Framed portrait of Thomas Marks who was President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind 1900, 1935-1937. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Marks sits at a table, wearing black tails and pants, a white pleated dinner shirt and black evening dress bow-tie. One hand rests next to a cup and saucer, the other rests on his lap. Tom Marks was educated at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. He was a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now Vision Australia) at its establishment in 1895. He went on to serve as President of organisation in 1900 and was later appointed as a part time paid secretary – an office he occupied from 1904 to 1927. He again served as President from 1935 to 1937 during which time he celebrated his 80th birthday. As the living conditions of many blind people were deplorable at this time – they were often confined to a room or shed without any social contacts – it was realized that support for blind persons was needed to serve as a refuge for the oppressed, a home for the indigent, a rest home for the sick and a convalescent home to provide both respite care and permanent accommodation. Mr Marks had a reputiation of having good contacts and being able to use people with more knowledge than himself. An able musician, Tom Marks was often employed in the homes of wealthy families. As a result he met Mr and Mrs Grimwade who were already supporters of Vision Australia. They organized a gymkhana to raise money for the nucleus of a building fund. From this time Tom Marks was involved in the finances of the centres at Brighton, Ballarat and Bendigo, which were the ultimate result of the fund. He was also part of a team that negotiated the financial agreement between the RVIB and Vision Australia over fund raising and the allocation of money, which lasted from 1930 to 1939. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr Thomas Marks / President 1900, 1935-1937/ Association for Advancement of the Blind'. association for the advancement of the blind, thomas marks

The C2 Talking Compass is a miniature hand-held battery-operated eight-point compass with digitized voice output. At the top of the compass there is the speaker and the activation button. A three-position slide switch on the side is used to switch the compass off (central position) and select one of the two in-built languages or voices. The compass pronounces the eight compass points in clear digitised speech. It represents an excellent mobility tool for an active blind or vision-impaired person. Unobtrusive, light-weight and reliable, it augments it's user's orientation sense, and contributes to his or her safety and self-confidence. The compass relies on 2 x 12V batteries. Weight: 61 grams.1 semi-transparent light-blue oval shape compass with blue nylon, plaited wrist strapassistive devices, orientation and mobility

Coin collections have a long and varied history. Coins were often collected in churches in a box located near the entrance/exit, and later via a collection plate that was passed amongst the congregation Funds were used to repair the church or feed the poorest of the parish. The donation of coins is and was considered part of religious life and mentioned in Christian, Jewish and Islamic texts. With the need and expansion of charitable works occurring outside religious life, charity boxes began to spread into hospitals, orphanages and asylums. The need for non-fixed boxes grew with the rise in charities and their activities outside a fixed building. Collection boxes could be large (and therefore hard to move) or could be held by individuals acting as collection agents, working at a specific location, moving between dwellings or at events. These boxes were designed to be reused, with a pop out section in the base.2 x metal coin collection tins with printed sidesFront: The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind St Kilda Road The only Institute in Victoria for teaching blind adults trades & professions educating & maintaining blind children & babies (Lighthouse with words radiating out from light) Modern cottage homes Pensions - after care & sick fund Prevention of blindness lectures, etc. Free wireless radio for needy cases Boat shed & club house Professions & trades Blind babies nursery Wireless sets Social club Happiness for the blind every day & night Musical education Higher education Domestic science classes for blind women & girls A free education Maintenance of blind children The Lighthouse! As a thanksgiving for sight Please place a coin in this box and help to keep the Beacon Light flashing for the Institute's Blind Adults, Babies and Children Side: (Picture of two girls playing with dolls house) Our blind babies and pupils will probably spend 70 years in our Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind St Kilda Road As a thanksgiving for sight please help make their years very happy ones by placing a coin in this box! Reverse front: (Drawing of a man holding his hand to his eyes as a blast occurs in front of him, pushing small objects towards his body.) It might hit You or Me! Please! Will You? As a thanksgiving for the sight you and your dear ones possess, please place a coin in this box to assist the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, St Kilda Road, and its Blind Adults, Children and Babies! Reverse side: (picture of workshop at RVIB) One of our many spacious workshops provided by public subscription! The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind is faced with the problem of employing and otherwise assisting its blind workers. It gives them charitable allowances in addition to their earnings, amounting to approximately 15,000 (pounds) every year, to enable them to support their wives and families! No profits can therefore be made! This 15,000 (pounds) is distributed because the great handicap of blindness prevents blind persons from earning as much as their more fortunate sighted fellows. Please! Ask Storekeepers for our Baskets, Mats, Brooms, etc. And as a thanksgiving for Your Sight place a coin in this box for our blind adults, children and babies! Embossed on the top of the box is Royal Victorian Institute for the Blindfundraising, royal victorian institute for the blind

The Upper Kiewa Valley Lions Club sponsored a Collection Guide Dog. Money was collected regularly by Guide Dog volunteers. The funds are used for Guide dog training programs. They are trained to guide a person who has low vision, disability or illness. It began in the 1950s and by 1957 there was a guide dog organisation in each Australian state .UKV Lions club was active in the Kiewa Valley raising money for charities eg. Blind Institute. Collection dogs were used as a novel way to collect money and easily supported by businesses etc. In 2024, our society is becoming cashless creating a problem for collection dogs etc. with donations more often made by internet banking.A) Light coloured 'plastic'/'ceramic' labrador dog with a brown strap, a money slot is on the top of his head, and he is sitting on a brown stand. B) Cloth Pennant is triangular and long mostly white (dirty) with blue print and logo and a blue border. The end for attaching is of purple bias binding with two hooks for attaching to a stand. B) Pennant: 'Royal Guide Dogs Association / Mobility/ '78 / For the Blind / Community/ Service Award'guide dogs, upper kiewa valley lions club, fund raising, blind people

Sepia photo of three rows of school children on Sunday School picnic, teacher at left. Child at front right on tricycle. 28 children, 1 adult. In background, bamboo blind hanging in front of weatherboard wall, brick chimney ? at right. Grapevine ? at right and top. In foreground lying on ground reed stalks ? Some girls in pinafores, black stockings and boots. Boys in sailor suits and boots.person, group, sunday school picnic

''Amy Huxtable Memorial Committee Archives''. Folder comprising approximately 80 items - informative and valuable detailed correspondence,short articles, newspaper items and general background to the various memorial projects designed to commemorate the life of Amy Huxtable. This archive covers the period from 1980 to 1993 when the various projects - a Garden Seat, microfilming of the raft of Huxtable newspaper articles, (Ola Cohn Fountain restoration - not proceeded with), purchase of three Ola Cohn sculptures for Bendigo Art Gallery - were under discussion and action. Financial information included with interesting correspondence and material giving details of life and work of Amy Huxtable.person, individual, amy huxtable, bendigo advertiser, ola cohn, bendigo art gallery, cox business college, view street, bendigo home and hospital for the aged, bendigo and northern district base hospital, mirridong home for the blind, cr. r.l. campbell.

Amy Huxtable (short address re AH - to RHSV (Bendigo), 17/1/1982 by unknown author? Author may be the handwritten name in the margin of the second page - Sylvia Hampson?? (TD)). Two pages typewritten.person, individual, amy huxtable, bendigo and northern district hospital, mirridong home for the aged blind, bendigo home and hospital for the aged, smile club, 3bo. bendigo high school, bendigo business college.

Photograph. Harry Biggs Collection. 1 black & white photo of a tram with 2 men at drivers end. 1 person is standing looking through a window. The other windows have their blinds down. Buildings can be seen behind the tram including a mans public toilet. Sign on top of tram reads 'Briquettes for a Real Fire'.organization, public utility, transport, harry biggs collection, tram

Colour print of Bendigo SECV Bendigo tram 21, leaving Charing Cross for Golden Square. On Kodacolor paper with a Kodak red ink stamp on rear. Tram has dash canopy lights, but no large white strip under the drivers windows. Tram has a good load of passengers on it, with all blinds drawn, showing destination "Golden Square". Fitted with roof ads "Electricity best for Cooking" and an ad Mamouneys - Furniture and Carpets. A Cohn's drinks ad is on the front dash panel. Photo has the Ezywalkin store in background and the City Club Hotel in the right hand side of the photo. Photo dated 21.11.1962.On rear top left hand corner "21 / 21.11.62" in very wavy handwriting, typical of an aged person.charing cross, bendigo, golden square, tram 21

Colour photograph. Car interior. Red seats. Louvre blind in back window. Safety handle.FJ Holden, (1954-1956)person, individual, peter ellis car

Articles in annual report include: Interest free loans up to $3000 per person were available. In 1979-1980 360 blind people and their families benefitted under this scheme and this means that $250 000 of institute funds are kept in circulation. The aids and equipment shop, introduced Kurzweil reading machine - one of the foremost organisations in the world to provide such equipment to blind people. Some years ago Mrs Cecelia Tye left her property at Romsey, now 6 buildings are used as an educational camp and two will be used for self-contained accommodation. The new building will start and finish by end 1980 and the new holiday house at Barwon Heads was opened.1 volume of text and illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, corporation records

Update on activities for the year including : retirement of Principal F.C. Douglas and upcoming retirement of Matron Dunell affording opportunity to align management of these services under a single person, annual camping trip to Goulburn, and the Railway Hotel in Windsor raised over $11,000 to again win first place amongst hotel fundraisers.1 volume of text and illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, corporation records

This board was created to honour the work undertaken to administrate the Foundation by it's board and voluntary members. It is inscribed as follows: "The Queensland Foundation for Blind People Inc, (formerly the Queensland Placement & Training Centre for the Blind Inc) est. 1956. The Dickinson Honour Board. Foundation Director - H.C. Dickinson M.B.E. Presidents: H.W. Thiele, T.M.Bryce, K.W. Hooper MLA, B.T. Turnley OBE, D.M. Cameron MP. Vice-Presidents: K.W. Hooper MLA, A. Hartshorn AM, K.M. Dickinson AM, T.M. Bryce, S. Cliffe, M. Dickinson AM. Secretaries: M.M. Bird, J. Maclean, J. Cummins, L. Smith, M. Orr, I. Bauman, W. Hooper, L. Eadie, C. Guthrie, R. Pearl, R. Stevens, D. Donaldson, P. Caulley, J. Mitchell. Treasurers: G.E. Ross, M.N. Solomon, J. MItchell. Meritorious Service: C. Alroe, J, Ball, E. Bebb, T. Blackford, C. Boyle, T. Boyle, E. Brown, B. Coleman, S & L Cowen, T. Davidson, D. Drake, V. England, F. Feint, S. Granata. G. Hannam, S. Hanarahan, E. Heap, A. Henderson, D. Henderson, A. Horn, C. Hudson, H. Jahoda, J. Johns, E. Laws, M. Loxton, P. Ludlow, E. Morgan, T. Mulroney, T. McLearie, R. Newitt, N. Noad, D. Pauls, B & E Perry, E. Person, M. Persse, M. Porteous, N. Price, R. Prineas, P. Robinson, S. Russ, K. Scells, E. Searle, N. Shannon, E. Squires, I. Stewart, J. Thomas, E. Turnball, J. Vaughan, M. Wilde, J. Warren, J. Shaw, A. Brown, P. Ruhle, R. Mulholland, N. Crossman, E. Power, A. Power, S. Boucat, K. Fitzgerald, A. Hartshorn, D. Cameron. Trustees: M.M. Bird, F.R. Taylor, B.T. Tunley OBE, K.W. Stone OBE, S. Jones BEM, H.C. Dickinson MBE, K.E. Scells, R. Stevens Life Members: M.M. Bird, J. Light, A.J Lobb, A. Hartshorn, M. Dickinson AM, E. Searle, D. Henderson OAM, M. Solomon, D, Cameron Board with rows of etched platesroyal blind foundation of queensland, nameplates

Metal badge with orange background and white text (Buy a Candy Cane), with blue and pink 'candy canes' as graphics in background. There is a stylised sketch of a person with a white cane above the letters 'RVIB'. Possibly produced as part of White Cane Week celebrations, it was most likely used to raise funds and awareness.Large badge with orange background and white writingBuy a Candy Cane RVIB badges, royal victorian institute for the blind

With numbers increasing, the 3RPH began printing their own paper badges rather than relying on metal ones. The blank template could then be modified with a name, if desired. In this example, a laminted card is attached to a metal and plastic clip. The front of the badge has a person facing upwards to a microphone whilst sound waves radiate around them. To the right of this symbol are the words 'Association for the Blind', '3RPH 1629' and then 'Radio for the Print Handicapped' above the name of the badge holder. The wearer's name is then embossed in Braille at the base of the badge on a blue background. This badge was donated by Marjorie West.Large badge with white background and black writing and braille at the baseAssociation for the Blind 3RPH 1629 Radio for the Print Handicapped Marjorie West badges, association for the blind

Occupational therapist Jill Bothe during her time with the Association for the Blind. 058 - July 18, 1983 opening of the Low Vision Clinic & Day Centre Extension. Jill Bothe with a display of items. 069 - Mrs Jill Bothe displays her gifts at her farewell in 1985. 078 - Jill Bothe and an unknown person in 1983 at hydrotherapy.3 x col. photographskelaston home (ballarat), jill bothe

Cane is thick with walking stick handle to support weight as well as be an identification that the person using it is blind or vision impaired. It is white with a red tip on the lower part of the cane, a rubber grip on end and brown plastic handle.4 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordassistive devices, orientation and mobility

John Wicking and Arthur Wilkins smile for the camera outside Government House (Victoria), after receiving their awards. Mr Wicking was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the welfare of handicapped persons, whilst Mr Wilkins was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the welfare of visually handicapped persons. B/W photograph of President John Wicking and Arthur Wilkins with their medals.john wicking, arthur wilkins, association for the blind

Framed portrait of George Maxwell who was President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind 1920-1935. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Maxwell is turned slightly away from the viewer, and wears a blue suit, white high collared shirt and a blue tie. George Maxwell was President of Vision Australia from 1920 to 1935. After an early teaching career he studied law, was admitted to the Bar and became one of Victoria’s great criminal lawyers and later a Federal Member of Parliament. He took an interest the welfare of blind people from his student days. A detached retina in 1920 led to total blindness nine years later, which gave him a great empathy for those with a similar affliction. Through his contacts he was also instrumental in obtaining the first voting rights for blind Australians. Up until 1902 blind people were unable to vote if they couldn’t write with a pen. George Maxwell was working at that time at the legal firm of Strongman and Crouch one of the partners, Mr. Crouch, was elected as a member of Parliament. When the Commonwealth Electoral Bill was being drafted, Mr. Crouch has a clause added enabling blind people to vote in Federal elections, constituting a world first. But perhaps his greatest achievement was obtaining the pension for legally blind people. Until 1910 only those who met the age and means test criteria were eligible. With the help of his legal and political friends a bill was passed which granted the pension to all persons over 16 years of age who were unable to work due to physical disability or blindness. Until this time these people had to be supported by their families or go to a benevolent institution. This was a world first and gave to blind and vision impaired people a measure of independence which increased both their self reliance and self esteem. 1 art original in gold/brown frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Honourable George A Maxwell Q.C. / President 1920-1935 / Association for Advancement of the Blind'.association for the advancement of the blind, george maxwell

Two people wait in a line to board to double-decker bus in Sydney, holding their white cane and feeling the side of the bus. A female in a white coat looks on from the side of the bus near the person about to board. A man (possibly Wally Urgacz) and a woman use their canes to alight from the bus, with the guidance of a woman in a white coat. 4 B/W photographs of two people boarding a bus1967 - Mobility - historical - Bus orientation Bus orientation, locating doorways, safe ways of mounting steps, RBS V NB: Inefficiency of short collapsible cane in descending bus steps. Women aged 67 with some peripheral vision. RBS IV Learning bus orientation with long cane. Man aged 65 (light perception only) RBS VI Mobility training for doorways and seating arrangement in bus. Annual report 1968 Royal Blind Society of New South Wales royal blind society of nsw, white cane day, orientation and mobility, wally urgacz

Three people stand in a kitchen. The gentleman on the left wears a white coat, the younger male in the middle wears a chefs jacket and checked pants, and holds a platter, whilst the older female at the right holds a certificate. A Cooking Apprentice award was given to a person employed at the Association for the Blind.1 x B/W photographassociation for the blind

A man assists a blindfolded person to use a white cane to descend a staircase. This was (and is) a common activity that blindness agencies undertook with sighted staff, to demonstrate (or to practice how to demonstrate) mobility devices.B/W photograph of blindfolded person using a white caneMobility - historicalroyal blind society of nsw, white cane day

Blue sweatshirt with WEG cartoon image of a 4 person family and AFB logos on both arms.Blue sweatshirt with cartoon image of a 4 person family and AFB logos on both arms.Association for the Blind Vision Victoria Kooyong Family Fair WEG cartoon of a 4 person family smiling and holding balloonsassociation for the blind, advertising, william ellis green (weg)

White polo shirt with WEG cartoon image of a 4 person family and AFB logos on both arms.White polo shirt with blue writing 'Association for the Blind' Vision Victoria Kooyong Family FairAssociation for the Blind Vision Victoria Kooyong Family Fair WEG cartoon of a 4 person family smiling and holding balloonsassociation for the blind, advertising, william ellis green (weg)

Handwritten list of Life Governorships awarded to various people from the RVIB during the 1930s until the 1950s. Entries include the name and address or township of recipients, and later a date column was included. No information is included on why a Life Governor was granted however this was usually in recognition for the funds donated to the institution. This amount was dependent upon the time of the contribution. In the Constitution and Rules section of the 1872 Asylum and School for the Blind Annual Report: Membership - Every Subscriber of 10s., and upwards per annum shall be a Member of the Institution, and every donor of 20 pounds and upwards, a Life Member. Auxiliary members who were appointed Life Governors were usually involved in helping organise some of the many fundraising activities, such as the Auxiliaries Annual Three Day Fair. A Life Governorship also meant that the person would have a vote when it came to some decisions made by the Committee of Management. RVIB Life Governors are listed cumulatively in the annual report until 1935 when, due to reasons of space, it was altered so that names appeared only in the year that they were granted. This continued until 1999/2000 when these were no longer awarded.Vinyl covered record book with alphabetical listing of some Life GovernorsR.V.I.B. Life Governersroyal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising

A female secretary sits at a typewriter with earphones on, attached to a dictaphone. In the background are filing cabinets, a typewriter and shelves. Whilst the person is unknown, from her watch, glasses and typewriter, she could be a sighted volunteer or staff member.Digital image of woman seated at a typewriterroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

A brown wooden award with the words 'The Arthur Nothing Trophy' and 'Victoria v South Australia' inscribed on the base. A table tennis player sits on top of the award, with the sole winner's name and score inscribed below it '1978 Victoria 61-20'.Wooden upright rectangle with two shoulders, curved mid-section topped by gold coloured person with table tennis batThe Arthur Nothling trophy Victoria v. South Australiaassociation for the blind, awards

A metal circle sits on a brown wooden board. Within the circle are the words 'Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria' around the upper edge, an outline of a tree with a bush either side in the middle of the circle, and 'Award' below this. A gold coloured plate rests below this and reads: Community Horticultural Award 1987-88 This award was presented to The Association for the Blind George Vowell Centre, Mt Eliza in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the extensive uses of horticulture in an innovative programme being experienced in a practical way by visually-impaired elderly persons who are assisted by a strong volunteer group and staff. President: Val Sinclair 26 November 1988Wooden rectangle with 1 large round and 1 rectangular plaqueassociation for the blind, george vowell centre (mt eliza), awards, royal horticultural society of victoria

Established to help further the welfare of blind people, the Narbethong Welfare Association sought to provide suitable accommodation. Application was made for assistance under the Commonwealth Handicapped Welfare program and Lady Grey House was opened in 1984 and was still operating in 1998 providing short-term, low cost accomodation.Digital image of Lady Grey house nameplateBen Humphreys, M.P. Member for Griffith on 31st March, 1984, officially opened Lady Grey House This project was financially assisted by the Commonwealth Government under the Handicapped Persons Welfare program. Narbethong Welfare Association Fred Bromley, President Eric Searle, Secretaryroyal blind foundation of queensland, nameplates

Hand written testimonies to Neil's work at AFB and VAF. The card reads: Dear Neil, Thank you for showing us the way. We look forward to working with you in all the Kooyong Committee's future endeavors. (Signed by) Margaret Deane, Judith Williams, Bette MacSween, Don Lee, Eve Lustig, Greg ?, Mavis ? The paper reads: Neil Maxwell has always been a very special person over the years he has been at Kooyong. He has been on the board of the Association for the blind from 1984-1993 and became a Director. Neil also became a Tour Guide on the 1st February 1989 and he was tutored by Marjory Lane, and he became very adept in learning new information very quickly. He worked with the Guides until the 7th April 1997. He has also joined the Kooyong Committee and became Chairman in 1998. Neil has given a lot of years to Vision Australia Foundation. He has always been a giver not a taker. Thank you Neil from The Kooyong Committee.Collection of cards paying tribute to Neil Maxwellnon-fictionelizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell