Bertram Nathan, Councillor of the College, (1955 - 1958) First Chairman of the Opticians Registration Board of Victoria (1936 - 1945)

Historical Significance: Bertram Nathan was the first Chairman of the Optometrists Registration Board 1936 to 1945. He played a very important role in establishing a four-year university level optometry course in 1940 and in the foundation of the Australian College of Optometry. He was a key figure in steering the new College through internal disputes that threatened its survival in its first years. See his profile in 'People who made history' on this web site. He was Treasurer of the Australian College of Optometry 1955-1956 and was instrumental in obtaining a grant from the Government of Victoria to enable the College to buy property in Cardigan Street Carlton on which it could build its own building. He was also the first person to persuade the Government of Victoria to make regular recurrent grants to the College that enabled it to appoint its first full time lecturer in 1958 and later to make a building grant to the College in 1957. He studied optometry in London gaining the FIOO and the FSMC diplomas and returned to Australia on the end of World War 1. See also Cat Nos 10, 142, 143, 144, 387, 799, 890. 896. 914 - 916, 967, 1242. He was made an honorary life member of the Australian Optometric Association in 1951 and the College in 1960. See Cat No 1647. The artist is Bertram Nathan's son who was also very much involved in the affairs of the College as Councillor, Director of Studies and President.507 kb image in Museum iPhoto