David Leslie Palmer was first a student (1892-1903) then a teacher of violin (1904-1912) before becoming musical director (1912-1944) at RVIB. Under his leadership, the RVIB orchestra grew into a popular band that travelled around Victoria and was in demand at concerts and balls.2 metal plates with dark brown background and gold edging and raised letters on one and gold edging and braille on the other.D.L. Palmer Musical Director 1912-1944 Fullness of Life Thru Musicroyal victorian institute for the blind, david palmer, nameplates

Rehearsal night at Ormond Hall for the 1981 RVIB Carols by Candlelight performanceCol. negatives of Carols by Candlelight rehearsalcarols by candlelight, royal victorian institute for the blind

RVIB assembly line workers putting together fire engine toys for children.1 x black and white photograph of men on an assembly lineNo 3061royal victorian institute for the blind, employment

A historical overview of the first 60 years of the RVIB, and some of the people and intentions behind it.2 page foreward and 17 page historyroyal victorian institute for the blind, c.h. nipper

Image taken of a lamp outside the reception door of the RVIB St Kilda Road building.1 col. image of lamp outside St Kilda Road buildingroyal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising

In memory of auxiliary members who had passed away, gifts were sometimes presented to the RVIB for use in the office or sale to raise funds. In this example, two prints from a fox hunting collection were made in memorium of Margaret MacFarlane, who was a foundation member of the Alberta Auxiliary and the Executive Council of Auxiliaries for RVIB.Images of 2 framed prints of "The Fox Hunt" and "The Preparatives"Presented by Alberta Auxiliary in memory of Miss Margaret MacFarlane foundation member of Alberta Auxiliary member of Executive Council of Auxiliaries and esteemed and loyal member of R.V.I.B. Auxiliary movement 16/3/1987. royal victorian institute for the blind, gifts

Carols by Candlelight was initially held to raise funds for the children's ward at the Austin Hospital. This image was probably taken for publicity purposes once the building was completed in 1951, for inclusion in the programs. In 1949, it was decided to split funding between the Austin and RVIB. From 1965, RVIB (now Vision Australia) has been the sole beneficiary.Black and white image of a three storey buildingChildren's Ward Austin Hospitalcarols by candlelight, austin hospital

Pram used for transportation of children at the RVIB nursery. This pram appears in many photos taken at the nursery.Green and faded white pramroyal victorian institute for the blind, rvib nursery

From 1979, the John Wilson Award was awarded to individuals who made a significant difference to the lives of those around them. In 1980, it was presented to Sister Elizabeth Lindsay, who cared for children in the RVIB from 1935 until 1945 as the first Matron of the RVIB nursery, and her guardianship of one particular child, whom she took in and cared for.1 wooden block with two metal insertsAssociation for the Blind The Guiding Light John Wilson Award for sustained devotion and personal contribution to the blind Presented to Elizabeth Inez Lindsey 10th October 1980association for the blind, sister elizabeth lindsey

"Congratulations ... and sincere thanks from the R.V.I.B. to the management and patrons of all hotels who contributed so magnificently in 1985. Fred Berry" Hotels were involved in fundraising for the RVIB through the placement of Lucky Envelopes machines. To honour this establishments and those which had raised the most funds, a poster was produced listing each hotel and the amount that was collected throughout 1985. The United Kingdom Hotel in Clifton Hill reached first place and a photograph of hotel management and RVIB staff was taken. Other pictures on the poster include RVIB clients playing cricket, using machinery and learning to walk with a white cane.1 rectangular white poster with red and black text with black and white illustrationsroyal victorian institution for the blind, fundraising, fred berry

Philip Gibb and Choirmaster Lawrence Warner sit on the stage, surrounded by choirs at the RVIB Carols by Candlelight performance in 1974. B/W photograph of choirs and special guests at Carols by Candlelightcarols by candlelight, philip gibb, lawrence warner

Schedule lists the 12 site addresses of RVIB offices included under the Certificate of of Quality Assurance Registration QEC12897. 1 A4 sized certificate with stamproyal victorian institute for the blind, registration

Schedule lists the 11 site addresses of RVIB offices included under the Certificate of of Quality Assurance Registration QEC12897. 1 certificate with black writingroyal victorian institute for the blind, registration

Pictures taken by Herald Sun photographers of RVIB workers constructing toy boats on a production line and using a band saw.2 B/W photographsHerald Sunroyal victorian institute for the blind

Order of Service and prayers offered in memory of Hugh Jeffrey, scholar and teacher of music at RVIB and St Pauls School for the Blind.8 pages with picture of Hugh Jeffrey on covernon-fictionelizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell, hugh jeffrey, royal victorian institute for the blind

From it's beginning in 1867, the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind grew in size and its number of employees and benefactors. These bound volumes of annual reports contain the information sent to subscribers of the Institute and outline the notable events and difficulties facing the blind and the RVIB. These include acknowledgement of the RVIB as the second largest industrial institution for the blind and the only one which pays married blind workers the sighted basic wage, the youngest child received was only 8 weeks old and her mother was in hospital, at the 'Empire Knitting Competition' held in Melbourne RVIB girls won a first, a second and two special prizes for their work, and congratulating the Tasmanian Education Department for establishing classes for myopic and partially sighted children. 1 volume bound with illustrations.royal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports

Denis Walter sits, possibly in the grounds of the RVIB facing St Kilda Road, strumming a guitar. Portrait taken for Carols by Candlelight program.B/W photograph of Denis Walter.carols by candlelight, denis walter

During the 1970's RVIB conducted fund raising through the use of Instant Bingo machines in Melbourne's pubs and clubs. For 20 cents per card, a Lucky Envelope would be provided and amounts from $1 (if all the numbers were green), $2 (gold), $5 (blue), $10 (grey) or $25 (red) could be won. Machines were emptied/refilled by RVIB volunteers and the profits gained were expended by the Institute for services to the blind. Wooden box with brown veneer and metal shutes for money inserted and tickets dispensed, with separate locks for doors in top for envelope restocking and base for money collection. royal victorian institute for the blind, fund raising

Although basketry and weaving work was discontinued at RVIB, workers were employed to undertake a new range of activities. Once of these involved assembling goods and re-packaging them. Showbags, cutlery for airlines and other items were handled by the workshop teams at RVIB, who could put together different components to make a shelf ready product. In this example, workers are using plastic to create an unknown item, which could then be shipped out to the warehouse.royal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Wooden shield with a metal plate attached. On the plate is inscribed "In appreciation of Mrs Hilda Kozlowski's gift towards the refurbishment of RVIB's Early Education Room 2002".1 wooden shield with engraved silver plateroyal victorian institute for the blind, awards

Launch of the 1994 RVIB Carols by Candlelight concert at the Channel 9 studios in Richmond. Hosted by Pete Smith and including entertainment from the Boys Choir and Peter Cupples.48 col. photographs of the 1994 Carols by Candlelight launchH550, H551, H552carols by candlelight, peter cupples, ross johnstone, janet cronin, carol o'reilly, margaret bull, pete smith, national boys choir

View of RVIB building in St Kilda Road, taken from the front lawn. Leaves are scattered across the grass and a single male figure stands outside the building.1 black and white photograph of St Kilda Road buildingroyal victorian institute for the blind, buildings

Articles in annual report include: List of RVIB president, vice president, board of management, medical staff and officers of the institute, honorary officers and consultant medical staff, The president's report, Nursery and school, Employment - the means of independence, Training and rehabilitation centre the rebirth of confidence and skills, Multi handicapped children, Our senior blind citizens the aged are not forgotten, Finance, Our auxiliaries and other helpers, Welfare -an increasing need, Melbourne traditional carols by candlelight, Services and facilities, When you make or amend your will. Events that occurred in 1969 : Alexander Mair died, he was a member of the board of management since 1952, RVIB faced a deficit, to date they did not have to restrict the scope of any of the services available to blind people and it was hoped with increasing support from all sections of the community that they would not have to do so, after 31 continuous years radio station 3KZ decided to discontinue its association with the Melbourne traditional Christmas festival carols by candlelight but in doing so offered the RVIB the rights to continue. It was the first time RVIB hosted and they offered thanks to television channel 0 and radio station 3AW.1 volume of printed text with photographsroyal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports

Certificate reads "Disability Friendly Recognition Program. RVIB Employment Services is acknowledged as disability friendly." Signed by the CEO, Diversity@Work (illegible), dated 27th November, 2002.1 certificate with blue edging on left sideroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment