A sports carnival was held annually in Orbost from the late 19th century onward. Usually the carnivals raised money for worthy local causes.Closer to the date, a program of events was published, including the prizes on offer and entries invited for the footrace and woodchop events, as nomination and acceptance fees applied. Entries for other events were taken on the day. The Sports Day would end with a concert in the evening. (info. Jenni York)This is a pictorial record of a significant annual event in the late 19th century in Orbost.A black / white photograph of a group of men wearing athletic clothing ready for a foot race. There is a large group of supporters standing behind them.on front - "Sports Day at Orbost"recreation orbost-sports day athletics foot-racing carnival

This ledger was used by the Shire of Orbost from 1892 - 1909. The item was 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. 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. This is a hand-written record of the accounts of the local government. The Orbost Shire Council no longer exists having been absorbed into the East Gippsland Shire Council.A heavy ledger with a dark brown cover and lighter brown binding. it has marbled end covers and marbled page edges. It contains accounts records hand-written in ink.on spine in gold lettering - on a red square : "Ledger" - on a black square : "Shire of Orbost"accounts ledger orbost-shire-council

This ledger was used by the Shire of Orbost in the late 1950's - 1970's.The item was 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. 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. The Country Roads Board was the government authority for the construction and maintenance of main roads in Victoria between 1913 and 1983. It was succeeded by the Road Construction authority on 1 July 1983 and later merged with the Road Traffic Authority on July 1 1989 to form the Roads Corporation. James Cameron, an Orbost farming pioneer and Member of the Legislative Assembly, fathered the Country Roads Board This item is a hand-written record of Orbost Shire Council accounts. It pre- dates computer records. The Shire of Orbost local council no longer exists having been absorbed by the East Gippsland Shire Council.A black ledger with wooden covers. It contains hand-written records of transactions between Orbost Shire Council and the Country Roads Board.bottom left corner - Orbost in black on a white East Gippsland Shire logoledger accounts shire-of-orbost country-roads-board

Edward James Pardew died in 26/9/1927 aged 92. He came to Orbost from New Zealand in 1886 and selected 720 acres of hill land in the Brodribb area. He was a member of the first Orbost Shire Council. His daughter had a fruit & meat shop in McLeod Street. He was an inaugural vestryman of St James Church of England. One of the most prominent farmers on the Snowy was John Gilbert, a large landowner. His breeding establishment was at Tullagoota, about two and a half kilometres down the river from Orbost.Dairying in the Orbost district was once a mainstay of the farming community. Today the properties are fewer and smaller.Two black / white photographs of dairy herds. 3188.1 - on front - printed -"ORBOST EAST GIPPSLAND"; hand-written - :PARDEWS DAIRY & BARN" 3188.2 - on front - printed - " W. S. VOGT"; hand-written - "DAIRY HERD TALLAGOOTA< ORBOST"dairying-orbost agriculture-orbost pardew-dairy tallagoota-dairy

The Snowy River Mail is a weekly newspaper published in Orbost in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. Previously published as The Snowy River mail and Tambo and Croajingolong gazette from 1890 to 1911. The Gippsland Courier merged with the Snowy River Mail when proprietor Lachlan Ross moved to Orbost in 1910. In 1999 the paper was acquired by the Yeates family when the Hollins family retired from the newspapers business. The paper is still being produced by the fourth generation of the Yeates family as part of East Gippsland Newspapers. The flood in 1950 was a significant Orbost event. This newspaper is a contemporary record of a significant local events.A Snowy River Mail newspaper dated 15,.2.1950. It contains news articles and advertisements in black/white print. There is an artcle about the Orbost floods.newspaper snowy-river-mail flood-1950-orbost

This book was compiled by Margaret Smith a long time member of Orbost Historical Society and Slab Hut manager/volunteer.This book documents the education history of the Orbost district and is a useful research tool.The School Book - a display book containing the history and photographs of schools in the Orbost district from 1890 to 1959. The texts and photographs are in plastic sleeves.slab-hut orbost-education education schools

Christine Eaton and Deborah Hall are in the photographs. The photographs are connected to Adult Learning TAFE and CEP. The Orbost Education Centre is a community based not-for-profit local organisation. It has been in operation since 1976. The programs respond to the needs of the community and short courses are delivered throughout the year for people of all ages and backgrounds. The basis is promoting learning, connectedness and belonging. It is supported by funding from the community, state government and non-government organisations.These photographs are associated with the history of adult education in Orbost. The organisation still exists in Orbost.Three black / white photographs related to Adult Education. 3098.12 shows three people with a large sign, " ORBOST NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCE CENTRE". 3098.13 is of three people in an office with a desk and computer. 3098.14 is a classroom with adult students each with a computer. education-adult-orbost computers-education education-technology

Dross Drossou established a cordial factory in Orbost in the 1930s. He sold his cordial manufacturing business to Phillips and Stone, a Bairnsdale company, in 1948. Glass bottles were refillable until the 1960s, creating a demand for their collection and onsale back to beverage manufacturers via ‘bottle merchants’. A deposit on the bottles was added to all sales as they left the factory. The returned bottles were washed and the old label removed. The inside was cleaned by pushing the bottle onto a revolving brush. The reusing of the bottles went on until the bottle was broken or the top became chipped.This bottle is an example of a product manufactured by a local industry which no longer exists.A clear glass soft drink bottle with a crown seal top. The bottle is seamed.A DROSSOU ORBOST This bottle is the property of A DROSSOU ORBOST Base - AGM F 860 Mbottle container drossou

This photograph shows Ina Warren with Jack warren, Linda Warren and Cora Lynn. The photographer was Warren, Helena (1871-1962) who was a self-taught photographer who became both the local press correspondent and a producer of humorous trompe l'oeil postcard images. Helena Warren was a thirty-two year old settler living on a small mixed farm with her husband, William, at Newmerella, near Orbost in Gippsland, Victoria, when she bought her first camera, an Austral Box quarter-plate. Her family says she was entirely self-taught, like many women photographers who started out with nothing but the instructions on the packets of film and chemicals. In over fifty years practice she graduated from the total novice, who opened all her first mail order plates in bright sunlight and ruined them, to a competent photographer who became both the local press correspondent and an inveterate producer of humorous trompe l’oeil postcard images. Helena Francis Warren (nee McKeown) was married to William John Warren and lived in Newmerella. She supplied the photos for the Back-To-Orbost celebration book in 1937 and also designed the Back-To-Orbost badge. She was known for her soft toy making. (by Ivy Rodwell in from Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District by Mary Gilbert). This photograph has significance in its association with Helen Frances Warren, a popular Orbost identity who was well known as an accomplished photographer and needleworker,A black / white photograph of a woman with three small children sitting in a pumpkin on water . There are small flags (Australian and British) at each end. On the pumpkin is "HMAS ORBOST".pumpkins-orbost warren-helena-photographer

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

This book was compiled after an Orbost Historical Society bus trip to the site of the Prisoner of War Camp at Bete Bolong.This is a locally produced history book which is a useful reference for research into the history of Orbost.A 26 pp spiral bound book with a pale grey cover titled THE CURLIP NO 5, PRISONER OF WAR CAMP, Bete Bolong, Vic. 1943-1946. On the front cover in the top right hand corner is black sketch of a large paddle wheel with the P.S. Curlip in front of it. There is a coloured photograph of the view from the site of the P.O.W. Camp at the intersection of Bete Bolong and Buchan Roads.orbost-history bete-bolong ww11 prisoner-of-war-camp italian-prisoners

These documents belonged to the Orbost Rifle Club.The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's. It had a substantial membership.A light blue folder containing carbon copies of reports from the president of the Orbost Rifle Club from 1958-1964. The folder also contains correspondence from the Australian Rifle Association.orbost-rifle-club shooting documents

On 24 January 1991 a severe hailstorm occurred in Orbost. The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1991 damage at $12 million.This is a contemporary record of a significant event in Orbost.The front and back page of The East Gippsland News dated Thursday January 1991. The main article is a photograph of the hailstorm damage to Nicholson Street in Orbost.hailstorm-orbost east-gippsland-news newspaper-article

Dross Drossou established a cordial factory in Orbost in the 1930s. He sold his cordial manufacturing business to Phillips and Stone, a Bairnsdale company, in 1948. Glass bottles were refillable until the 1960s, creating a demand for their collection and onsale back to beverage manufacturers via ‘bottle merchants’. A deposit on the bottles was added to all sales as they left the factory. The returned bottles were washed and the old label removed. The inside was cleaned by pushing the bottle onto a revolving brush. The reusing of the bottles went on until the bottle was broken or the top became chipped. This bottle is an example of a product manufacture by a local industry no longer existing.A clear glass soda syphon bottle. It has a red syphon pump.D.DROSSOU, ORBOST Soda Watersyphon-bottle drosseau

building of PS Curlip replica in old butter factory building Orbost VictoriaBuilt as tourist attraction on river at Marlo. Plus 6 other photos Colour photograph showing building of PS Curlip replica in old butter factory building Orbost Victoria. Plus 9 other photos tourism, boat building

3289.1 has been taken in the main street of Orbost - Nicholson Street. 3289.2 has been taken on the outskirts of Orbost and indicates that the town population at the time was 2800.These photographs are pictorial record of Orbost C1960s - 1970s.3289.1 is a black / white photograph of a main street with cars parked on both sides of the road and buildings on the left hand side. 3289.2 is a black / white photograph of town entry sign - "ORBOST POP. 2800".orbost-nicholson-street main-street-orbost entry-sign-orbost orbost-1960s-1970s

Digital copy of photograph of the Whittlesea Agricultural Society's Show Committee 1913Inscription on back of photograph: Mr J Thomas Whittlesea Show Committee 1913

This is a photograph of Steam Engine K104. K104 was numbered as such in 1923. Engines were renumbered from K100-K109 to K140-149 in 1940. This one was renumbered as K144. 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.This is a pictorial record of rail transport in the 1920s. 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. On April 10 1916, the first scheduled train service left Orbost for Bairnsdale. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened 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.A black / white photograph of a steam locomotive. on back - "Orbost 1924 Steam Engine K104"orbost-railway steam-locomotive-k104 transport-rail

Reverend Alexander Morton was the Presbyterian minister in Orbost between 1894 and 1904. Rev. Alexander Morton earned great respect from the Orbost community, during his ministry here between 1894-1904. He brought with him from the New Hebrides timber which was used for the pulpit. Affectionately known as “Sandy” Morton, he was very friendly and endeavoured to reach all his bush parishioners, often on horseback. He was known up the Gelantipy Valley as an itinerant Preacher with a difference, he often doubled as a dentist, who was quite adept at pulling teeth, often with a pair of pliers. ( information from Margaret Smith Newsletter August 2012)Reverend Alexander Morton was a prominent Orbost citizen in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. He was associated with the Presbyterian Church in Orbost.A black / white portrait photograph on a dark grey buff card. It is a head and shoulders posed photograph of a bearded man in a suit.on back - Rev. Alex Morton, Presbyterian Minister at Orbost"morton-alexander presbyterian-church-orbost

This album was used at the Orbost Visitor Information Centre (the Slab Hut). The Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre) is an Orbost icon. This slab hut was built in 1872 as a family dwelling on a site about 3 km upstream from the junction of the Buchan and Snowy Rivers about 40 kms from Orbost on the Yalmy Rd. No nails were used in the construction; it was all wired together. After a period in storage the slab hut was opened in its present location in Orbost as the Information Centre in 1987.This item is a useful reference tool for the history of Orbost.A large photo album containing copies of photographs, some historical articles and b/w photos of Orbost. The covers are brown with a narrow gold frame. it has no spine and the covers are tied with tape. The pages, all different sizes, are bolted in.orbost-history album-photographs

These documents were used by the Orbost Rifle Club.The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's. It had a substantial membership.A large plastic envelope containing miscellaneous documents and books from the Orbost Rifle Club. Documents include receipts, cheque books, correspondence, cards, rules and an unused match record book.documents orbost-rifle-club match-records

This concert was held in the Mechanics' Institute on Friday, October 16th, 1891 commencing at 8pm. A dance was held after the concert. The secretary at that time was J. McNair. The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall 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)The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.An orange, paper program with black print. The program and details are inside a black frame. It is for a concert in aid of the Orbost Brass Band.At the top handwritten in black pen is" Donated by Mrs Elsie Cooke".orbost-brass-band-programme cooke-elsie

During 1910-11 the first approaches were made to the Department of Education for the establishment of a Higher Elementary School in Orbost and this became a reality in 1912. Orbost Higher Elementary School supplied post-primary education in the district until a high school was built in 1948. Higher Elementary schools took in students whose parents desired a higher level of education than the completion of Grade 6. Higher elementary classes were added to existing primary schools and were the forerunners of high schools.Orbost High School / Orbost Secondary College has played a significant part in the education of senior students in the Orbost district . It is the sole senior educational institution. This photograph is representative of its history.A black . white photograph of a large group of students in uniform in front of a school building - "Orbost Higher Elementary school". There are four rows of students.on back - M. Gilbert

Orbost Bowling Club was founded in 1929 and still operates in Orbost today. The Bowling Club was founded 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) This menu suggests that dinners for members were held regularly - at least annually and were fairly formal events. This item represents an era when formal dinners were important as a community event. Local clubs were significant in providing recreation and companionship by bringing people together and providing opportunities for social interaction.A green card dinner menu for the Orbost Bowling Club. It is dated 16/6/38 and is black print on a green background. It has 6 courses for choice.orbost-bowling-club recreation bowling

The name Croajingolong derives from the Australian Aboriginal Krauatungalung words galung, meaning "belonging to" and kraua, meaning "east". This is the second edition of the annual magazine of Orbost High School. The magazine belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school.This magazine is the second issue of the Magazine producd by Orbost High School and is a useful reference tool.A 28 pp buff coloured magazine titled Croajingolong 1949. This is the second issue of the annual magazine of Orbost High School.on front cover - M Gilbert handwritten in blue penorbost-high-school magazine

This is the 4th issue of the annual Orbost High School magazine. The name Croajingolong derives from the Australian Aboriginal Krauatungalung words galung, meaning "belonging to" and kraua, meaning "east". This magazine was owned by Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school.This magazine is the fourth issue of the annual Orbost High School magazine and is a useful reference tool. A 36 pp green covered magazine titled Croajingolong 1951. This is the 4th issue of the annual Orbost High School magazine.croajingolong orbost-high-school

Contains schedule of events for the show, including advertisements, rules and regulations, show categories.Small yellow cardboard bound printed catalogue. On front schedule, Tatura and Goulburn Valley A H & P Assn Inc 116th Annual Show, their logo, date of show and picture of family going to show.a h & p assn inc., tatura and goulburn valley a h & p assn inc., show catalogues

The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall Prior to the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show these smaller shows were held in the Mechanics' institute hall.This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a centuryA faded copy of a large paper sign used for advertising the sixth annual Autumn Show for Thursday, March 3, 1898. It has a list of prizes to be awarded and advertising of sponsors.annual-show agricultural-society