Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of plain clothes Military Police with the aid of two female Vietnamese interpreters study confiscated and captured documents. Counterfeit military documents, such as leave cards and PX cards were much sought after by the local population.photograph, military police, counterfeit documents, gibbons collection catalogue, vietnamese interpreters, px cards, denis gibbons

This book was compiled after an Orbost Historical Society bus trip to the site of the Prisoner of War Camp at Bete Bolong.This is a locally produced history book which is a useful reference for research into the history of Orbost.A 26 pp spiral bound book with a pale grey cover titled THE CURLIP NO 5, PRISONER OF WAR CAMP, Bete Bolong, Vic. 1943-1946. On the front cover in the top right hand corner is black sketch of a large paddle wheel with the P.S. Curlip in front of it. There is a coloured photograph of the view from the site of the P.O.W. Camp at the intersection of Bete Bolong and Buchan Roads.orbost-history bete-bolong ww11 prisoner-of-war-camp italian-prisoners

Pigs were taken to Bairnsdale by coaxing them with maize thrown from a wagonette . From Bairnsdale they were freighted to market by train. The journey to Bairnsdale took about five days . This method of transport continued until the rail line to Orbost was opened in 1916.This photograph is a pictorial record of farming practices in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph on a brown buff card showing pigs being taken to market. The photograph shows the pigs close up with men on horseback behind them. The pigs are on a gravel road with a fence on one side and and the Orbost flats can be seen in the background.on back - "Pigs being driven from Orbost to Bairnsdale. M.Gilbert, Orbost"agriculture farming-orbost pigs

This is a local history of the Tambo Shire in East Gippsland. Tambo Shire (1882-1994) was created on 6 January 1882, by severance from Bairnsdale shire with Bruthen as the head . It was named after the Tambo River. Orbost Shire was originally a part of this shire as was Lakes Entrance. In 1994 Tambo shire was united with Bairnsdale city, Orbost and Omeo shires, most of Bairnsdale shire and part of Rosedale shire to form East Gippsland Shire.This book is a useful reference book on the history of the Tambo district.A 448 pp book with a gold coloured dust jacket with black print and an illustration of the Tambo Shire emblem 1882. It is titled " The Tambo Shire Centenary History".tambo-shire-history

Dross Drossou established a cordial factory in Orbost in the 1930s. He sold his cordial manufacturing business to Phillips and Stone, a Bairnsdale company, in 1948. Glass bottles were refillable until the 1960s, creating a demand for their collection and onsale back to beverage manufacturers via ‘bottle merchants’. A deposit on the bottles was added to all sales as they left the factory. The returned bottles were washed and the old label removed. The inside was cleaned by pushing the bottle onto a revolving brush. The reusing of the bottles went on until the bottle was broken or the top became chipped. This bottle is an example of a product manufacture by a local industry no longer existing.A clear glass soda syphon bottle. It has a red syphon pump.D.DROSSOU, ORBOST Soda Watersyphon-bottle drosseau

On 24 January 1991 a severe hailstorm occurred in Orbost. The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1991 damage at $12 million.This is a contemporary record of a significant event in Orbost.The front and back page of The East Gippsland News dated Thursday January 1991. The main article is a photograph of the hailstorm damage to Nicholson Street in Orbost.hailstorm-orbost east-gippsland-news newspaper-article

3154.1 is a postcard of the Orbost viaduct over the flooded Snowy River flats. 4153.2 is of a goods train on the viaduct. 3154.3 is of a loaded goods train with the driver at the window. Two men are standing on the plate and there are two workers below where there is some water and flood debris. 3154.4 is of amachine moving flood debris on the rail line. 3154.5 shows flood damage to the viaduct across the Snowy River flats. Two men are driving a dozer.This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost.Five black / white photographs associated with the Orbost railway line during a flood.orbost-railway east-gippsland -railway orbost-floods

building of PS Curlip replica in old butter factory building Orbost VictoriaBuilt as tourist attraction on river at Marlo. Plus 6 other photos Colour photograph showing building of PS Curlip replica in old butter factory building Orbost Victoria. Plus 9 other photos tourism, boat building

3289.1 has been taken in the main street of Orbost - Nicholson Street. 3289.2 has been taken on the outskirts of Orbost and indicates that the town population at the time was 2800.These photographs are pictorial record of Orbost C1960s - 1970s.3289.1 is a black / white photograph of a main street with cars parked on both sides of the road and buildings on the left hand side. 3289.2 is a black / white photograph of town entry sign - "ORBOST POP. 2800".orbost-nicholson-street main-street-orbost entry-sign-orbost orbost-1960s-1970s

This is a photograph of Steam Engine K104. K104 was numbered as such in 1923. Engines were renumbered from K100-K109 to K140-149 in 1940. This one was renumbered as K144. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987.This is a pictorial record of rail transport in the 1920s. This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost. On April 10 1916, the first scheduled train service left Orbost for Bairnsdale. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987.A black / white photograph of a steam locomotive. on back - "Orbost 1924 Steam Engine K104"orbost-railway steam-locomotive-k104 transport-rail

Reverend Alexander Morton was the Presbyterian minister in Orbost between 1894 and 1904. Rev. Alexander Morton earned great respect from the Orbost community, during his ministry here between 1894-1904. He brought with him from the New Hebrides timber which was used for the pulpit. Affectionately known as “Sandy” Morton, he was very friendly and endeavoured to reach all his bush parishioners, often on horseback. He was known up the Gelantipy Valley as an itinerant Preacher with a difference, he often doubled as a dentist, who was quite adept at pulling teeth, often with a pair of pliers. ( information from Margaret Smith Newsletter August 2012)Reverend Alexander Morton was a prominent Orbost citizen in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. He was associated with the Presbyterian Church in Orbost.A black / white portrait photograph on a dark grey buff card. It is a head and shoulders posed photograph of a bearded man in a suit.on back - Rev. Alex Morton, Presbyterian Minister at Orbost"morton-alexander presbyterian-church-orbost

Francis was known as Joseph and his name is on the Cowes war memorial. The Dominick family had 40 acres on the Nobbies Road, next to the Smiths. He enlisted in South Melbourne on 27/10/1916 and was killed in action on 4 October 1917 in Belgium.Historical2 photocopied WW1 documents. One is his enlistment form and the other is a report of death in action.Australian Imperial Force Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad. Field Service Army Form B 20290Aworld war 1, joseph dominick, military, dominick family

Document No. 102, February 1972, Part 1: the People's Revolutionary Party of South Viet Nam.people's revolutionary party of south viet - nam., north vietnam, national front fr the liberation of south vietnam

This album was used at the Orbost Visitor Information Centre (the Slab Hut). The Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre) is an Orbost icon. This slab hut was built in 1872 as a family dwelling on a site about 3 km upstream from the junction of the Buchan and Snowy Rivers about 40 kms from Orbost on the Yalmy Rd. No nails were used in the construction; it was all wired together. After a period in storage the slab hut was opened in its present location in Orbost as the Information Centre in 1987.This item is a useful reference tool for the history of Orbost.A large photo album containing copies of photographs, some historical articles and b/w photos of Orbost. The covers are brown with a narrow gold frame. it has no spine and the covers are tied with tape. The pages, all different sizes, are bolted in.orbost-history album-photographs

This item is part of the Mary Gilbert Collection. Top Row on Left - Ethel Scouller; Una Roadknight; Rene Rodwell; Nathan Spielvogel (Head Teacher) Bottom Left - Elsie Cook; Miss Olivier with hat (teacher); Erica Roadknight, Penuel Cameron Far Right - Dorrie Roadknight;with hat (teacher); 3rd from left Vera Nixon; Sally Draffin behind her; Linda Gluth in front of Dorrie Tthe Orbost State School opened on19th of March 1886. The school had first operated tem­porarily in a leased building, and on a half-time basis with SS2745 Jarrahmond, The head teacher was Campbell Mackay who remained in charge only until 12th of May 1886. The second head teacher, 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 Higher Elementary School in Orbost and this became a reality in 1912. Orbost. The Higher Elementary School supplied post-primary education in the district until a high school was built in 1948. When fire destroyed the school in 1941 local halls were used as classrooms until a new school was built, opened by the Hon. A. E. Lind, MLA, on 13th of February 1942. But Orbost continued to develop and the new school was soon over­taxed. This resulted in the erection of two Bristol classrooms in 1947. By 1950, when the school population had reached 500 pupils the opening of the new school at Orbost North was welcomed by all concerned. In 1963 the Department purchased land diagonally opposite the school and developed it as a playing area. This item is associated with education in Orbost.A black / white photograph with a list of names attached to the bottom. It shows a group of students and teachers in front of a wooden school building.on label - Orbost S.S. 1909 with a list of identifying nameseducation-orbost orbost-state-school

Consists of formation history, track and route dates, operator, SEC takeover and route lengths. Three pages of statistics - Income, Expenditure and loss 1935 to 1936, - includes car miles., operational statistics, expenditure breakdown of the SEC era. The last three years of operational statistics have been filled in by hand. Probably prepared late 1960's by Les Denmead (assumption here - See Reg item 3289 and 3483 for Bendigo version)Yields historical notes and statistics on the Geelong Tramway system - the statistical information being the most important. Shows the financial situation of the Geelong system was never satisfactory.Four sets - original and three copies - foolscap typed documents, five pages each, titled "Geelong Tramways Early History". 'BTPS 402" in top right hand corner.trams, tramways, geelong, sec, mesco, history, statistics

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 frame was made by Mary Lynch, wife of Matt Lynch. Pictured in the photograph are: Back: W. Fisher, Archie Rodwell, Mat Lynch, Rupert Mosley, George Granter, Arthur Saunders, Arther Pardew, John Bird, John Gilbert. Front: Bill Ginning, George Perry (secretary) John Johnston (president), Carl Dreverman.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. It is also an example of the craft skills of women in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a group of thirteen men, some standing, some sitting in front of a wooden shed. The photograph is in an ornate frame made of dried seeds.on front - "Orbost Agricultural Show Committee probably 1904"orbost-agricultural-society lynch-mary orbost-show

This is a photograph of the "Diggers Reunion" for the "Back To" celebrations held in Orbost in March 1937.This is a pictorial record of a significant event in Orbost's history.A black / white photograph on a grey buff card. It shows a large group of people sitting or standing on the floor of what appears to be a church hall.on back - "Mrs Mars. View St ?????????" on front - "Diggers Reunion Back to Celebrations Orbost 3.3.37"orbost-back-to-celebration festivals

This concert was held in the Mechanics' Institute on Friday, October 16th, 1891 commencing at 8pm. A dance was held after the concert. The secretary at that time was J. McNair. The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall From the estate of Elsie Cooke. Elsie Cooke was a librarian in Orbost for many years. She was the daughter of John Cooke early Brodribb settler. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref. Mary Gilbert)The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.An orange, paper program with black print. The program and details are inside a black frame. It is for a concert in aid of the Orbost Brass Band.At the top handwritten in black pen is" Donated by Mrs Elsie Cooke".orbost-brass-band-programme cooke-elsie

The photograph shows Linda Warren, Enid Eaton, Jim Trewin and Jim Nixon. The photographer was Warren, Helena (1871-1962) who was a self-taught photographer who became both the local press correspondent and a producer of humorous trompe l'oeil postcard images. Helena Warren was a thirty-two year old settler living on a small mixed farm with her husband, William, at Newmerella, near Orbost in Gippsland, Victoria, when she bought her first camera, an Austral Box quarter-plate. Her family says she was entirely self-taught, like many women photographers who started out with nothing but the instructions on the packets of film and chemicals. In over fifty years practice she graduated from the total novice, who opened all her first mail order plates in bright sunlight and ruined them, to a competent photographer who became both the local press correspondent and an inveterate producer of humorous trompe l’oeil postcard images. Helena Francis Warren (nee McKeown) was married to William John Warren and lived in Newmerella. She supplied the photos for the Back-To-Orbost celebration book in 1937 and also designed the Back-To-Orbost badge. She was known for her soft toy making. (by Ivy Rodwell in from Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District by Mary Gilbert). This photograph has significance in its association with Helen Frances Warren, a popular Orbost identity who was well known as an accomplished photographer and needleworker,A black / white photograph of a young girl on a horse pulling a group of children in a large pumkin. On the side of the pumpkin is "HMAS ORBOST"pumpkins-orbost warren-helena nixon-jim trewin-jim warren-linda eaton-enid