Framed portrait of Bruce Small who was President of the Association for the Blind 1955-1964. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Small stands in his Gold Coast mayoral robes, which consist of a dark blue velvet with ermine trim and a white ruffled shirt.. He wears a mayoral chain of office around his neck and glasses, with his hands clasped in front of him. Sir Bruce Small joined the Vision Australia’s General committee in 1944 and became President of the organisation in 1955. He developed an efficient team with Sir Hubert Opperman (for many years the world’s number one cyclist), whom he brought in as Vice President and Mr. Pat Lightfoot, himself president for many years. Sir Bruce had to leave school at an early age after the death of his father in order to support his family. The lessons he learned from this episode in his life created a man of quick wit, with a razor sharp mind and the skills of a gambler - attributes that enabled him to achieve his goal of “aiming for the stars”. This was put into effect when he proposed a plan for 3 new Vision Australia nursing homes in 5 years at Ballarat, Bendigo and Brighton at a cost, which at that time seemed impossible but which was finally achieved between 1957 and 1959, through astute financial management. Sir Bruce also supported the concept of organisational decentralization and made amendments to the constitution, which enabled the associated branches of the Vision Australia (then the Association for the Advancement of the Blind) to form local committees. This was in order to generate local interest in the blind people in the community and engage them in fund raising and running of the nursing homes. Although he resigned in 1964 when he moved to Queensland he still retained an interest in Vision Australia. Sir Bruce had always pushed for a symbol for Vision Australia which would be recognized by the public and serve a useful purpose. This took the form of a beacon which was erected at Brighton, overlooking the sea, having a twofold purpose – a reference point and guiding light for small craft, and symbolically for blind people a guiding light to direct them to a safe harbour. Sir Bruce switched on the guiding light at in 1969 having already donated the cost of $3000. Prior to joining Vision Australia, Sir Bruce had operated the Malvern Star bicycle business in Glenferrie Rd. He promoted and expanded the business making Malvern Star the industry leader in Australia. This was aided by his friendship with Sir Hubert Oppermen, who promoted Malvern Star bikes through his role as world’s number one cyclist. In 1967 he became Mayor of the Gold Coast and, in 1972 he was elected to the Queensland Parliament representing the seat of Surfers Paradise. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr Bruce Small / President 1955 - 1964 / Association for the Blind'.association for the blind, bruce small

Publication accompanying the project, The f Word: Contemporary feminist art in Australia. Curated by Caroline Phillips, this project included multiple components: A Dinner Party: Setting the table; the Regional Feminist Art Forum, the Technopia Tours Feminist Art Bus, and two exhibitions.feminism, feminist art, melbourne, the dinner party, australia, judy chicago, west space, latrobe visual art institute, bendigo, gippsland art gallery, sale, victoria, ararat regional art gallery, ararat, technopia tours, kim donaldson, catherine bell, penny byrne, filomena coppola, kate just, jill orr, clare rae, elvis richardson, kate beynon, karen buczynski-lee, destiny deacon, laurene dietrich, eliza-jane gilchrist, janice gobey, georgia macguire, robyn massey, caroline phillips, louise saxton, inez de vega, lyndal walker, justine makdessi, the great petition, natalie thomas, laura castagnini, lyndal jones, vicki kinai, dot ket, virginia fraser, juliette peers, louise burchill, carolyn barnes, melbourne social equity institute, ebony gulliver, kalinda vary, kate robertson, stephanie alexander, kate macneill, victoria duckett, hana assafiri, victoria bennett, anne marsh, catherine deveny, danni zuvela, jon dale, marcia jane, catherine evans

This letter from RB Silvers, the Editor of Harper's Magazine in New York, is in regards to gathering the illustrations for Boyd's article and also regarding the possibility of the American publication of "The Australian Ugliness". The Harper's article referred to here is Robin Boyd's 'The New Vision in Architecture', Harper's Magazine, Vol.223, No.1334, July 1961, pp.73-81.

As financial and in-kind contributions began to increase, the Association utilised certificate templates to acknowledge and thank donors. In these examples, an estate for financial support to the low vision clinic/George Vowell Centre, an individual for his support during an appeal for Elanora and a bequest from a family. All certificates are hand-signed by the Chief Executive Officer/Appeal Chairman and President. Multiple A4 certificates of appreciationdorothy constance riegelhuth, wallace cameron, oriel j grattan, bird family, association for the blind, john cook, john moule, don argus, hermann muncheberg

As well as the official opening for the Low Vision Clinic extension of Kelaston, the residents also had their own party to celebrate the opening. Mrs Jill Bothe, occupational therapist, samples some food with Mrs Sainty, Miss Sharry, Mrs McDonald and Mrs Brown. A red ribbon was tied across the doorway with residents waiting to see who will cut it.2 x col. photographsassociation for the blind, kelaston home (ballarat)

Occupational therapist Jill Bothe during her time with the Association for the Blind. 058 - July 18, 1983 opening of the Low Vision Clinic & Day Centre Extension. Jill Bothe with a display of items. 069 - Mrs Jill Bothe displays her gifts at her farewell in 1985. 078 - Jill Bothe and an unknown person in 1983 at hydrotherapy.3 x col. photographskelaston home (ballarat), jill bothe

On the 21st June 2008 Vision Australia hosted a farewell celebration at 557 St Kilda Road for people who attended the RVIB School and Residential Rehabilitation and Training Centre. This CD has been produced as a memento of this occasion. CD1 contains the official proceedings of the day. CD2 contains a compilation of interviews and memories that people shared on the day.21 sound files of official proceedings and interviewsroyal victorian institute for the blind, burwood school, employment

Black and white photograph of the Brighton branch for the Association for the Blind at 7 Mair Street, Brighton. Known as Elanora, it provided nursing home support for elderly people who were blind or had low vision. The building still stands in 2020, albeit with some facade changes and the addition of a covered area to the entrance that is set back from the street. 1 black and white image of Brighton branch of the AFB buildings, association for the blind

Annual report on activities and financial performance of Kelaston, including the closure of the laneway behind Kelaston in preparation for the expected rebuilding, appointment of Dawn Veale, Rod McDonald, Deborah Hoover, Jane Brownfield and Anne Johnson, challenge issued to other centres to find the longest serving volunteer with no one beating Avenel McClure's record of 59 years with the Ballarat Auxiliary starting as a driver, Terry Fraser seconded to Mirridong, farewell to Teresa Skyrpko who use to carry bags of coal to fuel the stoves when she began 34 years ago, 4 residents attended a holiday at Halls Gap, Port Phillip Bay cruise for 2 residents, three people celebrated turning 100 (or more), establishment of an awareness program of vision impairment for Ballarat primary school students and the Low Vision Clinic in Horsham began operations.1 printed volume with illustrationskelaston home (ballarat), association for the blind, corporation records

Black soft covered book. Contents include: Timeline, merger between University of Ballarat and the Ballarat School of Mines, David Battersby, Jacinta Allan, Robert R. T. Smith, 2020 Vision and Agenda, Peter Gell, IBM, Technology Park, Geoffrey Blainey, Karen Douglas, John Brumby, Graduation Procession, David Waldron, Robyn Brandenburg, beer awards, Victoria Mitchell, VIOSH 30th anniversary, Fadi Charcher, Colin Trembath, Ballarat Railway Station, Shelley Nash, James Coglan. Ballarat Foundation, Sandra Herbert, Horsham, possum skin cloak. university of ballarat, ballarat school of mines, battersby, david battersby, jacinta allan, university of ballarat timeline, robert h.t. smith, geoffrey blainey, karen douglas, academic procession, john brumby, australasian international beer awards, david waldron, robyn brandenberg, colin trembath, shelley nash, sandra herbert, possum skin cloak diana nikkelson, kelly barrett, bianca nikkelson

Australian Railway Enthusiast Magazine - June 1995, colour front cover containing an article titled "The City Circle", written by William F Scott. Features the story behind the advent of the City Circle tram service, many photos, tram track construction, the vision, launch by Ian Dobbs and Russell Nathan, V214 on the launch day (28.4.1994), map showing future extensions to the new casino, South Melbourne Depot, commissioning event, ticket. Also has an obituary on Eldon Hogan who died on 6/5/1995. See Reg Item 5422 for a newspaper item on the opening day.trams, tramways, city circle, melbourne, launch, south melbourne depot, map, tram 957, tram 728, tram 1000, tram 214, tram 842, tram 470, tram 380

The Tally Ho Business Park was built on vacant land previously owned by the Methodist Church. The land was sold cheaply to the Church by Abel Hoadley, and the Tally Ho Boys Home was erected there. A change in the care of the boys meant that the land became vacant for a considerable time before buildings appeared. The Country Fire Authority, Vic Roads and World Vision are also located there.4 coloured photographs (a-d) taken at the intersection of Springvale Road & Burwood Hwy East Burwood. First stages of the Tally Ho Business Park in the background.tally ho business park, businesses

A battery operated device that is rectangular in shape with a sensor plate on top and an on/off switch on one end. At the other end is a round lid that screws off to allow a round 9 volt battery to be inserted. It was designed so that when placed outdoors would emit a noise at the first drop of rain, enabling vision impaired people to retrieve their washing from the line. 1 plastic box with metal plateRain warning device Made for the Royal National Institute for the Blind by Data Acquisition Ltd A price sticker reads: $49.assistive devices, royal national institute for the blind

In 2017 members of the Vision Australia Heritage group visited the Black and White Committee to assist them in preparing papers for collection by the State Library of New South Wales. This photo was taken in the B&W offices in Double Bay. L-R: Deborah Mould (VA), Pam Scharrer, Michaelene Graves, Susan Diver, Anne Mountstephens, Gael Vincent (VA)Digital image of six women black and white committee, vision australia

Badge awarded to Senior Citizen of the Year, Mrs Kitty Rose, in recognition of her outstanding efforts for blind and vision impaired people within the Bendigo region. The top circular part of the badge has the council crest has four images which represent the shire's main industries at the time of it's establishment in 1866: wine, tanning, mining and farming.1 metal badge with circular top and rectangular baseShire of Strathfieldsaye Victorian 1866 (circular top) Mrs Kitty Rose Citizen of the Year 1988 (base)association for the blind, badges, katharine (kitty) rose

In 2002, the Master Building Excellence in Construction Award (Excellence in Construction (Existing Building) 85M-110M) was presented to L.U. Simon Builders Pty Ltd for the National Information Centre, Vision Australia Foundation, Kooyong. This award hung in the main corridor of the building, opposite the middle doorway from the drop off area, from 2002 until the building's refurbishment in 2017.Black and silver coloured plastic plaquevision australia foundation, awards