Optometric Manpower in Australia, 31 March 1987

Historical Significance: The Australian Optometrical Association, now Optometry Australia, monitored the optometric workforce, and compared it to the needs of the community. It would periodically publish reports which presented the data available and discussed the balance between the demand for eye care and the supply of eye care practitioners. The reports later used the term 'workforce' in place of 'manpower' recognising that it was not only men who delivered eye care.The report was written by David Southgate who, at the time, was the Association's Director of Professional Services.