This is a photograph of Councillor William Cumming who represented South Riding 1895-1911 and 1921 - 1943. 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, at the age of 20, in 1890 and to Orbost in c.1890. He farmed at Bete Bolong and during WW1 ran a butcher's shop on his farm. He was a shire councillor of the Orbost Shire Council 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 (b1880, d1945) and they had three children ( Harold, William and Gordon). Information from Lori Fellows (Grand-daughter) April 2020: William Cumming. My paternal grandfather born in Ballymena Northern Ireland. Came to Australia aged 18. Married Ellen Mundy on 25/08/1902. This photo taken during his time as Orbost Shire Council President. Father of Harold, William and Gordon. Died in Orbost 24.11.1950. William Cumming (1866-1950) arrived in Australia in 1884 on the "Orient". His brothers David (1868-1932), John (1870-1920) & Samuel (1871-1953) arrived in 1887 on the "Orizaba". On the passenger list Samuel is listed as David. Also my grandfather was Chairman of Directors of the Dandenong Bacon Factory [later Australian Bacon Co]....he raised pigs on the farm at Bete Bolong, that supplied the butchery on the farm and also the Dandy Bacon Factory. 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 associated with William Cumming who was a prominent Orbost identity.A black / white head and shoulders portrait of a moustached man in a suit.On back - "Cr W. Cumming, South Riding"cumming-william orbost-shire-council

This item was made by and used in the Slab Hut (Orbost Information Centre). The book was a "Back To" souvenir.This book reflects the kinds of foods / recipes used in the 1930's. These books often had to include cheap dishes during the wars and hard times that dominated long periods of the first half of the 20th century. Recipes in this book contain common ingredients found in rural kitchens of that time.A loose leaf folder from which a book was printed. It contains recipes, advertisements from 1930's and hints. The cover has a coloured picture od two women, one older, in a kitchen cooking. Print is orange and an orange border surrounds the picture and title,:Grandma's Recipe Book".

This photograph is of Orbost Shire Councillor James Steele-Lester. He was president in 1901-1902.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.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a bearded man in a suit.on back - " Cr James Steele-Lester"steele-lester-james orbost-shire-council

This appears to be a photograph taken during the construction of Orbost High School taken on the western side.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. This item is representative of its history. A black / white photograph of a partially constructed brick building. A man is standing on the roof. There is a ladder leaning against a wall on the left and there are tiles on the ground.on back - "M.Gilbert 1924"

This calling card / visiting card belonged to Jean Munro, the daughter of Donald Munro who was an Orbost Shire Councillor for 20 years. Donald Munro, with his brother, Archie carried on a boot-making business in one of the rooms of a three-storeyed barn at Lochiel. The Munros were musically inclined and through them a band was formed in 1889. Donald Munro was involved in many of the town's activities. (More in Mary Gilbert's Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District). Jean Munro was for many years a librarian and was involved in the Presbyterian Church in Orbost. She died in 1934.In the early 20th century when formal introductions were a normal expectation of good manners , the exchange of calling cards was a social custom that was essential in developing friendships. This item reflects a time of when courtesy was an important aspect of society. A small white rectangular calling card / visting card with "Miss Munro" printed on the front.on front - "Miss Munro"munro-orbost calling-card-jean-munro

Daughter of George Temple and Mary McAuslane of Castlemaine, Hilda married James Kerr in 1893 and lived at Lincluden, Raymond Street, Orbost. Her husband was a Scot who had come to Australia as a ship's doctor and practised in NSW before visiting Orbost on a government vaccination programme. He liked Orbost and returned there, its first doctor, until his death in 1928. Hilda was sometimes referred to as 'Mrs Dr Kerr.' She and her sisters Mabel Stewart Temple and Margaret Ferrie Temple were all talented writers and musicians.This booklet is an example of the talent of Hilda Temple Kerr. Hilda Temple Kerr (1874-1956) grew up in Orbost. She was very talented and published several books. It is reflective of the style of poetry in the early 19th century.A small book with a cream coloured cover. It is titled Nell - A Story of the Sea and contains poetry, a libretto written by Hilda E. Temple Kerr for a musical event, a musical cantata by Mr W. R. Furlong.On front cover - donated by Connie Cruickshank.music kerr-hilda

This photograph was taken at the "old station" at Corringle near Orbost. It was a popular picnic spot. Late in 1857 Mr Thomas T. Stirling took over Corringle Run ("Corringle" means "shallow water"). Mr Stirling and his family came from the wester district - Winchelsea. He settled at the Old Station. A few people were employed at the Orbost Stationb and there was settlement on the Orbost flats, Mr T. T. Stirling held the land from Lake Tyrers to Bemm River as a cattle run. About 1888 he became Secretary of the new Tambo Shire.This is a contemporary pictorial record of rural family life in Orbost in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a group of people sitting in a clearing under some trees having a picnic. On the left - hand side is a young boy on a horse.on back - "Old Station"old-station-orbost family-life

This house belonged to the Ashby family. Roy Ashby, son of James Rowland Ashby and Edith Annie Hall, was born on 21 Nov 1892 in Orbost. Victoria. Australia and died in 1942 in Orbost. Victoria. Australia at age 50. Roy married Elsie May Stephens, daughter of James Stephens and Sarah Taylor, in 1920 in Victoria.Australia. Elsie was born on 15 Sep 1898 in Beaconsfield Tasmania.Australia and died in 1974 in Orbost Australia at age 76. Their children were: Roy Ashby, William Henry Ashby, Cordelia Valma Ashby and Edith Ashby. .The Ashby family was one of the early settlers in Orbost at Newmerella.A black / white photograph of a house surrounded by a tall timber fence with. The house has vegetation growing over it. There are two people standing against the fence.ashby-orbost

Daughter of George Temple and Mary McAuslane of Castlemaine, Hilda married James Kerr in 1893 and lived at Lincluden, Raymond Street, Orbost. Her husband, Dr James Kerr, was a Scot who had come to Australia as a ship's doctor and practised in NSW before visiting Orbost on a government vaccination programme. He liked Orbost and returned there, its first doctor, until his death in 1928. Hilda was sometimes referred to as 'Mrs Dr Kerr.' She and her sisters Mabel Stewart Temple and Margaret Ferrie Temple were all talented writers and musicians. This poem is an example of the talent of Hilda Temple Kerr. Hilda Temple Kerr (1874-1956) grew up in Orbost. She was very talented and published several books. It is reflective of the style of poetry in the early 19th century.A rectangular piece of paper with a typed poem titled, "We Come" by Hilda C. Temple-Kerr.poetry literature kerr-hilda-temple

This photograph shows a group of students from Orbost Higher Elementary School performing Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". The cast consisted of Doreen Hungerford playing Portia; Mick Spink as Shylock;On the left in the photograph is Roy Cameron and on the right is Alan Richardson. Also included are wig Rodwell; Bill Fisher; Jack Cameron; Mollie Dreverman and B. Rickards. 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. This item is representative of its history.A black / white photograph of a group of school students on stage in character dress for a courtroom scene. A label card is attached to the bottom of the photograph with a list of names.attached to bottom - on card - "SCHOOL PLAY MERCHANT OF VENICE (underlined in red) ? 1915" with a list of names.education-orbost orbost-higher-elementary-school drama-merchant-of-venice

This is probably a photograph of An Orbost Agricultural Show Committee. Those in the photograph are: Back L-R Archie Rodwell; Rupert Mosley; A. Pardew; John Gilbert. Front - Bill Cummings; Draffin; John Johnstone. 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 photographs 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.A black / white photograph of a group of men, dressed in suits, standing in outside a wooden building. The front row is seated and the back row standing.on back - 'Pop on N.E. Corner"orbost-agricultural-society

These are photographs taken during the 1934 flood at Orbost. From The Argus (Melbourne) on January 10 1934 "Damage estimated at £500,000 has been caused by the floods in the Orbost district. No loss of life occurred, largely owing to the heroic efforts of rescue parties. Many families spent Monday night on the roofs of houses or in trees, surrounded by deep, rushing flood waters." This 1934 flood was devastating, destroying a section of the 1922 Orbost bridge - the centre span was washed away -. wrecking fences, bridges and roads, dumping silt and debris on the rich river flats and drowning cattle.These photographs are pictorial records of the 1934 floods at Orbost, a significant event in the history of Orbost.Nine small black / white photographs of flood damage,3253.2 on back - "Waters rushing down Princes Highway and....of......where you see the waves" 3253.3 on back - "rushing flood waters over Lochiel Park Bridge approach at the rear of picture 1934"orbost-flood-1934 flood-orbost

The Snowy River Mail is a weekly newspaper published in Orbost in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. Previously published as The Snowy River mail and Tambo and Croajingolong gazette from 1890 to 1911. The Gippsland Courier merged with the Snowy River Mail when proprietor Lachlan Ross moved to Orbost in 1910. In 1999 the paper was acquired by the Yeates family when the Hollins family retired from the newspapers business. The paper is still being produced by the fourth generation of the Yeates family as part of East Gippsland Newspapers. The 1950 flood was a significant event in Orbost. This newspaper is a contemporary record of a significant local events.A Snowy River Mail newspaper dated 29.3.1950. It contains news articles and advertisements in black/white print. it contains an article on the flood at that time.snowy-river-mail 1950-flood newspaper

This ledger was used initially by H. James & Co., Shipping and General Commission agents in Orbost in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district.He was a stock agent and auctioneer. H. James proved a very keen businessman and did well. He eventually formed agencies, conducted an auctioneering business and controlled the bean market. He also helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost and was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF.Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district.He was a stock agent and auctioneer who helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost. He was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF.A heavy ledger. Covers are heavy cardboadr coloured green It has a brown leather spine. the bottom right hand corners have been cut off. It contains records of auction sales and lists goods sold on assignment.on spine : LEDGER On the first 3-4 pages in pencil are O's and 's gamesjames-harry shipping-orbost auctioneer

This is the thirteenth issue of the Orbost High School magazine. The name Croajingolong derives from the Australian Aboriginal Krauatungalung words galung, meaning "belonging to" and kraua, meaning "east". It belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school.This is the thirteenth issue of the Orbost High School magazine and is a useful reference tool.A magazine with a pale blue cover. Dark blue printing : Croajingolong and the Orbost High School crest of a sheaf of corn inside a double oval with Orbost High School and its motto " acti labores iucundi". Vol. No 13 1960.This publication has been professionally printed and contains photographs.croajingolong orbost-high-school

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. 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. Horse riding as transport, a recreational and sporting activity has always played a significant role in the social history of Orbost. A small black / white photograph of several small groups of people at an agricultural show. Some are walking, others are on horseback and some are in carts / coaches. They are in an open grassed area with trees in the background.equestrian orbost-agricultural-show recreation

This doily was handmade by Penuel Cameron (nee Hossack). The Hossack family farmed land on the Marlo Road. Like the Camerons they were staunch Presbyterians. Robert Cameron was one of earliest settlers on Orbost flats and ran the paddlesteamer "Cheviot". He served many years on shire council and built the first Presbyterian. church in Orbost.This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the families of the early settlers.Hand tatted medium sized doily. Small round linen piece in centre and large tatted border.doily handcrafts needlework linen lace cameron-robert

This album was compiled by Margaret Smith as a reference for visitors to the Orbost Visitor Information Centre (Slab Hut).This item is a useful research tool.An album of photos and information on local schools from 1960 -2003. It contains photographs,and photo-copied information. The title over is hand-drawn.education slab-hut orbost-schools

This pole chair was probably made as a display item for the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre).A triangular shaped three-legged pole chair. The chair seat is made from a hessian potato sack - Packed by McDougals of Neerim Vic. The sack is attached by wire. The frame of the chair appears to be made from one solid piece of wood. It is dark brown in colour and has a cross piece at the front and a small strengthening piece on the backm leg.furniture chair

There were several small private hospitals in Orbost in the early 20th century. Babies were born at these private hospitals and mostly only a midwife attended as the doctor could be away on horseback treating another patient. As the new Orbost and District Hospital ( officially opened June 30th, 1930) developed and its facilities grew private hospitals closed. By the 1930's in Victoria there was an increase in the demand for beds in public hospitals by those who found private hospital costs prohibitive and wanted the higher standard of care provided in public hospital . This meant that many small private hospitals closed. Maldon Hospital in Orbost was one of several which could not compete with the new Orbost public hospital.A small white paper account with black print from Maldon Private Hospital to Mrs Lovell. It has a yellow tax stamp. orbost-health maldon-private-hospital

The photograph shows Mary Gilbert, Nan Pardew, Alex McDonald (head of Dept of Education), Harry Perry, Bruce Osborne (Head Master), Bruce Evans (M.L.C.), Peter Nixon (minister For the Interior), Mr Truscott (Orbost Shire Councillor) and Colin Lyons (Senior Master) at the Orbost High School Golden Jubilee celebrations 1962.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. This item is representative of its historyA black / white photograph of a man on an outside stage addressing an audience with other officials sitting on the stage behind him,on back - " Nam??" Golden Jubilee 1962"

This is a photograph of John Johnston. John Johnston was elected as a member of the Orbost Council and during thirty-five years of service, he was president four times. He was also president of the Agricultural Society and Chairman of the local School Committee for over thirty years, (from Richard Johnston -1969 in "Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District: by Mary Gilbert)John Johnston was a prominent citizen of Orbost in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was referred to as "the father of the council".A black / white portrait photograph of a man, with beard and moustache, wearing a bow tie and suit jacket. johnston-john orbost-shire-council

The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au) These newspapers are contemporary records of a significant local event.Four newspapers relating to the floods in 1971. They contain news articles and photographs of the floods in Orbost in early 1971. 2556.1 is the Weekly Times dated 3.3.1971 and has an orange cover. 2556.2 is a Snowy River Mail dated 17.2.1971. 2556.3 is a Snowy River Mail dated 10.2.1971. 2556.4 is a Snowy River Mail dated 3.3.1971.floods-orbost-1971 snowy-river-mail weekly-times newspapers

The hat band was part of the girls' school uniform and attached to their straw hats. The school badge was designed by Clarke Cowell, a student in the first Senior class at Orbost Higher Elementary School in 1912. The Latin inscription "Acti labores jucundi"can be freely translated as "Finished work is pleasant." The hat band and badges formed part of the Mary Gilbert Collection. Miss Mary Gilbert attended Orbost Higher Elementary School 1917-1920. She was dux of the school in 1920 and returned as a trained teacher in 1927. She taught at Mordialloc H.S. in 1932, at Lilydale in 1933/34 and returned to Orbost H.E.S. in 1935, remaining there until her retirement in 1969.Mary Gilbert, the first curator of the Orbost Museum, was recognised for her work in education and the community when she was awarded the British Empire Medal. 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. This uniform is representative of its history.A yellow, navy and white striped hat band. A badge of the Orbost Higher Elementary School emblem is sewn on. A metal badge with the school emblem is attached.gilbert-mary orbost-secondary-college education-orbost

This ledger was kept by the management of a rural property in Marlo, East Gippsland. Entries were made by Hugh Cameron and Alaster Cameron. Their property was reputed to be the largest private dairy producer in Australia at one stage. (ref. Mary Gilbert) Some station owners or managers kept records like diaries, wage and ration books, and registers of births, deaths and marriages. This one records federal transactions, costs of produce and payments for share farming at Brodribb and Marl, as well as a list of donations made. Hugh Cameron (1850-1921) was on the Orbost Shire council from 1892-1915. His son Alaster was also an Orbost Shire councillor representing the East riding from 1932 to 1954. Hugh died at Orbost on 3rd May 1921, aged 71, and was buried on 5th May at the Orbost cemetery. (more info. in O.D.H.S. newsletter -Tambo Shire)This is an example of record keeping on rural properties in the first half 20th century. It is associated with the Cameron family who were early settlers in the Orbost district.A large leather bound ledger with a dark blue patterned cover and suede leatherette binding and corners. There are pages with alphabetical indexing. Some pages are ruled for accounts. All entries are hand-written in blue or black ink.There is blotting paper inside.on spine on red leatherette in gold print - " "STATION LEDGER" and on black in gold print - "CLOVERDALE"cameron-marlo dairy-farm-cameron agriculture-records station-ledger-cameron

This photograph was taken at Orbost Higher Elementary School circa 1918. Mr Bill Guy was the teacher in the photograph.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. This item is representative of its history. A black / white photograph taken inside a classroom science laboratory. A dozen female students are involved in science activities, some holding apparatus, others sitting observing. There are shelves holding bottles at the back of the room.on back - "the science room H.S. about 1918? Mr Bill Guy HT"education-orbost orbost-higher-elementary-school guy-bill

A pillow sham is a decorative pillow case. This is a handmade pillow sham especially crafted for a household in early Orbost.This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the early to mid 20th century. Embroidery was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value to domestic linen and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes,A rectangular lace pillow sham. the centre rectangle is white and made of pulled thread lace. The edging is pale pink and blue lace,handcraft pillow-sham needlework

These documents were used in the WW1 exhibition held in Orbost April 2015.This item is a useful reference tool.A white ring binder with plastic sleeves containing information on the Orbost men who died during WW1, On the ront is a coloured photograph of David Young kneeling beside a gravestone.ww1 soldiers-orbost

These house plans were drawn up for James Nixon. James Nixon was born in Orbost on 15.11.1912. He married Joyce May Thompson on 2.2.1937. He was a well known Orbost identity, serving a record 47 years as a Commissioner on the Snowy River improvement Trust, as well a director of Snowy River Seed and th Bean Board. He died on 21.12.2002.James Nixon, a third generation Nixon, father of Peter Nixon A.O., was an involved and respected Orbost identity. This item is a significant research tool.Architectural plans for a two-storey house with 4 bedrooms to be built on the corner of Gladstone and Tennyson Streets in Orbost. On a white background with coloured drawings ( water colour).nixon-james house-plans architecture

The Donchi family has been cutting sleepers since the 1890s in the Orbost area. This photograph , one of a set of six, was taken for an article in the Victorian railways Magazine in 1975. This was a pamphlet produced for Victorian Railways. . It contains photographs and an article about Orbost as "Timber Country" and a detailed article titled, " Cutting Sleepers is a Family Business" which tells about the Donchi family.This item is associated with the timber and sleeper-cutting industry in the Orbost Region. Timber sleepers were superceded by concrete sleepers in c. 1970s. Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years..The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and many of the mills have closed. This item reflects a time when that industry was a significant contributor to the economy of the district.A black / white photograph of a bush scene of a timber harvesting coupe used by the Donchi family.on back - Pr 8766sleeper-cutting-orbost donchi-orbost timber-industry-orbost