This jumper was worn by John Court as an employee of Orbost Shire Council. Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council.Local governments play an important role in the lives of citizens in Australia. Local government authorities exist to provide services and amenities to local communities, and are also responsible for regulating and providing services for land and property in their district. This item is representative of a time when Orbost had its own Shire Council.A fawn coloured V - necked long-sleeved woollen jumper. It has a waratah emblem embroidered in red with green leaves. Below this is embroidered the word ORBOST in gold.uniform jumper orbost-shire-council court-john

This item has been identified by David Nixon as the workbook of George Henry Douglas Russell (Doug) of Bete Bolong. He was the second son of John and Elizabeth Russell. John Russell wasblacksmith in Orbost. His family were Jack, Doug, Dave and Billy. Doug was in WW! where he was a Veterinary Sergeant. After the war he came bach to Orbost and his father gave him the farm at Bete Bolong to work. This farm is on the corner of Birkins Lane and Buchan Road (presently owned By Ginger and Helen Johnstone). He started farming tgere in 1920 and married Hilda Raymond in 1922. The slatted barn and house still exist. David Nixon, the donor, married a daughter of Doug and Hilda Russell and worked the farm from 1947-1973. He found the diary at the farm. This item is a valuable record of agricultural practices in the Orbost district during the 1920's.An exercise book with a worn black cover and a faded red spine. It contains hand-written records of farm accounts. russell- bete-bolong diary-farming agriculture

This item was made by John Russell Senior, a blacksmith, wheelwright, farmer and later chairman of the Orbost Butter Factory, makers of Sunny South Butter (today part of Murray Goulburn Co Ltd). The buggy lifter was handed down to George Henry Russell (Doug), the second son between 1970 and 1973.Blacksmiths played an essential part in the regional parts of Victoria and were required to use their ingenuity and skills to design and make tools needed on local farms. This item is an example of a tool specifically designed for a horse-drawn wagon. Horse-drawn wagons are an important part of Australia’s agricultural history. Light buggies were popular with farmers for trips into town before the common use of motorised vehicles.A metal buggy wheel lifter. It has two hooks connected at the top by a bolt and a shackle. The hooks fit under the rim to enable the wheel to be lifted with a pulley / crane system operated by a man or a horse.tool buggy-lifter russell-john blacksmith wheelwright

This medal was presented to J.G.Ralston by the Orbost Cricket Club in 1929 for Fielding. John Gavin Ralston was born 26 July 1914 at Eden, N.S.W. and came to Orbost in the early 1920's, with his parents and siblings. They lived at the corner of Tennyson and Salisbury Streets. Jack was educated at Orbost Higher Elementary School before being apprenticed to William Ross at the Snowy River Mail as a lino-type operator. He married Jean Cameron. After WW11 when he served overseas in the islands) He resumed his trade at the Snowy River Mail until 1949 when began J.G.& J.M. Ralston, Seed & Produce Merchants. Jack Ralston was very involved in the Orbost sporting community, the Presbyterian Church and the Orbost Municipal Band. He also served in the Orbost sub-branch of the R.S.L. He died on April 15 1967. (ref. Margaret Smith O.D.H.S. Newsletter)John Ralston was a prominent Orbost citizen.A 9 ct gold shield-shaped medal with a small hanging hoop. In the centre is an embossed picture of a batsman at the wicket. This is inside a circle. The bottom edge is decorated with leaves. The medal is inside a thin leather look wooden box which is hinged and has a push button metal latch. The box is brown and the inside lid is padded.on back - OCC At bottom - 9 ct Presented to J.G. Ralston Fielding Trophy 1928-1929cricket-orbost sport ralston-john-gavin medal

Women's magazines developed rapidly through the 1800's reflecting marketing and social changes. Publications evolved from being journals aimed at the middle class to cheaper, chattier more domestic magazines more widely available. Alice Letitia Swan was the daughter of Edward Swan (tinsmith and plumber at Orbost) and Emma Dinah Jefferson. Alice married Herman Oswald (Ossie) Wehner (blacksmith, Orbost) on 4-4-1923. She was born in 1899 in Omeo and died 14-6-1979, aged 80 in Orbost.(info. from John Phillips)These are early 20th century examples of English women's magazines. They give practical advice on needlework and they evidence the widespread interest in contemporary fashion. In doing so they show what were the fashionable, but broadly affordable, women's and children's clothing styles of their day. These magazines also reflect women's interests in fiction at that time.Two magazines, titled The Lady's Companion. 2424.1 was printed on 21.1.1911 and cost one penny. 2424.2 is dated 25.11.1916 and is titled Leach's Lady's Companion and has a pink cover. Both contain illustrations of the current fashions, interesting facts and selected fiction. 2424.2 : on back in red pen - Miss Alice Swan Nicholson St Orbostwomen's-magazines lady's-companion swan-alice

The main photo is by Max Lowenhardt and shows John Green, Mrs Eva Penny (inside the tree and hardly visible) nursing Charlie, May, George and Nicolas Penny. Colin Silcock wrote of the tree on p.39 that the family lived int he hollowed-out butt for nine months in 1906-1907. It was 20 feet across at floor level with 12 feet of head room inside. Nicholas Penny ring-barked the tree in 1905, with it being 130 feet high with the top broken off. The fires the following year destroyed the tent in which he was living and hollowed out the tree. After "making a few alterations" Penny moved in and brought his wife and children across from Outtrim. They later built a more permanent home. The tree was destroyed in the 1926 bushfires. (ref Linda Barraclough)This magazine is a useful reference on Gippsland history.A 64 pp magazine, titled Gippsland Heritage Journal. It has a dark green cover with a photograph of the "Penny Tree" . The magazine is dated March 1996 and cost $7.50. It contains stories and photographs on the history of Gippsland.There is a library bar code on the outside back cover.gippsland-heritage-journal penny-tree history-gippsland

This issue edited by Meredith Fletcher.This item is a useful reference for the history of Gippsland.A 60 pp magazine, covered in plastic, titled Gippsland Heritage Journal -No 26. The cover is blue with a b/w photograph of Walhalla timber cutters c 1910. The magazine contains articles, photographs on the history of Gippsland. It includes a story on John Flynn at Buchan.On the back is a library barcode and a price sticker -$9.90. On the front is a call no. 994.65 GIPmagazine-gippsland-heritage-journal history-gippsland flynn-john

These documents were compiled for the WW1 exhibition held in Orbost in April 2015.These documents re a useful refeence tool.A red plastic folder containing "Teachers from the Orbost District Who served in World war 1". It contains research articles.ww1 teachers-orbost soldiers-orbost

These documents were compiled for the WW1 exhibition held in Orbost April 2015.These documents are a useful reference tool.A reed plastic folders containing research articles on five indigenous men from the Orbost district known to have served overseas in World War 1ww1 soldiers-indigenous

This is the second edition of "Personalities and Stories of Early Orbost which was collected and compiled by Mary Isabelle 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.This is a useful research tool on the history of Orbost.Two copies of a 141 pp soft covered book titled "Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District". It has a light brown cover and is stapled. On the front cover below the title is a sketch of the Orbost Bean Factory in dark brown print. It contains personal reminiscences of early Orbost. There are also some b/w photographs and sketches.2267.1 - "Len and Mary Best Wishes Mary Gilbert" hand-written in blue pen. 2267.2 - in pencil on front cover "Ron Cameron".history-orbost gilbert-mary book-personalities-and-stories-of-early-orbost

This is the third edition of "Personalities and Stories of Early Orbost which was collected and compiled by Mary Isabelle Gilbert. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert. She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community This edition was organised by the Orbost & District Tourist Association. Extra photographs in this edition were supplied by the Orbost Historical Society and the Orbost Shire lent money towards the project.This is a significant reference book on the history of the Orbost district.A 141 pp soft-covered bound book with a pale blue cover. On the cover is a b/w photograph of the main street of Orbost, Nicholson Street, in approximately 1890 below the title, "Personalities and Stories of the Orbost District". This is inside a black line frame. On the back cover is a photograph of Mary Isabelle Gilbert (1905-1989). It contains obituaries, newspaper reports, sketches and b/w photographs.orbost-history gilbert-mary

This book was written by Dr J. J. C. Bradfield, (John Job Crew), 1867-1943. Dr JJC Bradfield was a visionary Australian engineer who worked with enormous energy and vision to build the infrastructure which he foresaw that Sydney would need as it grew. As early as 1903 Bradfield was making the case for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in his presidential address as President of the Sydney University Engineering Society. Bradfield’s proposal — at that stage for a cantilever bridge between Dawes Point and Milsons Point — won the committee’s support and they recommended it be accepted. However, the First World War put a stop to these plans. While a bill to authorise the project passed the lower house of the NSW parliament in 1916, it failed to pass the upper house, on the grounds that funds should not be diverted from the war effort. With the war over, in 1922 the Sydney Harbour Bridge Act was passed by the NSW Parliament. The Sydney Harbour Bridge was officially opened in 1932 after Museum and St James railway stations were built. This book was written from the story broadcast by Dr. J.J.C. Bradfield. This item is a useful reference tool.A staple soft cover 16 pp booklet with a buff coloured cover. It has a sketch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind the title "The Bridge" in dark brown print. It contains information and photographs of the history and construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge.sydney-harbour-bridge bradfield-dr-j-j-c

This book is a history of Diamond Creek from earliest records of white visitors (1836) to the 1970s. John Ryan was born in Diamond Creek and lived there all of his life. (ref. Greensborough Hist. Society)This item is a useful research tool on the history of the Diamond Creek area, Melbourne, and its early pioneers.A thin soft cover book of 55 pp with a light brown cover with the title "Before You Came" in black print. Beneath this is a b?w copy of an early drawing of Diamond Creek. On the back cover is a photo of the same area in 1972. It contains a brief history and anecdote of the early days of Diamond Creek, Victoria.diamond-creek-history ryan-john-l.

This item is a useful reference tool as a contemporary tourism guide for the mid 1970's.A 234 pp book titled, "australia a land of things to do" in bright red print. Below is a coloured photograph of a group of people in a small motor boat. It is a tour guide for travellers in Australia.on back - "Bairnsdale Tourist Bureau 211-213 Main Street Bairnsdale Vic 3875"tourism travel-guide book-australia-a-land-of-things-to-do

The postcards are addressed to Mrs Dickson, Miss Weeks, Mrs Kiernan and include one from Fred Hall AIF 1915 from Egypt. Miss Weeks was possibly Bertha Alma Weeks 1873-1952, m. George Patrick Kiernan, 1877-1961. There were several Mrs Dickson's including Emma ( nee Wainwright), who was married in 1900 to Archibald John Dickson (1855-1930) and Laura (nee Kreymborg), who was married in 1901 to James Thomas Dickson (1864-1911). The parents of Archibald and James Thomas were Euphemia (nee Brown) 1826-1907 and James T. Dickson (1853-1897). Postcards were ideal for short messages, they were cheap to buy and post, and they moved through rapidly improving transport networks. They are interesting contemporary records of places gone, architecture gone and people gone. This item reflects a contemporary form of communication in the early 20th century.Two cardboard covered albums containing post card collections. The cards have been laminated. 2350.1 has a grey cover. 2350.2 has a dark green cover, each decorated with flowers. Inside the pages are tied with gold ribbon / tape. Inside front cover hand-written in pen - "I know you are sitting all alone reflecting on the ??????. Remember that ?????? that will forever????? From Nug to Dot Dec 1906"postcards-album ww1-communication

These items were on display in the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre).These items are examples of pre-decimal Australian currency and British coins no longer in use.Three decimal notes and nine coins. There are two $2 notes and one $1 note in a plastic sleeve. The nine coins are separate in small white cardboard frames with black print descriptive labelling. 2366.1 is an Australian $1 note with the queen's head, coat of arms and Aboriginal art. 2366.2 and .3 are $2 notes with John McArthur and sheep and William Farrer with wheat. There are seven coins dating from 1853 - 1897 with the head of Queen Victoria on them. There are two coins, 1902 and 1910 with the head of Edward V11 on them.currency bank-notes-australian-decimal coin-british

James Massey Herbert was born in 1891 and died in 1971. He was the son of Lancelot Herbert and Martha Rawling. He was married to Alma Young and his sons were Graham and Eric Herbert. ( info. from John Phillips) This certificate was a letter of introduction to be used when James Massey Herbert travelled overseas.The Herbert family is/was a prominent Orbost family. They were some of the early settlers in the district. This document reflects an era when oversea travel by Australians was just becoming more regulated and under bureaucratic control.A white paper "Certificate of Credential" for Mr James Massey Herbert. It is in black text with The coat of arms of the United Kingdom at the top. It has been signed by the premier of Victoria.Signed by the premier of Victoria, Harry Sutherland Lawson.certificate-credential herbert-james-massey

Moran & Cato was the largest chain of grocery stores in Australia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The partnership was established in Melbourne on 24 July 1881 when Frederick John Cato joined his cousin Thomas Edwin Moran who ran two grocery stores in Fitzroy and Carlton. Moran died in 1890 at the age of 30 and was succeeded by his widow. The following years saw expansion into Tasmania and New South Wales and incorporation of the company in 1912. By 1935 the company was employing nearly one thousand people and had about 120 branches in Victoria. Moran & Cato had a grocery store in Nicholson Street, Orbost. 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 document is an example of an account from an early Orbost business. It is a useful research tool.Five paper accounts from Moran & Cato, Grocers to Robert Pullar Cameron. At the top are blue print illustrations of shop buildings. The items are typed. cameron-robert-pullar moran-&-cato-grocer accounts

James Massey Herbert was born in 1891 and died in 1971. He was the son of Lancelot Herbert and Martha Rawling. He was married to Alma Young and his sons were Graham and Eric Herbert. ( info. from John Phillips)The Herberts were early settlers in Orbost. James Massey Herbert was an Orbost Shire councillor for 1 term (1943-1945).A white paper certificate with black print. It is a Honolulu Police Department Chauffeurs Certificate , No. 9994, made out to James Massey Herbert. It cost $3.00 and is valid for six months from the date of issue. It has been signed by the deputy sheriff, city and county of Honolulu.on back - "July 20/20..."herbert-james-massey

Herman Wehner, had learned his trade as a blacksmith and coach builder in Germany before coming to Australia in about 1884. After working for some time in Melbourne and at Wallan he came to Orbost in 1889 and bought John William Borland‟s wheelwright and blacksmithing business in Nicholson Street. At the time there were two blacksmithing and wheelwright businesses in Orbost, the other one, also in Nicholson Street, was owned by Mr John Russell. (ref, John Phillips Newsletter July 2015) Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex. The Wehner family is/ was a prominent family in Orbost from the late 19th century. Herman Wehner founded Wehner's Blacksmith's at Orbost in 1889. Oswald Wehner began working in 1910 with his father. In 1947 Ossie's son Tom started blacksmithing, retiring in 1991 and closing the business, The building remains in Nicholson Street. This item is an example of book-keeping in the early 20th century. It is a useful research tool.A white paper account with blue print, red lines. At top left is a blue illustration of a horse. The account is from H. Wehner, General Blacksmith and Wheelwright to R. P. Cameron.wehner-blacksmith account book-keeping cameron-r.p.

This ticket was for a grand ball to celebrate the second anniversary of the Loyal Orbost M.U.I.O.O.F. Lodge. It was held in the Mechanics Institute hall on Friday 20th July, 1888. The cost of a single ticket was 5/-. The secretary of the lodge was John Rowe, the first teacher of the state school in Orbost. From the estate of Elsie Cooke. 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) Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (MUIOOF) had its origins in Manchester, England. It was established in Melbourne on 7 December 1840 when Augustus Greeves, a member of the MUIOOF in England, migrated to Australia and formed the first friendly society. In 1840 Manchester Unity IOOF was founded in Victoria. 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 was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A small white rectangular paper ticket with black print. It is for the Loyal Orbost Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. Grand Ball.front - "Dancing to Commence at 8pm."public-event-orbost document-ticket m.u.i.o.o.f

This is a certificate of indenture, a legal agreement, between George Beattie of Forest Creek, near Castlemaine in the colony of Victoria, and Peter Christian Smith of the same place. Both were miners. Beattie was the vendor and Smith paid twenty-five pounds for a land parcel. The contract was witnessed by John Hedderwick, a law clerk in Castlemaine. There is a record in the Mount Alexander Mail, dated Wed. 22 April 1857, of George Beattie purchasing land for three pounds, sixteen and sixpence in Castlemaine and that it was withdrawn. Records also show that a Peter and Thomas Smith farmed in Sandon near Castlemaine.This item is a useful research tool as it a hand-written record of part of the history of the gold fields region of Victoria.A white paper certificate of conveyance with black print and hand-written details from George Beattie to Peter Smith. There is a wax seal on the second page.beattie-george smith-peter-christian castlemaine-certificate-conveyance

The Orbost Coach Factory was in Wolseley Street OIrbsot, opposite the police station and was owned by Thomas John McCoy. Its business was coach-building, undertaking, blacksmithing and as a farrier. 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 the early 20th century book-keeping of a business in Orbost. It is a useful research tool.A white paper account from T. McCoy to Mr R. Cameron. It has black print and handwritten details. In the top left-hand corner is a black drawing of a carriage and in the top right-hand corner is a black drawing of workers shoeing a horse. a green duty stamp is attached.account-book-keeping mccoy cameron

John Russell Senior was a blacksmith, wheelwright, farmer and later chairman of the Orbost Butter Factory, makers of Sunny South Butter (today part of Murray Goulburn Co Ltd). His blacksmith business was in Nicholson Street, Orbost. 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 the book-keeping of an early 20th century Orbost business and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with red lines and black print. Details are hand-written in blue ink. It is from J. Russell to R. P. Cameron.account-book-keeping russell-john blacksmith cameron-r.p.

This ledger was used initially by H. James & Co., Shipping and General Commission agents in Orbost in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It was then used by James and Bird, Auctioneers and Estate Agents.Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district. He was a stock agent and auctioneer who helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost. He was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF. John Bird was an auctioneer and estate agent,A large handwritten ledger with blue/green cloth covers. It has brown suede corner pieces and a suede spine. The end pages are marbled as are the page edges.james-henry orbost-history bird-john

A book with a dust cover covered in plastic. On the cover is the title and coloured drawings of a butterfly, penguin, seahorses, magpie and dog. Kangaroos on the back cover. Written by J.A. Leach D.ScOn the fly leaf in pen - Sandra Holmes in pencil - 5.60 (cost)australian-nature-studies leach-dr-john-albert science ornithology

These books were owned and used by sisters, Hilda and Elsa Wehner who were the daughters of Hermann Wehner, early Orbost blacksmith. Sir James Cantlie was a Scottish physician who was a pioneer of First Aid.These first aid guides produced by the St John Ambulance, the largest teacher of first aid in Australia, were an important addition to the home library and used regularly. Two small books on first aid. Both books are published by St John Ambulance Association. 1829.1 is First Aid to the Injured - a small book with a black cover. It is the 37th edition. 227pp. It was written by Colonel Sir James Cantlie. 1829.2 is Home Nursing - a small book with a brown cover. 272pp. It was written by Mildred Heather-Bigg. The title and spine printing is white on both books.1829.1 has Hilda Wehner written inside the front cover. 1829.2 has Elsa Wehner written inside the front cover.

On loan from John Mundy family. Searching for gold in the Orbost district began in the last half of the 19th century and continued until circa 1930s. The original Mundy family moved to a land "selection" at Betebolong in the early 1880's from Buchan. This item is reflective of the late 19th -early 20th century gold mining era in East Gippsland.A small square bottle with a push-in cork stopper. This bottle contains specks of gold or gold dust. mining-gold

Belonged to Mary Gilbert who was a passionate local historian. She was awarded a British Empire medal in recognition of her work for education and the community. . 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.Mary Gilbert was the first curator of the Orbost Museum, and a local teacher. These scrapbooks contain articles which reflect the social standards of the 1960's.Two scrapbooks containing pasted in cut-out magazine articles on manners, presentation and clothes for young women.Handwritten on the front cover of 1840.1 : Words of Wisdomgilbert-mary scrapbooks 1960's

Belonged to Mary Gilbert who was a passionate local historian. She was awarded a British Empire medal in recognition of her work for education and the community. .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. Mary Gilbert was the first curator of the Orbost Museum, and a local teacher. These scrapbooks contain articles which describe historical events of the 1960's.Three scrapbooks containing clippings of newspaper articles of historical events. A list of contents is pasted on the front cover of each.Handwritten on the covers: 1842.1-Mary Gilbert Book1 ; 1842.2 - Mary Gilbert Book 2 ; 1842.3- Mary Gilbert Book 3gilbert-mary scrapbooks 1960's