Musicianship was a pursuit encouraged by the RVIB, who then established orchestras as a way of raising funds for the organisation. To this end, tours were often given around the state, so that the general populace could appreciate both wonderful musical talent and the work of the institution. In these images, various ensemble members and their instruments are displayed. Digital files of blind orchestra membersrvib orchestra, fundraising

A boy sits in the board room at the RVIB building in St Kilda Road, holding a Taylor's mathematical slate. Developed by Rev. William Taylor in the mid-late 19th century, this English invention provided a device that allowed pegs to represent a variety of numbers upon an array, rather than using raised numbers. Various models were produced around the world before it's eventual demise around the early 1970's.B/W image of a boy holding a metal grid in his laproyal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment

Image of boys and men around and in a grassed area at RVIB, that is bordered by wooden railing. A single-storey bluestone building and two wooden buildings surround the grass. Some children rest on the railing whilst others play in the grass or walk around the area. Three adults talk amongst the boys. Boys and men standing behind or by a fence bordering a grassed arearoyal victorian institute for the blind, education

On November 21, 2010 Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) hosted an annual public open day at its National Kennel and Puppy Centre in Kensington. People were invited to learn more about SEDA and participate in guided tours where they could explore the extensive facilities, which featured a rehabilitation therapy pool, breeding centre, public viewing platform directly into the heart of its kennels and puppy play centre. Demonstrations of Seeing Eye Dogs at work helped visitors gain a better understanding of how SEDA helps to transform the lives of people who are blind or have low vision, and potentially how they can contribute to the $30,000 cost required to train a Seeing Eye Dog.379 digital photographs of SEDA open day in 2010seeing eye dogs australia, fundraising, leona holloway

Interior of the Vision Australia office at 1300 Howitt Street, Ballarat, taken by Michelle Prentice during a visit.15 digital photographs of Vision Australia's Ballarat officevision australia, ballarat

Interior view of Vision Australia's office at 45 Princess Highway, Dandenong.7 digital photographs of VA Dandenong Officevision australia, buildings

Artist impression of the new building for Vision Australia's office in Macaulay Road, Kensington in 2009.4 digital files depicting artists view of Macaulay Road officevision australia, macaulay road kensington

Interior and exterior view of Vision Australia's office at 346 Macaulay Road, Kensington.11 digital photographs of VA Macaulay Road Officevision australia, macaulay road kensington

From it's beginning in 1867, 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.1 volume with black and white illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports

This black wooden antique hinged book magnifier was typical of the elegant way that Victorian age designers combined both practicality and style into the salon. Folded down, this box would sit on a side table until required, whereupon it would expand to allow the user to read items in their hand. A platform designed to hold reading materials would be elevated into position, and the magnifier allowed for three different levels of height. On top of the magnifier are engraved decorations - one of a bow and the other of a globe, telescope and scroll.1 wooden box with fold out top and inset glass magnifier.assistive devices, equipment

A Royal Humane Society of Australasia silver medal for bravery was awarded to Mrs Isadore Susannah Smith who, although blind, went to the aid of her husband, Arthur who was also blind, when he fell against a gas fire on July 2nd, 1967. Mrs Smith suffered second degree burns to her hands and wrists when she removed his burning pieces of clothing. On the front shows a woman in Ancient Greek clothing standing at left placing wreath on head of young man kneeling at right below Southern Cross; around edge is ' Virtute Paratum' and on the back is at centre within olive wreath 'Awarded to Isadore Smith 2.7.67'around edge is , Royal humane society of Australasia Instd. A.D. 1874. 1 silver coloured medallion and ribbon bar with ivory, brown and yellow striped ribbon. Women in ancient Greek clothing with 'Virtute Paratum' on front. Back is inscribed with 'Isadore Smith 2.6.67' inside a wreath.medals, isadore smith

Used to teach geographical information, this tactile globe was most likely produced by the RNIB and used at the RVIB Burwood School. Equator is raised and marked in black rubber. Topography land masses and meridians are tactically represented, and includes place names in Braille. A different shade of green is used to represent land masses, and major rivers are shown as well.Green plastic tactile globe with metal stand.Variouseducation aids and devices, rvib burwood school

This book contains the set up and clues for cross word puzzles that can be constructed with the RNIB crossword board. The board is contained inside a wooden box, which also has compartments for storing yellow and red rubber markers that fit into a grid that sits on the lower side. Red smooth markers are used for blanks, whilst the yellow markers have three turnable pieces, which can be adjusted to represent each letter in Braille.1 braille book and 1 wooden box containing yellow and red rubber markers that fit into the grid inset in the box.'From the Evening News book of crossword puzzles no. 18' Catalogue 29444recreation equipment, games

A bust of Louis Braille was gifted to the Victorian Association of Braille Writers in 1929 by the sculptor Guilliame Daniel Duprat. The bronze bust sits upon a blackwood plinth, with an inscribed nameplate below the chest, and a revolving medallion at the base of the stand.Sculpture of man on wooden plinth with inscribed medallion on axis and base plateOne side of medallion: Offert par le Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres (curved edge) Louis Braille Centenary Presented by French Government to The Victorian Association of Braille Writers Melbourne 1929 Reverse side: Republique Francaise Baseplate: Presented by Mrs George Swinburne to commemorate the Centenary of Louis Braille. Copied from the plaster cast. Made & Donated by G.D. Delprat Esq. 1929 victorian association of braille writers, guilliame daniel duprat

During the 1970's RVIB conducted fund raising through the use of Instant Bingo machines in Melbourne's pubs and clubs. For 20 cents per card, a Lucky Envelope would be provided and amounts from $1 (if all the numbers were green), $2 (gold), $5 (blue), $10 (grey) or $25 (red) could be won. Machines were emptied/refilled by RVIB volunteers and the profits gained were expended by the Institute for services to the blind. Wooden box with brown veneer and metal shutes for money inserted and tickets dispensed, with separate locks for doors in top for envelope restocking and base for money collection. royal victorian institute for the blind, fund raising

This pocket watch is believed to have been owned by Tom Marks, a past president of the AFB, and is an example of how Braille could be integrated into everyday items at the early part of the 20th century. Braille numbers are located on top of each printed number. Steel metal watch with copper trims. Sixty minute markers on white face and black numerals of the clock face. Minute and hour hands are of blue anodised material. Embedded seconds dial, sixty divisions marks with blue anodised sweep hand.Metal pocket watch with raised Braille numbers on facetom marks, assistive devices

Produced by Lions International to commemorate the 100 years since the birth of Helen Keller, who was a pioneer in changing attitudes and rallying support for the blind and vision impaired community in the United States of America, as well as around the world.Silver medallion with profile of short-haired woman turned to the leftHelen Keller in profile with the words 'Helen Keller Centennial 1880-1980' on front side. "While they were saying among themselves it can not be done it was done' - Helen Keller (script on back) collectibles, medals

Tilly Aston was the founder of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, which became the Association for the Blind, Vision Foundation and later Vision Australia. Her work in expanding the options available to blind and vision impaired Victorians triggered the push for similar conditions inter-state, and she was a pioneer force in challenging perceptions of both the sighted and less-sighted communities. This bust of Tilly Aston was donated by Malcolm and Beverley Daubney and unveiled at the 1997 Annual General Meeting for the Association for the Blind (now Vision Australia) on the 19th September 1997.Bronze relief of Tilly AstonMatilda (Tilly) Aston 1873-1947 Founder of the Association for the Blind Generously donated by Malcolm & Beverley Daubney September 1997tilly aston, association for the blind, malcolm daubney

In November and December 1964 the All Negro Folk Singers began a run of ‘Go Tell It On The Mountain’ at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne. School children from the RVIB School attended a meet and greet with some of the cast and a special presentation of some of the songs from the show. 8 digital images of RVIB school visit to 'Go Tell It On A Mountain'rvib burwood school, esther rolle, frank turley, joetta cherry, princess stewart

The 'Blind' Orchestra on stage at Ormond Hall. From the left, Reg Hill (trumpet), Arthur Tyzac (alto sax) Bob Tennant (drums) Allan Campbell (soprano sax & clarinet), Richard Sutcliffe (baritone sax & arranger) and Jack Burns (piano).Six piece band of blind musiciansrvib orchestra, ormond hall

In this scanned image used in the 1888 and 1889 RVIB annual reports, the RVIB Brass Band holds their instruments at the ready. This 12 piece band was made up of blind students and workers, and had two drummers holding the beat for 10 brass instruments. The Brass Band stands outside the front doors of what was then the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind building at St Kilda Road.B/W scanned image of the Brass Band of the RVIBrvib orchestra, fundraising

Richard Sutcliffe played saxophone with the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Orchestra. He was the arranger for the Orchestra and would re-work popular tunes into Braille copies for the other members. He also performed on radio with his saxophone quintet.B/W image of a saxophone playerdick sutcliffe, rvib orchestra

In this scanned image, from the 1955 RVIB Annual Report, five blind saxophone players hold their instruments on a stage. L-R: Barry Palmer, Arthur Tyzack, Alan Campbell, Dick Sutcliffe (?), John Levercha. They won acclaim for their radio performances in 'Swallows Parade' and 'Floor Coverings Talent Hour,' and its recordings with the A.B.C., and performed in night clubs.B/W scan of saxophone quintetdick sutcliffe, barry palmer, arthur tyzack, alan campbell, john levercha