In 1965 16 year old Danny Fuller of Sunnybank, commences his first day of work at the Queensland Industrial Institute for the Blind, learning how to weave a cane basket.1 x B/W photograph of boy weaving a basketBlind Institute, F37829, 9-5-61, 3 col x 7 1/4queensland industrial institute for the blind, danny fuller

Four images taken of the Queensland Industrial Institute for the Blind by the Survey Office, Dept of Lands. 1 - The basket shop. From left to right: Merv Campbell making a linen basket, Dave Valoniti (?) making a waste paper basket, Phil Woods making a clothes basket and Bill Smith making a wastepaper basket. Examples of finished linen, cot and cane baskets sit to the left of the image. 2- The basket shop on the other side of the building. Unfortunately no individuals have been identified. 3 - Shop foreman Ron Blinco working at a brush making machine. 4-6 - Queensland Industrial Institution for the Blind truck carrying cane baskets, cots, chairs and seat frame. On the door of the truck reads: Health & Home Department. The side of the truck has the following painted on the sideboards: Manufacturers of Baskets, Bedding, Brooms, Brushes, Cane Furniture, Coir Mat & Matting.6 x B/W photographs of men and equipmentC2-5792, C2-5794, C2-5795,C2-5799queensland industrial institute for the blind, merv campbell, dave valoniti, phil woods, bill smith, ron blinco

Fives images of the workshop machinery used by the Queensland Industrial Institute for the Blind in the manufacture of various products. 1 - Pitched brooms being made by Stewart Jewell (left) and Jack Dollier (right). 2 - Unknown worker at a basket station making a cane basket, surrounded by finished examples. 3 - Snowy Willis oversees the operation of the machine that bores holes into brush heads. 4 - Unknown worker operating a coir matting machine. There were apparently 10 such machines in use at the time this image was taken. 5 - Snowy Willis checking the bobbins being filled from a giant spool. In the background are empty bobbins stacked against walls and filled bobbins on spool holders. 6 - Roy Anderson checks the wadding on a recently filled mattress, whilst in the background Ellen McDevitt uses a portable sewing table to sew the ends of a filled mattress.6 x B/W photographs of the workshop machinery used by the Queensland Industrial Institute for the BlindC2-657: 2, Brush shop - pitch set brooms being made by blind workers C2-664: Basket shop - some of the various types of baskets made C2-654: Snowy Willis. Brush shop - a semi automatic brush stock boring machine in operation. C2-666: Matting shop - one of the ten coir matting looms in use. 1960. C2-659: Matting shop - bobbin winder and bobbin bank. C2-655: 15. 2 col wide. Bed shop wadding a fibre mattress. Also showing special sewing machine and movable table used in sewing the mouths of filled mattresses.queensland industrial institute for the blind, stuart jewell, jack dollier, snowy willis, roy anderson, ellen mcdevitt

Interior of the Brush shop at Queensland Industrial Institute for the Blind. Various workers construct and pack brooms ready for sale. Image 2 - Interior of brush shop taken around 1967. Ernie Hayes (right foreground), Fred Makin, Dudley Lewis (wearing hat), and facing camera Greg Short (left) and Ron Caudery. 4 x B/W photographs of men in the brush workshopC2-6840, C26838, C2-6839, C2-6841queensland industrial institute for the blind, employment, ernie hayes, fred makin, dudley lewis, greg short, ron caudery

A QIIB employee holds freshly made millet brooms, whilst production workers Danny McCartney (left) and Sean Kean take out bundles of bleached millet to the broom shop.2 x B/W photographs of men with millet stalks and broomsL2-1136, L4 1136queensland industrial institute for the blind, danny mccartney, sean kean

Three Queensland Industrial Institute for the Blind workers holding raw millet (name unknown), millet brooms (possibly Snowy Willis) and working a loom (Manix O'Reagan).3 x B/W photographs of people with millet or weavingE18302-2622 F26922-1564 E18300-2622queensland industrial institute for the blind, manix o'reagan, snowy willis, employment

QIIB worker Manix O'Reagan demonstrating a matting loom.1 x B/W photograph of man operating a loom10. C7146 Manix O'Reagan (bdod)queensland industrial institute for the blind, manix o'reagan, employment

Two workers operating mat making machines, with their respective guide dogs: George Stibbs (wearing overalls and shirt) with Rex, and Arthur Bridges (white singlet and overalls) and his dog.3 x B/W photographs of workers with guide dogsC2-5059 C2-5058 C2-5061, Arthur Bridgesqueensland industrial institute for the blind, george stibbs, arthur bridges, employment

Alf Crossthwaite, worker at Queensland Industrial Institute for the Blind, holds a tower of waste paper baskets outside the workshop.1 x B/W photograph of man holding cane basketsF37828, Blind Institute, 8.5.1961, Alf Crossthwaite makes WPB at Blind institute.queensland industrial institute for the blind, alf crossthwaite, employment

Women production workers at Queensland Industrial Institute for the Blind. 1 - Daphne Lawson, Eileen Henry, Barbara Harding and Rosemary Davis at their respective workstations making toilet brushes or caning chair. 2 - Another view of the room. Barbara Harding and Rosemary Davis sit making toilet brushes, whilst Daphne Lawson and Eileen Henry stand to make cane chairs.2 x B/W photographs of four women in workshopC2-6330, C2-6329queensland industrial institute for the blind, daphne lawson, eileen henry, barbara harding, rosemary davis, employment

Merv Matthews makes a basket using a baseboard over his legs whilst sitting on the floor. Next to him, on hessian sacks, a suited man looks on.1 x B/W photograph of man sitting on floor making a cane basketqueensland industrial institute for the blind, merv matthews, employment

An unknown QIIB worker using a brush making machine.1 x B/W photograph of man using machine that puts bristles into broom headsqueensland industrial institute for the blind, employment

A machine used to copy content of one master cassette onto another at up to 16 times normal playing speed. Machine is contained in a black vinyl-covered case with the power cord wrapped up into a recess on one side. Black plastic rectangular Telex cassette duplicator with power cord.Telex is embossed on the bottom right-hand corner of the case-lid and front of machine. 'Copyette 1 & 1' printed on top of machine.audio equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

American Printing House pocket brailler consisting of a rectangle shaped structure made out of a brown coloured plastic with 7 keys and 3 buttons and a mustard coloured vinyl cover with attached handle and a power cord. Braille letters are achieved by punching the various keys. Serial number: Louisville 1354.Brown coloured plastic rectangular Brailler with covering vinyl bag with handle.braille equipment, assistive devices

A talking book player that allowed the user to change the tone and speed of cassettes played in it. Designed to handle both 4 track and 2 track cassettes, these players were the perfect solution to having both commercial (2 track) and recordings for the blind (4 track) materials without needing separate players. Tonal changes in particular were sometimes required by older listeners, as aging reduces the ability to distinguish high pitch sounds. Speed variability also allowed those who read faster to increase narration, and to slow down reading patterns for listeners with acquired brain injury or other conditions that affected cognitive processing of language.Blue plastic rectangular talking book player with buttons for navigational controls and 5 buttons.Model tbci serial no 8017. Machine number: 8157audio equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Over the years, Clarke & Smith retained the method of using a 'tapete' to store audio material, but changed the players to reflect improvements in technology (both audio and housing). This 'toaster' style model used a combination of components made at it's English factory and overseas suppliers. However compact discs were beginning to evolve and organisations, such as RNIB, wanted more versatility over playback machines.Plastic rectangular cream coloured audio player with buttons for navigational controls, power cord and 5 buttons (b/c 1010150)Clarke + Smithaudio equipment, clarke and smith

APH began producing it's own line of products to satisfy it's clients, outsourcing the manufacturer to overseas companies. This talking book machine, had an optional carry case, and dials to control tone, volume, speed, front buttons to record, rewind, forward, play, and stop tape. Playing both 2 and 4 track tapes, it also had Braille signs next to some of the buttons.Plastic rectangular light brown audio player with buttons for navigational controls, power cord, outlets for ear or head phones and black vinyl protective zip up cover Model no. 3-5194A.audio equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Certificate reads "Certificate of Appreciation: The President and Committee Members of the Victorian Dragon Boat Association gratefully acknowledge the support of the Association for the Blind in the staging of the 1998 Melbourne International Dragon Boat Festival.." Signed by the President K. C. Ong, undated. Centered at the top of the page is a stylised logo of a Chinese dragon. 1 certificate of appreciation with dragon illustrationassociation for the blind, awards

Certificate reads "Certificate of Appreciation: May it be known that this certificate has been presented to members of the Association for the Blind Arthur Wilkins Day Centre, Essendon by Lions Club of Strathmore-Gladstone Park in appreciation of the invaluable services and cooperation extended." Signed by the President (illegible) and Secretary (illegible) on 30th November 1993. 1 certificate of appreciation from Lions Clubassociation for the blind, lions club

Certificate reads "Awarded to Association for the Blind Bicentennial River Run 1988. By the Australian Bicentennial Authority which was established to plan and coordinate a nationwide program of celebrations in 1988 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of permanent European settlement in Australia" Signed by the Chairman: Victoria Council (illegible) and Executive Director (illegible), dated 30th July 1987. All text on this certificate is located on the bottom half of the document. The top half is populated by a repeated stylised graphic of a map of Australia, in various shades of green and gold. There is also a gold version of the same logo, labelled with "Endorsed Bicentennial Activity" , situated above the official signatures. 1 certificate with Australia imageryassociation for the blind, awards

Certificates of honour awarded to Kelaston Day Centre Clients and Staff for their Outstanding Financial Support. Signed by the President Diana Jones and Secretary John Cook on 18th September 1991. Centered at the top of the page is the logo of the Association for the Blind. These certificates were provided to individuals, groups or organisations who made significant financial contributions to the Association. 2 certificates of honour with AFB logoassociation for the blind, awards

Certificate reads "Certificate of Appreciation: May it be known that this certificate has been presented to The George Vowell Centre by Karingal Lioness Club in appreciation of the invaluable services and cooperation extended." Signed by the President Stephanie Johnson and Secretary Patricia Goodwright on 20th December 1985. 1 certificate of appreciation with black writingassociation for the blind, george vowell centre (mt eliza)

Wanting to improve upon the limitations of existing Braillers, the Perkins School for the Blind resolved to develop a new machine that would produce uniformity in embossing, was lightweight and was easy to use. By the 1940's, David Abrahams (a teacher at the school) had developed his prototype, but manufacturing restrictions created by World War 2 halted proceedings. In the waiting period, students at the school used the prototype and Abrahams perfected his device. During the post-war era, Howe Press agreed to take on production of the Perkins Brailler and it became of the most popular and commonly used Braillers around the world since it's commercial release in 1951. Also included is a booklet of photocopied instructions with honeycomb binding.Metal Braille writer with nine grey keys, carriage return key and paper rollers on either side, with grey vinyl cover, and photocopied instruction booklet.'Perkins Brailler' embossed on front of machine and in silver on cover. Sticker on top of machine reads "This equipment remains the property of Braille and Talking Book Library 31-51 Commercial Road, South Yarra 3141 Phone: (03) 267 6022." Metal plate attached to front below keys "Designed by David Abraham, Manufactured and Distributed by Howe Memorial Press, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, Mass. U.S.A." Stamped on base of front: G0345braille equipment, perkins school for the blind

Throughout the 1970's until the 1990's, Mitchell Manufacturing produced a popular range of bicycles for the general public and hiring companies alike. The Lighthouse bicycle was first developed, then superceded by the Mitchell bicycle. Using a combination of overseas sourced materials, these were assembled in the Royal Blind Society of NSW's headquarters in Enfield, and provided employment to range of blind and vision impaired workers. In one image, Neville Wran and Maj General Paul Cullen toast to the success of the company.16 B/W electronic images of bicyclesroyal blind society of new south wales, mitchell manufacturing, neville wran, paul cullen

In 1974, the Royal Blind Society established within it's manufacturing division a facility to build high quality tandems for blind and partially sighted members of its sports club. By the end of 1978, the manufacturing division expanded and a new series of high quality, hand built racing cycles were developed to suit the individuals needs of the cycling enthusiast. A demand in the bicycle hire industry prompted the development of a strong universal bicycle and the new 24" Mixti family cycle was born. By 1979 the Royal Blind Society was manufacturing both family bicycles and tandems for the bicycle hire industry in N.S.W., Victoria and the A.C.T. Both cycles received an enthusiastic reception, so much so, that in 1982 they were the first bicycle manufacturer to win an Australian Design Award. In these two advertising leaflets, the specifications for the Ladies, Family and Gents bicycles are supplied along with images of each bicycle.2 x A4 col. pages of advertising materialroyal blind society of new south wales, mitchell manufacturing

aFramed portrait of William Paterson who was President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, from 1948-1952. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Paterson is dressed in a 3 piece gray suit, white shirt and wearing a blue tie and black hat. He sits outside a house reading a red coloured book, whilst in the background an elderly man takes a step out on to the gravelled driveway. Two women, one with a white cane, rest on chairs under the verendah of the building. The plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr William H. Paterson / President 1948-1952 / Association for Advancement of the Blind'. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr William H. Paterson / President 1948-1952 / Association for Advancement of the Blind'association for the advancement of the blind, william paterson

Photographs taken of various activities that occurred at the Association for the Blind's nursing home in Bendigo - Mirridong. These include clients sitting outside (for possibly the opening of a new wing or a street parade), staff participating at a local fete, volunteers/staff playing games with residents, reading newspapers, receiving visitors and awards for gardening activities.8 B/W photographs of clients, staff and volunteers at Mirridongassociation for the blind, mirridong home (bendigo)