Born Celia Elizabeth Prince in 1930, Celia Rosser began painting Australian wildflowers early in her artistic career. She first began painting Banksias after seeing a Banksia serrata near her home in Orbost, Victoria. She lived in Orbost in the 1960's( her husband had been posted to Orbost High School) where she painted and drew native flowers , in particular, banksias. Her first exhibition was at Leveson Gallery in Melbourne in 1965, and included three watercolours of Banksia species. Two years later she published Wildflowers of Victoria.Celia Elizabeth Rosser (born 1930) is a renowned Australian botanical illustrator, best known for having published The Banksias, a three-volume series of monographs containing watercolour paintings of every Banksia species. She began painting Australian wildflowers early in her artistic career. She first began painting Banksias after seeing a Banksia serrata near her home in Orbost, Victoria.A small book titled Wildflowers of Victoria and written by Celia Rosser. It was published in 1967 by Jacaranda Press. The covers are stiff card and it has an illustration of a banksia on the front cover. It has 105 pp and contains coloured illustrations. This book was the third part of the Jacaranda wildflower guides series. The book is designed to carry around in a pocket or purse.rosser-celia wildflowers banksia australian-flora

This photograph shows Mr John Scouller, the manager, on the left with His assistant, Fred ?. Mr Scouller was the manager of the Orbost Butter Factory for 30 years and was succeeded by Mr Stafford after his retirement. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st, 1892.The first shipment to England went rank and was only good for axle grease on wagons and carts.The milk was brought to the factory by horse and dray.Most people would take the whey home for their pigs,which were abundant on the farms in the Orbost district. First directors – James Nixon (chairman), James Cameron, Carl H. Grove, Harry Richardson, David Rhys Morris, Lachlan Ross. The factory opened 11th January, 1893 with John Scouller as the manager. 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 black / white photograph of two men standing near machinery inside the Orbost Butter Factory.on back - " Orbost. m. Gilbert. J. Scouller, Fred?????. Donated by Colin Perry"orbost-butter-factory scouller-john dairying

Broadmeadows was home to the major army training camp for the Australian Imperial Force. The land was previously known as Mornington Park. It was a wide field, suitable for military practice, including training for the Light Horse regiments. It is the current location of the Maygar Army Barracks on Camp Road in Broadmeadows. To reach the camp, soldiers marched from Victoria Barracks in St Kilda Road and headed north up Sydney Road, only resting near Fawkner Cemetery. Soldiers slept in tents and food was basic. Training was hard, but it did not prepare soldiers for a modern war with machine guns, gas, shells and aeroplanes – technology that did not exist in previous wars. Some men only completed a few months training before departing on troopships from Port Melbourne. Once overseas, some soldiers received further training in Egypt. It is likely that these men are associated with the Orbost district.This photograph is a reminder of the personal stories of those who were involved in WW1.Two copies of a black / white photograph on dark grey buff cards. The photos show a group of soldiers having a meal. Some are sitting on the ground with others standing behind them.on back of 989.1 - "Sept 14 Broadmeadows"w.w.1 broadmeadows-army-training-camp

From L-R : Nathan Spielvogel, Hector Young, Percy Watt and George Holden. . Taken on the front porch at Illfracombe in 1908 after the four men had enjoyed a weekend fishing There appears to be a photo hanging on the wall in the background which looks like it could be of a young Marion Watt and the family's dog, a golden retriever In "The Gum Sucker at Home: Bound for Croajingolong 1908" by Nathan Spielvogel, published in Mary Gilbert's Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District, 3rd edition, p. 107-116, Spielvogel talks of his trip to Orbost, and fishing with Watt, Bruce and Young aboard Percy Watt's boat, the Maris Stella. Spielvogel's story says Young was the secretary at James & Birds auctioneers and "was one of the builders of the first foot bridge over the Backwater". It says George Holden was a Bank Manager at the Bank of Victoria. (info. from Campbell Watt) This photograph shows Mr Nathan Spielvogel on the left. He was a school teacher at the Orbost State School following Mr Rowe. Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874-1956), teacher, writer and historian, was born on 10 May 1874 at Ballarat, Victoria, son of Newman Frederick Spielvogel, pawnbroker, and his wife Hannah, née Cohen. As well as his stories he published a number of books about the history of Ballarat. Spielvogel taught at Orbost for at least a year Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874–1956) was a teacher, writer and historian. As a country schoolteacher, he traveled widely in the eastern Australian outback and also made a journey to London. Spielvogel gained distinction as one of the only Australian Jewish writers of his time. Many of his early books were best-sellers. He has an association with the history of Orbost having spent a year as a teacher at Orbost. The Watt family were early Marlo settlers.A black / white photograph / postcard of four men sitting around a small table playing cards. Two of the men have pillows behind their heads. Three are smoking pipes.on back - "On R - N. Spielvogel"spielvogel-nathan-orbost

This is a photograph of Samuel Smith, aged 92, with his dog outside his home, Gloucester House, near Cann River. He was the keeper at CapeEverard (Point Hicks) for five years.He retired from the lighthouse position in 1904. His life story was written in The Snowy River Mail, Orbost, Wednesday Evening – 27 January 1937 as "LIFE STORY OF SAMUEL SMITH". He was born in Gloucestershire in 1844 and died in 1937 at the the Orbost Hospital. There was an obituary in The Argus (Melbourne) on Saturday 18 February, 1939. Samuel Smith, of Noorinbee, East Gippsland, was the last survivor of the original crew of the frigate Victoria, the first vessel of the old Victorian Navy. When the Victoria arrived in Melbourne in 1861 after having landed soldiers in New Zealand for the Maori War, the crew was given a civil reception, and each member was presented with a sovereign in honor of the birth of the Victorian Navy. A black / white photograph of a bearded elderly man sitting and holding a cane. A dog is sitting at his knee. The photograph has ben taken outside in a garden.on back - "Samuel Smith, Head Lighthouse Keeper at C. Everard, retired 1904"cape-everard point-hicks smith-samuel

The two boys in this photograph are Stanley (7) and Maurice (5) Kelly. The two boys were lost in the bush near Orbost for three days. The had been sent by their mother, Mrs Parker, to borrow tea and sugar from a neighbour but became lost on the way home. They were found, scratched and with clothes torn, by a woodcutter, Mr W. Morell. There was a newspaper article on the front page of the Adelaide Mail , Saturday 22 July 1933,This photograph is linked with an event in Orbost's history.A small black / white photograph / postacrd of two small boys standing side by side in a paddock.on back - "The Kelly Kids, lost near L. Curlip"kelly-maurice kelly-stanley

Ian and Jean McDonald were the children of Mr and Mrs Norman McDonald of 42 Gladstone Street, Orbost. This photograph was taken in late January, 1919 on Jean's first day at school.. It was taken at the home of John Rowe, the former headmaster of Orbost Primary School. He was then living opposite the school. Norman Alexander McDonald was a book-keeper at Macarthur‟s and was very musical. He was proprietor of the Capitol Cafe, Nicholson Street, Orbost, selling the business to Mr Coad on 4th December 1947. This photograph record an important event in the life of an Orbost family in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of two young children, a boy and a girl, sitting on the verandah of a house.mcdonald-ian mcdonald-jean education-orbost

This book was produced as part of the centenary celebrations in 2006. In 2006 Orbost Golf Club celebrated its’ Centenary having originally been formed as the Snowy River Golf Club and played on private land near the banks of the Snowy River just to the south of town. In the 1930’s the Golf Club relocated to its present site and was renamed Orbost Golf Club. The land was shared by the Show grounds and Racing Club. Orbost Golf Club later acquired the land outright to provide a permanent home for golfers in Orbost and surrounding district.This is a local history book.A 38 pp spiral bound book titled Orbost Golf Club Centenary Booklet 1906-2006 Centenary Celebrations 9/12 2006. The front cover is cream and has a black line sketch of the old club house at Orbost Golf Club.recreation orbost-golf-club

This type of cast iron kettle was used by pioneer families, mainly rural in the early 1900's upon open fires. It provided a source of boiling water, in or mainly outside the kitchen of homesteads. Early homes often had an open fire containing a fountain, buckets and kettles that hung from a hook in the fireplace. These containers supplied hot water for cooking, washing and cups of tea. The fountain was placed on hob until needed and then hung over fire.This water fountain would have been used by early settlers in Orbost before the connection of electricity.A large cast iron water fountain. It has a hook on the curved swinging handle and a tap at the front. This large cast iron camp pot or cauldron has a long tap connection located at the bottom end at the front. The tap has a simple control swivel at the end to control the water flow.On lid 1934.1 - 3 to 4 On base 1934.2 - A. Kenrick & Sons 4 Gallskettle cast-iron kenrick domestic kitchen

Owen 'Doc' Matthews is remembered for his spectacular Grand Prix dressage exhibitions with his horse Aintree Boy, performed to music under spotlights at Melbourne Royal Show from 1965-1975. He also performed at smaller country shows. Doc Matthews was born in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy in 1923, during the Great Depression. He and his brother Paddy were placed in a foster home and then in a Geelong orphanage before being put to work at a dairy farm. Doc was given an elderly piebald mare to ride, which ignited his passion for horses. When he was 16, he enlisted in World War 2 but captured by the Japanese and ended up working on the Burma Railway, spending years as a prisoner of war in the notorious Changi Prison. Doc joined Victoria Police in 1952 and by 1962 was chief horse master and riding instructor in the mounted branch. He drilled teams to perform musical rides and horses and riders were always turned out to perfection. Doc and Aintree Boy became a partnership after the horse had been used in the mounted branch for four years. Doc decided to try his hand at dressage and as there were few instructors, trained Aintree Boy with nothing to go by but a couple of books and film of a single dressage competition. Owen 'Doc' Matthews was truly a pioneer of Grand Prix dressage in Australia. ( ref. TOPHORSE )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.A square shaped ticket for Orbost Show - Monday, March 10th 1975. It is on white card with blue print.Orbost Wonder Horse "Aintree Boy". Monday, March 10th 1975aintree-boy dressage equestrian matthews-owen

This tin and its contents is a typical example of the common items used in a family home in Orbost in the first half of the 20th century. Tobacco tins would have been handy storage containers.1951.1 is a Havelock tobacco tin - Havelock Flake Cut - High Grade Tobacco. Inside the tin are various items. 1951.2 and .3 is a pair of white plastic earrings (1950's?). There is another earring, a hair clip, a white button, a metal brooch in the form of a bunch of three flowers with the catch missing, a fish hook, a brown stud button with a shank and a rising sun badge - Australian Commonwealth Military Force.havelock-tobacco earrings rising-sun-badge

Topical iodine as in Iodex is used to prevent and treat infections from minor scrapes and cuts. Iodex was a very popular home remedy and usually kept in the home "first aid" kit.A brown glass jar with a gren plastic lid. The paper label is green with black print. The jar contains IODEX gum methyl salicyl 5% - one ouncepharmacy medicines bottles menley-&-james-col.-ltd.

This preserving jar was used in the first half of the 20th century to preserve cooked food - pickles. Preserving home produce in bottles is a method that applies heat to food in a closed glass home canning jar to stop the natural spoilage that would otherwise take place. It removes air from the jar to create a seal. he bottling process forms an air tight seal between the bottle and the lid. Residents of Orbost have long been self sufficient growing their own fruit and vegetables with earlier market gardeners They preserved their produce for use all year. Fowlers Vacola preserving kits were common in most kitchens.A brown glass Fowler's Vacola preserving jar filled with pickles. It is a No. 27 bottle with a size 3 metal clip. It has an 850ml capacity. The lid has metal tension clips which are secured during the canning process and are removed once a vacuum seal has formed. The lid is tin-plated with a lacquer coating, double-coated on the underside.On lid Fowlers Vacola Size 3 Top of jar- embossed with the words Fowlers Vacola food-preservation fowlers-vacola container-glass

This hanging rack has been made out of used horse shoes. It may have been used separately or as part of a longer rack attached to a wooden backing.This item shows the skill and craftmanship of self-reliant rural families.A home-made coat hook made from two small horseshoes which have been bent and welded together to make a hook for hanging coats. It has been painted black.horse-shoes handicraft hanging-rack

Historically, lasts were typically made from cast iron because this material retains its shape, even when in contact with wet materials (like leather) and subjected to the stresses of stretching and shaping shoes on them. They were for home mending of shoes. This item is an example of the self-reliance shown by rural families when household necessities were not readily available.A black cast iron boot last which can be used for three different sized sole placements boots / shoes. domestic shoe-last boot-last cast-iron

A cattle prod, also called a stock prod, is a handheld device commonly used to make cattle or other livestock move by striking or poking them. This is a home-made prod.This is an example of the resourcefulness of rural families in economising and re-cycling.A wooden stick - probably a handle from a tool - with rope threaded through the top. It was probably a home-made animal prodder.livestock prod

This landing net is a small, bag-shaped net with a long handle at the mouth, for scooping a hooked fish out of the water and bringing it to shore or into a boat. this one is home-made by an Orbost angler.This fishing net is an example of a home-made piece of equipment. It shows the self-reliance of rural people.A home-made fish landing net. It has a long wooden handle. Hose clamps hold the wire frame of the net,. The end of the bag shaped string net is bound with tape.fishing-net handcraft

This instrument was used by the Orbost Municipal Band. the Orbost Workers' Band and the Orbost Town Band amalgamated in 1913 to form the Orbost Municipal Band under the conductorship of Mr Charles Spink. The Orbost Municipal Orbost Band played a major role in the Orbost community activities. Charles Spink made sure each soldier returning home from the 1914 to 1918 war was welcomed home in front of the Shire Hall to the music of the Orbost Municipal Band. The band played in the main street on most Friday nights and in 1929 the band played at the official opening of the Buchan Caves, by Sir Albert Lind.A large drum painted white with green lettering. It is made of metal, wood and leather.Orbost Municipal Band on both sides of the drum.musical-instrument drum orbost municipal band spink-charles

This item belonged to Daisy Close, born 1899, at Murrangowar. She was the mother of Ethel Pike. Daisy Close married Ed Jensen who lived at Murrangowar. The Jensens were farmers. The wristing set was probably used at home rather than at school.This book, together with a book awarded to Daisy Close form part of the history of the Close family who were early settlers at Murrangowar in the late 19th century.A black rectangular box -probably cardboard covered with leatherette. The top folds out and inside the box lid are pockets. In the main section is a compartment for an inkwell. The inkwell has a an ink bottle. The box is lockable with a small metal key.There is a pencilled inscription which is unreadable.writing-set stationery close murrangowar

This was dug up at the old station at Lochend owned by the Stirling family and abandoned in the early 1870's. James Stirling's son Thomas Telfer Stirling took up the Corringle Run stretching from Lake Tyers along the coast. The home was at the Old Station. When he moved to Bruthen, James Stirling took over the Corringle Station. He is buried in the Marlo cemetery. He built a bark hut on the bluff that had two rooms, bark walls, earthen floors and a shingle roof. By 1884, this structure had expanded to a 9 roomed accommodation house and in 1886 became the Marlo Hotel when a liquor license was granted. info. from Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District by Mary Gilbert. The first settler to occupy the Marlo township area was James Stirling around the year 1875.An old horse tooth. Probably from before 1920. It is a molar.tooth stirling molar equine

This booklet was in a box of items donated to the Orbost Op Shop by Orbost House. Orbost House, believed to have been established by the Macalister family around the turn of the 20th century was a boarding house in Lochiel Street, Orbost. A stapled paper handbook of knitting patterns for defence force knitwear. All Services Knitwear for the Navy, Army, Air Force, Mercantile Marine and Home Guard. Contains 27 pages in paper covers and states that it gives clear instructions for knitting all comforts required by Service men. . Contents include instructions for knitting mittens for the Navy, steering gloves for the Army, other gloves, socks, knee caps, wristlets, helmet with cape pieces for all services, ribbed helmet for the Navy, hospital stockings, scarf, service jacket and pullover and fisherman's sea-boot stockings. It is Illustrated with black/white photographs. knitting-patterns booklet handcraft

Shoe stretchers can expand the width and the length of shoes. Shoe stretchers work best for suede, leather, and other natural materials. These domestic stretchers would have been used for expanding length.This item is an example of an item commonly used in homes in early Orbost.A shoe stretcher which has a flexible metal band with wooden ends.shoes footwear shoe-stretcher

Stuart Hats commenced manufacturing hats in about 1948 and closed their factory in Orbost around 1953 probably because of the high transport costs. The company's head factory was in Melbourne. The hats made in Orbost were sold all over Australia as well as in Melbourne at Myers and David Jones. Orme Andrews Ladies' Wear was the only store in Orbost to stock the locally produced Stuart Hats. The building became first a Dry Cleaners and then a private home.Stuart Hats was a significant manufacturing business in Orbost in the 1950's employing nearly 20 local people.A woven straw hat with a wide brim. It is a natural colour with braid as a hat band. Inside are two sewn on pieces for a pink tie.millinery stuart-hats clothing accessories hats

Glass milk bottles were used to store milk that was supplied by local vendors to houses in a region. The glass bottles would be reused continually until stolen or broken. Milk would be brought to individual houses where payment may be received on the day or as a larger payment at another time. After finishing the milk, the family would return the glass to a prearranged place outside their home where it would be collected and a new milk bottle returned in its place. A clear glass milk bottle used for 600ml. This would have had a foil lid.Pasteurised MILK 600ML Wash and return Milk Bottle Distributers PASTEURISED 600ml MILK Wash and Return Property of dairy milk bottle glass milk-bottle food container

The Mixmaster 9B in 1948 was the first Sunbeam appliance to be made in Australia. It was designed in the USA.After years of rationing and shortages, the 1950s were a period of economic prosperity, high employment and great technological development. During this period, Australians enthusiastically adorned their homes with a dazzling range of new domestic appliances. Hire-purchase schemes allowed people to take products home and pay for them in instalments. The American-designed Mixmaster 9B was the first Sunbeam appliance manufactured and sold in Australia in 1948. An early Sunbeam Mixmaster. It is an electronic stand mixer with a black metal base in the shape of a rounded teardrop with two holes for the turntable. It has a cream enameled metal arm, cream coloured metal motor housing with a black plastic handle on the top. On the back of the motor housing is a black plastic knob with ten speed options for the mixer, and the "OFF" position. a black electric cord is attached under the motor housing with a black switch beneath the cord. The motor housing is able to tilt backwards on a hinge which is attached to the top of the stand arm. It is worked on AC or Dc power 240 On the bottom are the words "MODEL 9B". mixmaster sunbeam kitchen-appliance food-technology

Milk was delivered by the "milk man" direct to the homes of consumers. Delivery to homes in Orbost and district and was made initially by horse and cart and later by truck. .The dairy industry in Orbost and the surrounding area has always been a major contributor to the milk supply of Victoria.A clear glass half-pint milk or cream bottle. Moulded in two halves, made to take either a cork or cardboard disc pressed into top with wire grip. The bottle was meant to be recycled and the glass is therefore quite thick. IMPERIAL HALF PINTglass-bottles commercial-milk-containers food dairy

This cap was part of the uniform of the Orbost Municipal Band. 1937-1975 (circa). It was worn by members of the Wehner family who played in the band. They were Tom, Eric and Max Wehner.The Orbost Municipal Orbost Band played a major role in the Orbost community activities. Charles Spink made sure each soldier returning home from the 1914 to 1918 war was welcomed home in front of the Shire Hall to the music of the Orbost Municipal Band. The band played in the main street on most Friday nights and in 1929 the band played at the official opening of the Buchan Caves, by Sir Albert Lind.A black serge cap with a black shade peak on front. It has a brass lyre insignia badge on the front. The hat band is trimmed in gold braid.cap hat orbost-municipal-band wehner uniform

These items were owned and used by Alice Pow (nee McWilliam), known as Maccie. Maccie was a nurse who came to Orbost in 1936. She was highly respected in Orbost for her nursing skills particularly during the 1938 outbreak of polio, Most patients were cared for in their homes and Miss McWilliam was sent out to care for them. Over 14 months she travelled 9560 miles supervising their treatments. She eventually married Mr Hec Pow who had been left to bring up his three daughters after his wife died.. The Pows lived in Orbost where Hec Pow was worked with his father Fred at the saw mill in Cabbage Tree. Maccie Pow was a member of the Orbost Bowling Club, Red Cross and Orbost Golf Club.Three vase shaped pottery shakers. Each has a cork stopper i n the base and sprinkle holes on the top. They are pale green coloured to half way and the rest is pale green with pink flowers. The surface is dimpled. On the base : ANDOVER Made in Japanchina tableware shakers pow-maccie mcwilliam-alice

This item was owned and used by Alice Pow (nee McWilliam), known as Maccie. Maccie was a nurse who came to Orbost in 1936. She was highly respected in Orbost for her nursing skills particularly during the 1938 outbreak of polio, Most patients were cared for in their homes and Miss McWilliam was sent out to care for them. Over 14 months she travelled 9560 miles supervising their treatments. She eventually married Mr Hec Pow who had been left to bring up his three daughters after his wife died.. The Pows lived in Orbost where Hec Pow was worked with his father Fred at the saw mill in Cabbage Tree. Maccie Pow was a member of the Orbost Bowling Club, Red Cross and Orbost Golf Club.An oval shaped metal food cover made of pressed tin painted tan. It has a loop handle on the top. The sides slope outwards and it is seamed on both sides. The bottom edge is rolled. The sides have a perforated design for air flow.food food-protection kitchen-ware pow-maccie mcwilliam-alice

This is an example of a late 19th century item commonly found in a bedroom of a comfortable home.Large ceramic bedroom water jug, Beige in colour with gold enscribing. Rim is scalloped.ceramic jug porcelain