Radio was a key way of communicating with the blind and low vision community across Victoria, ensuring that news and information could be shared quickly and publicly. Some centres raised funds to develop their own studios, with local content programs, based in AFB offices. Mildura began 3MPH in 1998 as the result of major fundraising for equipment and support from AFB. Additionally a low vision clinic was also officially opened in that same year.3 plastic plaques with black writing on silver background3MPH Major Donors The Association for the Blind wishes to thank the following major donors who contributed towards the establishment of 3MPH Rotary Club of Mildura Deakin Inc Wentworth Shire Council Lions Club of Mildura The H & L Hecht Trust W C F Thomas Charitable Trust Mildara Blass Limited 3MPH Honorary Taskforce Members Shirley Penny, Chairperson, Kevin Ashelford, Lois Beckwith, Rob Duffield, Cr Don McKinnon, Ross Lake, Bruce Penny, Cr Eddie Warhurst This plaque commemorates the official opening of the Mildura Low Vision Clinic by the Chief Executive Officer of the Association for the Blind Mr John Cook, 5th August 1998. This plaque commemorates the official opening of Radio 3MPH 107.5FM by the Mayor of the Mildura Rural City Council, Cr Eddie Warhurst, 12th March 1998.association for the blind, 3mph, mildura

MBA – Ward 6 – Cheltenham Dear Matty let you know this just that I am still alive and well considering my age and the cold weather we have had. I hope you are well and Fred is in work – is it still possible that they are grudging him work in Melton where he is much beloved and his Mother said that his Father was one of the best men in the world but the world is out if its mind I think but it will be allright when the war is over – have you heard from Arthur and Kath lately. I am longing to see them and the Page 1 dear little children. Please send me their address and I have also reverse taken a longing to see Eddie and Alick do you know if they are alive do try to find them and tell them that I am longing to see them before I die may God grant my desire – there are always some dieing and some coming but I have not seen one who does not want to get our of this place – come and see me and bring me some lollies and salts and I will give you 2/6 –my love to Fred and his Mother and the dear children and your dear self from Nana Watson do not forget to send me Arthur’s address Written in column Page 1 & do try to get my three sons to write to me – do write soon and tell them the news reverse side column I have not heard from Mrs Bartlette please send me the number of their houseLetter written from Robina Watson to her granddaughter Martha Mary Myers at Meltonlocal identities

Newspaper clippings of Toolern Fire Brigade emergency services, local identities, education

Newspaper clippings of the homesteadlocal architecture, local special interest groups

Tom Thumb production advertised in the Regional News Gazette local identities, misc

Newspaper clippings about the Uniting Church, Meltonchurches, local identities

In 1974 Edna Barrie took part in the Australian Choir at the fourteenth Triennial conference of the ACWW Interfaith Service held at the Perth Concert Hall on the 13th of October.News clipping from the The West Australian about the Associated Country Women of the World Conference local special interest groups

Alexander Blackwood original allotment owner. Other occupants include Chalmer, Wraith 1920, McDonald, Bardsley 1948. 1970 became Arnolds News Agent. It also operated as a State Savings Bank Agent. Demolished in 1974.Jean and George Arnold, and Martha Myers at the front of the news agency local identities, local architecture

Vega Trophy (Mounted Wooden Life Ring) Donor: Graham Noel During World War II when the Germans occupied the Channel Islands the local people went through very severe food rationing and were on the verge of starvation. Near the end of the war, the Swedish ship Vega was allowed by the Germans to deliver several shipments of food to the civilian population, easing the critical shortages of food on the islands. Further background detail can be found below. Graham Noel was born on the Islands and lived there during this harsh period. The trophy is awarded to the winner of the Combined Division AMS Aggregate Series. First Winner: Under Capricorn, P. Bedlington 2005/06 Vega – Further historical background Early in the Second World War Jersey was declared “unarmed” and the German military took over, taking quite a few lives in the process, through strafing the main harbour and a few other places which they needlessly considered threatening. A considerable number of locals evacuated to England before the Germans arrived, but more than 60% of the population remained and endured 5 years of very strict and difficult conditions. Not only was the population unable to contact relatives in the UK or elsewhere, but very quickly they found themselves subject to harsh curfews, strictly rationed foodstuffs, no fuel for vehicles, radios confiscated, and homes and hotels commandeered by the military. The military demanded first pick of all foodstuffs and kept meticulous records of all livestock forcing farmers even to show newborn calves and piglets to them, then claiming the new arrivals for their dinner tables. However there are many stories of farmers outwitting their masters when twin calves or suchlike arrived! Lawbreakers were quickly dealt with, mostly with lengthy prison terms in Jersey, but the more serious crimes were punished by being sent to some horrible French prisons, or even some of the notorious German concentration camps. All local Jews were dispatched to concentration camps, and even English born families were similarly shipped through France and on to Germany. Sadly, a considerable number of those deported did not make it back safely to Jersey. In June 1944 the locals were delighted to hear that the Allies had invaded Normandy and very soon they could hear the battles as the Allies worked their way along the French coast. Little did they know they would still have to wait another 11 months for freedom, having to put up with a very demanding German occupation force which was still determined to obey Hitler’s order to “Defend the Channel Islands to the death”. Now that France was in Allied Hands the local military commanders were unable to supplement their food supplies from France and even harsher demands were made on the local population to ensure that all branches of their still very substantial military force were reasonably well fed. As well as the military, Jersey farmers had to provide food for the Allied POWs and the many “forced labourers”, mainly of Russian, Polish and Italian backgrounds who had been directed to the island to build all the concrete bunkers. This included an underground hospital, all this complying with Hitler’s orders to ensure that the Channel Islands would never again be part of Britain. Many requests by the Jersey authorities for Red Cross assistance were rejected, but finally in December 1944 they agreed and on 30th December the Red Cross vessel “Vega” (Swedish Registry) arrived and delivered parcels to the civilian population. These parcels contained a variety of foodstuffs supplied mainly by Canadian authorities, desperately needed medical supplies, flour, oils and soaps, as well as tobacco from New Zealand. Vega made a further 3 or 4 trips and most certainly eased the desperate situation being faced by the locals. In fact, it resulted in the locals having slightly better food supplies than the military and many local farmers tell stories of having to protect their stock from marauding soldiers. Understandably Churchill was reluctant to send in an invading force to retake the Channel Islands, but by May 1945 it was clear that the Third Reich was finished and on May 9th the German Military surrendered, without a fight, to a large British landing force. On a slightly lighter note … in January 1945 Jersey stonemasons were seen in the main town square repairing flagstones … the Germans had never noticed that the name “Vega” had been formed in those flagstones! As a side note Vega is the name of the brightest star in the universe. Furthermore, throughout the occupation, despite German law that demanded confiscation of all radio sets, punishable by long prison terms or deportation to Germany, there were still many sets being listened to. The locals had a well refined news system for the dissemination of news of what was happening in the outside world. vega, graham noel, ams, combined division, aggregate

Murray Comrie Collection. The Memorial was first unveiled at a Thanksgiving Service in 1918. It now commemorates Tarnagulla residents who served in WWI and WWII. This stone monument was created and erected by Mr. Barber of Dunolly in October 1919. It was unveiled by Brigadier General Brand C.B. C.M.G. D.S.O. at 2:30pm on Saturday November 8th, 1919. The Welcome Home Committee, formed 2nd July 1917, was largely responsible for commissioning the monument. Foundation members were Mrs. B. Patterson, Mrs J. Bock and the Misses P. Lemin, Violet Radnell, D. Dyer and Doris and Phoebe Bock. The Committee also arranged 'Welcome Home' functions for each local soldier returning home after service in the First World War. Tarnagulla had a very large number of enlistments for its population. Monochrome photograph of the Soldiers Memorial monument in Tarnagulla. Unknown date. Probably a copy of a low-resolution news photograph.tarnagulla, war, military, service, commemoration, soldiers, veterans, ww1, ww2, first world war, second world war, school, war memorial, monument, comrie, radnell, lemin, dyer, patterson, alexander, bock, brigadier general brand

Murray Comrie Collection. A small news clipping from The Sun newspaper about a plan to turn part of Tarnagulla into a flora and fauna park. Quotes publican Eric Morris. Mentions prospecting and local industries as well as control of pets.tarnagulla, nature, conservation, wildlife, pets, animals, fauna, flora, industries, prospecting, laws, public policy, protest

This letter to the editor of the Wonthaggi Express newspaper was written by “ONLOOKER (name and address/supplied)” in 1969 at a time when the Phillip Island Penguin Parade was under the management of the Phillip Island Shire Council. There was very limited parking at the Penguin Parade at that stage, and visitor numbers on any night were not capped. It was not uncommon for many cars to be parked along the main road leading to the Penguin Parade. This was a cause of a great deal of concern as visitors to the Parade walked back to their cars in the dark along the main road after the Parade finished some hours after sunset. At that time there was no designated Phillip Island newspaper, with the Wonthaggi Express also covering some news from Phillip Island.The letter articulates the concern felt by many local residents and visitors to the Penguin Parade with regard to the lack of parking and other infrastructure for tourism on Phillip Island, and the Phillip Island Penguin Parade in particular. Having been published in the Wonthaggi local newspaper of the time, the Wonthaggi Express, also indicates that either there was no local newspaper being published on Phillip Island, or that the author submitted to both local newspapers in order to get their message across.Single column letter to the editor in 3 short paragraphs. Black ink on white paper. Photocopy of original article. 10-4-69 EX (referring to 10th April 1969, Wonthaggi Express newspaper)phillip island penguin parade, letter to the editor, parking problems, wonthaggi express newspaper, phillip island conservation society historical archive

The owner was Rita Fletcher; many locals and relatives inscribed their autographs , drew or painted pictures and , using their best calligraphy, wrote up humorous verses. In addition the book includes news clippings on the sensation of the day, the story “Will you be my woolly aphid?” which tells of a Harcourt youth who put a marriage proposal in a barrel of apples consigned to England. On receipt in England the note was published in the press The unfortunate youth received many hundreds of acceptances and became the butt of humorous verse in the English and Castlemaine newspapers.This volume is a treasury of autographs , humorous verse then fashionable and the repository of a funny yarn from pre-WW1.It appears to have been handed around the entire district and includes verses, signatures and sketches from nearly all of the inhabitants of Harcourt, Elphinstone and Canary island districtsA red leather bound autograph book with gold letter and design on the cover. Gold leaf edges, coloured pages with gold decoration. Autographs, sketches, watercolour paintings, press clippings Autograph Album

The 1920's brought many changes to social life in Australia after the austerity of the war years. This was reflected in many cultural activities including music and dance. In the latter years of the decade ,this was evident in the new dance craze of the "Yale Blues" and the "Heebie Jeebie". Young people were eager to learn the latest music and dance steps. Everything needed to support these new trends could be purchased from "Blake's Busy Bazaar and Music Shop in Dean Street, Albury. Peter Wesley Blake, born in Ontario, Canada in 1860, immigrated to Australia in 1881. He moved to Albury in 1896 after purchasing the news agency and stationery business of Messrs. TF Hughes & Co. Described as ‘enterprising’, his store named Blake’s Busy Book Bazaar, stocked “everything required in books, newspapers, stationery, leather and fancy goods, music, musical instruments etc”. Blake sold the store in 1912 to Arthur Hewish who retained the name of the store. It operated with a variety of different owners until 1941.This item is unique and has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our knowledge of social activities of the post-war period, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.A small paper booklet printed featuring a picture of a crowded ball room, and a list of song titles.1920's dance, blake's busy bazaar and music store, social life 1920's

Francis (Frank) Wilbur Le Page was mayor of Moorabbin between 1980 - 1981, and again in 1984 - 1985. He was a lifelong resident of the region and also a third generation market gardener.In approximately 1854, Nicholas Le Page moved his family from Prahran to Cheltenham. Two years earlier, they had arrived in Melbourne from Guernsey Island. Nicholas Le Page was a tailor and his wife was a dressmaker. They decided to move into market gardening instead. Their son, Everest, married Lynda and Francis Wilbur Le Page was born in 1919. He attended Cheltenham State School where he completed his Merit Certificate in grade eight before studying bookkeeping, shorthand and typing at Bradshaw and Everett Business College in South Melbourne. Both Frank’s grandfather and father were active in local government. Francis Thomas Le Page was a councillor for 25 years and served a term as shire president in 1902. Everest, his son, was a councillor for the City of Moorabbin for 28 years and was mayor on two occasions. Frank also served two terms as mayor, first in 1980 and again in 1984. Frank died on 14 July 2008.Black and white photograph of Frank Le Page stepping down from a tractor, with a bunch of parsnips in his right hand.Pink coloured paper adhered to reverse with black printed text and handwritten text in blue ink: STANDARD NEWS / Paper MOOR / Catchline Garden / Percentage 88% / Date 17-10-84 / Page 23le page, market gardens, tractor, moorabbin

Title page reads: 'Notice Paper for Special Meeting of the Shire Council to be held on Tuesday 30th August 1983 to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Buninyong District Road Board 1858.Cream card cover with hole-punched binding of pages. Yellow ribbon through holes. Volume contains a selection of news cutting copies relating to Buninyong.Shire of Buninyong Logo on front cover.shire of buninyong, district roads boards, local government

The Lower Plenty Community Festival1984 involved many local groups.Text and black and white imagelower plenty, festivals

Contents: Joseph Furphy - a celebration Geoff Peacock resigns - Plus moreThe first newsletter of the Society was issued July 1984 and has been published continuously ever since on a quarterly basis. The collection provides a valuable resource about the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members and, especially, many relevant items of local historical interest.