Orbost has been subject to major floods throughout its history, such as those which left the town isolated in 1934, 1952, 1971 and 1978. It is recorded that the Snowy River broke its banks and flooded the flats 104 times between 1884 and 1978. Extensive flooding in Eastern Victoria during June 1978, caused widespread damage to roads, road closures and hazards to traffic, particularly over the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend.Since 1890 the Snowy River Mail has been the local newspaper of the Orbost district.This local paper has been the means by which readers in Orbost were able to learn about newsworthy events and issues in their local community for over a century. This paper is a contemporary record of a significant event in Orbost's history of flooding.A newspaper, Snowy River Mail, which contains black / white photographs of the 1978 floods in Orbost.orbost-floods-1978

This is a photograph of a group of students of the Orbost Higher Elementary School dressed in costume performing "The Poppy Song:" on a stage. In the photograph are: Dolly Broome; Mary Reynolds; Lily Perry; Hilda Guy; Rene Parker; Madge Grose; Audrey Cameron; Annie Gibbs, Zenie Irvine and Violet Gibbs. This is probably the song connected with a poem called “In Flanders Fields” written by Major John McCrae, a Canadian surgeon attached to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade and stationed at Ypres salient, Belgium, in the spring of 1915. During 1910-11 the first approaches were made to the Department for the establishment of a HES in Orbost and this became a reality in 1912. Orbost HES supplied post-primary education in the district until a high school was built in 1948. 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 item is representative of its history.A black / white photograph with a label attached. It is of a group of students in costume on a stage. Each figure has been numbered 1 - 13.on label attached to bottom - "POPPY SONG ORBOST HES ?1915" with a list of names.education-orbost orbost-higher-elementary-school poppy-song

Small booklet, 23 pages. Red Cover of thin cardFront Cover: Sanax FIRST AID EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS. THE SANAX COMPANY 849-51 NEPEAN HIGHWAY MOORABIN VICTORIA. Phone XU2651 Inside Pages: first-aid treatment instructions and advertising of Sanax products

Blac and White Booklet with Orange Cover. 14 pages+Coverrts, ringwood tech

Blac and White Booklet with Orange Cover. 14 pages+Coverrts, ringwood tech

George Temple, born in Yorkshire on 26/2/1832 was one of the earliest Orbost storekeepers. Temple's Store was on the corner of Ruskin and Nicholson Streets opposite the post office. He packed stores to the Bendoc area goldfields. The store building eventually became part of Herbert's store when he died in 1917.George Temple was one of Orbost's earliest storekeepers.A large piece of hessian - probably an opened bag which was used for sending goods. The material is pinned around cardboard. It has black lettering stencilled on it."1850 G. Temple Orbost via Cunninghame carpenter"temple-george

All of these photographs were taken prior to 25th November, 1876, the official opening and crossing of the current Snowy River Bridge. Gary Downey, an Orbost Apeian, did a "De Groot" and crossed the bridge on horseback prior to the official cars crossing the bridge to signal the opening of the new structure. There was a closing ceremony for the old bridge with a group arriving in a 1927 Chrysler, owned by Apexian, Peter Dreverman. This was watched by groups of school students. Some of the Apex members, including Jim Duggan, Noel Smart and Pat Hall, dressed in formal attire to speak to the audience.This event was organised by the Apex Club of Orbost.The Apex Club of Orbost was a volunteer service club which contributed to the Orbost community. A declining population has led to the demise of many social groups in the area.Ten black / white photographs related to the unofficial opening of the Snowy River Bridge at Orbost. snowy-river-bridge-1976 apex-club-orbost ceremony

This is a photograph of Bruce Evans, Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, signing the visitors' book at the Orbost High School Golden Jubilee in 1962. In 2012, Orbost Secondary College and the wider community celebrated 100 years of secondary education in Orbost. With earlier levels of schooling available at the Orbost State School or nearby schools of Newmerella and Jarrahmond School, it was not until April 1912, and after much campaigning from parents and other notable community members, that the Orbost Higher Elementary School was opened. Mr Richard Trembath was appointed the new Head teacher of Orbost Higher Elementary School and was assisted by Miss Olga Hirst. The senior class consisted of 26 pupils, and the junior class, 16 pupils. A limited curriculum was available which included lessons in Latin, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Geography, History, Drawing and advanced English. (inf0. from O.S.C. website)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. A black / white photograph of a man in a suit signing a book.on back - hand-written -" Orbost H. S. Golden Jubilee 1962. Bruce Evans M.L.A. signing Visitors' Book>"

The Orbost Fire brigade was formed in 1919. With the help of some large donated funds a fire station was built in 1920. the foundation leader of ther Brigade was Captain George Hudson with Mr Jack Healey as secretary. A street procession was held on Saturday November 12 as part of the celebrations.This item is associated with the Orbost Fire Brigade an integral part of community support in Orbost. The article is a useful research tool.A copy of a newspaper article from the Snowy River Mail. It is the history of the Orbost Fire Brigade which was celebrating 75 years of service.orbost-fire-brigade

On 24 January 1991 a severe hailstorm occurred in Orbost. The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1991 damage at $12 million. This newspaper records contemporary accounts of significant local events.A Snowy River Mail newspaper, dated 30.1.1991. the main article relates to the severe hail storm in Orbost on January 24, 1991. The newspaper contains news articles, photographs and advertisements.hail-storm-orbost-1991 snowy river mail

Used at Orbost Railway Station, possibly by the Station Master, between 1944 and 1984. 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. Orbost Railway Station was opened on Monday 10 April 1916 as the terminus of the Orbost railway line, and closed in 1987. The station was located on the west side of the Snowy River despite the town of Orbost being on the east side of the river, in order to save on the costs of a bridge over the river, which at the time had highly variable levels. 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.Book with a red cover. On the front cover VICTORIAN RAILWAYS Audit Inspectors Remarks Book, Orbost. Inside are numbered and lined pages with hand written information dating from 28/3/1944-13/8/1984, dated and signed by various station masters. Cover has a section missing from the bottom left.VICTORIAN RAILWAYS Audit Inspectors Remarks Book, Orbost.railway-history orbost-bairnsdale-railway

This photograph is of a train on the small rail bridge which crosses over the Burn Road Newmerella cutting. In 1912 work was underway to complete the Bairnsdale to Orbost section of the railway. This meant the end of river transport for the area. The railway was opened on April 10 1916 and closed in 1987. The letter written on the card is from Hilda Graham to her uncle.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.A black / white postcard photograph showing a train engine crossing on a small rail bridge. On the back is a handwritten letter.Photo caption - "NEWMERELLA RAILWAY, ORBOST STANLEY VOGT"newmerella east-gippsland-railway

from St Alipius school Ballarat East 1920 and St Augustine's school Creswick 1936.Suede covered booklet bound with silk ties with 5 pages of calligraphy.

Rules and regulations Booklet 1972 of the Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldiers AssociationT.P.I.

This is a photograph of Alan, Keith, Preston and Jim 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.) 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.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, This item is also 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 black / white photograph of three boys and a baby in a carved out pumpkin with a flag at each end and "HMAS ORBOST" carved in the front.warren-helena pumpkins nixon

It is believed that this booklet was produced for visitors to a Fortuna Villa Open Day in 1966.Printed Colour photo of Fortuna Villa on a quarter folded A4 sheet. Contains other selected photographs and a diagram of the layout of the grounds and notes on historical background.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr

Information booklet issued during the lead up to the 2023 Voice Referendum. 7 p., black text and colour imagesaustralia constitution, voice to parliament, aboriginal and torres strait islanders

This is a series of photographs of the demolition of the 1922 bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. This bridge over the Snowy River was opened on July 4 1922. It was constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.This bridge was replaced in 1976 after several major floods. These photographs record the demolition of that bridge.Ten black / white photographs of a road bridge demolition. In the photographs are cranes, one on a barge, and workmenon back - Orbost Snowy River Bridge demolition 1977

This photograph shows Mr Alex McDonald, the head of the Education Department, opening the new extensions at the 1962 Golden Jubilee of the Orbost High School.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 item is representative of its historyA black / white photograph of a man standing behind a lectern on a stage delivering a speech. There are other seated behind him.on back - " Mr Alex McDonald, head of Education Depet. Orbost H.S. Jubilee, 1962"

This is the fifth issue of the Orbost High School annual magazine. The name Croajingolong derives from the Australian Aboriginal Krauatungalung words galung, meaning "belonging to" and kraua, meaning "east". This magazine belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school.This fifth issue of the annual Orbost High School magazine is a useful reference tool.A grey covered magazine of 32 pp. On the front cover is the text Orbost High school Croajingolong 1952 Dec. 1952 Vol.1 No.5croajingolong orbost-high-school

This photograph shows the Orbost Shire Council in 1907. In the back row are : A. Hillyard; John Draffin (sec.); David Jonson; Archie Rodwell; Hugh Cameron; Geotge Nixon; J. Hassett; Percy Watt; Wm Anderson (engineer); Wm Ross (S.R. Mail) Seated in front on chairs are : Sam Lynn; R. Pearse; John Johnston; Henry Luke (pres.); Donald Munro; Bill Cumming; Charles Grove 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 item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. 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. A large black / white photograph of a group of men in two rows - front row seated; back row standing. The photograph has been taken outdoors with trees in the background and to the right a wooden building and tank. There is a copy.on front - "Orbost Shire Council - 1907" on back - "March, 1907, Shire Council"orbost-shire-council-1907 local-government

These books were used by the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Orbost Municipal Band.The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members. One blue-covered folder containing inward correspondence. Three exercise books ( one blue and two red) and one red covered ledger book which contain minute of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Orbost Municipal Band.orbost-municipal-band correspondence documents

The 19th of March 1886 proved an important day in the lives of many early settlers in the Orbost area, because on this day the Orbost State School opened. The fact that the school had first operated tem­porarily in a leased building, and on a half-time basis with SS2745 Jarrahmond, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the local inhabitants as they saw their offspring commence their education under the guidance of HT Campbell Mackay. However he remained in charge only until 12th of May 1886. The second HT, John Rowe, served until 1908. On 30th of June 1887, a portable room was provided; it being brought to the area by schooner. The school now had accommodation for 30 pupils; the teacher's welfare was considered because quarters of two rooms were attached. As the population increased so did the needs of the school. This was reflected in the provision of a larger classroom in 1898. During 1910-11 the first approaches were made to the Department for the establishment of a HES in Orbost and this became a reality in 1912. Orbost HES supplied post-primary education in the district until a high school was built in 1948. When fire destroyed the school in 1941 local halls were used as classrooms until a new school was built. Work was quite rapid and a new brick structure was opened by the Hon. A. E. Lind, MLA, on 13th of February 1942. This new building was a fine type of school of which both the pupils and the HT Leslie Collins were indeed proud. But Orbost continued to develop and the new school was soon over­taxed. This resulted in the erection of two Bristol classrooms in 1947. By 1950, when the school population had reached 500 pupils the opening of the new school at Orbost North was welcomed by all concerned. In 1963 the Department purchased land diagonally opposite the school and developed it as a playing area. In 1965 two LTCs were opened in November, and in October 1968 the Brodribb School building was moved to SS2744 Orbost for use as a general purpose room. (info. Schools east Gippsland) This item is associated with the history of education in Orbost.A black / white photograph on a grey buff cardboard frame. It is of students outside the Orbost State School. A child in the centre bottom row is holding a sign reading " Grades 5 & 6".on back - "Mary Gilbert"education-orbost orbost-state-school

Hepburn Springs in a tourist town with natural mineral water springsA colour tourist booklet with 8 black and white images of scenes in Hepburn Springs. hepburn springs, blowhole, suspension bridge, mineral sptings hotel