About Us
The People at Sharpe & Fowler
Tim Fowler
Tim Fowler joined the practice, then known as Stewart & Sharpe in 1979. At the time it was situated in Charles St behind Stewarts the jewellers, but moved in 1984 to its present location in York St. Tim and his family are originally from Victoria, and he graduated in 1976 from the University of Melbourne. A two-year stint in the Riverland district of South Australia preceeded the move to Tasmania.
Tim enjoys his work and is constantly seeking new challenges. He is committed to improving optometry standards through continuing education and is a registered prescriber of ocular therapeutics. His interests outside work include bushwalking, gardening, fishing and sailing.
Jennifer Blackwell
Jennifer Blackwell started with Sharpe and Fowler in 1987, and she has been Practice Manager for the last 20 years. She has a Diploma in Optical Dispensing from the Dispensing Opticians Guild of Australia, awarded in 1993. As well as running the practice she is central to the sourcing of the fine eyewear we are famous for.
Outside of the practice, her priorities lie with family - her husband Peter, sons Cameron and Jared, and of course Oscar and Lily, her Siamese cats. She counts art, literature, gardening and travel among her interests.
Brent, Emillie and Brooke
With over 15 years combined experience in the optical industry, we are the friendly and knowledgable staff able to assist with all your eyewear needs. We have a vast knowledge and experience in all types of frame repairs and adjustments, the latest in eyewear and sunglasses and optical lens technology.
Emillie regularly travels to Deloraine with Mr Fowler to assist our clients there.
Eye Health Facts
Ever wondered why cutting onions makes you cry?
As you slice an onion, the onion cells release a gas into the air. When this gas contacts the eye, it turns into weak sulphuric acid in the moist tear layer that coats the eye. Nerve endings in the cornea react to the acid, causing the sting, and trigger the lacrimal (tear) glands to produce lots of tears in an attempt to further dilute and flush away the acid.
If onions are in water, or near running water when cut, there will be much less gas in the air, and you are less likely to start crying.