Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905, the daughter of John and Annie (nee Cameron) Gilbert. She had seven sisters and one brother. Four siblings died at a young age. She died in 1989 aged 84. .She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community. Mary Gilbert was not only the founder of the Orbost Historical Society and Museum but was a teacher at bhe Orbost High School for many years. She contributed much to the community as she was involved in so many aspects of it. 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.A black / white photograph of an elderly women accepting an award from a young womanl. Below the photograph is a medal and inscription on a light blue buff card. This is all inside a light blue wooden frame with gold edging.on front - "British Empire Medal, Miss M. Gilbert for Services to Orbost High School and Education in Greneral"gilbert-mary-orbost

This is a photograoh of students at the Higher Elementary School at Orbost. Mary Gilbert has identified those in the photograph. From L-R Back Row - ? Irvine; Madge Macalaster; Rhoda Perry; Daisy Scouller; Dorrie Napier; Lila Perry; Don Cameron_____________________- Rita Murray; Raay Fisher; Grace Morris; Reston Nish; Bill Irvine; Stella Rodwell; Headmaster Mr W. Guy; ?; Annie Stirling; Harold Napier; R Lay; Dora Smith; Doris Shortell; Percy Hambrock Nellie MacPherson; Irene Parker; Gertie Griebenow; Vera Saunders; Mr Jack Blaikie; Bernice Feltis; Dillkys Broome; Vera Spink; Jean Irvine; Lexie Nixon; Eda Ross; Maggie Whillance; Violet Scouller; Jean Stirling; Miss Zoe Hazlett; Lily Daly; Jack Parker; Eric Herbert; ?; Tom Henderson; Frank Richardson; Vance Moysey; Vernon Nevins; Frank Rodwell; Bill Fisher; ? Murray Kerr Molly Dreverman; Emmy Gibbs; Hilda Kerr; Charlie Richards; Mick; Spink; Tom Swan; Ronnie Gluth; Annie Gibbs; Madge Grose; Mary Reynolds 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 photograph is representative of its history.A black / white photograph of children in front of a timber building with an open door. One female and two adult male teachers are with the children. At the front centre is a drum. Behind the drum is a boy holding a board with H.E.S. Orbost hand-written in what appears to be white chalk on a blackboard. There are three smaller boys holding brass musical instruments. The photograph is mounted on a brown card which is damaged. a card with names written in it has been attached to the photograph, on the front of the card at the bottom - "X Frank Richardson Bill Guy H.T. 1915".education-orbost-higher-elementary

'Letters to the Editor', Nunawading Gazette 18 April 1990 from Auriol Saunders and E. Ingram on foxes in Vermont South.'Letters to the Editor', Nunawading Gazette 18 April 1990. foxes, wildlife, saunders, auriol, ingram, e, shearers court, vermont south

This catalogue is for the 39th Annual Orbost Show held in 1931. Admission was 2/- for adults and 6d for children under 14. 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)This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history. A thin side stapled paper catalogue for the 39th Orbost Annual Show. It has a red cover and black print"Catalogue of 39th Annual Show Saturday 14th March 1931". It contains details of entry requirements. There are also advertisements for local businesses. 755.1 is a complete stapled photcopy.orbost-agricultural-society orbost-events

These photographs were taken in the main street of Orbost looking south along Nicholson Street. Nicholson Street was remade in 1984 with new kerb alignments, the introduction of red brick paving and the planting of oak trees. This has since been changed.These photographs are pictorial records of construction in the main street of Orbost.Two black / white photographs of roadworks. 3278.1 is of two tip trucks on a newly sealed road. The commonwealth Bank is on the left and in the background is a sign to "COIN LAUNDRY'. 3278.2 is of three men at the edge of the road, backs to the camera.3278.1 - on back - "Resealing of Nicholson Street, Orbost, 1984" 3278.2 - on back - "Peter Dreverman in middle"orbost-nicholson-street construction-nicholson-street roadworks streetscape

This is the nineteenth 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". 2214.1 belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school. 2214.2 belonged to Brenda Murray, a former mayor of the East Gippsland Shire and a prominent Orbost citizen. 2214.3 belonged to Deborah Buckland. This magazine is a useful reference tool.Three copies of white covered magazine with dark blue print : Croajingolong Vol.1 No. 19 1966. On the left hand side is the Orbost High School crest of a sheaf of corn inside a double oval containing the school motto, " acti labores iucundi".2214.2 - on front cover in pen - Brenda Murray 2214.3 - many autographs, names written on front and back coverscroajingolong orbost-high-school

The certificate was produced by John Phillips for the Orbost Secondary College Centenary Celebrations on Saturday 28th April and Sunday 29th April 2012. The original certificate was in the possession of Lindsay Thomson. Lindsay Thomson lives in Orbost and is a current member of the Orbost & District Historical Society.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 certificate is representative of its history.A laminated copy of a merit certificate awarded to Lindsay Thomson on 30.11.45 Form 11 High School Orbost. It is signed by the J.R. Jones (head teacher) and F. Whelpston (Inspector of Schools). The original was issued by the Education Department, Victoria 443252On back : Produced by John Phillips for the Orbost Secondary College Centenary Celebrations on Saturday 28th April and Sunday 29th April 2012.education orbost-high-school certificate

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. They also produce the Bairnsdale Advertiser, the East Gippsland News and the Lakes Post and the yearly publications East Gippsland Visitor Guide and the Great Alpine Road Touring Guide. This newspaper is still being produced today. Local newspapers play a vital role in communities as they are central to communication networks in regional areas of Australia. They are a valuable source of local news, act as a forum for debate and often set the agenda for local discussion. This item is a useful research tool as it reflects contemporary views.This newspaper is a first issue of 4 pp. It is titled "Snowy River Mail & Tambo and Croajingolong Gazette Orbost Saturday August 9 1890".snowy-mail-newspaper first-issue

These photographs were probably taken in the late 1940s - mid 1950s. 3275.1 was taken at the roundabout in Nicholson Street / Salisbury Street intersection looking south. On the right is the The Commonwealth Hotel and the Gippsland Northern Store can be seen on the right. The war memorial can be seen in the centre of the intersection. 3275.2 has been taken from a height (possibly from behind the hardware store) overlooking Orbost House in McLeod Street. The butter factory can be seen in the background. Back yard toilets and paling fences can be seen with a narrow lane for the sanitary truck. Mrs Ruth Hannah Macalister, 1861-1932, established “Orbost House” as a boarding house in about 1900. Following her demise “Orbost House” was taken over by her son, “Reg” and his wife and they continued the Macalister family‟s association until the accommodation house was purchased by “Slim” and Eileen Somerville and Lindsay and Joan Jensen, in partnership, in 1963. (info. from Marilyn Morgan)These photographs are detailed pictorial records of Orbost in the mid 20th century. They show the objects in their spatial context with detail.Two coloured photographs. 3275.1 is a streetscape with a large hotel on the right, a main shopping area in the background and a wooden fence on the left. 3275,2 is overlooking backyards and fences. In the middle is an extensive red roof with "ORBOST HOUSE" in white print.on back - 1948-1954orbost-1950s orbost-house commonwealth-hotel

This is the third 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". It belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school.This item is a useful reference tool.A 39 pp grey paper back magazine with the Orbost High School badge in black and gold on the front cover, a sheaf of corn inside a double oval. inside which is the school motto, " acti labores iundi".on front cover - "M. Gilbert 1950" in red peneducation magazine-croajingolong-1950 orbost-high-school

This item is an early souvenir of the local district.Small white plate with black rim. Black and white illustration of the bridge over the Snowy River at Orbost.Back - Made in Orbost. Front - The Bridge Over The Snowy River At Orbost, Vic.plate souvenir snowy-river orbost

This is the thirty-first 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 belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school.This magazine is a useful reference tool.A magazine with a bright yellow cover. On the cover is the school crest of a sheaf of corn inside a double oval containing Orbost High School and the school motto, :"acti labores iucundi". The title Croajingolong is underneath in an arc shape.croajingolong orbost-high-school

This program was for an event to celebrate the golden anniversary 950 years) of the official opening of Orbost's Commonwealth Hotel. It was organised by Chas and Una Roberts (nee Marshall) and was a fund-raiser for O.C.C.A. (Orbost Continuing Care}). This group was initiated by Brenda Murray who was the founding chairperson of the Orbost Continuing Care Appeal, which raised money to build an aged persons' facility for Orbost. The evening was compered by Graeme Eddy. The performers included: Victoria Strait, Leslie Strait, Norma Williams, Pauline Strait, Hoard Oberg and Wayne Stuart. All were accomplished musicians from New South Wales. The event took place at 6pm on Saturday September 2 1978.This item is associated with the Commonwealth Hotel which has been operating in Orbost since January 1901.A white paper program with black print.It is one sheet folded.On the back is a picture of the Commonwealth Hotel, Orbost with a brief history of its establishment underneath the photograph. On the front side is the title, "an evening of baroque music and a golden invitation to dinner". There is a stylised drawing of a saxophoene, drum and cello. Inside are details of the program and menu with notes on some of the performers.on front - "MUSEUM".commonwealth-hotel music-concert event-orbost

This is a photograph of students of Orbost State School. Mary Gilbert has identified the girl holding the sign as Pen Gilbert. 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.This photograph is associate with the history of education i n Orbost.a black / white photograph mounted on brown card. It is of a group of school children in front of an open doorwaay of a timber building. A female teacher is seated on a chair among them. A girl in the front is holding a board with what appears to be handwritten in white chalk on a blackboard -"Grades 111 & 1V Orbost".at bottom - "X PEN GILBERT"education-orbost-state-school

The Christy Minstrels were originally formed in New York by Edwin Pearce Christy in 1843. Special sheet music was published for Minstrel Groups to perform and Australian versions of the troupe were very popular. Archibald Munro was an early Orbost bootmaker, became a post master until the telegraph line came and was an original member of the Orbost Brass Band.In the United States these early minstrel groups were successors to individual minstrel performers who imitated Negro singing and dancing. Minstrel shows developed in the 1840’s, peaked after the Civil War and remained popular into the early 1900s. Minstrel groups in Australia followed the custom of blackening their faces. Minstrelsy was a product of its time.A note book with three papers which are copies of letters. It has a brown cover with marbled edges.. It contains the minutes of the Orbost Christy Minstrels Troupe. The letters are hand-written in black ink and signed by Archibald Munro. .1 is the book .2 notes on the preeiminary meeting .3 letter to Mr Grahamentertainment christy-minstrels munro-archibald music

This magazine was produced as a program for the 75th Annual Show at Newmerella Recreation Reserve. 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 HallThis item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history. A small thin 40 pp paper booklet with a buff coloured cover. On the cover is the title, "75th Annual Show in black print. It is inside a black border with "Orbost Agricultural Show" at the top. There is the date of the event, details of the committee members and costs of admission beneath the title.orbost-annual-show

This is the twenty-seventh issue of the annual magazine of Orbost High School. 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 magazine is a useful reference tool.A magazine with a pale blue cover, Croajingolong 1974. The cover has dark blue print. In the centre is a sheaf of corn inside a double oval which contains Orbost High School and the school motto, " acti labores iucundi".croajingolong orbost_high-school

The certificate was produced by John Phillips for the Orbost Secondary College Centenary Celebrations on Saturday 28th April and Sunday 29th April 2012. James Brownlee CAMERON lived in Orbost- 1920-2001. He married Joan Findlay Hossack.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 certificate is representative of its history.A laminated copy of an Orbost Higher Elementary School Certificate issued to James Cameron for : Honours Algebra Geometry Pass English History French Arithmetic Science Geography Drawing It is signed by the principal and dated December 1932.On back : Produced by John Phillips for the Orbost Secondary College Centenary Celebrations on Saturday 28th April and Sunday 29th April 2012.education orbost-higher-elementary-school certificate cameron-james

This is the seventeenth 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". It belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school.This magazine is a useful reference tool.A yellow covered magazine with black print : Croajingolong Vol. 1 No. 17 1964. On the left side is the Orbost High School badge, a sheaf of corn inside a double oval. inside which is the school motto, " acti labores iundi".

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. These newspaper articles are contemporary records of a significant event in Orbost history.A collection of black/white newspaper clippings relating to the 1978 flood in Orbost. Some are original articles. others are photo-copies. They appear to be from the Snowy River Mail newspaper.floods-orbost-1978 newspaper-articles

ganai, orbost

This postcard was sent to Annie Gilbert (Mrs John Gilbert) of Tullagoota, Orbost. It was written by "Grace", probably her sister, Grace Cameron Annie Gilbert was the daughter of John Cameron who selected the first land on the Snowy River flats. This is a photograph of the original Orbost / Snowy River Bridge , a suspension bridge which opened in 1893. It has been taken when the Snowy River was in flood. It is similar to other photographs held in The State Library, Victoria. The Snowy River Mail and Tambo and Croajingolong Gazette Sat 12 Aug 1893 records the opening of this bridge as "the most important public event that has yet been commemorated in Eastern ......The Messrs McLeod, with whom the first settlement of this district is generally associated, took up their residence on the eastern bank of the Snowy River about the year 1841 or 42. The late Mr W. Roadknight and Mr T. T. Stirling took possession of the territory on the western side of the Snowy about 35 years ago. During the occupation of the country by cattle owners, very little progress was made in the way of roads and bridges, and except to the hardy and lexperienced bushman, it might have been generally regarded as inaccessible. About the year 1877, however, the late Mr James Robertson eldest son of Mr James Robertson, of Lochend farm, selected land now occupied by his father, about four miles from Orbost on the west bank of the river, Mr John Cameron visited the. district shortly after a .tour of inspection and returned later with his brothers, James and Alick Gameron, but found that during their absence Mr Ernest Watt had found his way on the scene and pegged out a selection, thus anticipating the advent of the Camerons by about 12 hours. We understand that a Mr Kidd, who selected the property now occupied by Mr W. J. Ross, at Pumpkin Point, was one of the earliest batch of settlers.........."This item is associated with Annie Gilbert (nee Cameron) reported to have been the first white girl to be born in Orbost. It is a pictorial record of the suspension bridge over the Snowy River which has since been replaced twice.A faded black / white postcard of a bridge across a river. There are cattle in the river and the banks are tree-covered.on back - a hand-written letter addressed to Mrs J. Gilbert Tullagoota Orbost.cameron-annie suspension-bridge-orbost snowy-river-orbost