Certificate of Fellowship of the Victorian Optical Association for WG Cole
 Catalogue Number: 112 Certificate of Fellowship of the Victorian Optical Association for WG Cole Category: Papers Sub-Category: Certificate, diploma Institution: Victorian Optical Association Year Of Publication/Manufacture: 1927 Time Period: 1900 to 1939 Description Of Item: Framed certicate of Fellowship of the Victorian Optical Association awarded to W Cole on Sept 5th 1927. It is signed by W Latimer (President), W Percy Wood (Vice President) and Howard S Bell (Hon Secretary) and is impressed with a seal. Dimensions of certificate 450 x 400 mm Historical Significance: The Victorian Optical Association was founded in 1911 and is the precursor of the Optometrists Association Victorian Division. It offered courses of training in optometry and those who passed the examinations were admitted to Fellowship of the Association (FVOA). The Fellowship course and qualification was established in 1912 and lasted until 1940 when the Australian College of Optometry was founded to provide a four-year full-time university level course. The FVOA was recognised for the purposes of Registration when registration of optometrists was introduced by legislation in 1935. This certificate was awarded to William George Cole, then aged 24 years, the father of Barry L Cole, who became the foundation professor of optometry at the University of Melbourne.397 kb image in Museum iPhoto How Acquired: Donated by W G Cole Condition: Very good Location: Archive room. East wall slat board |