Official opening of the Australian College of Optometry

Historical Significance: The Australian College of Optometry was established in December 1939 and was incorporated in 1940 during which year its first students were enrolled for the new 4-year university-level optometry course it offered. Its official opening waited until Monday September 22 1941. It was held in the evening at 177 Collins Street Melbourne. Judge Stretton, the first President of the College, officiated. This program sets out the order of proceedings and the speakers, Ernest Jabara, the Chairman of the College Council, and Betram Nathan, the first Chairman of the Opticians (later Optometrists) Registration Board of Victoria. The celebrations continued for the next two days with lectures and clinical demonstrations. The annual dinner of the Victorian Optical Association was held in the evening of the third day.