Letter from HS Latimer to the Secretary of the College, Miss J S Colledge, about the early history of optometric education

Historical Significance: Latimer recalls: FVOA course established 1912 one year after the VOA founded, it was a two year course (part-time) in 1913, there were one or two lectures a week, held at the Pharmacy College. The lectures in physics were given by Mr Craig, a member of the Pharmacy College, using the text book 'Light' by Glazebrook (see Cat No 603), Mr Henry Baker gave lectures on practical optics in second year. The course was suspended during World War 1 and resumed in 1919 or 1920. Mr Lambert lectured in Physics. Mr Howard S Bell, JK Cumberland and HS Latimer lectured the rest of the course (See Cat No 278 and 617 for Latimer's lecture notes).For some years subject lecturers were HS Latimer (Physics and Anatomy) Howard Bell (Physiological Optics), CW Kett (Diseases of the eye). The subjects of werePhysics and Anatomy of the eye transferred to Melbourne Technical School (now RMIT) in 1930. The entrance standard was raised from Intermediate (Year 10) to Leaving (Year 11) and course extended to 3 years in 1930 and just before 1935 to 4 years. Clinical experience obtained at the City newsboys club where newsboys had their eyes examined and glasses were provided gratis.HS Latimer was one of the 5 people who signed the Articles of Association of the Australian College of Optometry in December 1939. He was prominent in the affairs of the Victorian Optical Assocation (now Optometrists Association Victoria) of which he was President 1925 to 1928 and to which he was elected honorary life member. See other Latimer material in Archive Cat No 278, 375, 617.