The William Buckland Trust (now Foundation) provides support for disadvantaged Victorians through support for four key areas. The growing need for space at the Association for the Blind's offices in Kooyong was constraining the amount of people who could benefit from it's programs. With the assistance of the William Buckland and Hecht Trusts, the adjoining blocks of flats fronting Glenferrie Road were acquired and eventually demolished to make way for the Vision Resource Centre. The support from the Buckland Trust in 1968 was not forgotten however, and this plaque acknowledges the support gained in purchasing the land.Digital image of metal plaques attached to a boardThis historic plaque recognises the outstanding contribution that the Buckland Foundation made to the purchase of the site on which the Vision Resource Centre now stands. The purchase of this building was made possible by a substantial gift from the William Buckland Trust 1968. The Buckland Foundation's continuing support of the Association for the Blind is gratefully acknowledged. November 1994.association for the blind, h & l hecht trust, william buckland trust

From its beginning, 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. In this report praise for both the school and the work of the Insitute by external agencies is mentioned, the program of allowing children to handle exhibits courtesy of the Museum of Victoria, Hugh Jeffrey has just attained his degree as a Bachelor of Music (only the second to do so), honours also to Arthur McKay and other pupils who received Honours passes at university, over 1000 piano tunings were carried out this year by RVIB trained specialists, the Institute classes in cooking and hand and machine sewing have proven useful to single and married women of Melbourne, the Institute supports two cricket teams as well as other physical culture, and providing advisc to the Post Master General concerning telephone dials.1 volume bound with illustrations.royal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports

Carols by Candlelight is a Christmas concert held at the Sidney Myer Music bowl. Programs and candle holders were sold, and collections made during the event to raise money for the Austin Hospital and the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. 3KZ also recorded the concert, which was played on radio on Christmas Day with a phone number to ring to donate. Prior to the Carols program at 9pm, the performance was opened by the Melbourne Lord Mayer and the process of torchbearers (100 girls dressed in white flowing dresses walk slowly in time with the music to the stage, trained by Vera Hopton) as a prelude to the event. This was the first year donations would belong solely to the RVIB, rather than shared with the Austin Hospital.1 volume with photographs and illustrationscarols by candlelight, lawrence warner, royal victorian institute for the blind, gwen bowdler, e. leo curtis, mrs curtis, charles scott, jim hilcke, jim archer, margot sheridan, vera hopton, alan ball, william valentine morgan

An overview of activities and achievements during the past financial year. Articles in annual report include: acknowledgement of the passing of Dr Trevor Anderson (President) during the year, merge of organisations, equipment upgrade at Burwood School and transition of early education program out to Southern and Eastern offices and publication of "Little Steps to Learning" and 'Thanks Mate I'll Try That'.1 printed volume of information about the RVIB during the financial yearroyal victorian institute for the blind, annual report, trevor anderson, doug kent

The Eureka A4 was a Melbourne invention, designed to capitalise on the growth of IBM PCs. It attached to the PC and allowed blind and vision impaired people to utilise screen orientated programs. The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind supported the project and in this image, David Blyth and the managing director of Robotron Milan Hudecek, pose for a publicity shot at the launch of the Eureka A4 Notetaker in July 1997. Black and white photograph of two men at the Eureka A4 computer standDavid Blyth, Director of Community Services at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, carrying a Eureka A4, while Milan Hudecek, Managing Director of Robotron Pty Ltd looks on.royal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment, david blyth, milan hudecek

Articles in the annual report include: Matron Dunnell receiving a Churchill Fellowship, a second year wrap up of residential accommodation for children with multiple disabilities, replacing cassette players with newer models, employment of 120 people in the factory and 82 people received individualised training and rehabilitation programs.1 printed volume with photographsroyal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports