Letter from Anne Jabara about her father Ernest Jabara (undated)

Historical Significance: Ernest Jabara was a Melbourne optometrist practising at 71 Collins Street from 1924 until 1972 and was one of the founders of the Australian College of Optometry in 1939/1940. He was the foundation chairman of the College Council, although he remained in that role for only a few years because of a dispute that caused his resignation. This letter provides information not found in other sources, including that he was born 26 September 1897 and died 23 February 1981 of motor neurone disease; his father was a jeweller in Swanston St Melbourne; he began training as a watchmaker after leaving school; studied optometry for two semesters at Columbia University, New York, before travelling on to London to sit the FSMC examinations in 1923, his overseas studies were funded by his uncle Walter who lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil; he commenced practice at 71 Collins Street in 1924 (age 27) and married Freda Moore 15 April 1931. The letter states he studied optometry at the University of London, which is not so, since this university has never provided an optometry course. His qualification was from the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (FSMC) which provided examinations but no tuition. In 1920s he may have studied at the London School of Optics (run by the Anglo-American Optical Company and also called the Anglo-American School of Optometry), or the Northampton Institute (later the City University), the British Optical Institute or the West Ham Municipal College in London. His qualification Fellowship of the Institute of Opticians (FIO) was a membership-based post-nominal not earned by study and examination by the Institute. However, the University of London did have connections with bodies teaching optometry in London through its physics department at the Imperial College of Science and Technology. See http://www.college-optometrists.org/en/college/museyeum/online_exhibitions/students_past/London2.cfm