After six wonderful years with Lions Outback Vision, Drs Yachana and Vaibhav Shah are moving back to Perth.
The husband‑and‑wife team first arrived in Perth in 2017, before moving to Broome in 2020 to join Lions Outback Vision. To commemorate their time at the Kimberley Hub, we spoke to Yachana about how the opportunity arose and what the experience has meant to them both.
Drs Vaibhav and Yachana Shah
The catalyst
“It began with a conversation with Angus (Turner, McCusker Director of Lions Outback Vision), who shared his vision for establishing an eye service hub in the Kimberley region. We were immediately interested, and that set everything in motion.”
The size of Broome and its remote location were new to Yachana and her husband. “I realised early that working there was going to be different. In our first few days, we had optometrists calling for help with corneal foreign bodies or paediatric squints, and they were happy for us to drop by with ten minutes’ notice to see patients together. That level of collaboration was new and refreshing.”
Adjusting to new surroundingsThere were also cultural differences they needed to adapt to. “We observed and listened carefully. Human expectations are universal, but the way they are expressed differs. We tried our best to understand the expectations of each community and deliver care in a way that felt right to them.” This led to many memorable moments along the way. “One patient offered to take me spear fishing. Another said I looked like her grandmother.” |
 Dr Yachana Shah with Professor Angus Turner and their pilot |
Amongst all these experiences, one remains particularly vivid for Yachana. “My favourite memory is of a group of ladies from the Wangkatjungka community. They were holding hands while waiting for surgery, whispering to each other that they would be fine and that ‘she (Yachana) won’t hurt you’. Moments like that stay with you.”
An enduring legacy
Yachana and Vaibhav’s work has had a profound impact on the availability, reliability and quality of eye care across the state’s north. During their time in Broome, the Kimberley Hub has become the go‑to place for ophthalmic care in the region, reducing the need for patients to travel to Perth.
“It evolved into a true centre for all eye‑related issues. We flew patients in and made sure they felt at home while we managed their conditions, whether it was surgery or intensive treatment.” In many instances, this care extended beyond the clinic and hospital walls. “The team provided pick up and drop off support, took patients shopping, and often developed real relationships with them during their stay.”
“It’s been an honour to work alongside Yachana and Vaibhav over the past six years,” reflects Professor Angus Turner. “Through their work with Lions Outback Vision, they’ve helped countless Western Australians access specialised eye care close to home in the regions. Their dedication and pioneering spirit have been instrumental in developing an accessible rural health service.”
 Professor Ian Constable, Elizabeth Constable, Drs Vaibhav and Yachana Shah and their son |
Emeritus Professor Ian Constable AO originally recruited Vaibhav to a two‑year retinal fellowship while Yachana completed a similar fellowship in cornea and cataract surgery with Consultant Emeritus Professor Graham Barrett AM. They brought first‑class specialist expertise to patients in the remote North West with complex eye conditions. |
“I am very grateful for their extraordinary commitment over six years to the people of the North and for their pioneering support for Lions Outback Vision and Professor Angus Turner. I wish them well as they develop new ophthalmic services in the city,” says Professor Constable.
Saying goodbye for now
The decision to leave the region has been a difficult one. “The transition is still ongoing, and it has been hectic. I miss my time in Broome, the short drives, the familiar faces, the lack of parking worries, and the sound of the waves at night. Cable Beach sunsets are hard to replace. The hospital doctors were welcoming, and the Lions Outback Vision staff were the absolute highlight of my time there. I miss the familiarity and rhythm of a small place, and I miss the Lions Outback Vision team deeply. It was a privilege to work with them. Opportunities like that do not come often.”
While we’re sad to see Drs Yachana and Vaibhav Shah go, we remain committed to our mission of providing excellent eye health care services across regional and remote Western Australia.
For others thinking of relocating to regional Western Australia, Yachana had this to say: “Embrace it fully. Do not think too hard about it. Regional life helps you belong in this country in a way that nothing else does.”
