The Cyril Kett Museum and Archive contains books, instruments, spectacles, photographs, paintings, archival papers and objects relating to the history of optometry and optometric education. Items in the collection date from the 17th century.
They provide insights into the changes and developments in optometry and ophthalmology over 300 years.
Cyril Woodford Kett. Painting by John Nathan 1980. Cat No.8.
The Museum and Archive is named in honour of Cyril Henry Woodford Kett FBOA FSMC (1890 - 1970) who was one of the five people who signed the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Australian College of Optometry in 1939.
He was a councillor of the College from 1940 to 1970 and First Vice President 1944 to 1947. He was made an honorary life member of the College in 1954. He donated numerous items of historical interest to the College that provide the foundation of the Museum. The collection formally started in 1970.
The picture shows Mr Anthony Carbines MP and archivist Mr Michael Aitken cutting the ribbon celebrating the opening of the Aitken Gallery at the museum. Others in the photograph are Kett Museum archivists, Colin Bates, Joe Chakman, Barry Cole and Pamela Sutton, and the CEO of the Australian College of Optometry, Ms Maureen O’Keefe.
French gilt brass 5 draw spyglass (small monocular telescope) circa 1820. Foliate & floral decoration around eyepiece, ribbed casing with suspension ring. Five draw telescopic action extends the spyglass for use. Diameter: 32mm, Length closed: 15mm: extended: 40mm. Cat No 3568
The main museum display is in the Aitken Gallery on the first floor of the ACO building. Also there are items from the collection on display in the Schultz foyer and the Nathan library of the College. These displays are changed periodically. The Aitken and Hewett Book Collections are held in the Nathan Library. The Aitken Gallery and these displays and collections can be visited at any time by appointment during ordinary opening hours of the College.