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 photograph was published in the Snowy River Mail on November 27 1974. "Shoppers in Nicholson Street, Orbost, have been treated to band music each Saturday morning when members of Orbost Municipal Band have rendered items in the shopping centre. Members, both senior and junior, are pictured here as they prepare instruments for a recital on a sunny Saturday." The photograph was taken by Peter Fagg in Nicholson Street on the corner of Wolseley Street on Saturday morning 1.12.1973. 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 This is a pictorial record of the Orbost Municipal Band. The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A black / white photograph of a group,of uniformed band members sitting in a circle at the edge of a main street. Each is holding a musical instrument with music stands in front of them.music-orbost orbost municipal band recreation entertainment

This photograph was published in "The News" on Friday, January 11 1974. Those in the photograph are : L -R Stan Reed, Ted Smith, Alf Barling and Major General Sir Rohan Delacombe (Governor of Victoria). They are having morning tea with the State Governor when he visited Orbost.The accompanying article was titled "TEA WITH THE GOVERNOR". Councillor S. J. Reed was the Orbost Shire President, E.A.Smith was a Shire Councillor and Mr A. Barling was the Orbost Municipal Band Leader. 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 This photograph is associated with the Orbost Municipal Band. The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members. Major General Sir Rohan Delacombe was the last British Governor of Victoria, Australia from 1963 to 1974.A black / white photograph of four men standing facing the camera. They are dressed in suits and wearing ties. One man is dressed in a band uniform. Three are holding cups and saucers.orbost-municipal-band barling-alf delacombe-rohan

These documents were compiled for the WW1 exhibition held in Orbost April 2015.These documents are a useful reference tool.A reed plastic folders containing research articles on five indigenous men from the Orbost district known to have served overseas in World War 1ww1 soldiers-indigenous

This book belonged to Lottie Johnson (nee Mehlert) who owned Leatham & Mehlert’s . ( now boarded up, Wilson St cnr ) Leatham & Mehlert's possibly took over Robinson & Hayes. This item is representative of an early Orbost business.A carbon copy pad of unused dockets branded for Robinson and Hayes, Butchers of Nicholson Street, Orbost. There is space for the details of the order including the description, price and total. There are two copies of each receipt joined together, one copy for the office the other for the customer. The paper is yellowing and has blackto print.. Each docket is numbered in red print - this pad begin with number 11 - and a carbon page is located at the front of the book. It also has cardboard backing.Robinson and Hayes, Butchers, Orbost, Nicholson streetdocket-book butchers-orbost robinson-hayes

Orbost Aero Club began in 1969 with Basil Dowie as Chair, David Nixon as Secretary/Treasurer. The group went into recess from 1977-1991 closing in 1997. The mid 1960s were boom years in flying training in Australia and the number of Aero Clubs grew rapidly. The Club played a significant role in the establishment of the small airport at Marlo and in the ongoing operation and development of the airport over the years particularly for patient transfer by aerial ambulance. The Orbost Aero Club Club played a significant role in the establishment of the small airport at Marlo and in the ongoing operation and development of the airport over the years. Four unused letter heads for the Orbost Aero Club to be used before its incorporation. They have 4 holes punched on the left hand side. Five unused letter heads to be used by the Orbost Aero Club after incorporation. Four labelled envelopes. All are white with dark blue print and have the Orbost Aero Club logo.orbost-aero-club stationery

This collection of articles was collated by Mary Gilbert. 743.1 - In the group are, from left to right:—First Row—Councillors T. W. Murphy (Bairnsdale), J. R. Coate (Lakes Entrance); T. Hodgd (Tambo), W. Wilson (Berwick), A. Inglis (Mirboo), E. S. Whittakers (Traralgon), and W. C. Kingston (Warragul). Second Row—J. S. Lister (Rosedale), R. Stockdale (Narracan), W. Grose (Omeo), and J. Allan (Toora). Back Row—S. Purdy (Maffra), E. Heesom (Morwell), J. Arohibald (Bruthen), Mr. Lind, M.L.A., Councillor A. E. Rodwell (Orbost), Mr. S. Langslow (Health department), and Mr. C. S. Ogllvy (Warragul). A manila folder of newspaper cuttings related to commerce and government in Orbost. 743.1 is titled, " Gippsland Councillors Wait on State Ministers and is from The Argus, July 1926 .It has a large black / white photograph of the representatives of shires and boroughs of Gippsland who formed a deputation to meet which waited most of the State Ministers with various requests. 743.4 is from the Snowy River Mail and is titled, "Cann RIver's first Hotel" and has a black and white photograph of a four-wheeled buggy pulled by four horses standing outside a hotel. 743.5 is titled "At the End of a Long Trip" and is from the Snowy River Mai. It has a black and white photograph of the Cann River hotel with Mr W. Dreverman standing outside. 743.6 is from the Snowy River Mail, September 6, 1967, and is titled, " Orbosr Businessmen 20 Years Ago" and has a black and white photograph of a group of men in business suits.orbost-business cann-river-hotel

This basket was hand-made by Mrs Tiny Solomon, an Aboriginal woman, in Orbost.This item is an example of an Indigenous style hand woven item of the very early 20th century. A shallow hand-woven grass basket. It has a flat bottom and a handle across the top.basket aboriginal weaving handcraft

This belt with badges was owned and worn by Nancye Wallace (nee Warren) as a Girl Guide leader in Orbost. The badges indicate that she took part residential camps as part of her membership. she continued in the Guiding movement as an adult leader.Established in 1910, Girl Guiding is now one of the largest all female organisations in the world. It is designed for girls, young and not-so-young women to join and enjoy a program of informal learning, opportunities, fun, personal development and friendship. (ref. Girl Guides Victoria). This whistle used by an Orbost local reflects the history of that organisation in Orbost.A brown leather belt with two badges attached. it has a silver metal buckle engraved with "Girl Guides association Be Prepared" and their emblem. One badge is a black and yellow Camp Kindaminda badge and the other a rectangular blue, green and gold Victoria Camp badge.Inside belt in black - N WALLACE ORBOSTbadges girl-guide-belt

Snowy River Dry Cleaners was situated in Stanley Street, Orbost (previously a hat factory). There was also a shop in the CBD of Orbost. Basil Dowie moved his dry cleaning business from Nicholson Street to 31 Stanley Street where Stuart Hats had been. He had originally bought the business from Laurie Harrington in August 1950. (more information in Orbost & District Historical Society Newsletter No. 138 - John Phillips) This item is from a business no longer existing.A clear plastic bag with green print. - Snowy River Dry Cleaners. attached is orange card - E. Scott 004408Your garment Flower Fresh from Snowy River Dry Cleaners Orbostdry-cleaners-orbost laundry

This trophy was won by H. Cumming, member of the Orbost Rifle Club. Harold Cumming was the son of William Cumming a Bete Bolong farmer who was a Shire councillor, a well-known local sportsman and a Rechabite. Jacob Perry was an Orbost farmer. Born 1874. Died 1950. He was a Boer War veteran , 4th Victorian Imperial Bushmen. a shire councillor and worker for school affairs.This trophy, in excellent condition, is aesthetically significant as well as having a well-provenanced historic significance. Harold Cumming was the son of William and Ellen (Mundy) Cumming who farmed land at Bete Bolong from c1880s. A silver plated trophy - a coffee pot - won by H. Cumming. It is an Orbost Rifle Club trophy - the Jacob Perry Memorial Trophy - 1954.O.R.C. JACOB-PERRY MEMORIAL TROPHY 1954 Won by H. Cummingorbost-rifle-club trophy cumming-h

Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex. William Cumming was a prominent Orbost identity. He was born in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, in 1866 the son of William Cumming and Mary Ann Montgomery. He came to Australia, aged 28, and to Orbost in 1890. He farmed at Bete Bolong and during WW1 ran a butcher's shop on his farm. He was a shire councillor and served as a South Riding representative for 38 years. He was a keen Newmerella football supporter, a member of the Orbost Bowling Club as well as a director of the Orbost Butter Factory. Cumming was married to Ellen Louise Mundy and had four children ( Harold, Mary, William and Gordon).This item is an example of a hand-written account for a local early 20th century business in Orbost. It is a useful research tool.A white paper account with blue lines and black ink . It has a pink receipt attached as well as a yellow duty stamp. It is from W. Cumming, butcher, to R.P. Cameron.cameron-robert-pullar cumming-william-butcher

The Snowy River can flood over its floodplain at Orbost/Newmerella. There have been wet periods when floods were frequent and covered the floodplain, sometimes causing great disruption to crops and farming, and also to transport. The 1970s was a wet decade with many floods, the largest one in 1971. This photograph was taken in 1978. Evidence of flood on the Snowy River in 1978. A b/w photograph of a flood scene with trees and the river in the front, a river bank, and a vast area of water in the background. This photograph has been pasted onto a rough cardboard backing. Written below the photograph: Orbost 1978floods, snowy river, orbost

3160.1 - front row right - Bet Gilbert P. Richardson. 3160.4 - back - Alice Hammill; Marion Nixon; Bel Kerr; ?; Annie Malcolm; E Gall front - Marion Gilbert; Pen Gilbert; Elsie Pardew; Jean Frewin 1923 These photographs are of students of Orbost Elementary High School. . During 1910-11 the first approaches were made to the Department for the establishment of a HES in Orbost and this became a reality in 1912. Orbost HES supplied post-primary education in the district until a high school was built in 1948. Orbost High School / Orbost Secondary College has played a significant part in the education of senior students in the Orbost district . It is the sole senior educational institution. These photographs are representative of its history.They are also associated with sport in Orbost in the first half of the 20th century.Four black / white photographs. 3160.1 is of three rows of young girls in uniforms - possibly sports uniforms. In the back row standing second left is an older woman - a teacher. 3160.2 is of two rows of girls in uniforms. Each girl in the front row is holding a hockey stick. A small square has been cut out - the head of the girl in the middle of front row. 3160.3 and 3160.4 show two rows of girls - the front row sitting and the back standing. There is a trophy on the ground middle front. all photographs have been taken outside.3160.3 - on back - Pen 6 Mary 4 Marion Gilberts 4 14 @ 5/- day sport-orbost recreation-hockey orbost-elementary-high

This pamphlet was probably produced for use in the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre)These pamphlets are useful reference tools and reflect the tourism history of the local area.Two single page tourist brochures, printed on both sides and folded in the middle. They are white with pink and blue print. and have a map of East Gippsland and descriptions of places to visit.tourism-orbost

This photograph shows a large bullock team at the foot (eastern side?) of the Orbost township.This is a pictorial record of transport used in the late 19th century in Orbost.A large black / white photograph of a bullock team pulling a laden cart. A man is sitting on top of the freight. In the background is a horse - drawn cart loaded with sacks (maize?) with a man on a horse to the side and another standing on the shafts. In the foreground are two men on horses. There is a small house and barn in the background.on back - " At the foot of the township - 1889"orbost transport-bullock-teams horse-drawn-transport

This book was used to record entries concerning hospital linen - possibly at the Orbost Hospital. An exercise book with a marbled brown, orange and blue cover and black binding. Inside are entries re Hospital Linen 1940 - 1942.

This book was used byb the Orbost branch of M.U.I.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows)Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A hard back book with a green / blue mottled cover with a brown binding. It includes a receipt book with no cover. It holds M.I.U.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows) accounts.friendly-society m.u.i.o.o.f. accounts

This minute book was used by the Orbost branch of M.U.I.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows)Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A large thick hard back minute book used by M.U.I.O.O.F. ( Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows). It has a blue cover with a red spine.

This is an early photograph of Orbost C1880 - 1890s. The photograph is part of the Mary Gilbert collection.This is a pictorial record of Orbost in the late 19th century.A black / white photograph mounted on crean card. There are trees in the foreground, buildings in the background. The buildings are wooden construction, some with shingle roofs and some bark.There are some red pencil marks around frame of photograph.orbost-1880s main-street-orbost

This ledger was used bt the Shire of Orbost local government to record Country Roads Board accounts 1950's and 1960's. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council. The Country Roads Board was the government authority for the construction and maintenance of main roads in Victoria between 1913 and 1983. It was succeeded by the Road Construction authority on 1 July 1983 and later merged with the Road Traffic Authority on July 1 1989 to form the Roads Corporation. James Cameron, an Orbost farming pioneer and Member of the Legislative Assembly, fathered the Country Roads Board. This ledger is a hand-written record of accounts for the Orbost Shire local council. It pre-dates computer records. The Orbost Shire Council no longer exists having been absorbed into the East Gippsland Shire Council.A heavy brown coloured ledger with covered wooden covers. it has steel metal binding. Inside are strips of paper marking pages. It contains blue ink hand-written records of monies in/out (?) to Shire of Orbost Council. On the front cover inside a black rectangle in gold print is " LEDGER COUNTRY ROADS BOARD ACCOUNT ORBOST". It is an "Emu Binder".ledger orbost-shire accounts country-roads-board

This photograph is of a group of pre-schoolers returning from a train trip to Nowa Nowa. It has been taken at Orbost Railway Station. A steam train? Although the Orbost Bairnsdale Rail Line was closed as a passenger line from 1935 to be used as a freight line, there were often special passenger trains.A black / white photograph of a group of women and young children alighting from a train.railway-orbost excursion-children

Construction of the roadway embankment between the bridges across the Snowy River flood plains at Orbost commenced in January 1974 and was completed in November 1976. Pearsons were the bridge contractors for the construction of the Princes Freeway and bridges across the river flood plains at Orbost. Heavy rains and floods held up progress.These photographs are of the construction of a major structure in Orbost. The opening of this Snowy River Bridge was an important development in the accessibility to the township of Orbost.Four black / white photographs of construction sites. 3241.1 is of three cranes and other machinery with six persons. 3241.2 is of workmen working on flooded site. 3241.3 is a photograph of the early stages of construction of a bridge looking towards the township. 3241.4 shows the construction of a roadway between the bridges.construction-snowy-river-bridge bridge-orbost

This is a photograph of Councillor George Nixon who represented South Riding on the Orbost Shire Council from 1902 - 1916. He was president 1914-1915. George Nixon (1862-1941) selected land in Bete Bolong in the 1890's. He married Emily Warren in 1889 in Orbost. He was a shire councillor. He was a prominent breeder of Clydesdales and after a serious fall off a horse walked with a walking stick and special boot for the rest of his life. He was well-known for his interest in cars, horse-racing and politics.He was married to Emily Warren in 1889 in Orbost. Mrs Nixon (Emily)was the first Red Cross president during WW1. They had ten children.both George and Emily are buried in the Orbost Cemetery. (ref:From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point by Hon Peter Nixon A.O.)This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. This item is associated with a prominent Orbost family. George Nixon was the son of James and Alice Nixon. The Nixon families were among the earliest settlers on the Snowy River.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of man wearing a suit.There is also a framed copy.nixon-george orbost-shire-council

This portrait is of James Cameron who was the first president of the Croajingolong Shire ( later Orbost Shire). He was also an inaugural member for East Gippsland in the Legislative Assembly from 1902 until 1920. In 1882 Cameron was the first Orbost councillor of the newly constituted Tambo Shire. In the next twenty years he served as justice of the peace, shire councillor, guardian of St James's Anglican Church, Sunday school superintendent, and president of the local agricultural society and railway league Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council.This item is associated with James Cameron, a prominent early Orbost identity. It is also associated with Orbost Shire Council.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a moustached man in a suit.on back - "James Cameron"cameron-james orbost-shire-council governance-orbost

From the Snowy River Mail October 4 1978 page 9 - " A MOBILE BAND - Although Orbost Municipal Band participated in Saturday's Primary School workathon, members feet didn't touch the ground. They idi it bthe easywayon the trailer of a truck. The band encouraged walkers with stirring music along the road to Marlo." 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 This is a pictorial record of the Orbost Municipal Band. The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A black / white photograph showing a group of uniformed band members sitting on folding chair s on the tray of a large flat bed truck. They are holding musical instruments. A young boy is sitting on the edge of the tray and three other children are standing on the road nearby.on back - information from S.R.M.music orbost-municipal-band entertainment recreation

This account book was used by the Orbost Shire council to record payments made for work done on the Bete Bolong Drainage Area between 1910 and 1913. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council. This item is a hand-written record of the accounts of the local government. The Orbost Shire Council no longer exists having been absorbed by the East Gippsland Shire Council.A brown leatherette, hard cover book. In gold lettering on the front is "BETE BOLONG DRAINAGE AREA PAY SHEET". It contains records of payments made for work done 1910-1913.In gold lettering on the front is "BETE BOLONG DRAINAGE AREA PAY SHEET".bete-bolong-drainage-area accounts orbost-shire -council

This is a photograph of Tambo and Orbost Shire Councillor, Hugh Cameron (born 1850 died 1921) who represented S R/ Bendoc Riding in 1184-1886 and from 1891-1892. Hugh Cameron was also on the Orbost Shire council from 1892-1915. (more info. in O.D.H.S. newsletter -Tambo Shire)This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. It is also associated with Hugh Cameron.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a bearded man in a suit.There is also a framed photograph.cameron-hugh orbost-shire-council

Item donated by Mary Gilbert, headmistress at Orbost High School, a historian who initiated the Orbost Museum.The album contains cigarette cards/swap cards. These were generally collected by schoolchildren and placed in albums made specifically for these cards. Collectors would try to collect the cards for complete teams of footballers, cricketers.Small green-covered album with tile in faded gold on front. Filled with small cigarette cards. Eight cards per page. Cards put into slit corners.Seven pages of footballers in black and white. One page coloured, one with 5 only, coloured.Three page cricketers in black and white. Three pages butterflies in colour. One page Australian birds in colour. Four pages film stars black and white, six to a page,one page of 5, one of 1.Inscription on front cover in centre.Faded gold cursive writing."Cigarette Pictures". At foot of cover in faded gold block letters."HOLDS 224 SMALL AND 24 LARGE CARDS"album, cigarette cards, 1920 1930, football players, cricketers, film stars, australian birds, butterflies, mary gilbert, english cigarette cards

3290.1 is an aerial photograph of the township of Orbost looking south along Nicholson Street. The tennis courts and recreation reserve are on the left. The War Memorial, Commonwealth Hotel at the Saisbury Street intersection is in the centre of the photograph. 3290.2 is an aerial view of the Orbost township looking north, showing the bridge across the Snowy River in the foreground,These photographs are detailed pictorial records of the Orbost township C 1960s - 1970s.Two photographs which are aerial views of a township showing streets, buildings and vehicles. 3290.1 is a black / white photograph. 3290.2 is a coloured photograph.orbost-township-c1960s-1970s aerial-photograph-orbost