These letters were written and sent by John Draffin to his son. John Draffin came to Australia as a child with his parents from the north of Ireland . He came to Orbost in 1894 and was Shire Secretary from then until 1910 His children were Andrina, Eva, George, Maggie, Sally and Nellie.John Draffin was a prominent Orbost citizen involved in many community activities. This item is a useful research tool.Hand-written correspondence, on ruled paper. Central horizontal fold, some foxing on edges.draffin family, john draffin, george draffin, east gippsland shire councillor, northern ireland heritage, c.1900s

This iron would have been used locally. Wehner's Blacksmith's was founded at Orbost in 1889. Oswald Wehner began working in 1910 with his father. In 1947 Ossie's son, Tom started blacksmithing, working alongside his father. Wehner's closed in 1991. (ref. In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall)This is an example of an implement used locally in the livestock industry in the last century. "Wehner's Blacksmiths was an important part in the business life of Orbost and was probably the most recent business to close with a link to our past." (Deborah Hall)Branding iron with either M or W as the brand. Circular, hanging.branding-iron rural-industry livestock

These statement sheets were intended for use at the wholesale and retail butchery of Charles Mehlert which operated in Nicholson Street, Orbost. This item reflects the history of a business in Orbost that no longer exists.Three statement sheets used by Charles Mehlert, a butcher in Orbost. They are in duplicate form with perforations between the copies. The top copy being for the customer and bottom copy for records. Two hole have been punched into the side for filing.mehlert-charles-butcher-orbost

Lancelot Herbert came to Orbost in 1886, taking up a partnership with local store-owner George Temple. After Mr Temple’s death in 1891, Lancelot took over the store and progressively developed Herberts Snowy River Stores which grew into a department store of several shops along Nicholson St. He also had small shops at Cann River, Noorinbee and Genoa which were run by members of his family, as well as a carrying business and fuel outlets. Lancelot died on 2/6/1911 and his wife Martha [died 1945] are buried in a joint grave in Orbost Cemetery. (info. Noreen and Lindsay Thomson) Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is associated with a well-known Orbost business which started in 1888 and finally closed in c.1970. it is an example of book-keeping in the early 20th century and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with black print and red lines. Hand-written from Lancelot Herbert of Snowy River Stores to R.P. Cameron.herbert-lancelot snowy-river-stores cameron-robert-pullar

Mr Carl Otto (Clyde) Drevermann was born at Lucknow and worked in various parts of Victoria before coming to Orbost in about 1902. In July 1902 he entered into partnership with Mr Edward Fisher Reynolds and the ironmongery, hardware and tinsmithing business was carried on by the new firm as Drevermann and Reynolds. In about 1905 Mr Drevermann assumed proprietorship and the tinsmith and plumbing section of the business was sold off to Mr Edward Swan. The ironmongery, hardware and timber business was known as Carl Dreverman & Co until 1917 when it was changed to Orbost Hardware and Timber Co. This shop had a row of nails on the window sill to prevent people sitting on the ledge. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of the book-keeping of an early 20th century Orbost business and is a useful research tool. A white paper account with red lines and black print. Details are hand-written. It is from Carl Drevermann, Furnishings and General Ironmongers, to R. Cameron.

The Orbost Bowling Club was founded in 1929, by a group of farmers and businessmen. They set about providing a sporting icon for the town. Six rinks were constructed on the current site using horse drawn scoops and drags. The "Back to Orbost” 1937 book, describes the greens as "a bit rough for the first two seasons but now compare favourably with most country greens". Funds for the construction were raised by the issue of debentures at £5 each, and subscriptions were £1/1s/0d ($2.10). ( info. Margaret Smith) Included in the photograph are: Wm Kerr; D. Robinson; Lance Herbert; Fred McCoy; Jacob Perry; Ted Eaton; Jack McKeown; Wm Cumming; Harry Cameron; Dick Pardew; Wm Cowell; John Bird; Paul Spadaro; Carl Dreverman.Lawn bowling” is an outdoor game that has been popular for centuries. Bowling clubs play a significant role in community recreation needs. This is a pictorial record of this recreational activity in the first half of the 20th century.A black / white photograph of a large group of men playing bowls on a bowling green. Some are dressed in whites and others in suits.orbost-bowling-club sport recreation lawn-bowls

This trowel was presented to John Russell, director of Orbost Butter Factory for fiftyyears and Chairman for nine years. John Russell was an early Orbost blacksmith in Orbost, and director of the Orbost Butter Factory for 50 years. He came to Orbost in c. 1890 at the invitation of another early settler, James Nixon, became a blacksmith, and later a farmer and landholder. Many of his descendants still live in the Orbost area.This item is significant because of its association with the Orbost Butter Factory as well as the connection with the Russell family, Orbost pioneers.A silver (plated?) trowel ornately decorated with engravings. It is attached to a bone(?) handle with a silver metal ferule. the trowel is triangular with a scalloped lower edge.Presented to John Russel Esq.; Chairmen of Directors ;To Commemorate the Laying of; Foundation Stone; of the Orbost Butter and Produce; Coy's New Factory; 22.9.15 on right hand side : silver marks - crown, lion H.G.H.russell-john orbost-butter-factory

This book was researched and produced by Orbost Secondary College 9/10 Women in History Class. It is a collection of biographies of loacl Orbost women. The book was edited and collated by Heather Macalister. Students were tasked with gathering information and interviewing local Orbost women.This is a locally written history book which is a useful reference tool for researching the history of Orbost women.A 37 pp stapled book with a pale mauve cover titled The Curlip Issue No:3. Text is black : DATE ; JUNE 1996 CONTENTS; SPECIAL EDITION OF BIOGRAPHIES OF LOCAL ORBOST WOMEN. in the centre of the front cover in black is a sketch of a large paddle wheel with the P.S. Curlip in front. The book contains biographies and b/w photographs.On cover of 2189.2 : SLAB HUT COPY in red inkorbost-history-women biographies orbost-secondary-college

The Orbost Coach Factory was in Wolseley Street OIrbsot, opposite the police station and was owned by Thomas John McCoy. Its business was coach-building, undertaking, blacksmithing and as a farrier. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of the early 20th century book-keeping of a business in Orbost. It is a useful research tool.A white paper account from T. McCoy to Mr R. Cameron. It has black print and handwritten details. In the top left-hand corner is a black drawing of a carriage and in the top right-hand corner is a black drawing of workers shoeing a horse. a green duty stamp is attached.account-book-keeping mccoy cameron

Alec Cameron was one of the young boys in this photograph. He was the son of Robert Pullar Cameron who was an early settler on the Orbost flats. Alec, (like his sisters, Flora and Penuel) had a beautiful singing voice. He married Annie Nixon and had children, Frank, Wilfred, Dorothy, Alice, Edie and Isobel.This item is a pictorial record of the social life of young people in Orbost in the first half of the 20th century. Children in old photos show us the similarities and differences between their time and ours.A black / white photograph of a group of eleven young boys dressed in different outfits, all holding guns. They are standing outdoors with a wooden building in the background.on back - "Alec Cameron"cameron-alec orbost-youth

This trophy was won by Mrs H. Powell (Selina Jane) for the highest number of points in Classes I and J (Cooking) at the Orbost Agricultural Show, August 1927. Selena Powell came from Eden to Orbost at the age of 18. She met and married Henry James Powell in Orbost.This ornate silver plated jug has aesthetic significance as well as being representative of trophies awarded at an early Orbost Show.A tapered electro-plated silver jug / coffee pot with a hinged lid. It has an ornate handle. Engraved in a shield on the front is : "Presidents Trophy Won by Mrs H. Powell Class I. & J. Orbost Agricultural Show., August 1927." On the other side is a smaller shield with entwined initials - possibly S J P.On the back: Thomas Otley & Sons R131 Sheffieldtrophy electro-plated otley-thomas orbost-show powell

Frank Matthews was a well-respected garage owner and mechanic in Orbost for many years. Evidence of ownership and existence of the Snowy River Garage, Orbost Rectangular paper, printed in black ink, the word INDEPENDENT is printed in red inside an oval shape. An INDEPENDENT Service Station Snowy River Garage (F Matthews) Motor & General Engineer, Orbost Ph. 77 Box 93snowy river garage, orbost, frank matthews

Moves to begin an Orbost Agricultural Show was started in 1891 and a Committee was formed. The Society's first Show was held on Tuesday 15 March 1892. The Orbost Agricultural Show continues to the present day (2023) as an annual event held in March. The Committee shown in this photograph are known to be President: John Johnstone; Vice Presidents: F Nixon, M Lynch, A E Rodwell; Secretary: Geo Perry Committee: S Lynn, Geo Answer, C Drevermann, J Bird, J Draffin, J Cummings, R Mosley, H James, A Saunders, P Morris, G Carter, A Pardew, Jas Nixon, J Gilbert, S Grenville, W Scharleman, G Nixon, H Richardson, J Hocking, J Fisher, J Hossack This photograph shows an early Orbost Show Committee which consists entirely of men. A badly yellowed and damaged b/w photograph onto cardboard. Both the image and the cardboard are damaged. The photograph is of a group of men, some sitting on the ground, some standing behind. Written onto the back of the photograph are these words: 1902 Orbost Agricultural Society Committeeagricultural show, orbost

The photograph shows the Delegate Lodge with the Orbost Brass Band at Christmas 1892. They travelled by horseback to play for the Star of Delegate Order of Oddfellows. The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah HallThis is a pictorial record of the Orbost Brass Band. The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A very yellowed photograph of a band procession with the men holding their instruments. Two men are holding a large banner. In the background are wooden cabins. The photograph is on a white buff card. There are four copies of this photograph.on back - handwritten - "Presented to Mr C Spink Bandmaster Orbost Brass Band by the members of the Star of Delegate Lodge MUIOOF P Crawford Secretary"orbost-brass-band spink-charles delegate-oddfellows

This unused bag would have been used by the snowy River Co-Op in Orbost during the 1960's-1970's to pack selected seed beans.Snowy River Seeds started life as a farmers' co-operative (Snowy River Co-op) in 1967. This item is significant because it was specially made for the seed bean industry which was a major industry in the Orbost district for over a century. A bag made of white woven synthetic material. It is unused. On the front is the logo for the Snowy River Co-Op Ltd - the 'man from Snowy River" in red print inside a blue circle. Other print is red and blue.On front: Produce of... Snowy River Co-Op Ltd Orbost - Victoria V73 25 kg NET snowy-river-co-op seed-bag

Charles Henry [Carl] Grove died on 17/4/1938 at Box Hill at the age of 88 and was buried in Orbost. Prior to coming to the Snowy River district, Carl worked as overseer on Buchan Station. In 1880, he selected land at Newmerella after first coming here in 1874 with early selector James A Robertson. He married Annie Robertson in 1876. Carl was a farmer, hop and seed grower and nurseryman. He was an elected Councillor of the newly formed Tambo Shire in 1882, and then in 1892 to the Orbost Shire where he served for many years filling varioius public roles. In 1911, he shifted to Queensland, but later returned to Victoria and died at Box Hill. (Ref. Nov 2014 Newsletter) Carl Grove was a prominent Orbost early settler. This document is a useful research tool.A document hand-written on foolscap sized paper. There is a "List of Species Collected by Mr Carl Grove" and a letter written by Carl Grove to the president and committee of the Mechanics Institute Orbost.document-species-list-orbost grove-carl

This cart came from Sederlan's Bakery - Newmerella and Orbost. It had been used outside the premises as advertising. The original chassis had been added to extensively with shafts, wheels and tyres added. This axle appears to have part of the cart - either a baker's or butcher's cart. The original cart may have been a butcher's or baker's cart.A wooden two-wheeled cart painted cream. It has a wooden ply top and is fully enclosed. The chassis seems to be original with the rest having been re-constructed from non-original materials. The shafts are the wrong size and shape, It has had car tyres, wheels and axle attached.advertising cart sederlan's-bakery

MacKinnon and Sons were seed and produce merchants. Mackinnon was the Orbost agent for the Vacuum Oil Co., and his business extended to Cann River, 60 miles away. This item was probably used by Robert Pullar Cameron who was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex. This item is an example of book-keeping for an Orbost business in the early 20th century. It is a useful research tool.A white paper credit note with black print and red lines made out for MacKinnon & Sons, merchants.mackinnon-&-son-seed-merchants credit-note

James Hossack and his wife, Penuel, arrived from Scotland to Geelong on Christmas Day 1852. James and Penuel had one daughter, Penuel who married Robert Pullar Cameron at Orbost. They had two sons, James(1858) and George(1860). James Hossack farmed "Brooklands" which he bought from John Cameron The Hossack family was a prominent Orbost family with strong ties to the Presbyterian Church in Orbost. This item is a part of the Hossack family history.A black / white photograph of a family group with the mother seated on the left and the father on the right and twin girls standing between them. Three smaller children are seated in front. It is mounted on a grey buff card with the names written at the bottom.on front - "Charlotte, Jessie, Lizzie, James, Alex, Penuel & Jim Hossack"hossak-family-orbost

This is the twentieth issue of the annual Orbost High School magazine. The name Croajingolong derives from the Australian Aboriginal Krauatungalung words galung, meaning "belonging to" and kraua, meaning "east". 2215.1 belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school. 2215.2 belonged to peter D. Roney. 2215.3 belonged to David Neal. 2215.4 belonged to Deborah Buckland.This magazine is a useful reference tool.Four copies of school magazine, Croajingolong '67 Vol. 1 No. 20 It has a white cover with black and red print. On the right hand side is a stylised drawing of two ears of corn with black letters (?) around them. (OHS?)2215.2 ; 2215.3 ; 2215.4 contain autographs in red and blue pen on both covers inside and out.croajingolong orbost-high-school

This book/magazine was produced by students at Orbost Secondary College.This publication is a useful research tool for the history of Orbost. Two copies of an orange covered stapled book with 48 pp, titled The Curlip No. 1. On the front cover is a black stylised sketch of a paddle wheel. Text is black. - Contents The Diary of an ANZAC by Jackie Herbert Farming in the Jarrahmond Area by Kim Stirzaker Orbost blacksmiths by Craig Terrell.curlip-orbost-secondary-college history-orbost jarrahmond orbost-blacksmiths

This ledger was used by the Shire of Orbost to record transactions relating bto the Newmerella Drainage Area from 1927 to 1950. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum. 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. Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council.This item is a hand-written record of the accounts of the Orbost Shire local government. It pre-dates computer records. The Orbost Shire Council no longer exists having been absorbed into the East Gippsland Shire Council. A ledger with a black cover and brown binding. It has marbled end covers. It contains handwritten records of transactions relating to the Newmerella Drainage Area. On the front cover in gold print is "LOAN CASH BOOK (underlined) NEWMERELLA DRAINAGE AREA ACCOUNT (underlined) SHIRE OF ORBOST". on spine - "Newmerella Drainage Area Cash Book" in gold print.orbost-shire-council ledger accounts newmerella-drainage-area

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 book 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 green covered book of children's poetry. The title is in gold print within a small frame above a stylised gold flower. Below in gold print - "Hilda C. Temple Kerr" and "Illustrated by Mr H. Sherwood, Orbost". There is an ornate border around this.temple-hilda kerr-hilda poetry book-the-little-birthday-queen literature

This photograph is of a combined Sunday School group of children at the old showgrounds about 1905.Sunday School at that time involved a lot of commitment on the part of the teachers towards the children and this was reflected in the efforts they went to to make Sunday School an interesting and enjoyable event. Going to Sunday School was an important part of children's lives in the early 20th century in small towns such as Orbost. This item reflects the importance of Sunday Schools and the churches in Orbost in the early 20th century.A large soiled black / white photograph of many children sitting on bench seats, some standing in an outdoor area.on front - "Combined Sunday School Picnic - Old Show Grounds about 1905"orbost-churches orbost-sunday-school

3084.1 is titled "Ready For Launching" and is of Mr Lachlan Macalaster on the left and Mr Jim Holden preparing to release two roosters for a competition - The Rooster Chase,. 3084.2 was taken at the 1978 annual Orbost Show in a new division for goats. the photograph was taken during the judging. Linda and Val Donald are in the photograph' 3084.3 and 3084.4 are of the new pavillion at Newmerella Recreation Ground,This is a pictorial record associated with the annual Orbost 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.Four black / white photographs. 3084.1 shows two men each holding a rooster. 3084.2 shows a group of five people standing near some goats. 3084.3 and 3084.4 are of the construction of a large metal shed.Each photograph has a label on the back with detailed information.orbost-show macalaster-lachlan holden-jim donald-val agriculture

These photographs are of the demolition of the road bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. This bridge over the Snowy River was opened on July 4 1922. It was constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.This bridge was replaced in 1976 after several major floods. These photographs are pictorial records of its demolition.Four black / white photographs of the demolition of a road bridge across a river. In them can be seen trucks, excavators and workmen. In 3246.1 there is a triangular road sign - "LOW CLEARANCE 3.9m"bridge-demolition orbost-snwoy-river-bridge

These photographs are of the bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost which was replaced in 1976. This bridge over the Snowy River was opened on July 4 1922. It was constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.This bridge was replaced in 1976 after several major floods. This is a pictorial record of that bridge.Three black / white photographs of a truss bridge across a river.bridge-snowy-river orbost-bridge-1937

Dross Drossou established a cordial factory in Orbost in the 1930s. He sold his cordial manufacturing business to Phillips and Stone, a Bairnsdale company, in 1948. Glass bottles were refillable until the 1960s, creating a demand for their collection and onsale back to beverage manufacturers via ‘bottle merchants’. A deposit on the bottles was added to all sales as they left the factory. The returned bottles were washed and the old label removed. The inside was cleaned by pushing the bottle onto a revolving brush. The reusing of the bottles went on until the bottle was broken or the top became chipped. Phillips & Stone operated in Orbost and Bairnsdale. This bottle is an example of a product manufacture by a local industry no longer existingA clear glass soda syphon bottle with a red pump on the top."Soda Water Phillips & Stone Bairnsdale P S ORBOST (trademark) 30 Fl OZ"phillips&stone syphon bottle

The Richardson family was one of the very early settler families to establish themselves in the Orbost district. Samuel Richardson was builder of the Paddle Steamer Curlip.The Richardson family was one of the very early settler families to establish themselves in the Orbost district. Samuel Richardson was builder of the Paddle Steamer Curlip. This is a useful reference tool.A C.D. of the Richardson Collection of diaries and ledgers dated 1878-1935. It contains information of the Richardson families in Orbost and the Ballarat district in Victoria. On the front is a photograph of a seated Samuel Richardson with a paper in hand. The disc is in a clear orange plastic case.richardson-samuel orbost-history p.s.curlip

This printer's block was used by the Snowy River Mail in the 1920's. This block is an advertisement for Tomlinson and McFarlane Bros, Drapers and General Merchants of Nicholson Street, Orbost.Since 1890 the Snowy River Mail has been the local newspaper of the Orbost district.This local paper has been the means by which readers in Orbost were able to learn about newsworthy events and issues in their local community for over a century.A printer's block from the Snowy River Mail. It is an advertisement for ladies' wear in the 1920's. It is an ad for Tomlinson and McFarlane Bros.of Nicholson Street Orbost and advertises fashionable contour corsets. The plate is nailed onto a block of chipboard.printing newspaper media advertisement tomlinson-and-mcfarlane-bros