Files and History of the NSW Optometrical Auxiliary
 Catalogue Number: 3561 Files and History of the NSW Optometrical Auxiliary Category: Papers Sub-Category: Collection of papers (Events) Committee: Nola Reed, Julie Henderson, Margaret Levick, Sandra Donovan, Jeannette Layland Year Of Publication/Manufacture: 1971-1987 Time Period: 1940 to 1999 Place Of Publication/Manufacture: Sydney, NSW Publisher/Manufacturer: NSW Optometrical Auxiliary Description Of Item: Six ring binders, blue vinyl covers, 440 x 350 x 50 mm, each labelled 'History of the NSW Optometrical Auxiliary 1971 to 1987' in gold lettering on cover and spine, with volume numbers 1 to 6. Each folder has a title page stating that the historian was Nola Ford, assisted by Julie Henderson, Margaret Levick, Sandra Donovan, Jeannette Layland. Contents are in date order. Contents include constitution of the group, minutes, newsletters, correspondence, advertising and marketing material, newspaper clippings, membership lists and materials, awards, ephemera, educational materials, photographs, reports etc. Historical Significance: The NSW Optometrical Auxiliary was a group that worked to promote optometry and eye care in NSW between 1971 and 1987, a period in which optometrists were not permitted to advertise and the opportunity to promote the profession and eye care was limited. The group comprised wives of optometrists almost exclusively. The auxiliary was particularly active in schools, teaching children about eye care using material developed by the American Optometric Association.The material paints a vivd picture of optometry and society at the time. There were few women optometrists in NSW during the 1970s and 1980s. Feminism was in its early stages and the wives of optometrists saw support of their husbands' careers as their duty. The Auxiliary declined with the growing number of women in the profession, changes in the perception of women's' role in society and relaxation of advertising laws.Similar groups existed in Victoria and Queensland How Acquired: Donated by Jeannette Layland, former President of NSW Optometrical Auxiliary Date Acquired: 4/12/2017 Condition: Very Good Location: Archived journals room |