Image taken of a lamp outside the reception door of the RVIB St Kilda Road building.1 col. image of lamp outside St Kilda Road buildingroyal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising

On September 23, 1925 the State Goverment gazetted a transfer of land in Raleigh Street, Prahran to RVIB. This was used to establish a hostel for women apprentices and workers, and building commenced in 1926 and was completed in 1927, at a cost of 3500 pounds. Demand for accommodation was strong and in 1929 a hostel for men was completed. The building were used as hostels for many years, but as demand decreased, the Institution found other ways to utilise the buildings. In 1972, a plant nursery was established on the site and other departments temporarily used the site. In 1994 the Employment Services team moved out of the building and the site was sold to developers.17 col. images of the partially demolished house at Raleigh Street, Prahranroyal victorian institute for the blind, raleigh street hostel

Mrs Augusta Tutton was the president of the Council of Auxiliaries for the RVIB for over 12 years, an Auxiliary member for 27 years, and undertook hundreds of speaking engagements and met with thousands of people at charity events, openings and auxiliary meetings. 8 B/W images of Augusta Tuttonroyal victorian institute for the blind, augusta tutton

Harry van Assche was the organiser of the RVIB's auxiliaries during the 1930's and until his death in 1942. In this letter to the Auxiliary Secretary's, Stan Hedger (Superintendent and Secretary for the RVIB) advises of Mr van Assche's death and the alternative arrangements to keep the work ongoing. Attached to the top of the letter is a newspaper article from The Sun (22/7/1942) paying tribute to this work. The letter reads: Dear Auxiliary Secretary, You will all be distressed and grieved as we are over the untimely death of our beloved friend, Mr van Assche, and I am enclosing a tribute to his memory. I think I was in a better position than anybody connected with the Institute for knowing his real worth and of the noble way in which he faced life anew in his brave unflinching determination to conquer disabilities of blindness. How well he succeeded is evidenced in our wonderful Auxiliary movement, in the multitude of friends he made wherever he went, in his never complaining attitude towards his affliction. We are heartbroken over what to me is an irreparable loss, for in my life-long experience among the blind, I have never met his peer. Other representatives will carry the torch lit by him (and he would not have liked to have thought we would fail him), and we feel that Auxiliaries will continue to do their best in memory of one who did his best for those who were sightless like himself, and for the cause for which they have so wonderfully worked in response to his appeals. Mr van Assche's Secretary and friend, Mr Webber, will act for the present, and I am sure you will all do your best to encourage him and those who may accompany him, in their desire to express the gratitude of everyone connected with this Institute for your loving kindness to Mr van Assche and to our blind babies, children and adults, who now depend upon you even more. With our kindest thoughts, Yours faithfully, Superintendent & Secretary1 letter with newspaper cutting pasted to top left edgeroyal victorian institute for the blind, auxiliaries, harry van assche

RVIB brushware was a source of income and some items were packaged under the name 'Blindcraft' to indicate their origin. In this collection the journey of the millet through its storage, selection, binding and attachment to other sections to make brooms and brushes.7 B/W images of workers making brushesroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

The award reads as follows: "1999 Australian Direct Marketing Awards, Bronze Award (bronze coloured 14 sided figure logo) Addressed Mail - Small Flat Mail (category), Feely Book Mailer (title) Bristow & Prentice Response Advertising (agency) RVIB (client) Streetfile (sponsor) (signature) Chairman Presented by the Australian Direct Marketing Association and Australia Post."1 x A4 sized paperroyal victorian institute for the blind, awards

To honour the contributions of donors, plaques were often installed in buildings. Initially these were made of metal, but later other materials such as glass and plastic were used. Unfortunately buildings do not stay in their original condition, nor are they necessarily meet the needs of changing organisations, and these plaques were removed during to the organisation moving into new premises. It is unknown to which organisation these donors contributed to, however given the wording, it could be the RVIB.Digital image of two plaquesIn Memory of Margaret Victoria Christian A Generous Benefactor To the Institute To the Memory of the late Winifred Tylerroyal victorian institute for the blind, nameplates

A President badge was struck to identify this important role in the sighted community. These consisted of a rectangle with the words 'President' in gold writing on a pale blue background and 'RVIB' written in gold against a blue background. Enamel blue badge with gold writingroyal victorian institute for the blind, badges

The RVIB Radio Club was established initially as an entertainment for the RVIB 18th Box Hill Scout group, however anyone who was interested was welcome to join. In 1966 a licence application was submitted and approved, with the call sign allocated initially being VA1277 and used by the group in their initial transmission of September 25, 1967 . An appeal was made to change this to VK3VIB however this was rejected. An alternative call sign of VK3AVI was approved however, and first used on October 23, 1967. The club fostered an interest in radio communications and some later obtained licences of their own. The Radio Club lasted for 20 years and eventually concluded on November 16, 1988 with the equipment donated to the Kooyong Radio Club. A potted history of the club has written by Alex Paterson.3 log books and various loose papers including a brief history, radio licences, rosters and Wireless Institute of Australia Victorian Division membership cards.royal victorian institute for the blind, rvib burwood school, esme dunnell, alex paterson

A Secretary badge was struck to identify this important role in the sighted community. These consisted of a rectangle with the words 'Secretary' in gold writing on a pale blue background and 'RVIB' written in gold against a blue background. 1 metal pin with gold writing on blue backgroundroyal victorian institute for the blind, badges

A Treasurer badge was struck to identify this important role in the sighted community. These consisted of a rectangle with the words 'Treasurer' in gold writing on a pale blue background and 'RVIB' written in gold against a blue background. 1 metal pin with gold writingroyal victorian institute for the blind, badges

With the growth of the Institution, demographic details needed to be recorded along with basic client information This register contains the handwritten entries of registration number, date, name in full, year of birth date classification of gender and age range (5-10 years, 10-15, 15-25, 25-35 or 35 and over), religion, birthplace, previous address, cause of blindness, terms of admission, name and address of parent or guardian. Discharges were also recorded with the registration number, date of discharge, name in full, classification (same as above) and remarks. All entries are recorded according to the date of entry and at each financial year the number of indoor pupils, outdoor pupils and journeymen would be tallied. This register covers the period 1/7/1893 to 30/6/1967. Extremely limited name searching is available for this register, due to its poor condition.1 volume of handwritten entries into columnsroyal victorian institute for the blind, rvib burwood school