These meetings were held at the Kooyong office and the minutes include Present, Chair, Apologies, Minutes, Matter arising from minutes, Correspondence, Life governors, Election of members, Nominations, Reports from Regional Blind Members groups, White Cane Day October 15th promoted. Some highlights include: 3/12/1982 the film, 'A world that is dark', which was made by AFB for television release is now available on video. 31/8/1984 the Blind members' brochure includes sections titled 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow' which outlines the history, present position and the aims for the future of the AFB, 'Information about Blind Members' and Blind Members' Council', List of AFB homes and centres' and 'An invitation from Bryan Sitlington to be a Blind Member accompanied by an application form. It will be available to all visually impaired people, their family and friends, AFB staff and suitable for distribution at doctor's surgeries. 14/12/1984 it was reported 29 new Blind members were elected at the September meeting and the 1,000th member was among them. 8/6/1984 Mr John Blanch reported that the General Committee had approved, although rather reluctantly, Mr John Wilson's resignation and had appoint Mr John Cook as his successor. 13/9/1985 Mr John Blanch reported that following Mr Pat Lightfoot's resignation he had contacted Mr John Wicking to offer him the position of sighted representative on Blind Members' Council. John Wicking had been approached for role on the BMC however he was unable to attend Fridays. It was moved to move the meetings to the last Monday of the Month, after approaching John Wicking again. Council members agreed that if John Wicking took the position it would be good as would have been held by Pat Lightfoot and John Wicking, both past Presidents of AFB. Mrs Margaret Canavan and Mr Alan Cooper had been selected to attend a garden party at Government House with Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburg on Thursday March 6. Minute book for Blind Members Councilassociation for the blind, blind members council

Association for the Blind symbol of a square (filled with horizontal lines crossed by two diagonal lines), in black and blue and a circle in the middle with lines inside it on a white background sits to the left of the block. An outline image of the Vision Resource Centre at Kooyong in bronze is to the right of the plaque. It also has the AFB symbol and the words Association for the Blind above and below the symbol. It is unknown where this plaque was located.1 digital image of two plaques on a boardAssociation for the Blindassociation for the blind, nameplates

To identify committee members, a name badge was struck.. Names were printed in black on a white background, with the logo of the Association for the Blind - in blue - to the left of the name. The words 'Association' and 'for the Blind' sit above and below the symbol respectively, whilst 'Regional Chairperson' and 'Blind Members' occupy the right hand side. Plastic rectangular badge with AFB logo in blue and black writing on white backgroundRegional Chairperson Blind Membersassociation for the blind, badges

Scanned image taken from annual report of an orchestra consisting of blind students, advertising their availability to play at social occasions for hire.Scanned page of annual report on Blind Orchestrarvib orchestra, fundraising

Blind bowler Gloria Pascoe could be the first totally blind bowler playing Pennant competition. She competes at the Tooronga Bowling Club's B1 Pennant team and has represented Australia in the 1980 Paralympics as well as international tournaments.1 page taken from AFB publication with image of blind bowlernon-fictionassociation for the blind, elizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell, gloria pascoe, recreation

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)

Copper coloured sign for the Association for the Blind. Most likely used in the later 1990s and removed from the wall during the name change to Vision Australia Foundation.Digital image of metal plaqueAssociation for the Blindassociation for the blind, nameplates

These meetings were held at the Kooyong office and the minutes include Present, Chair, Apologies, Minutes, Matter arising from minutes, Correspondence, Life governors, Election of nominees, Nominations, Reports from Finance, Welfare, Brighton, Ballarat, Kooyong, Regional Centres, Nursing homes, Blind Members' auxiliary, Social activities, General business, Guest speakers. The AFB Blind Members' Council Annual Reports are also included beginning with June 30th 1977. Some highlights include: 25/5/1976 it was reported that the newly formed Tandem Bicycle Club would be holding their meetings at Kooyong the first Sunday of each month. 30/6/1978 it was reported that in April the Kooyong complex of buildings was named H.M. Lightfoot Centre after the immediate past President of AFB. The Council has been successful in having included in the learner driver book of road rules a question on the significance of the white cane. 30/7/1979 The Chairman, Mr Sitlington, represented Blind Members at the opening of the Ballarat Day Centre, Kelaston, in April. 30/6/1980 it was reported that the BMC welcomed 119 new members during the past twelve months. The Chairman, Mr Sitlington, represented Blind Members at the opening of the new George Vowell Nursing Home and Day Centre. 20/2/1981 a letter from the Chairman of VicRail, Mr Reiher, giving assurance that audio announcements will still be made in conjunction with the computer board. Minute book for Blind Members Councilassociation for the blind, blind members council

A blind man feels model buildings on a relief map of the Sydney CBD whilst two others look on. B/W photograph of blind man using relief mapLearning layout of City of Sydney by raised map Orientation - historical RBS XIroyal blind society of nsw, maps

These are the blinds in Suzy's room, with east facing windows.Roman blind. Mustard and white stripe cotton to match curtains, bedslip etc.walsh st furnishings, robin boyd

These are the blinds in Suzy's room, with east facing windows.Roman blind. Mustard and white stripe cotton to match curtains, bedslip etc.walsh st furnishings, robin boyd

A large sized cap produced for the Association for the Blind.Blue cap with 'Association for the Blind' in navy writing and green on underside of front visor.association for the blind, advertising

The 'Blind' Orchestra on stage at Ormond Hall. From the left, Reg Hill (trumpet), Arthur Tyzac (alto sax) Bob Tennant (drums) Allan Campbell (soprano sax & clarinet), Richard Sutcliffe (baritone sax & arranger) and Jack Burns (piano).Six piece band of blind musiciansrvib orchestra, ormond hall

Alf Crossthwaite, worker at Queensland Industrial Institute for the Blind, holds a tower of waste paper baskets outside the workshop.1 x B/W photograph of man holding cane basketsF37828, Blind Institute, 8.5.1961, Alf Crossthwaite makes WPB at Blind institute.queensland industrial institute for the blind, alf crossthwaite, employment

Badges were created to identify staff members. These consisted of a oval with a gold lighthouse on a blue background and the words 'For the Blind' in gold across the middle of the lighthouse . Around the outside, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' was written in gold against a navy blue background. 1 metal pin with gold lighthouse on blue background'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' royal victorian institute for the blind, badges

A pin honouring Century Club members of the Association for the Blind. It has the guiding light symbol, with dark blue 'wings', on a cream coloured background. The words 'Century Club' are below the symbol and "Association for the Blind" around the top two-thirds of the symbol in gold lettering. 1 metal pin with gold writing and Guiding Light symbolAssociation for the Blind Century Clubassociation for the blind, badges

A tie clasp and badge remembering Tilly Aston, the founder of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, was created. It has a cameo of Tilly Aston in gold, against a roughened gold background. A circle surrounds the head and above this "Tilly Aston" and below it, "Association for the Blind" in gold lettering. Metal tie clasp and metal pinTilly Aston Association for the Blindtilly aston, association for the blind, badges

Tablecloth created for use at the Association for the Blind's Celebrity Classic event.White cotton tablecloth with blue writingAssociation for the Blind Celebrity Classicassociation for the blind, advertising

Portrait of John Wall, who was treasurer for the Association for the Blind between 1970-1989. This photograph was taken for an annual report based upon the ruled lines on the back of the photograph.Col. photograph of John Wall, treasurer at the Association for the BlindJohn Wall, treasurer 1970/1989association for the blind, john wall

To recognise volunteers, lapel pins were struck by the Association for the Blind. These consisted of the Association for the Blind symbol of a Guiding Light (a round circle with two uneven triangles either side and a single line passing either side of the circle), in gold against various backgrounds. Around the outside in gold lettering is written 'Association for the Blind' and 'Honorary Service' on a a royal blue background. Red background - 3 years of service Green background - 5 years of service Gold background - 10 years of serviceMetal pin with Guiding Light image and writingAssociation for the Blind Honorary Serviceassociation for the blind, badges

Undated Victorian Blind Lawn Bowls Club constitution and by-laws booklet.24 page booklet of Victorian Blind Lawn Bowls Club constitution and by-lawsnon-fictionelizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell, victorian blind bowls club

A metal street sign with a black background and white writing and a white pointing tip at the end, indicating which direction the Association for the Blind was located.Black and white road signAssociation for the Blind Centreassociation for the blind, nameplates

To honour the commitment by its volunteers, the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales provided badges to commemorate 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service. The badge consist of the relevant number in a centre circle, with the words 'Royal Blind Society' around the outside of the circle.Metal pins in various tones with numbersRoyal Blind Society Volunteerroyal blind society of new south wales, badges

Purple badge with white lettering 'Association for the Blind' around the outer edge, and a white cane in the middle. These badges were designed to raise some funds for the Association as well as raise awareness among the general public. It has a white sticker on the back '20c'.Round purple badge with white writingAssociation for the Blind badges, association for the blind

This oil painting of the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution (later Royal Blind Society of New South Wales) at William Street was painted by F.R. Fowler in 1976. It was inspired by an original etching. The building was erected between 1876 and 1879 and was designed by Edmund Blacket. It was funded through a generous bequest by John William Wood. The Institution provided the first employment training in NSW for people who were blind or vision impaired.Oil painting in wooden frame with nameplate at baseThe Sydney Industrial Blind Institution 1879sydney industrial blind institution, f.r. fowler

Association for the Blind board member Hubert Opperman in his role as the Australian Minister for Immigration, visited the new Day Centre of the Jewish Blind Society at Stamford Hill, London. He discusses handwork with Mr Lew Dobrin and an instructress Mrs K. Amaral.B/W photograph of Hubert Opperman looking at a wicker basket made by a blind man.hubert opperman, association for the blind, jewish blind society

This collection of papers provides various information on blind bowls and the charity work undertaken by the Mentone Bowls club. In 1980, Clarrie Hoppitt attended a demonstration at his local club and was so impressed, that he offered his services to help teach blind people to play lawn bowls. This enthusiasm was shared by his wife Grace and together they travelled to Perth and other places to teach as outlined in both the newspaper article and Grace's recollection in this file. Grace's involvement in the 1981 World Blind Bowls Tournament held in Leicester is demonstrated in the programme, alongside the signatures that were collected from the players, coaches and helpers. Also included is a menu from the British Airways flight taken to the tournament, which was signed by the crew, and Clarrie Hoppitt's copy of 'To Teach a Blind Person to Play Bowls'. Additionally there is a photograph of Grace in her Australian team uniform, taken outside a house. in 1959, Albert Henry established the NABA (firstly in jest in response to a unfulfilling game of bowls, then as a charity organisation). All monies were to be directed to sick children, and the Blinded Babies fund received a good proportion of this. Over time the NABA raised $34, 683 during over 20 years of operation (1963-1982) and became a definable part of the Mentone Bowls club.Various loose papers including a newspaper article, 1981 World Blind Bowls Tournament programme, British Airways flight menu signed by the crew for the Blind Bowls team, a photograph and a history of the NABAmentone bowls club, clarrie hoppitt, grace hoppitt, royal blind society of new south wales, albert henry

The Olympic Games were held in Sydney in 2000. The Olympic torch progressed through Australia and prominent sporting or cultural identities were invited to carry the torch through their local areas.Colour panoramic photograph of the Olympic Torch being carried by Allan Lawson. Allan is blind, and is being assisted by another name whose name was not recorded. There is a police escort in the front on a motorbike, a cavalcade of cars behind him and crowds on either side of the road.Handwritten in black ink on reverse: Allan Lawson / Blindolympics, torch relay

Mat making was an essential part of many workshops staffed by blind or vision impaired employees since the 19th century. In Australia, it was a skill taught in along the eastern seaboard until the supply of cheaper mats from Asian sources rendered it financially non-viable as a source of employment. These examples were made in the RVIB workshops and demonstrate the variety that could be made, with a plain mat, one printed 'RVIB' in black on one side and in in reverse in various colours on the other, and the other with 'Welcome' on the front and 'Made by the blind' on the reverse.3 coir mats made by RVIB workersRVIB Made by the blindemployment, royal victorian institute for the blind