a wealth of experience to his practices in Glen Innes, Armidale and Tenterfield.

Mark is the proud father of two children - Joshua & Georgia.  Outside work his passions include Rugby, snow skiing, travelling and the beach. He played Rugby for Randwick, has skied in resorts around the world, travelled extensively around the globe and belongs to the Clovelly surf club.  He has recently undertaken open water ocean swimming with a desire to do more. 

Mark finds it a pleasure and a privilege to work as an Optometrist in the New England District and hopes to continue to provide good quality eye care to those in the New England area for many years to come.

Kate Darley

Optometrist

Kate graduated from UNSW with honours in Optometry and Vision Science. Kate could not wait to move back ‘home’ to the country to start her career in private practise as an independent optometrist. Kate’s particular interests are in disease detection and management, as well as a holistic management when combating children’s vision. Kate’s therapeutic qualification allows her to prescribe and manage a plethora of eye conditions and particularly enjoys co-managing glaucoma, removing metallic foreign bodies as well as diagnosing and treating a host of sore eyes, such as uveitis. Kate has completed a post graduate certificate in Advanced Pediatrics which fully equips her with the most advanced techniques and knowledge for children’s vision.  Kate travels between all 4 Brennan & Smith stores and enjoys the challenge and change of scenery each practice offers. Kate likes to offer “quality eye care, NOT cheap eye care” and has been able to offer this in private practice. Kate is also fully qualified to offer CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) Eye examination for pilot licenses.

Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband Oscar and 3 kids, Eddie, Jack and Hughie on their family beef cattle farm at Yarrowyck. Kate and her family are active members in the community, supporting the Kingstown Pony Club and Torryburn Rural Fire service. Kate has a passion for education and has conducted education sessions on diabetic eye health for local professionals and hopes to see rural and regional health improve over years to come with better education and resources.

Trent Irwin

Optometrist

Trent joined our team at Brennan & Smith in 2012 after graduating from the University of New South Wales with First-Class Honours. Born and raised in Inverell, Trent was eager to return to his local community and provide comprehensive eye care to the New England area. He is therapeutically endorsed for scheduled medicines and has a keen interest in ocular disease, especially the retina and prides himself on thorough examinations to provide both the best refractive result for his patients as well as the early detection and treatment of all ocular conditions.

Trent is passionate about all things sport; particularly distance running, soccer and golf. He and his young family are firmly based in the New England region and envisage remaining here servicing the local community for years to come.

Donna

trainee Optical dispenser

Donna is a senior staff member who always has a smile and friendly nature.  Donna is undertaking her dispensing course through OTEN. When completed Donna will be a fully qualified optical dispenser and an asset to the team.

Staci

Highly qualified in customer service, retail and OPTICS

Staci has been with Brennan & Smith for quite a few years, and has 3 cheeky boys.  Her experience in retail and customer service when combined with her knowledge of optics makes her an asset to the Brennan & Smith team.

Kelly

Highly qualified in customer service, retail and optics

Kelly joined the practice in 2024 and enjoys spending time with her family. The challenges of optics is no problem for Kelly and is always a friendly face.