Patient records from the practice of Elizabeth Hatfield in Hamilton, Victoria

Historical Significance: According to the account given by Elizabeth Hatfield and recorded in these papers, the practice was originally located at 150 Gray Street, Hamilton from 1935 to 1966 when it was owned by Fred Hughes, watchmaker. He was joined by William Hughes, described as an optician. Registration Board papers (Cat nos 888 and 889) show that William Russell Hughes was registered as an optometrist in Victoria on August 17 1936 under Section 8 of the then new Opticians Registration Act 1935. He was among the first Victorian optometrists to be registered under the new Act. His address is given as 150 Gray Street Hamilton. He is descibed as the principal of the practice and solely in the practice of optometry and having a total experience as an optometrist for 20 years. It is possible that the practice existed before 1935. Fred Hughes is not listed in the Board papers and presumbaby did not make application for registration. In 1952 optometrist Peter Wardrop (BSc 1948, LOSc 1951) joined the practice. The practice moved to 128 Gray Street in 1966 and was in the hands of Peter Wardrop. He was succeeded by Robert S Bowden [DipAppSc(Optom) QIT 1970 Registered in Victoria 1971.] Elizabeth Hatfield [BOptom Uni Melb 1981] took over the practice in 1985. Ian Swaby [LOSc 1951], an optometrist practising in his own name and also in Hamilton, was a silent partner in the practice until 1991.