These meetings were held at the Kooyong office and the minutes include Present, Chair, Apologies, Minutes, Matter arising from minutes, Correspondence, Life governors, Election of members, Nominations, Reports from Regional Blind Members groups. Some highlights are: 30/6/1990 under the capable leadership of Mrs Elsie Germon the schools programme has been re-convened. Regular visits are being made to primary schools. Speakers are accompanied by sighted guides. 9/8/1991 Executive Director, Mr John Cook reported merger of the Braille & Talking Book Library with AFB. First radio appeal for 3RPH raising over $30,000, opening of the new Baringa Day Centre at Shepparton. 30/6/1996 the annual report highlighted the Centenary of AFB it was noted that self-help has always been the major emphasis underpinning the work of the Blind Member's Council. The Tilly Aston Fund raised over $1/2 million for the new National Information Centre. The peer support work and monitoring of services, ensures that we give back something to AFB, for the support we receive. BMC representatives made 70 visits across the State. The Council registered the Tilly Aston Rhododendron as a lasting way of acknowledging the work of our founder. 19/9/1997 The Chairman welcomed those present to the second combined meeting of the AFB and the Tilly Aston Customer Council. The Council welcomed the change in Articles and Memorandum of the Association and the formation of the Tilly Aston Customer Council which allowed all customer of the Association automatic membership and input to the monitoring of services. Minute book of Blind Members Council annual reports and general meetingsassociation for the blind, blind members council

These meetings were held at the Kooyong office and the minutes include Present, Chair, Apologies, Minutes, Matter arising from minutes, Correspondence, Life governors, Election of members, Nominations, Reports from Regional Blind Members groups, White Cane Day October 15th promoted. Some highlights include: 3/12/1982 the film, 'A world that is dark', which was made by AFB for television release is now available on video. 31/8/1984 the Blind members' brochure includes sections titled 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow' which outlines the history, present position and the aims for the future of the AFB, 'Information about Blind Members' and Blind Members' Council', List of AFB homes and centres' and 'An invitation from Bryan Sitlington to be a Blind Member accompanied by an application form. It will be available to all visually impaired people, their family and friends, AFB staff and suitable for distribution at doctor's surgeries. 14/12/1984 it was reported 29 new Blind members were elected at the September meeting and the 1,000th member was among them. 8/6/1984 Mr John Blanch reported that the General Committee had approved, although rather reluctantly, Mr John Wilson's resignation and had appoint Mr John Cook as his successor. 13/9/1985 Mr John Blanch reported that following Mr Pat Lightfoot's resignation he had contacted Mr John Wicking to offer him the position of sighted representative on Blind Members' Council. John Wicking had been approached for role on the BMC however he was unable to attend Fridays. It was moved to move the meetings to the last Monday of the Month, after approaching John Wicking again. Council members agreed that if John Wicking took the position it would be good as would have been held by Pat Lightfoot and John Wicking, both past Presidents of AFB. Mrs Margaret Canavan and Mr Alan Cooper had been selected to attend a garden party at Government House with Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburg on Thursday March 6. Minute book for Blind Members Councilassociation for the blind, blind members council

These meetings were held at the Kooyong office and the minutes include Present, Chair, Apologies, Minutes, Matter arising from minutes, Correspondence, Life governors, Election of members, Nominations, Reports from Regional Blind Members groups. Some highlights include: 27/10/1986 it was reported that tactile maps of the Melbourne Metropolitan Railway network are now available. 6/2/1987 as special meeting had been called to discuss in detail what action should be taken regarding the proposed $2 coin. John Cook advised that BMC had been invited to send a representative to Canberra to meet with other Blind consumers and representatives from the Mint and Treasury. The BMC agreed the coins needed further testing. 29/2/1988 The Treasury received further letters regarding the $2.00 coin. It was agreed this matter could not be pursued any further. 26/11/1990 it was reported that the commissioned by BMC of the Association's founder Miss Tilly Aston, was officially unveiled by Mrs Jean Ross and Mrs Diana Jones at the 95th Birthday Celebration Concert. The portrait was then hung in the foyer of the Vision Resource Centre. Suitably framed photographs of the founder's portrait to be circulated to all branches. The visits to primary schools by BMC members continued as part of the School's program as did the BMC radio program on 3RPH. Minute book for Blind Members Councilassociation for the blind, blind members council

The Braille Lite harnessed the advantages of a computer to write in Braille and provides responses either in Braille or synthetic voice. Weighing around a kilogram, it was considered a lightweight notebook that also could be connected to other computers and stored Braille in it's inbuilt hardware. 1 beige rectangle with 7 raised buttons, a long space bar and refreshable braille display in black, held in a black plastic carrying case + printed instruction bookBraille Lite (R) Sticker attached over 'Blaze Engineering'.braille equipment, stephen jolley

Celebrating the International Year of the Volunteer, Vision Australia Foundation wished to acknowledge the volunteers and day program members who inputted ideas into the design of the centre's banner. Special thanks to the following for their contribution to the stitching, painting, tapestry, applique and embroidery: Margit Arends, Alice Austin, Judith Edwards, Pamela Harris, Shirley Reid, Margaret Isaacs, Gwenda Johnson, Helen Malone, Catherine Newton and Mary Tams.1 cream sheet with grey and black writingvision australia foundation, volunteers

Awarded to Vision Australia in recognition of voluntary service to the community by the Victorian Government and signed by Steve Bracks (Premier) and Christine Campbell (Minister for Community Services). Certificates presented to VAF Kooyong and Ballarat are held.2 apricot coloured sheets with blue and black writingvision australia foundation, awards

"Presented to Kelaston Ladies Auxiliary/Centre Committee Bendigo in grateful recognition of their generous support of blind and vision impaired people at the Kelaston/Mirridong Centre, May 1999". Signed by John Cook (Chief Executive Officer) and John Moule (President)2 cream coloured sheets with blue and black writingVision Australia Foundation eye logo in top left hand cornervision australia foundation, kelaston home (ballarat), auxiliaries

"This is to certify that Vision Australia Foundation is a member of the Australian Direct Marketing Association for the year ending June 2005 and thereby abides by the Association's Code of Practice." Signed by Rob Edwards, CEO.1 cream coloured sheet with black writing and red sealadma logo in middle of page at basevision australia foundation, awards

The Better Health Channel was an initiative of the Victorian State Government that VAF was involved with over a period of years. 1 white sheet with large blue and green borders and blue writingRed apple next to Better Health Channel in middle at topvision australia foundation, awards

Information on the Tilly Aston Heritage Collection held at Vision Australia Foundation, with some brief information about Tilly Aston (whom the collection was named after) and the resources held in the archive, and the ability of VAF to provide educational resources, accessibility advice and services to museums.1 white sheet with blue, black and green writingPhotograph of an older girl reading Braille to younger ones on a park bench (previously attributed to Tilly Aston, however there are facial discrepancies)vision australia foundation, fundraising

Two certificates presented to Vision Australia Foundation for being a Finalist in the Care in the Community award and People's Choice award. Certificates are signed by Dr Michael Wooldridge, Minister for Health and Aged Care.2 white sheet with red and blue side banner, and black writingCommonwealth Dept of Veterans Affairs logo and The Ballarat Courier logo at the base on the left hand sidevision australia foundation, ballarat

A hard white plastic ball is currently (2015) used in Australia and it is slightly larger and has holes in it so sound can be released from the bottle tops and led weight. This ball has been in use since the beginning of the 2003/2004 season.1 white plastic cricket ball with metal bellsrecreation, assistive devices

The black nylon blind cricket ball was in use since 1974 until the end of the 2002/2003 season. It was hand woven around a wire frame, with lead for weight and bottle tops for sound placed inside.1 black nylon cricket ball with metal bellsrecreation, victorian blind cricket association

The plastic ball has bells inside to make it audible when it is hit by the rectangular wooden 'Swish bat'. 'Swish' is a fast, invigorating game, and was developed by blind people in Australia and has been played here for many years. It is played on both a recreational and competitive level; and allows blind, vision impaired and sighted people to compete on almost equal terms. Swish is like table tennis, but instead of hitting a ball over a net, the ball is hit under a net and must travel along the surface of the table. The net is at a height that so that those players with various degrees of sight do not have an advantage over blind players. Swish is either played as a doubles or singles competition. The game can be played from one game to the best of five, and the first to eleven or the advantage of 2 after eleven.1 swish ball with 26 holes containing 3 metal bellsrecreation, swish

The plastic ball has bells inside to make it audible when it is hit by the rectangular wooden 'Swish bat'. 'Swish' is a fast, invigorating game, and was developed by blind people in Australia and has been played here for many years. It is played on both a recreational and competitive level; and allows blind, vision impaired and sighted people to compete on almost equal terms. Swish is like table tennis, but instead of hitting a ball over a net, the ball is hit under a net and must travel along the surface of the table. The net is at a height that so that those players with various degrees of sight do not have an advantage over blind players. Swish is either played as a doubles or singles competition. The game can be played from one game to the best of five, and the first to eleven or the advantage of 2 after eleven.1 swish ball with 28 holes containing 4 metal bellsrecreation, swish

The wooden bat is used to play the game 'Swish' which is a fast, invigorating game, and was developed by blind people in Australia and has been played here for many years. It is played on both a recreational and competitive level; and allows blind, vision impaired and sighted people to compete on almost equal terms. Swish is like table tennis, but instead of hitting a ball over a net, the ball is hit under a net and must travel along the surface of the table. The net is at a height that so that those players with various degrees of sight do not have an advantage over blind players. The ball has bells in it to make it audible and it is about the size of a tennis ball and made of plastic with holes in it. Swish is either played as a doubles or singles competition. The game can be played from one game to the best of five, and the first to eleven or the advantage of 2 after eleven.1 light brown, wooden rectangular paddle or batting surface with a short handle recreation, swish

Collapsible white cane cylindrical in shape made from metal, plastic and rope. Handle is a red plastic textured moulding. Tip is also red with a red plastic protrusion. Shaft is painted white. Made in 5 sections. Internal rope holds the sections together. 5 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordassistive devices, orientation and mobility

This shorter white cane for a child with detachable, rotating ball tip, is more than just a stick that is used to alert others that they are blind or an early warning signal that a pathway is blocked. A cane actually allows a child who is blind access to four major developmental areas that are impacted the most due to the disability. A cane is a developmental tool that is imperative in neuro-development, sensory development, physical development, social development and emotional development of a child. 3 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordassistive devices, orientation and mobility

This white cane was included in the 1991 time capsule. It is a Royal brand cane and folds up into 4 sections. An elasticised handle loops around the wrist, when unfolded and in use. When folded, the handle loops around the 4 parts, keeping them folded.4 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordorientation and mobility, assistive devices

Cane is thick with walking stick handle to support weight as well as be an identification that the person using it is blind or vision impaired. It is white with a red tip on the lower part of the cane, a rubber grip on end and brown plastic handle.4 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordassistive devices, orientation and mobility

This collapsible cane is in four sections joined to each other by braided rubber tubing. Original paper wrapping has instructions on the outside including: 'The top section can easily be identified as it is the thickest of the four and is threaded with an elastic cord for carrying purposes'. An elasticized handle loops around the wrist, when unfolded and in use. When collapsed , the handle loops around the four parts, keeping them folded.4 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordassistive devices, royal national institute for the blind

This poster is advertising 'Royal Packaging and Assembly Ind' coir mats. There is a line drawing of a jester's legs and shoes and the tip of a jester's staff on a coir mat. 1 rectangular white poster with red and black text with illustration Royal Packaging and Assembly Ind. Coir Mats For the Home, Office, Factory, Hall, School. Woven Business Logos, Monograms, Lettering. Standard Sizes or Made to Order Acknowledged as Top of the Range Manufactured at our factory from the finest Indian coir Packaging and Assembly Ind. - the Industrial Division of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Telephone: 5292211royal victorian institute for the blind, employment