COLE, Barry Leighton (1934-2021)Barry Cole was born in 1934 to William and Thelma, Elwood. An optician, William moved his family to Newtown around the time of World War Two, relocating to Aphrasia Street. Barry was enrolled at College in 1944, beginning Form MIV as a Day student. Prior to attending College, Barry attended Newtown State School.
Barry pursued rowing whilst at College. Under Albert Bell, he went from the 4th VIII crew in 1949 to the 1st VIII in 1950. In his final year he was on the Rowing Committee. He came third in his class in 1949, and 5th in Form VE. In 1951 Barry completed his matriculation, with 1st class honours in Expression and 2nd class honours in Chemistry. The following year he returned to the college to co-coach the 6th VIII crew.
Following his schooling at the college, Barry followed his father’s footsteps and studied optometry. Barry would go on to become a significant figure in the field for Australia and recognised internationally. Barry spent some time observing optometric training at London and Northampton and then went on to a four months study scholarship in the University of Indiana, U.S.A. By 1959 Barry was appointed the first full-time lecturer at the Victorian College of Optometry and worked to have optometry recognised as a degree course at the University of Melbourne.
Barry was appointed director of studies at the Victorian College of Optometry in 1965 which transferred to the University of Melbourne in 1973 when the Department of Optometry was established along with a research school.
He was appointed chairman/head of the Department of Optometry and Reader in Charge of Optometry at the university from 1972 to 1995, then head of the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences from 1996 to 1998.
As foundation chair of the optometry department and Professor of Optometry (1978 – 1999) he was the second professor of optometry in Australia.
In 1987 Barry was recognised for his contributions to the field of medicine, in particular optometry. Barry was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) at the Australia Day Honours.
In his retirement, Barry wrote a History of Australian Optometry and became volunteer archivist at Cyril Kett Optometry Museum.
Barry passed away 27 January 2021, aged 86 years.
Sources: Pegasus, OGC 1947, Vale the father of modern optometry in Australia, Emeritus Professor Barry Cole, AO by Helen Carter