Collection of examination papers 1944 to 1958 for subjects of the optometry course of the Australian College of Optometry

Historical Significance: Ernest Jabara (1897-1981) was the examiner in the paper on keratometric effectivity, which seems to have been a supplementary examination in which the student (identified as D Allen, one of the first LOSc diplomates of the College) has demonstrated his competence in the subject. The letter by Jabara to Gray commends the student but its main purpose is to tell the College council that the curriculum of the course not well enough designed. Jabara was the first Chairman of the Council of the College when it was established in 1940 but he had an overbearing and self-important manner that lead him to lose the confidence of the Council in April 1942, at which time he resigned as Chairman and Councillor. He formed a breakaway group and remained a bitter critic of the College, although his influence waned within a few years. However, it is of interest that he was still an examiner in 1944 and his letter to Gray reflects his contempt of those who did not follow his educational model. An account of this dispute is to be found in Cole BL. Bertram Nathan Key figure in the history of optometric education Clin Exp Optom 2009; 92: 511-518. See People who made history this web site for a copy of this paper.