These signs were printed and placed on to chip board for display in the kitchen area (as shown by the screw marks in the top corners). Brown marks and heat damage were most likely caused by their location in the kitchen at Ormond Hall.2 digital images of Department of Health Regulation 85 around cleanlinesssignage, ormond hall, royal victorian institute for the blind

The Feelix library was developed to help children who were blind or have low vision experience the connection with books via tactile objects. Each print book was hand selected, a clear Braille overlay placed on the pages, and items relating to the story were made or purchased and added to the kit. The kit (book and objects) was held inside a cardboard suitcase and sent through the mail in a bright orange, zippered plastic padded pouch with a carry strap. Launched at the Melbourne Zoo on 11 February 2003, ambassador Sigrid Thornton read 'The Story about Ping' by Margery Flack and Kurt Wiese to a group of five children, who played with the other objects in the suitcase as well as those for 'The Tiger who Came to Tea' by Judith Kerr. These included a soft toy duck in bright plaid fabric, a shiny metal tea pot, a cassette recording of the story, tactile books for both stories, and metal cups.37 digital photographs of Sigrid Thornton and five children at launch of Feelix libraryroyal victorian institute for the blind, feelix, sigrid thornton

Two men place large paper packages on to a pallet, with another pallet load of packages to the right of the image. In the background, four workers sit - two of them working on making the paper packages.1 B/W photographroyal victorian institute for the blind

David Blyth and an unknown man sit on a wooden bench, next to a wooden planter and a wooden table with a wooden frame on it. Above them is a sign that reads "RVIB Enterprises Sales Centre Courtesy of Wonderflex".1 B/W image of two men sitting on a bench outside a buildingroyal victorian institute for the blind, david blyth

Wooden shield with a metal plate attached. On the plate is inscribed "In appreciation of Mrs Hilda Kozlowski's gift towards the refurbishment of RVIB's Early Education Room 2002".1 wooden shield with engraved silver plateroyal victorian institute for the blind, awards

Pram used for transportation of children at the RVIB nursery. This pram appears in many photos taken at the nursery.Green and faded white pramroyal victorian institute for the blind, rvib nursery

Handwritten list of Life Governorships awarded to various people from the RVIB during the 1930s until the 1950s. Entries include the name and address or township of recipients, and later a date column was included. No information is included on why a Life Governor was granted however this was usually in recognition for the funds donated to the institution. This amount was dependent upon the time of the contribution. In the Constitution and Rules section of the 1872 Asylum and School for the Blind Annual Report: Membership - Every Subscriber of 10s., and upwards per annum shall be a Member of the Institution, and every donor of 20 pounds and upwards, a Life Member. Auxiliary members who were appointed Life Governors were usually involved in helping organise some of the many fundraising activities, such as the Auxiliaries Annual Three Day Fair. A Life Governorship also meant that the person would have a vote when it came to some decisions made by the Committee of Management. RVIB Life Governors are listed cumulatively in the annual report until 1935 when, due to reasons of space, it was altered so that names appeared only in the year that they were granted. This continued until 1999/2000 when these were no longer awarded.Vinyl covered record book with alphabetical listing of some Life GovernorsR.V.I.B. Life Governersroyal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising

"RVIB is grateful for Mrs Janet Conn for her generous support of our work with children who are blind or vision impaired. Mrs Conn's donation was made in loving memory of her late husband, Mr Charles Conn. June 1999." Beneath this script is the Braille text of the above. Digital image of plaque with writing and BrailleRVIB is grateful for Mrs Janet Conn for her generous support of our work with children who are blind or vision impaired. Mrs Conn's donation was made in loving memory of her late husband, Mr Charles Conn. June 1999.royal victorian institute for the blind, janet conn, rvib burwood school

Basket weaving and brush making was a source of income for those who worked in the workshops at RVIB and other institutions in New South Wales and Queensland. A diverse range products could be produced with cane, such as cane chairs, cots, washing baskets and trolleys, and the Institution sought to highlight these in the annual report. Over time the demand for, and supply of, cane changed - particularly during World War 2 when Asian sources were under attack or destroyed. At home, other materials such as plastics as well as the ability to import cheaper pre-produced products further reduced the demand for workshop pieces. A milk bottle basket was designed for milkmen to deliver their wares quickly from door to door, without the bottles impacting upon each other. The milk basket was made in the basket shop of the RVIB for use in the organisation. It was used to carry milk bottles, then containers to the various tea rooms and could have been part of the kitchen equipment for the RVIBCane basket with handle and dividers to carry milk bottlesroyal victorian institute for the blind, equipment, employment

Basket weaving and brush making was a source of income for those who worked in the workshops at RVIB and other institutions in New South Wales and Queensland. A diverse range products could be produced with cane, such as cane chairs, cots, washing baskets and trolleys, and the Institution sought to highlight these in the annual report. Over time the demand for, and supply of, cane changed - particularly during World War 2 when Asian sources were under attack or destroyed. At home, other materials such as plastics as well as the ability to import cheaper pre-produced products further reduced the demand for workshop pieces. This basket was made at RVIB, possibly during the 1980s due it's lack of discolouration and good condition. 1 cane basket with two side handlesemployment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Basket weaving and brush making was a source of income for those who worked in the workshops at RVIB and other institutions in New South Wales and Queensland. A diverse range products could be produced with cane, such as cane chairs, cots, washing baskets and trolleys, and the Institution sought to highlight these in the annual report. Over time the demand for, and supply of, cane changed - particularly during World War 2 when Asian sources were under attack or destroyed. At home, other materials such as plastics as well as the ability to import cheaper pre-produced products further reduced the demand for workshop pieces. Generic style basket that would have been used for shopping or any household task requiring movement of multiple items. Cane baskets were the original green alternative to plastic shopping bags.1 cane basket with handleemployment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Basket weaving and brush making was a source of income for those who worked in the workshops at RVIB and other institutions in New South Wales and Queensland. A diverse range products could be produced with cane, such as cane chairs, cots, washing baskets and trolleys, and the Institution sought to highlight these in the annual report. Over time the demand for, and supply of, cane changed - particularly during World War 2 when Asian sources were under attack or destroyed. At home, other materials such as plastics as well as the ability to import cheaper pre-produced products further reduced the demand for workshop pieces. This laundry basket was reinforced with a solid heavy base that gave it both strength and the ability to remain upright as clothing items were placed inside. This cane laundry basket made in the basket shop of RVIB for use in the organisation possibly between 1930-1940, not for sale. Held with staff in the Enterprises section since the move to 201 High Street in the early 1990s.1 cane basket with lidroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Female sitting next to a Perkins Brailler reading a Braille book. In the background are Braille volumes and possibly a machine that binds loose sheet together. Most likely this room she is sitting in was used by transcribers.Digital image of female reading Braillebraille books, royal victorian institute for the blind

Female sitting at a table reading a Braille book. Behind her is a wall but nothing else in the room is featured.Digital image of woman reading Braillebraille books, royal victorian institute for the blind

A female secretary sits at a typewriter with earphones on, attached to a dictaphone. In the background are filing cabinets, a typewriter and shelves. Whilst the person is unknown, from her watch, glasses and typewriter, she could be a sighted volunteer or staff member.Digital image of woman seated at a typewriterroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Male handles Clarke & Smith talking book cartridges, placing one cartridge on a bookcase filled with numbered cartridges, whilst holding another two in his other hand. To the side of him is a cane basket that contains black mailing cases with silver reinforced corners and strapping. These cases were used to send the cartridges out to talking book clients. Behind the man is another bookshelf, with the two bottom shelves containing mailing cases, the next two Clarke & Smith cartridges and possibly Clarke & Smith tapetes and tapete mailing pouches on the top shelf. A metal fan hits on top of the bookcase.Digital image of man with audio book cartridgestalking books, library, royal victorian institute for the blind

An elderly man listening to a Clarke & Smith talking book machine, whilst sitting on a lounge chair. In the background is a wooden sideboard. The man is smiling and has raised his hand to his mouth as he becomes enveloped in the story. Digital image of man sitting in a chair listening to talking booksroyal victorian institute for the blind, talking book machines

To give shape to a basket, this frame was used by the weaver to keep the wicker in shape. Basket weaving was an integral part of many blind workshops, and this frame comes from the RVIB workshop in St Kilda Road.1 metal frame for weaving basketsroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Two material mats that were made in the workshop at RVIB2 matsroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

B/W picture of the crowd listening to an undated Carols by Candlelight concert.1 digital imageroyal victorian institute for the blind, carols by candlelight

1 wooden boomerang shaped shield with engraved silver plates and bronze coloured man holding an image of a female lawn bowls player The central large silver plate is edged with wreaths and inscribed "Presented by E. & N. Maxwell 1976" and a long silver plate banner with "V.B.L.B.C. Most Improved Player" surrounded by multiple small silver shields with the names of individuals and the year that they won the award. A bronze coloured figure stands in front of the banner, holding a black, silver and green coloured picture of a female lawn bowls player taking a shot whilst two others look on. The smaller shields are engraved with the following: 76-77 Edna Wratten, 77-78 Michael McGuire, 78-79 Colin Johnson, 79-80 Mrs H. Conroy, 80-81 Mr L. Tester, 81-82 R. Teague, 82-83 H. Eustace, 83-84 Kate Smith, 84-85 George Hardham, 85-86 Laurie Hoskins, 86-87 Bill Martin, 87-88 Frank Bartoli, 88-89 Clarrie Greening, 89-90 Ron Jones, 90-91 Jean Moore, 1991-92 Marjorie Goodall. Digital Image of wooden trophySee descriptionroyal victorian institute for the blind, nameplates

A brown wooden award with two columns supporting an upper platform, upon which rests a wreath on a block of wood. Between the columns another block of wood, with the Lions International badge upon it, acts as a base for a circle containing a picture of two crossed rifles upside down with a target between them. Winners inscribed on individuals metal plates: 1973-74 H. Glen, 1974-75 P. Teague, 1975-76 H. Glen, 1976-77 S. Harkensee, 1977-78 J. Scholtz, 1978-79 J. Bloomer, 1979-80 J. Musgrove, 1980-81 R. Teague, 1982 M. James, 1983 S. Harkensee, 1984 H. Parson, 1985 M. James.Wooden rectangle topped with a plastic wreath and tarnished silver plates inscribed with winner namesThe Forest Hill Lions Club Perpetual Trophyroyal victorian institute for the blind, rvib rifle club

Wooden plaque in the shape of Victoria with the Victorian Police symbol (5 point star, surrounded by green leaves, topped with a red crown, round circle in the middle of the star containing the words 'Victorian Police' around a blue cross on a red background with 5 stars on the cross, and 'Uphold the Right' under the circle), to the left. The inscription to RVIB is on the right.Wooden plaque in shape of Victoria with police emblem on left sideTo the Staff of RVIB With Thanks Crime Department 1989royal victorian institute for the blind, nameplates

A brown shield with three medallions sitting below a small gold plate inscribed 'RVIB Table Tennis Championships'. The medallions show two people playing table tennis. Column 1 - Mens Singles: 1980 and 1981 Peter Evans, 1983 Uli Pfisterer Column 2 - Mixed Doubles: 1981 Helen Maxwell & Trevor Bailey, (undated) Jan Smith & Uli Pfisterer Column 3 - Women's Single: 1981 Janet Hartrich, 1982 Gill Tasker, 1983 Anne-Maree DicksonWooden shield with 3 gold medallions of people playing table tennis and metal plates underneathroyal victorian institute for the blind, peter evans, uli pfisterer, helen maxwell, trevor bailey, jan smith, janet hartrich, gill tasker, anne-maree dickson

These recording studios were constructed with the assistance of a major contribution from the late Caroline Mary Goldie, friend of the Woodend Auxiliary.Gold coloured plate with black writing on wooden rectangleroyal victorian institute for the blind, caroline goldie, fundraising

A brown wooden award depicting a two AFL players reaching for a mark in the lower center half of the board with a coloured image of an AFL football on a playing field located above the players. At the top of the shield is inscribed 'R.V.I.B. Football Tipping Competition' and below the relief is written 'Donated by Ted Petersen'. There are 16 plates on the shield, with 14 inscribed as follows: 1987 Marieta Doughty - 1988 Len Stevens, Steven Mallia -- 1989 David Wilkes-Johnson -- 1990 Laurie Hoskins -- 1991 Jon Lock -- 1992 Peter Hilton -- 1993 Gunther Glas -- 1994 Malcolm Fraser -- 1995 David Horsfall -- 1996 Peter Hilton -- 1997 Anne Norton, Simon von Saldern -- 1998 Nicola Roche -- 1999 Purita McConnon -- 2000 Pam McAleese.Digital Image of engraved rectangular boardroyal victorian institute for the blind, awards

To recognise the dedication of volunteers, acknowledgement were made via plaques or other memorabilia. This brown board has a small RVIB logo at the top in enamel and in the bottom third is the plaque to Edith Perrett and her years of service.Digital image of wooden shield with enamel badge at top and metal plaque near the base.RVIB Kongwak Auxiliary Edith Perrett 45 Years Dedicated Service 14th March 2002royal victorian institute for the blind, nameplates

Donations for structural improvements were often acknowledged via plaques. In this example a sun lounge, at an unknown location, was funded through the Bennett family.Digital image of cast bronze plaqueThis sun lounge was provided through the generosity of Roy, Linda & Lorraine Bennett, November 1983.nameplates, royal victorian institute for the blind