From its beginning, the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind grew in size and its number of employees and benefactors. These bound volumes of annual reports contain the information sent to subscribers of the Institute and outline the notable events and difficulties facing the blind and the RVIB. In this report praise for both the school and the work of the Insitute by external agencies is mentioned, the program of allowing children to handle exhibits courtesy of the Museum of Victoria, Hugh Jeffrey has just attained his degree as a Bachelor of Music (only the second to do so), honours also to Arthur McKay and other pupils who received Honours passes at university, over 1000 piano tunings were carried out this year by RVIB trained specialists, the Institute classes in cooking and hand and machine sewing have proven useful to single and married women of Melbourne, the Institute supports two cricket teams as well as other physical culture, and providing advisc to the Post Master General concerning telephone dials.1 volume bound with illustrations.royal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports

From it's beginning in 1867, the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind grew in size and its number of employees and benefactors. These bound volumes of annual reports contain the information sent to subscribers of the Institute and outline the notable events and difficulties facing the blind and the RVIB. These include the acquisition of Ormond Hall, nursery and school buildings by the Commonwealth and the transferal of infants and pupils to 'The Georgian' at Olinda with the need for more staff due to more residential staff required, blind pupils formed a 'Junior Red Cross Circle' raising money and also contributed knitwear and splints for mine-sweepers, the loss of Headmaster Garnet Dent, Miss Lenna Bryson and Mrs E Dunkerton on or after the move to Olinda, the appointment of Headmaster Geoffrey E Green, Miss Betty De Huggard and Miss Dulcie Allen, with Mrs Rita Nightingall and Miss Vera Hopton visiting Olinda to provide lessons, Arthur McKay passed his Diploma of Music, 1400 pianos and harmoniums were tuned this year, as most sighted employees are engaged in war work an application was successful with the Director of Manpower to keep some sighted workers in key positions as they may be required to help those blinded by war action, around 25 partially sighted workers have been placed in other factories, several workers passed the Junior First Aid Certificate of St John's Ambulance, and the loss of Dr W.B. Vance who was Honorary Medical Officer for 39 years.1 volume bound with illustrations.royal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports

Minutes of the Queensland Society of Blind Citizens committee including centre activities, staffing changes, fund raising appointment and resignation of committee members and life governorships. Some events include: 25/1/1972 - approaching the Townsville branch to ask if any applications for assistance for cyclone damage have been received, no benefits be paid to relatives doing work for members, the payment of 20 cents a week to the Queensland Musical Literary and Self Aid Society for rent of building until the Qld Society of Blind Citizens is formed and incorporated. 24/9/1974 - due to increasing utilities an increase to hostel board from $17 to $21 per week for all residents in employment. 22/10/1974 - call for special general meeting concerning dissolution of QML SAS and transferring assets and liabilities to QSBC, free use by the Coo-ee Fishing Club of the downstairs hall on Fridays and send a 'notice to fence' to the adjoining property in Stephens Road, South Brisbane. 1 book with typed pages stuck inqueensland society of blind citizens, queensland musical literary and self aid society for the blind

Minutes of the Queensland Society of Blind Citizens committee including centre activities, staffing changes, fund raising appointment and resignation of committee members and life governorships. Some events include: 23/11/1971 - addition of committee's approval for the purchase of a house to be used as a men's hostel, 14/12/1971 - collector Donnelley to be advised to divorce his religious activities from his collections and the Executive Committee inspect a house in Gladstone Road for potential purchase.1 book with handwritten and typed pages stuck inqueensland society of blind citizens, queensland musical literary and self aid society for the blind

Letter from Government House advising that Neil Maxwell is under consideration to be awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, with pamphlet advising on the award and requiring his signature on an acceptance form for the award.A4 white page with Governor-General letterhead and 4 page pamphletnon-fictionneil maxwell, awards

Letter from Government House advising that Neil Maxwell will be awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, congratulating him on this achievement and outlining the steps of his investiture.A4 white page with Governor-General letterheadnon-fictionneil maxwell, awards

Details of the investiture program sent to Neil Maxwell, who received a Member of the Order of Australia. This included an outline of awardees, paperwork required to attend the event and information on the details of the ceremony.A4 white page with Government House letterhead, 1 A4 page of advice on the ceremony, 2 entry cards to the event and the program of investitures taking placenon-fictionneil maxwell, awards

Letters and cards sent to Neil Maxwell congratulating him on his Member of the Order of Australia award, including those from Premier Steve Bracks, MPs Peter Costello, Julie Bishop, Andrea Coote, David Davis, Johan Scheffer and Senators Ron Kemp and Kay Patterson.Various cards and letters sent to Neil Maxwell congratulating him on his awardnon-fictionneil maxwell, awards

Letter sent to Neil Maxwell during Peer Appreciation Week, acknowledging his role as Peer and involvement in the Peer Program.Letter on VAF letterhead from Jayne Gallonon-fictionneil maxwell, vision australia foundation

Three letters sent to Neil Maxwell regarding his potential membership of the Order of Australia Association, and subsequent joining. Two letters from Diana Jones have handwritten notes, indicating her pleasure at his award and becoming an Association member.3 letters on The Order of Australia Association letterheadnon-fictionneil maxwell, order of australia association, diana jones

Brief article on Neil Maxwell and his involvement with Vision Australia Foundation.1 newspaper article with black and white photographnon-fictionneil maxwell, vision australia foundation

Certificate presented to Neil Maxwell for his involvement in the Library Services Special Interest Group. These groups were created to allow clients to provide direct feedback on services.Certificate with Vision Australia logo and in print and braillenon-fictionneil maxwell, vision australia

Order of Service for the life of Janet Ramsay Wicking at St John's Church, Toorak.1 booklet of 8 cream coloured pagesnon-fictionassociation for the blind, elizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell, janet wicking

Order of Service and prayers offered in memory of Peter Baker, Victorian Blind Bowler's Association President and lifelong supporter of the Melbourne Football and Cricket clubs. Please note: missing second page of service through omission.8 pages with picture of Peter Baker on covernon-fictionelizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell, peter baker

Article on the creation of a Vision Impaired Guide to the Old Melbourne Gaol, launched by Dr Denis Napthine, Minister for Youth and Community Services. The guide was put together by the National Trust with the invaluable assistance of the Association for the Blind, who also provided a training program to Gaol staff. At the launch are pictured: Diana Gardiner, Marjorie West, Dr Denis Napthine, Neil Maxwell, Val Silverberg, Simon Molesworth and Carole Grace.1 page with black and white photographnon-fictionneil maxwell, association for the blind, national trust of victoria, marjorie west

Article showing sighted staff members Esther Lalor and Alex Capporilli wearing blindfolds and goggles during their Braille lesson with Neil Maxwell.1 page with black and white photographnon-fictionneil maxwell, association for the blind, esther lalor, alex capporilli, braille

Brochure advertising a ride to and from Ballarat on a vintage steam train to raise funds for Talking Book Library relocation from South Yarra to Kooyong, and the Kelaston Day Centre. The Tilly Aston Fund was part of the Centenary Appeal, and it was hinted that the lady herself may appear.Brochure advertising ride to Ballarat to raise funds for Talking Book Librarynon-fictionneil maxwell, association for the blind, fundraising

Newsletter advising that VAF CEO John Cook has announced that he will retire on December 1, 2000.1 page with coloured photograph and headingsnon-fictionneil maxwell, vision australia foundation, john cook

"Reminisce as we get together to say goodbye to Paterson Hall and Day Centre. Listen to some of those who were there and share in the memories of times gone by. Look to the future." To commemorate Paterson Hall and all those who entertained, celebrated and enjoyed this special meeting place before it was demolished, a party was held on Friday 25th September 1998, as advertised by this flyer.1 yellow page with black writing and bordernon-fictionneil maxwell, association for the blind, paterson hall, elizabeth maxwell

Members of the Victorian Blind Indoor Bias Bowls Association won 13 medals at the recent championships held in Queensland. Initially beginning as a small self-help group at the Association for the Blind, the group of Ken Gunning, Gloria Pascoe, Bill Muller, Rose Del-ZMonaco, Sally Leighton, Bill Lovett, Athol Blain, Alma Box, Pat Gaze and Frank Bartoli came way with five gold, four silver and four bronze medals. Pictured is Sally Leighton on the green.1 white page with black writing and colour photographnon-fictionneil maxwell, association for the blind, elizabeth maxwell, sally leighton

Athol Blain proudly holds his bronze medal won at the recent Blind Indoor Bias Bowls National Titles held in Brisbane. Finishing 3rd in the B2 Mens Singles division, despite the bowling mats in Queensland being six feet shorter than those used in Victoria.Photocopied page with black writing and black and white photographnon-fictionneil maxwell, association for the blind, elizabeth maxwell, athol blain

Neil Maxwell talks about his canes, how they are used, how he refused to get one earlier in life and the consequences (ie: a traffic accident) for not doing so. Published in the Progress Press, October 18, 1999.Colour photograph with article on Neil Maxwell and his canenon-fictionneil maxwell, elizabeth maxwell, orientation and mobility

Program showing songs and performers of the 1982 Carols by Candlelight, televised by Channel 9.1 volume with colour illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, carols by candlelight, normie rowe, colette mann, gaye macfarlane, little river band, simon gallaher, john diedrich, robert colman, richard casey, joan carden, jim watsford, colin woods, graeme lyall, david johnston, janet perkins, tony borg, blair edgar

Program showing songs and performers of the 1980 Carols by Candlelight, televised by GTV 9. 1 volume with colour illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, carols by candlelight, brian naylor, jim watsford, colin woods, david johnston, janet perkins, blair edgar, jill perryman, neil warren smith, keren minshull, jennifer murphy, normie rowe, james pegler, steven tandy, harold badger

Program showing songs and performers of the 1979 Carols by Candlelight, televised by GTV 9. 1 volume with colour illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, carols by candlelight, brian naylor, jim watsford, colin woods, david johnston, blair edgar, harold badger, leslie miers, rolf harris, john farnham, paul meenie, linda george, thomas edmonds, markeeta little wolf, margaret nisbett, franciscus henri, kirri adams

Program showing songs and performers of the 1983 Carols by Candlelight, televised by Channel 9.1 volume with colour illustrationscarols by candlelight, jim watsford, graeme lyall, david johnston, janet perkins, tony borg, philip gould, suzanne johnston, karen knowles, john lidgerwood, jackie love, colette mann, jackie trent, tony hatch, denis walter, australian children's choir, colin wood, brian naylor

Program showing songs and performers of the 1984 Carols by Candlelight, televised by Channel 9.1 volume with colour illustrationscarols by candlelight, jim watsford, graeme lyall, david johnston, janet perkins, tony borg, denis walter, colin wood, brian naylor, geoff harvey, sue mikkelsen, stella axarlis, barry crocker, denise drysdale, colleen hewett, joan mcinnes, patrick mcmahon, polyphony, the shirt tales

Program showing songs and performers of the 1985 Carols by Candlelight, televised by Channel 9.1 volume with colour illustrationscarols by candlelight, brian naylor, geoff harvey, edward (ted) hanlon, peter wynne, jacqui atanasovski-green, jon st peeters, donald cant, the cobbers, peter cupples, colleen hewett, kamahl, jackie love, ross skiffington, session singers, suzanne steele, special guest, norman banks

Program showing songs and performers of the 1986 Carols by Candlelight, televised by Channel 9.1 volume with colour illustrationscarols by candlelight, brian naylor, geoff harvey, edward (ted) hanlon, debbie byrne, barry crocker, john farnham, venetta fields, simon gallaher, alison jiear, david lemke, ricky may, national boys choir, marina prior, jackie trent, tony hatch

Carols by Candlelight is a Christmas concert held at the Sidney Myer Music bowl. Programs and candle holders were sold, and collections made during the event to raise money for the Austin Hospital and the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. 3KZ also recorded the concert, which was played on radio on Christmas Day with a phone number to ring to donate. Prior to the Carols program at 9pm, the performance was opened by the Melbourne Lord Mayer and the process of torchbearers (100 girls dressed in white flowing dresses walk slowly in time with the music to the stage) as a prelude to the event.1 volume with photographs and illustrationscarols by candlelight, austin hospital, margot sheridan, lawrence warner, royal victorian institute for the blind, gwen bowdler, johnny o'keefe, norman swain, bernard evans, philip gibbs, norman k mcleod, syd morgan, dr charles bennett, harold stokes