Catalogue Number: 372 A new College for optometrists. Opening of the College building in Carlton Category: Papers Sub-Category: Newspaper, newspaper clipping Year Of Publication/Manufacture: October 21 1960 Time Period: 1940 to 1999 Place Of Publication/Manufacture: Melbourne Publisher/Manufacturer: The Age newspaper Description Of Item: Newspaper clipping from the Age newspaper of October 21 1960 reporting the opening of the College building at 374 Cardigan Street Carlton with a photograph of the the Miss Meriel Wilmot, Secretary of the College, accompanied by a letter dated March 20 2002 from Meriel Wright saying she had found the clipping and was sending it to the College 'for its historical scrap book' Historical Significance: The Australian College of Optometry ? opened its new building in Carlton in 1960 and moved from the rented premises in Kurrajong House (cat no 370 and 371) which it had occupied for 20 years from 1940. [* It was named the Victorian College of Optometry from 1960 to 2009.] Meriel Wilmot was the Secretary of the College from 1957 to 1961. In this brief time her contributions were considered to be so significant that she was elected an honorary life member of the College on her resignation. It was certainly an important time of change when the College bought property in Carlton, appointed its first full time academic staff member, obtained a Government grant for a new building, built its new building and reached agreement with the University of Melbourne for the optometry course to be a degree course in the University. As it turned out she was more influential than the College knew. She had been the mistress of Professor RD Wright, (1906 - 1990) the professor of physiology in the University of Melbourne and later its Chancellor. He was very supportive of the College in its move to provide a university standard course and its eventual affiliation to the University. Meriel Wilmot married Professor Wright in 1964. Professor Wright was made a Knight in the Order of Australia in 1983 which gave the title of Lady to Meriel Wilmot-Wright.Digital image 2.6 Mb in Museum iPhoto How Acquired: Donated by Lady Meriel Wilmot-Wright, a former Secretary of the College Date Acquired: 2002 Condition: Clipping has yellowed. Letter is in excellent condition Location: Archive office. South wall. Cube 5 Album 1 |