Historically(1920 to 1927), this ledger not only details the legible hand writing of this era but also the day to day commercial activity in the Kiewa Valley region. The neatness and the diligence of those who were required to pen the information into this ledger was a requirement by all who were involved in commercial trade be it in the city or in the rural area. Emphasis on neatness was ingrained in students at a young age. This era was well before general commercial stock computer based inventories. Generally all students of commerce required an accuracy in writing and arithmetic. Neatness and order were a "selection criteria" requirementThis item clearly identifies the Kiewa Valley as having a substantial financial hub to accommodate the various commercial enterprises within a rural environment Circa 1880's. Although Kiewa Valley had mining, agriculture, cattle and sheep it was also composed of a mixed society, encompassing all levels of society at that period. It identifies some the commercial activities(newsagency) undertaken by specific families farming in the Kiewa Valley and relates their history in the period of 1920 to 1927This ledger has a very thick cover of strong compressed cardboard. It has a cloth covering (Glued on) and is a faded blue colour. The corners of the opening side of the cover are reinforced by suede cloth,in a triangular shape, and enclose both the front and inside portions of the the ledger. The spin is reinforced by a suede section to provide increased strength and protection. The inside cover (both front and back) has an orange and brown bubbles and specks pattern. The grammage of the lined sheets (blue) is approximately 120g/m. The first twelve pages are indented and alphabetically marked with alternating red and black letters (two letters per page except for the last page which has three letters). The remaining pages are numbered in black print at the top outside edge of each page. There are 742 page numbers. Each page has thirty two blue horizontal lines and one double red line (second from top) Each page has thirteen vertical lines starting from the top horizontal double red lines and ending at the bottom of the page. These lines segregate the page into blocks for the date, the transaction and financial input. There are three double vertical red lines which designate the amount of money of each transaction (in pounds shillings,and pence).Located on the top section of the spin (in gold print on red background) "LEDGER" This is framed within a golden printed pattern of straight and squiggly lines.ledger, book keeping, 1920s commercial transactions, local kiewa valley commercial history

This ledger was started in 1901 when ledgers and other bookkeeping methods were hand written and with nib or fountain pen application. The various ink spots on the pages of this ledger suggests that when the office worker scribed they used the nib and the owner used the fountain pen. It was not until the mid 1950s that ball point pens were discovered and used in rural areas. The owner of this rural general store was more interested in recording transactions, be it in ink or pencil than the aesthetics of a neat and tidy document. Even though in this era, the principle of neat and tidiness was instilled in workers, this was overlooked and fell away through the economics of employing one staff member to do a variety of tasks for which they may not have had the proper training. It was in the early 1900s that the rural areas such as the Kiewa Valley "had to do" with local employees who had basic training but knew their customers very well and were very respectful of age and the mores of the trading public. The respect by shop owners and staff towards their customers was greater in small rural townships and villages within the Kiewa Valley than in the larger towns and cities. Their was no rushing to get the groceries or to spend the least amount of time within the shop. The social interactions where mixed with commercial activities at a very personalised level of one on one. This closeness gave the customer the confidence that those in the commercial transactions in the shop, where looking after them. This ledger is very significant to the Kiewa Valley as it lists the personal transactions of local businesses, farmers, graziers and miners. Larger accounts and other businesses had one or more pages set aside for their transactions. The words are in large freehand (Capitals 5 mm high) possibly to be read by those with poorer eyesight. The relative long distance to travel for reading glasses or specialised optometrist was overcome by writing in larger fonts. The time taken to register produce or other consumables was not critical during the period when this ledger was in use because the local population was not at the critical level where the demand was not as intense as later on when periods of tourist influx became more demanding. The lay back and relaxed attitude of the local population during this period (early 1900s) was not intense and impersonal as within the larger city shopping and commercial environment. The ability of the shop keepers to interact with their customers not only in the commercial sense but also in a social atmosphere permitted the long hand scribbling of purchases without causing any offence.This item is a cloth and suede leather covered ledger.The spine is suede leather with a red stamped "LEDGER" title. The cover is covered with a dark blue cloth and shows a faded unrecognisable pattern. Each page has light blue lines running horizontal and 90 mm apart. Each page has, from the second line going horizontal two fine 1 mm apart red line. Each page is divided horizontally by single vertical line (except for the two double lines in the centre of the page). The first division separates the month from the day.Next to these lines is an area for the description of the item being purchased. Within the central double lines are vertical lines separating the type of tender paid, i.e., pounds, shillings and pence. The last section of the page has various comments, as required by the scribe.Each page is approximately 160 g/ms. The ledger has 698 pages drawn up on both sides and page numbers of 5 mm in height. 'On spine " LEDGER"commerce, book keeping, shop ledger, local history

Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of book-keeping in the early 20th century an is a useful research tool.Two white paper accounts - black print and hand-written details. Both are from George Grose, saddle and harness maker to R. Cameronon front - "Paid 10/8/10 Geo. Grose" "Paid 11/10/11 Geo. Grose"account-book-keeping cameron-robert-pullar grose-george

Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of early 20th century book-keeping in Orbost and is a useful research tool.A white paper receipt with black print and hand-written details. It is from W. W. Archer at the Orbost Club Hotel to R.P. Cameron, Shire President. It is for 12 dinners and has a blue stamp of the Orbost Club Hotel.receipt-book-keeping orbsot-club-hotel archer-w. cameron-r.p.

This account form was made for the Orbost Motor Garage owned by George Nixon. George Nixon (1862-1941) selected land in Bete Bolong in the 1890's. He married Emily Warren in 1889 in Orbost. He was a shire councillor. He was a prominent breeder of Clydesdales and after a serious fall off a horse walked with a walking stick and special boot for the rest of his life. He was well-known for his interest in cars, horse-racing and politics.He was married to Emily Warren in 1889 in Orbost. Mrs Nixon (Emily)was the first Red Cross president during WW1. They had ten children.both George and Emily are buried in the Orbost Cemetery. (ref:From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point by Hon Peter Nixon A.O.) This item is associated with a prominent Orbost family. George Nixon was the son of James and Alice Nixon. The Nixon families were among the earliest settlers on the Snowy River. It is an example of the early book-keeping of an Orbost business in the early 20th century.A white paper account form. It has black print, blue ruled lines and is unused. t the top is "Orbost Motor Garage" in black capital letters. document-book-keeping nixon-george

The first Presbyterian Church service was conducted at the Orbost Station Homestead in 1885, during a visit by Sir William Clarke, who was accompanied by two ministers. The organist was resident Grace Jennings Carmichael. Services were later held in Mr J. W. Borland’s shop and the Mechanics Hall. In 1887 the land on which the church now stands was purchased from Mr James Hossack snr, for £50 ($100). The trustees were Mr John, Peter and Hugh Cameron, Mr John A Watt and Mr James Hossack Jnr. Timber from Richardson’s Tabbara Mill was used by builder Mr R. P Cameron and at a cost of £ 311.3.7 ($622) the church was opened January 9th 1898. This item is from the estate of Elsie Cooke. Elsie Cooke was a librarian in Orbost for many years. She was the daughter of John Cooke early Brodribb settler. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref. Mary Gilbert This item is associated with the Presbyterian Church in Orbost. It is an example of early book-keeping and is also associated with Elsie Cooke.Two white paper accounts. They are typed in black and are statements of receipts and expenditure for the Presbyterian Church in Orbost. On one sheet is an alhabetical list of subscribers for the year ending June 30, 1891. On the other is a general account of receipts and expenditure.presbyterian-church-orbost account-book-keeping

A letter is a book in which letters or copies of letters are kept especially to provide a running account of a business or enterprise. This one was probably used by H. James & Co. with some letters written by Alan Richardson. Henry James (1860-1932) was an agent and auctioneer. Record secretary of the Snowy River Shipping company. Shire councillor. Foundation member of Butter Factory. This iotem is an example of very early book-keeping in Orbost and is probably associated with Henry James who was a prominent Orbost identity very much involved in the local community.A correspondence book with a blue suede fabric cover and brown binding. It has a red label on the spine. the end papers are marbled. It contains handwritten copies of correspondence.on spine - Letter Bookbook-keeping correspondence-book h.james-&-co richardson-alan

This book was used by the Orbost Manchester United Independent Order of Oddfellows. Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This record book was created in a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A hard back book with a red and blue mottled cover and a dark blue spine. On the front cover is a large brown rectangular label with "Record of Sickness" in black print inside an ornate black frame.on label - handwritten above title - "M.U.I.O.O.F."m.u.i.o.o.f. friendly-societies book-keeping

Orbost Town Band amalgamated in 1913 to form the Orbost Municipal Band under the conductorship of Mr Charles Spink. The Orbost Municipal Band played a major role in the Orbost community activities. Charles Spink made sure each soldier returning home from the 1914 to 1918 war was welcomed home in front of the Shire Hall to the music of the Orbost Municipal Band. The band played in the main street on most Friday nights. an The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members. A black vinyl case with a carry handle. It contains documents relating to the Orbost Municipal Band - financial reports in ledgers and exercise books; cheque books and deposit books from the Commonwealth Bank; receipt books; invoices; receipts; submissions; quotes; and five cheque book stubs.labelled Orbost Municipal Bandorbost-municipal-band accounts book-keeping

Keeping Archives. Published by Australian Society of Archivists Inc, Ann Pederson Editor-in-chief, 374 pages with black and white photographs and illustrations.Australian Society of Archivists Incbook, keeping archives

(i) Correspondence in the form of accounts belonging to the Second Brigade Comforts Fund dated 1921 and 1922. (ii) A beehive account to Miss L. W. Bush 267 View St. 14/12/60. All items in a white envelope with a footrot flats cartoon on left hand corner and the year 1989 in large pink numerals.organization, club/society, australian comforts fund, lydia chancellor, collection, 2nd brigade comforts fund, war, accounts, finance, book keeping, business, retail