The duplication of services between state based blindness and low vision agencies was not viable in the long term, with telecommunications and technology improving rapidly in the late 20th century. In 1999, a decision was made to merge the library and alternative production services of the RVIB and RBS, as a precursor to a possible larger merger in the future. Thus the National Information Library Service (NILS) was created. As part of establishing a new culture between staff who had retained their positions, a vision, mission and values statement was created under the new service name.1 digital imageNational Information Library Service Mission statement: NILS provides a recognised and specialised gateway through which people who are blind, vision impaired or who have a print disability access dynamic information and recreational reading. Vision: to enable unhindered access to knowledge, information and recreational reading for people who are blind, vision impaired or who have a print disability. Key strategic themes: Know our clients current and future needs and expectations. Explore opportunities for collaboration with other agencies, government and enterprises to source, organise and make available materials and resources of an acceptable quality. Optimise digital technology for the production and delivery of materials in an equitable, cost effective and timely way, identify opportunities for innovation by anticipating social and technological trends in the wider community. Enhance our internal capability. Establish and develop a positive and healthy NILS culture. Values: our values inform our policy, work practices, recruitment and service delivery ethic. Integrity - we are open and honest with all our stakeholders. Excellence - we strive to be superior in all we do. Innovation - we learn continuously in order to lead the way. Responsiveness - we actively listen to all our stakeholders. Equity - we focus on inclusiveness and participation for all our clients and staff. A joint venture between the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind and the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales. royal blind society of new south wales, royal victorian institute for the blind, national information library service

In March 1985, Merle Reid past away. She had worked for RVIB at Burwood since 1963, first as a cleaner but later as a laundry supervisor and childcare assistant. Encouraged by Matron Dunnell, she began her teacher qualifications and went on to become a teacher at the school. With her positive outlook, she became a firm favourite with children and staff alike, and to honour her impact, a proposal was made for a new outdoor playground was made bearing her name.Album of images and text as a tribute to Merle Reidrvib burwood school, merle reid

Donated by Charles French's daughter. Information about Charles French Jnr., Biologist in charge of the Plant Research Laboratory. Photocopies of photographs. (1) Sepia "In Entomology Laboratory at new Science Branch January 1933 Left to Right K.M. Ward, Asst. Entomologist, Charles French Jnr. (Biologist), R.T.M. Pescott (Entomologist)." (2) C. "Silver Birch tree planted in 1929 by myself in front of Plant Research Laboratory." (3) "Plant Research laboratory, Burnley Gardens, Burnley. Opened 1929." (4) Photocopy of newspaper cutting in The Fruit World of Australasia 1/5/33, "Some of the Staff at the Vict. Government Plant Research Laboratory, Burnley" (named). (5) Other information about French from unnamed source. charles french jnr., biologist, plant research laboratory, entomology laboratory, science branch, k.m. ward, assistant entomologist, r.t.m. pescott, entomologist, birch tree

First Graduation Ceremony of Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme Students. Note by T.H. Kneen 13 May 1992, "The occasion was the graduation of the C.R.T.S. students, August 1948, who had undertaken the two-year course for the Certificate of Competency in Horticulture. They commenced training in Oct 1946. The course was shortened slightly." (Names of students are in paper catalogue.)Black and white photograph. First Graduation Ceremony of Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme Students 1948. Student seated on chairs on the lawn with a staff seated on chairs in front of them. T. H. Kneen, Principal, standing addressing them.graduation ceremony, commonwealth reconstruction training scheme, students, c.r.t.s., 1948, certificate of competency in horticulture, staff, t. h. kneen, publicity

Black and white photograph. Female students and Staff seated on benches and standing on the lawn under a Pinus canariensis in 1927 or 1928. 2 copies.On reverse, "From left to rt. Back Row..., Olive Matthews, Mary Stickland, Grace Campbell. See paper catalogue for list of names.olive matthews, mary stickland, grace campbell, group students and staff 1927-1928, pinus canariensis, canary island pine, publicity

Black and white photograph. Staff standing and squatting on the lawn. pavilion in the background. List of names on reverse.burnley college, staff group 1947-1948, pavilion

Andy Tylee had been Dux of DookieBlack and white photograph. Group staff photograph standing and squatting in front of the Administration Building . Names on paper catalogue.On reverse, "Photo taken on occasion of Andy Tylee's farewell on 26.2.53." Names on paper catalogue.andy tylee, farewell party, staff, dux

Black and white photograph. Graduation Day August 1948. Group of staff seated on chairs. A student standing receiving a book prize from a member of staff standing next to T. H. Kneen, Principal. See paper catalogue for names. graduation day, 1948, crts, commonwealth reconstruction training scheme, staff, student, prize

Black and white photograph. Staff group standing and seated on chairs on the lawn. See paper catalogue for names.staff, burnley college, straff group

Blacck and white photograph. Staff group standing and squatting on the lawn in the Ornamental Garden identified by T.H. Kneen, see paper catalogue for names. 2 slightly different poses.On reverse of 1, "3 236."staff group, ornamental garden, lawn

Note by T.H. Kneen 10 June 1992, "See names in 1967 graduating year - note that students were required to do 3 months approved property work after 3 years - hence graduation in 1967."Black and white photographs. 2 slightly different poses of students seated casually on the lawn and on benches with Staff standing.On reverse of 1, "New students 4/2/64 Mr. Nicholls with Mr. Elliott & THK preparatory to inspection of grounds TK," and on reverse of both, "Photograph by Publicity Branch Victorian Department of Agriculture Ref No. D.477.D. and E."1964, mr. nicholls, mr. elliott, t h kneen, staff, students 1964, publicity

Used as an illustration in, "Green Grows Our garden," A.P. Winzenried p 57.Sepia photograph. Group of 16 students gathered on the lawn with Principal. A. W. Jessep, some standing and some seated on the grass.On reverse, "1st Term 1927. E. Chalmers 29 Macleod Pde., Macleod." Some names written.1927, green grows our garden, a.p. winzenried, ella chalmers (neè fry), staff and student group 1927, a w jessep

See paper catalogue for list of names.Black and white photograph. Group of staff, students and children beside a truck. Cup Day 1955 at Tidal River. T. H. Kneen, Principal, and four of his children.staff, students, children, truck, cup day, 1955, tidal river, t. h. kneen, excursion

Copy of sepia photograph in, "Prize Essays," Alfred E. Bennett, c.1894, after p 116. Group of Staff and students seated on the ground, on benches and standing, in front of the Pavilion. Typed note with the photograph, "Photograph, 9/2/1894 Members of the Horticultural Board of Advice." Names listed. Also a better photograph.prize essays, alfred e. bennett, staff, students, horticultural board of advice, group staff and students, pavilion

Photograph envelope containing collection of miscellaneous photographs, most labelled. (1) "Mr. K. Hasler." (Staff 1962-1965.) (2) "Mr. Hasler." (cut out of a wedding photograph.) (3) Principal's Residence with man on tractor clearing between front of house and Californian Redwood. "And we will have vistas...Beautiful Vistas." (4) "Lucy Pruis." (1966). (5-7) Unidentified students. (8) Group of male students on Oak Lawn. "Part of the Old Brigade." (9, (a) "Quadrangular Basketball Team." (10, 10a) "Student Representatives." Names and graduation dates (1965-1967.) (11) Male student standing on top of a wall.k. hasler, staff, principal's residence, tractor, californian redwood, students, oak lawn, basketball team, student representatives

Identified as 1966. (1) 15 student ID photographs pasted on to a piece of paper. Names can be identified from 1966 College Magazine. (2-4) Very similar, probably the Student Representative Council. (5-7) Very similar, Staff Group (see B91.179.) (8-10) Very similar, probably a House Group. (11-13) Very similar, probably a House Group.1966, students id photographs, college magazine, student representative council, staff group, house group

Wallace's Hut is the oldest surviving cattlemen's hut on the High Plains, built in 1889 by the three Wallace brothers - Arthur, William and Stewart. Their father David bought land at Kergunyah as well as grazing land on the banks of the Kiewa River, North East Victoria. Once the boys were old enough, the family followed the local squatters’ custom of taking their cattle up to the mountains for the spring and summer to fatten the mob, at the same time resting their home pastures. They decided to build a hut where they could shelter from the extreme mountain weather. The timber was cut from the forest about four hundred metres east of the hut, and the hearth stone was dragged in from Pretty Valley. The chimney had a base of rubble and above this iron sheeting on a timber frame. The slab walls were lined with hessian and later with tar-paper, and inside there was a bush table, sleeping platform and a rustic fire-side settle. The hut nestled among snow gums sheltered by a rocky outcrop. The names of the Wallace brothers were burnt into the tie-beams of the roof and at the back of the mantelpiece. The Wallace family’s lease expired in the late 1930s and the hut was bought by the State Electricity Commission to house staff on the High Plains and it became the first home of Toni and Skippy St. Elmo. The SEC covered the old shingles with iron, and later on the walls and chimney as well, and they added a lean-to. Wallace’s Hut is now owned by the Crown and maintained by Parks Victoria. It is on the Historic Buildings Register and is classified by the National Trust.This image is significant because it depicts an important heritage-listed structure and refuge for cattlemen and other travellers in Victoria's High Country.A black and white photograph of a skier outside of Wallace's Hut. Several sets of skis and poles are standing around and other skiers are in the background.wallace's hut, toni and skippy st. elmo, high country huts

Cuming's Ski Hire was an early establishment in Falls Creek, owned and operated by Harold and Jean Cuming. Located in Main Falls Creek Road only 70 yards from the top station of the chairlift, it had a wide range of skis for hire and many other accessories for sale. It also operated simple accommodation, a cafe and apres ski shop. The business changed hands and the cafe had many names throughout its history. It was the centre of many activities - including skiers using the roof as a ski jump!This image is significant because it depicts Harold and Jean Cuming and staff from the Cuming's Ski Hirage Centre at Falls Creek, Victoria.A black and white photo of the Harold and Jean Cuming with staff and a large snowmancuming's ski hire, harold cuming, jean cuming, ski hire falls creek

When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility the nation's mail and telephone services fell on local Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office was designed by Public Works architect George W Watson and constructed between 1883 and 1887. The two story brick structure with basement has unpainted rendered facades and a 43m high clock tower complete with 6 bell carillon. The facades are elaborately decorated with Corinthian pilasters, balustrading, lions' heads and the state mansard roof with cast iron ridging and finials. (VHR #4739). Situated on Pall Mall it has always been called the Bendigo Post Office even though it was not until 1891 that the name Bendigo was given to the town. The Bendigo Post Office housed much more than just postal services and the building contained many early government departments and services needed for a growing district. The building celebrated its centenary on the 30th September 1987 to much fan fare with Ted Rankins, the then Postal Manager planning many of the week long events including tours of the post office, a grand parade with cake and staff in period costume, a ball at the Shamrock and a barbeque in Rosalind Park. The Post Office ceased providing postal services in 1997 after the privitisation Australia Post and Telstra but continues to play a central role for the community, providing important services to visitors and locals alike. Currently it is occupied by Bendigo Tourism and includes two exhibition spaces including the Living Arts Space and Djaa Djuwima a dedicated and permanent First Nations Gallery. Activities at the Post Office are supported by City of Greater Bendigo staff and a dedicated group of volunteers. These items are part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of the last postal manager at the Bendigo Post Office, Ted Rankins. 0364.1: Single sided printed 'Order of Proceedings' flyer; Outlines the running of events for the celebrations on Wednesday 30 September, 1987 at the Post Office with the centenary logo centre top in crimson ink. 0364.2: Single sided, four-colour printed, DL size invitation for celebrations marking the centenary of the Post Office on Wednesday 30 September, 1987. 0364.3,.4,.5,.6,.7: Printed cake bag with centenary logo and image of Bendigo Post Office printed on front in crimson ink. 0364.8,.9,.10,.11: Square note paper with centenary logo and border printed in crimson ink. 0364.12 Envelope: Australia Post envelope with Bendigo 100th anniversary images. Date stamped and addressed to Mr Edmondston Postmaster, Elmore. bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection, ted rankins collection, city of greater bendigo volunteers

This photograph was donated by Mrs Howard whose aunt, Dorothy Christian, attended Lauriston from 1904 to 1908. Lauriston’s very first sports photograph is in 1905, of our students standing with their hockey sticks to mark their participation in the Girls’ Schools’ Hockey Association. Hockey was without doubt the “Queen of Games” at Lauriston during the school’s early decades. The school’s founders Miss Margaret and Miss Lilian Irving were firm believers in the character-building nature of team sports and were instrumental in establishing hockey as a competitive sport for girls in Melbourne. Lauriston’s founders Lilian Irving one of the two sisters who founded Lauriston, saw hockey played in England and brought the game back to Melbourne. Lilian arranged for the first girls inter-school hockey match, between Lauriston and Ruyton in 1903. Her sister Margaret subsequently joined with Mary Morris of Melbourne Girls’ Grammar to establish the Girls’ Schools’ Hockey Association in 1905. The Association organised regular competitions between schools. Hockey dominated Lauriston’s sporting life until well into the 1950s, with regular class, house, inter-school, and staff-student matches. B & W photo 14 x 18.7 cm, mounted on brown card, with inscription in white ink “Lauriston Hockey Eleven 1905”. Underneath the photograph on the mount are names of the players in three rows according to the arrangement in the photograph. The students standing in the back row are N. Stewart’ G. Mogg, D. Elder, M. Elliott (Captain), J. Tuthill, C. McWhae and E. Stewart. The students knelling in the middle row are S. Mitchell (emergency), M. Rigby, and J. Mitchell. The two students sitting at the front are D. Christian and R. Stewart.Lauriston Hockey Eleven - 1905 N. Stewart, G. Mogg, D. Elder, M. Elliot (capt) J. Tuthill C. McWhae E. Stewart S. Mitchell (emer.) M. Rigby J. Mitchell D. Christian R. Stewart

This photograph is taken in a room in the RDNS Heidelberg Centre. The Sisters are demonstrating a lifting technique to staff members. The Sisters are wearing their RDNS winter uniforms which are a blue/grey skivvie under a blue/grey V neck tunic style herringbone winter material dress with the RDNS insignia on the upper left. From the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in 1885, known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1966, the rehabilitation of patients to insure they were able to live independently in their own homes was at the forefront of care given by their Trained nurses. As well as teaching and supervising the use of equipment, their Trained nurses taught them safe transfer techniques. These techniques were also taught to family members to enable them to care for their loved ones. RDNS at first held workshops given by a contracted private Physiotherapist, before employing their own Physiotherapist in 1975, who taught staff the correct transfer techniques, not only for safety of the patient, but to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and patient’s family members. When required the Physiotherapist accompanied the Sister on her visit to the patient in their home.Black and white photograph of three Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sisters demonstrating a safe bed transfer. From Left to Right is the side on view of Sisters Daphne Geldard, who has short dark curled hair with her left arm around the back of Sister Elizabeth Francis, and her right arm under her legs. Sister Francis has short dark hair and is smiling. She has her right arm over the shoulders of Sr. Geldard, and her left arm is over the shoulder of Sr. Bev Armstrong. Her buttocks are slightly off the bed which has a white pillow and grey blanket. Sr. Armstrong is facing both Sisters. She has short straight blonde hair and has her eyes closed. She has her right arm around the back of Sr. Frances and her left arm is under her legs. The three Sisters are wearing light coloured skivvies under a darker V neck tunic style dress with the RDNS insignia on the upper left. Barry Sutton's Photographer's Stamp. Reprint Quote Number: KY22 Handwritten on back of photo are the names of the RDNS staff members and the location is Heidelberg Centrerdns, royal district nursing service, rdns uniform, rdns physiotherapist, rdns centre, sister daphne geldard, sister elizabeth francis, sister bev armstrong

Mrs P.. Cosh is a private Physiotherapist contracted by RDNS to educate RDNS nursing staff in safe transferring techniques. This photograph is taken in the Heidelberg Centre. The RDNS Sisters are wearing their winter uniforms of a blue/grey skivvie under a blue/grey V neck tunic style herringbone winter material dress,From the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in 1885, known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1966, the rehabilitation of patients to insure they were able to live independently in their own homes was at the forefront of care given by their Trained nurses. As well as teaching and supervising the use of equipment, their Trained nurses taught them safe transfer techniques. These techniques were also taught to family members to enable them to care for their loved ones. RDNS at first held workshops given by a contracted private Physiotherapist before employing their own Physiotherapist in 1975 who taught staff the correct techniques, not only for safety of the patient, but to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and patient’s family members. When required the Physiotherapist accompanied the Sister on her visit to the patient in their home.On the left in the black and white photograph is Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sister Elizabeth Francis, who has curled dark hair and is kneeling on a mat looking down at Sr. Bev. Armstrong, who has straight blonde hair and is lying on a mat on the floor with her head resting on a white pillow and her right arm resting across her body. Behind and slightly to the right of Sr. Armstrong is Sr. Daphne Geldard who has short dark curled hair. She is kneeling on the mat and looking down at Sr. Armstrong. To her right is Physiotherapist Mrs. P. Cosh, who has dark short curled hair and is wearing a check suite. She is looking at Sr. Armstrong and has her left hand resting on the out edge of Sr. Armstrong's right hand. The RDNS Sisters are wearing a light coloured skivvie under a darker V neck tunic style dress. A closed wooden door is behind the Sisters with pale walls either side. Lino tiles are on the floor either side the mat on which Sr. Armstrong lay.Barry Sutton Photographer's Stamp, Quote KY28, names of staff hand written on back of photographrdns, royal district nursing service, nurses uniforms, rdns physiotherapist, sister elizabeth francis, sister bev armstrong, sister daphne geldard, mrs p. cosh

Miss Kosch is a private physiotherapist contracted by RDNS. She is at RDNS Heidelberg Centre teaching RDNS staff a safe method of lifting and transferring Sr. Geldard from a chair. From the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in 1885, known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1966, the rehabilitation of patients to insure they were able to live independently in their own homes was at the forefront of care given by their Trained nurses. As well as teaching and supervising the use of equipment, their Trained nurses taught them safe transfer techniques. These techniques were also taught to family members to enable them to care for their loved ones. RDNS at first held workshops given by a contracted private Physiotherapist before employing their own Physiotherapist in 1975 who taught staff the correct techniques, not only for safety of the patient, but to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and patient’s family members. When required the Physiotherapist accompanied the Sister on her visit to the patient in their home.Standing in the rear left of the black and white photograph is Ms Kosch, who has short curled dark hair and is wearing a check suit. She is looking down at Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). Sister (Sr) Daphne Geldard, who has collar length curled dark hair, and is seated in front of her on a padded kitchen type chair. To Sr. Geldard's right, standing, is Sr Elizabeth Francis who has short dark curled hair and is bending forward with her arms outstretched under Sr. Geldard's armpits. She has her right leg braced against Sr. Geldard's right knee Sr Bev. Armstrong, who has short blonde hair, is standing at the right rear observing the procedure. The three Sisters are wearing a grey skivvie under a darker V neck tunic style dress with the RDNS insignia on the upper left. A black below knee boot is seen on Sr. Geldard's right leg. A closed dark wooden door with a white surround is behind Ms Kosch and to its right another chair is seen against the wall. Photographers stamp , names of staff, date and location. Quote KY 35rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns uniform, rdns physiotherapy, sister elizabeth francis, sister daphne geldard, sister bev armstrong, ms kosch