This is a book written by a local historian containing historical information pertaining to Orbost and the surrounding district. A spiral bound book of 191pp. On the front and back covers are coloured print of the Morgan Barn c 1900, an original watercolour, artist unknown. The book documents the distinctive slatted barns of the lower Snowy River, Orbost, Victoria. The book was published by the Orbost Historical Society and was written by May Leatch and Ngaere Donald. It contains B/w photographs, drawings and stories of the barns and their histories.history-agriculture-orbost barns-slatted

Herbert John Rumsey (1866-1956) started a nursery and seed business at Barbers Creek (Tallong) near Marulan in 1895. In 1901 he moved his operations to Dundas. From 1896 he regularly published seed catalogues. Some time before 1929 he set up a company, Herbert J. Rumsey & Sons Ltd, which later on (before 1937) changed its name to Rumsey Seeds Pty. Ltd.A small book with a cream cover which has colourful drawings of vegetables. The print is green and red. The book is titled "RUMSEY'S SEED CATALOGUE BEST SEEDS THAT GROW". It has 50 pp.agriculture horticulture catalogue seeds rumsey

Published by the Plant Quarantine Division, Commonwealth Department of Health, Canberra.This is a useful research article.A 4 pp copy of a brochure titled The Toll of the Fruit Fly-The Orchardists' Greatest Enemy. Teachers Guide No. 2agriculture fruit-fly education

Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A brown leather working horse saddle, a dray saddle. Probably used from 1890's -1950's. It has 4 silver metal studs. The pads underneath have been re-covered with blanket material.saddle leather equestrian rural

Horses played a vital role in the agricultural and transport history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A heavy brown leather saddle used for a working horse to pull a dray. Probably used 1890's -1950's. It has 4 silver metal studs in the corners.saddle equestrian transport dray

This was probably for a light buggy. Heavy farm, and lumber wagons had wider tires. It would have been made by a blacksmith. The blacksmith fitted steel rims onto wooden wagon wheels. The red hot metal rim expands when hot, so it can be fitted to the wagon wheel. Then it contracts to create a tight fit as it cools after being dropped into a tank of water.Horse-drawn wagons are an important part of Orbost’s agricultural history. Light buggies were popular with farmers for trips into town before the common use of motorised vehicles.A large iron rim for a wagon wheel.wheel-rim wagon transport agriculture

A bit is a type of horse tack used in equestrian activities, usually made of metal or a synthetic material, and is placed in the mouth of a horse to assist a rider in communicating with the animal. It rests in the mouth where there are no teeth.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.An iron horse bit. It has a small piece of leather at one end - possibly from the bridle. It has a piece of wire attached as a hook for hanging.equestrian horse-bit transport

These were used on a horse-drawn wagons, carriages, stagecoaches, and carts. A wheelwright would use this tool to make or repair the wheels. All sizes of buggy spanners, or wagon wrenches, were needed as wagon wheels were of many different sizes. Horse-drawn wagons are an important part of Australia’s agricultural history. Light buggies were popular with farmers for trips into town before the common use of motorised vehicles.A collection of thirteen iron wheel spanners on an iron hook. One spanner has a wooden handle and is an adjustable spanner.tool wagon-wrench-spanner transport

This hook was probably used in lift sacks of corn / maize to the lofts in the barns using a pulley beam system sometimes driven by a small tractor or a horse.This item is connected to the agricultural history of the Snowy River flats of the Orbost district. Intensive farming for maize was an integral part of the history of Orbost.A double bag hook consisting of two double metal hooks on a metal ring.bag-hook rural

This set of winkers was probably used on draught horses in farming.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A set of horse winkers made of dark brown leather with a metal chain bit. The strap which goes behind the ears is green hide - possibly not original. winkers horse-equipment equestrian agriculture

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district.Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A pair of hames, joined together by a metal chain. Iron has been cased over wood to form the hames. Each has a hook attached and a ring.WARRANTED picture of bull's head FORGEDsaddlery equestrian agriculture horses hames

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district. Horses played a vital role of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A pair of hames, iron shaped over a wooden frame. They are linked together by a metal chain. Each has a hook attached and a metal ring at the end.WARRANTED PLOUGHMANBRAND FORGEDequestrian saddlery rural agriculture horses hames

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district. Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A pair of horse hames, iron shaped over a wood frame and linked together by a metal chain and hook. Each has a hook attached and a ring at the end held by string,WARRANTED SWAN BRAND FORGEDsaddlery horses hames agriculture rural equestrian

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district. Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A pair of all metal horse hames, flat and angular shape. They are held together by a metal chain. Each has a hook attached and a metal ring at the end. One of the chain links has been repaired with wire.DOWNEE ALL STEELequestrian saddlery horses agriculture rural hames

Possibly used for sieving bean seeds or corn seeds. Could have been a sand sieve.A round wooden framed sieve. It has a double frame with 1/4 " wire mesh held in through two frames. It has a galvanised iron inset.sieve agriculture tool

Probably used in the local bean growing industry. The Orbost area was once a large bean growing area as the fertile snowy River flats produced good quality beans. It was exported to other states of Australia. Green beans were sent to Melbourne by train and later to Sydney, either via Bombala where they were railed, or to Eden to continue the journey on fish trucks. One pound per bag was considered a good price in the early 1920's and pickers were paid one shilling and sixpence. (Ref: Newmerella Valley of Plenty)A round wooden framed sieve. The frame holds the wire mesh sieve. It is braced with seven thin wire strips.sieve agriculture tool

This set of winkers was probably used on draught horses in farming.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A set of horse winkers made of dark brown leather with a metal chain bit. There are two leather cups that are placed on either side of the eyes. agriculture winkers blinkers horse farming

This set of winkers was probably used on draught horses in farming.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A set of dark leather horse winkers. There is a metal chain bit and a leather strap to go around the top part of the horse's head.winkers blinkers farming agriculture horse

This harness would have been used on a rural property in the Orbost district.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A dark brown leather horse harness with a britchen strap.harness horse farming rural

Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.Part of leather harness. Brown leather straps with buckles.equestrian harness rural farming

Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A brown leather harness (spider) with a chain on one side and a heavy hook at the end.harness equestrian rural farming horse

These were used on a horse-drawn wagons, carriages, stagecoaches, and carts. A wheelwright would use this tool to make or repair the wheels. Horse-drawn wagons are an important part of Australia’s agricultural history. Light buggies were popular with farmers for trips into town before the common use of motorised vehicles.A metal buggy wheel spanner for various applications.buggy-spanner tool transport

This stamp and seal were collected by Kevin Ingram who cleaned up the Orbost Butter factory in 1981. It is possibly from the original factory in the 1890's.This seal was probably used on official letters.The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district.Cast iron stamp and seal. Stamp (.1) has a wooden handle which works by a lever action. It has a rectangular base plate and is painted black.The main stem is decorated in gold paint. The separate seal (.2) seems to have been attached to the stamp.On seal in centre : ORBOST Around edge of seal : Orbost Butter Factory plus some unreadable print orbost-butter-factory agriculture farming seal embosser stamp

This was found by Kevin Ingram while cleaning the Orbost Butter Factory site in 1991. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district. A 1 lb butter press with a cylindrical metal handle on a square base. This tool fitted over the butter and pushed it out in a rectangular shape.orbost-butter_factory agriculture farming butter-press

Used to wrap half pound packs of butter made at the Orbost Butter Factory.The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district. .1 is a bundle of twenty wrappers for Orbost Choicest Butter -Half Pound Nett Weight. They are white, rectangular with yellow,red ang green print . .2 is two blank letter heads for Orbost Butter and Produce Co LtdManufactured and Packed by C.M. -L/FD Orbost Butter & Produce Co Ltd in bottom Orbost Victoria R.H. cornerorbost-butter-factory agriculture farming letter-head wrappers butter

This food flask belonged to P C Toby and Grace Nixon of "Macclesfield", Jarrahmond. It was used for carrying food for bean and maize pickers and maize threshing crews during the period 1945-1950.The Orbost area was once a large bean growing area as the fertile snowy River flats produced good quality beans. Maize is still grown in the area.A large blue metal food flask. It has a screw off lid and a red vacuum seal top. It has a thin metal handle with a black plug in the base.On base-Made in Hong Kong Freezenhot Bottle Co.flask food-preservation macclesfield nixon-toby agriculture

The Coat of Arms of the Shire of Orbost has been designed in the form of a cross in which five stars are set on a shield. This was typical of those used by many shires and cities throughout Victoria and the Commonwealth. A small crown above the cross indicates the loyalty of the President, Councillors and Ratepayers to the reigning King or Queen. The inner circle of the shield contains four figures, a sheaf of wheat, a factory, a cow, and a ship, which represents the activities of agriculture, fishing, industry and dairying undertaken in the district. Originally part of the Bairnsdale district, Orbost split away as part of the Shire of Tambo in 1882, and became a Shire in its own right as the Shire of Croajingolong on the 30th may 1892. The name changed to the Shire of Orbost on 17 February 1893. Orbost was divided into four ridings on 31st May 1895, they were the North, South, East and Central riding, which was represented by three elected councillors. The Shire coat of arms was on the wall on the right of the front entrance to the building and was removed from the current building when Orbost Shire Council was amalgamated into East Gippsland Shire in 1994.The current building was opened on Friday 28th February 1969 by the Premier of Victoria, The Hon. Sir Henry E. Bolte, K.C.M.G., M.P. Local governments play an important role in the lives of citizens in Australia. Local government authorities exist to provide services and amenities to local communities, and are also responsible for regulating and providing services for land and property in their district. This item is representative of a time when Orbost had its own Shire Council. A large round metal plaque with the words SHIRE OF ORBOST1892 in gold letters around a crown and shield divided into four sections to represent four industries : Shipping ; farming - maize ; dairy and mining.SHIRE OF ORBOST 1892government orbost-shire-council coat-of-arms plaque

This photograph was taken prior to the closure of the Orbost -Bairnsdale freight line in 1987.The Orbost-Bairnsdale railway initially played a crucial role in developing agricultural industries in Gippsland as well as tourism. It opened in 1916 and operated until 1987, principally carrying timber and farming produce. In the early days of the railway's operation dedicated passenger trains ran but these ceased by the 1930s. The line was completely closed to freightage in 1987.The track infrastructure was dismantled in 1994 and has been redeveloped as the East Gippsland Rail Trail.A large black and white aerial photograph of Orbost Railway Station in the foreground and the Orbost township in the background. It has been pasted onto a piece of Masonite. railway photography orbost, railway photography orbost

This illustrates the early attempts to have a water supply connected to Cowes. Shows figures on local properties and what is required for water supply. Also the history of local guesthouses.HistoricalFoolscap carbon copy of letter to the Minister of Water Supply. Seven pages of typewritten letter. water supply, shire of phillip island island, agriculture, population, cowes, isle of wight hotel, bonnie doon guest house, d.h.robb, r.a. grayden, h.v. johnston, j. thornborrow, charmandene guesthouse, mrs a. anderson

Early attempts to have a water supply connected to Cowes. It includes figures on tourism, valuations of local properties, local primary produce and what water they require.HistoricalFoolscap size carbon copy of typed letter. 7pagesThe Honourable The Minister for Water Supply. Suggested motions to be put to the meeting of ratepayers, 13 May 1936water supply, shire of phillip island, agriculture, isle of wight, anderson property, valuations, charmadene, bonnie doon guest house, population, tourism, primary produce, d h robb, r a grayden, h v johnston, j thornborrow, e r scott