MacKinnon and Sons were seed and produce merchants. Mackinnon was the Orbost agent for the Vacuum Oil Co., and his business extended to Cann River, 60 miles away. This item was probably used by Robert Pullar Cameron who 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 for an Orbost business in the early 20th century. It is a useful research tool.A white paper credit note with black print and red lines made out for MacKinnon & Sons, merchants.mackinnon-&-son-seed-merchants credit-note

Buldah School was No. 4555. Mrs L. Petterson made application for a school at Buldah during 1936. It was opened on 8th of August 1937 by Herbert H. Eynstone acting as Head Teacher. He held this position for only about two weeks. The school closed during 1941. The Petterson brothers were early settlers in Cann River - late 19th century. This is a pictorial record of a school route in the first half of the 20th century. The Buldah School no longer exists.A black / white photograph of a bush track in a forest. There is water running across the track.on back - Don. by Mrs D. Petterson, only track to Buldah School in winter 1939...."buldah-east-gippsland

The photographs in this album were taken by Alex Cameron in 1898. The captions have been hand-written' Owned by Alexander Cameron who arrived in Australia in 1853. Alexander Cameron ("Big Alex") was an early settler on the Snowy River flats. he worked the paddle steamer Cheviot for a while, having a wharf and sheds on the Snowy River in 1900. Later moved to Cann River. This item is part of the Mary Gilbert Collection.This item is associated with the Cameron family, earty settlers of Orbost. The photographs are pictorial records of early East Gippsland.A ohotograph album with red covers. It contains labelled photographs of East Gippsland. On the front cover a label has been glued on. "Taken by Alex Cameron 1898" is written in red pen.on front cover - KODAK on spine - hand written KODAKcameron-alex photographs-east-gippsland

Pons asinorum was the name given to a wooden carving made by road worker Finlay Munro in the early 1920s at Boulder Creek, on the old Princess Highway, between Orbost and Cann River. The carved face was said to mock the supervising engineer after an argument about putting the road alignment across a swamp that required new bridges. The Italian workmen had advocated for a different route to avoid the need for building new bridges across the swamp. This photograph is from a set of thirteen black and white postcards in a fold-out format.This is a photograph of an iconic tourist attraction which records the woodworking skills of workers in the early 20th century. The carving is no longer there.A small black / white photograph of a face carved into a tree stump.on front at bottom - ON THE ORBOST CANN ROADwoodcarving pons-asinorum boulder-creek-east-gippsland princess-highway

These newspaper articles were collated by Mary Gilbert. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert, and had seven sisters and one brother. Four siblings died at a young age. She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community.These articles are contemporary records of events in the history of Orbost and as such are useful reference tools.A manila folder containing black / white newspaper cuttings of articles relating to the local history of Orbost. They are from the Snowy River Mail. 746.1 is titled, "Historic anchor for Orbost Museum". 746.2, August 9, 1967, is titled, ""Orbost Historical Museum". 746.3 is titled, "When The Snowy Was Angry". On the back is "Resident's Sudden Death - Mrs Ada Bowtell (67)". 746.4 from 1934 is titled, "The Duke's Visit - Welcome at Cann River'. 746.5, Wednesday November 24, 1954 is titled, "Naming of Orbost District Landmarks". 746.6, Wednesday November 24, is titled, " Convict First White Settler in Orbost District?". 746.7, Wednesday, July 25, 1928 is titled, " Dedication of St James' Memorial Church, Orbost". 746.8 and 746.9, Wednesday September 24, 1975 are titled, "Piece of History Returns".orbost- museum anchor-orbost street-names-orbost st-james'-orbost

These items were donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. The East Gippsland Region Water Authority was constituted on January 1, 1995. The new Authority assumed responsibility for the services previously provided by the Mitchell Water Board, the Tambo Water Board, the Orbost Water Board and the Mallacoota Water Board. East Gippsland Water is the registered business name of the East Gippsland Region Water Authority. (info. from P.R.O.) These items are a historical record of Orbost Shire transactions with water management authorities which no longer exist.Seven rate books for the Shire of Orbost, Mallacoota and Cann River Water Trust. 2554.1 with records from 1977-1978 has a brown cardboard cover and string binding. 2554.2 has a brown cardboard cover with a hand-written title and green string binding. Records are from 1978 -1979. 2554.3 has a brown cardboard cover with a hand-written title and green string binding. Records are from 1919 - 1980. 2554.4 has a white cardboard cover and taped spine. In black print on the cover is 1980/1981. 2554.5 has a green cover with a metal fastening clip. Records are from 1980 -1981. 2554.6 has a white cover, taped binding and metal clips.Records are from 1982 -1983. 2554.7 has a white cover and metal rings. It is dated 1984.water-rates cann-valley-water-board

Lancelot Herbert came to Orbost in 1886, taking up a partnership with local store-owner George Temple. After Mr Temple’s death in 1891, Lancelot took over the store and progressively developed Herberts Snowy River Stores which grew into a department store of several shops along Nicholson St. He also had small shops at Cann River, Noorinbee and Genoa which were run by members of his family, as well as a carrying business and fuel outlets. Lancelot died on 2/6/1911 and his wife Martha [died 1945] are buried in a joint grave in Orbost Cemetery. (info. Noreen and Lindsay Thomson) 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 associated with a well-known Orbost business which started in 1888 and finally closed in c.1970. it is an example of book-keeping in the early 20th century and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with black print and red lines. Hand-written from Lancelot Herbert of Snowy River Stores to R.P. Cameron.herbert-lancelot snowy-river-stores cameron-robert-pullar

Owned by Alexander Cameron who arrived in Australia in 1853. Alexander Cameron ("Big Alex") was an early settler on the Snowy River flats. he worked the paddle steamer Cheviot for a while, having a wharf and sheds on the Snowy River in 1900. Later moved to Cann River. The Bowling Club was founded in 1929, by a group of farmers and businessmen. They set about providing a sporting icon for the town. Six rinks were constructed on the current site using horse drawn scoops and drags. The "Back to Orbost” 1937 book, describes the greens as "a bit rough for the first two seasons but now compare favourably with most country greens". Funds for the construction were raised by the issue of debentures at £5 each, and subscriptions were £1/1s/0d ($2.10). (info. Margaret Smith)Alec Cameron was a prominent early Orbost settler. The Orbost Bowling Club was established in 1929.Wooden lawn bowl with wooden circles on top and bottom. Top- I Bottom - J.R.22recreation sport lawn-bowls cameron-alexander

This photograph shows men fishing in the Snowy River at Marlo - possibly at Bream Point. The man in the white coat is Lancelot Herbert. Lancelot Herbert came to Orbost in 1886, taking up a partnership with local store-owner George Temple. After Mr Temple’s death in 1891, Lancelot took over the store and progressively developed Herberts Snowy River Stores which grew into a department store of several shops along Nicholson St. He also had small shops at Cann River, Noorinbee and Genoa which were run by members of his family, as well as a carrying business and fuel outlets. Lancelot died on 2/6/1911 and his wife Martha [died 1945] are buried in a joint grave in Orbost Cemetery. (info. Noreen and Lindsay Thomson. More from "In Times Gone By' by Deborah Hall)This item is associated with the Herbert family very early settlers in the Orbost district. It is also associated with Marlo which has always been a popular fishing destinationA small black / white photograph of four men fishing from a river bank. Three are sitting and one is standing.on back - Lancelot Herbert in white coat fishingfishing-marlo herbert-lancelot

Prior to the sealing of the Princes Highway west of Orbost, the road surface was anything but good, even by C1917 when cars started to use the road. From Orbost the old road via Marlo to Sydenham was abandoned for the new location which traversed more rugged country via Cabbage Tree, Bell Bird and Club Terrace to Cann River, and the reason for this diversion was on account of settlements being established at Murrungowar and Club Terrace, at which latter place there was a temporary rush to obtain gold. This road was constructed by the Public Works department and a maximum grade of 1 in 19 was adopted, and as speed was not to be catered for the grade followed in and out round the spurs and gullies, resulting in a maze of turns and twists which required a good deal of skill on the part of the horse driver to negotiate." - Bairnsdale Advertiser, Friday, May 2, 1947. (More information from Newsletter February 2010)This is a pictorial record of an early road distance sign on a major highway through East Gippsland. The distances are indicated in miles, a measurement standard no longer in use.A black / white photograph postcard of the signpost at the Victorian - New South Wales border. It shows distances to Sydney and Eden on one arrow and distances to Melbourne and Genoa on another. on front - Vic - NSW Borderprinces-highway-east-gippsland road-transport road-sign

Prior to the sealing of the Princes Highway west of Orbost, the road surface was anything but good, even by C1917 when cars started to use the road. From Orbost the old road via Marlo to Sydenham was abandoned for the new location which traversed more rugged country via Cabbage Tree, Bell Bird and Club Terrace to Cann River, and the reason for this diversion was on account of settlements being established at Murrungowar and Club Terrace, at which latter place there was a temporary rush to obtain gold. This road was constructed by the Public Works department and a maximum grade of 1 in 19 was adopted, and as speed was not to be catered for the grade followed in and out round the spurs and gullies, resulting in a maze of turns and twists which required a good deal of skill on the part of the horse driver to negotiate." - Bairnsdale Advertiser, Friday, May 2, 1947. (More information from Newsletter February 2010)n the late 1800's early 1900's transporting goods by road was difficult and at times impossible because roads as thoroughfares did not exist.The means of travelling along the roads in the 1800's was by bullock wagon, horse pulled dray, pack horse or simply by foot. This road is still in use in East Gippsland as a part of many four-wheel-drive touring routes.A large black / white photograph of two horse - drawn wagons on a narrow sandy bush track. It is surrounded by scrub. There is one man standing beside a horse not harnessed to a wagon.on front - "The Coast Road to Mallacoota from Orbost JPC"

Orbost and East Gippsland Railway League had proposed a railway extension through East Gippsland in 1908, which aimed to develop an isolated part of the country. At the time, construction of a railway could be considered a beneficial investment for the country as it could increase the population in the region. The proposed railway length in 1908 was about 140 miles and the cost was estimated £800,000. The line was proposed to proceed from Bairnsdale by way of the Lower Nicholson to Bruthen. “After crossing the Tambo River, it would be carried to near Nowa Nowa; the head of Lake Tyers, forward to Orbost. From Orbost it would proceed in a north-easterly way to the New South Wales border. There were different suggested routes between Orbost and the New South Wales border, the first was through Bendoc, another by the Cann River and another which is located between these two. This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. Two small magazines showing the railway extension through East Gippsland. 678.1 has a dark maroon cover with gold print writing. It contains b/w photographs. 678.2 has a red cover with black print writing. Both are bound. 678.1 - inside front cover - M. Beattie ???????? Newmerella 678.2 - inside front cover - Gordon Fisher Orbosteast-gippsland-railway-league railway

The American Truck History Association is an international organization, with over 21,000 members in the United States, Australia, Canada, and 20 other countries worldwide. A.H. McMullen & Co P/L, established by Arthur McMillan in February, 1951, had a long history as transport operators in Orbost and Gippsland districts. The company became Gippsland's largest transport company. It carted timber from the Orbost/ Cann River district district sawmills to the railway station. Two trains a day left the sloaded with timber. Beans were carted from Fisher's Bean Factory to Melbourne and Sydney. Cream from the farms was transported to the butter factory and for almost twenty years Fuel was carted from Melbourne to the RAAF base at Sale by McMullens. In 1970 the company was sold to F.J. Stephens and then to Mayne Nickless Transport. (ref.Deborah Hall "In Times Gone By') A.H. McMullen was a significant business in the mid 20th century in Orbost. This book is a useful reference source.A 40pp book with a dark blue cover titled "The Gearchange". It is a "Classic Edition Issue No. 2" and features A.H. McMullan & C0 P/L. It has a cost of $20.00. It contains illustrations, photographs and text.transport mcmullen-transport-orbost trucking

Tonghi Creek is 66km north - west of Orbost. Prior to the sealing of the Princes Highway west of Orbost, the road surface was anything but good, even by C1917 when cars started to use the road. From Orbost the old road via Marlo to Sydenham was abandoned for the new location which traversed more rugged country via Cabbage Tree, Bell Bird and Club Terrace to Cann River, and the reason for this diversion was on account of settlements being established at Murrungowar and Club Terrace, at which latter place there was a temporary rush to obtain gold. This road was constructed by the Public Works department and a maximum grade of 1 in 19 was adopted, and as speed was not to be catered for the grade followed in and out round the spurs and gullies, resulting in a maze of turns and twists which required a good deal of skill on the part of the horse driver to negotiate." - Bairnsdale Advertiser, Friday, May 2, 1947. (More information from Newsletter February 2010)This item is a pictorial record of roads in the early 20th century in East Gippsland.A large black / white photograph of a bridge over a small creek, surrounded by bush. The photograph is mounted on a thick cream coloured card.on back - "Bridge at Tonghi Creek 1918"tonghi-creek-bridge country-roads-east-gippsland

This photograph shows the main road near Bellbird, East Gippsland, in 1924. This road would have been the Princes Highway, a main thoroughfare through to New South Wales. Bellbird Creek is a small rural location between Orbost and Cann River. There was no township at Cabbage Tree at this time. The Cabbage Tree Creek township was established to support the booming timber industry of the mid 20th century. Five timber mills worked full time supporting the families that were drawn to the area's wealth of natural resources. Nestled on the banks of the Cabbage Tree Creek, the township was built by those mills to house their workers. Today although the timber mills have disappeared, some of the buildings still remain. Little now remains to remind of the saw-milling history apart from photographs and some relics - a boiler and a brick furnace. There was also a thriving agricultural community farming dairy, beef, seed beans and fresh peas and beans that were sent to the Victoria Market in Melbourne. Dairy farming still plays an essential role in the township. this is a pictorial record of the Princes Highway, the main road from East Gippsland to the New South Wales border.A large black / white photograph of a very wet and boggy bush road.on front - "Main Rd near Bellbird 1924"road princes-highway bellbird-creek-1924

The lightstation was connected by telephone to Cann River in 1928. The lighthouse retains ablack Bakelite telephone attached to the lantern room wall on timber box mount. It has a crank handle with instructions for its use on the crank dial, and a coiled handset cord, which probably dates the phone to just after 1949 when coiled examples like these began to replace fabric covered smooth cords. An image in 1991 shows the phone in the lower level of the lantern room It is one of four telephones at the lightstsation; with two others attached to walls in the assistant keepers’ quarters, and one in the head keeper’s quarters. The four phones formed an intercom system that facilitated communication between the lightstation buildings. Three telephones of the same wall-mounted, crank dial type remain at Gabo Island Lightstation; four remain at Cape Otway and five older examples remain at Cape Nelson Lightstation As fixtures attached to the wall, the four telephones are considered to be part of the building fabric and therefore included in the existing Victorian Heritage Register listing for the lightstation (VHR 1983).As fixtures attached to the wall, the four telephones are considered to be part of the building fabric and therefore included in the existing VHR listing for the lightstation (VHR 1983).Four telephones with a crank handle mounted on a wooden base, one is fixed to the wall of the lantern room and is black bakelite. Yes

Access to the cottages at the lighthouse was difficult and the horse-drawn sled was in use until the 1940s. It was used to haul personal goods as wel as those needing medical attention at far-off Orbost. This photograph could be connected with the Gledhills in the 1930s when a medical emergency necessitated a removal to Orbost. Dr Nettleton was the doctor at Orbost at that time. (there could be a link through donor) Point Hicks is claimed to be Captain James Cook’s first sighting of mainland Australia. The lighthouse was built on the point during 1887 and 1888 and commenced operation in 1890, built from concrete and with timber keepers quarters. It was connected to mains electricity in 1965, and then to solar power recently. Originally access to Point Hicks was by sea. In 1920 a return trip, by land to Cann River, 47 kilometres away from the light station, took two days. By 1946 the journey had been reduced to 36 hours by a combination of horse and jeep. During the early 1950s it was still a 12-hour ordeal. The light no longer works, it was turned off 21 years ago and the Point Hicks lighthouse is now powered by a much smaller, more modern light. the lightkeepers' cottages are used for tourist accommodation.This photograph is associated with Point Hicks, a historically important lightstation in East Gippsland.A small black / white photograph of a horse dragging a sled with suitcases on it. There are seven people walking behind, one holding the reins. They are waalking through a sand dune.on label on back - "Bring Out to Light House keeper from Point Hicks"point-hicks-lighthouse

These stories are from the Orbost district, Snowy River flats, Conran, Bete Bolong, Marlo, Bonang, Goongerah, Combienbar, Club Terrace,Cann Valley, Cabanandra, Bendoc, Deddickand McKillop's Bridge' Mapping of Memories was first broadcast as four programs on A.B.C. Radio National in 1993.This item is a record of the lives and history associated with East Gippsland. It is a useful reference tool.Two copies of a D.V.D. titled, "Mapping of Memories The Telling of Place". There are also two tapes - 4 sides. The D.V.D.'s are in black plastic cases with 2 discs in each. The front cover has a colored photo of a child next to a giant pumpkin.memories-orbost-district mapping-of-memories