Orbost Motor Works was in McLeod Street, Orbost behind the Club Hotel. It was a dealer for Dodge cars and trucks. 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 used by an Orbost business in the early 20th century. It is a useful research tool.A white paper account with blue lines and black text. There is an orange duty stamp. It is from Orbost Motor & Engineering Works to R. P. Cameron.account book-keeping orbost-motor-works cameron,r.p.

Winchester & Rodwell was an engineering and motor works opposite the Commonwealth Hotel in Orbost. It was the service station for General Motors products as well as the official R.A.C.V. service station. 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 Orbost business in the early 20th century. It is a useful research tool.A white paper account with black print and red lines.It is from Winchester & Rodwell, Engineering & Motor Works to R.P. Cameron.account-book-keeping winchester-rodwell cameron,r.p.

Matthews and Sons' Snowy River Garage was situated in Nicholson Street Orbost. 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 book-keeping in Orbost in the early 20th century and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with black print, blue lines and an illustration of an old car in the top left corner. It has a blue receipt attached for W.A. Matthews & Sons General Motor Engineers to R. Cameron.matthews-w.a. cameron-robert-pullar

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

Previously published as The Snowy River mail and Tambo and Croajingolong gazette from 1890 to 1911. The Gippsland Courier merged with the Snowy River Mail when proprietor Lachlan Ross moved to Orbost in 1910. In 1999 the paper was acquired by the Yeates family when the Hollins family retired from the newspapers business. The paper is still being produced by the fourth generation of the Yeates family as part of East Gippsland Newspapers. They also produce the Bairnsdale Advertiser, the East Gippsland News and the Lakes Post and the yearly publications East Gippsland Visitor Guide and the Great Alpine Road Touring Guide. 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 book-keeping of the Snowy River Mail newspaper and is a useful research tool.A light blue paper account with dark blue print from The Snowy River Mail, Newspaper and General Printing to R. Cameron.snowy-river-mail cameron-robert-pullar

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

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 a n Orbost business in the early 20th century. It is a useful research tool.A large white paper account with black print and red lines from W.J. Mierisch, grocer and general merchant, to R. Cameron. There is a green duty stamp.mierisch-w.j. cameron-robert-pullar orbost-supply-stores

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 business and is a useful research tool.A large white paper account with black print and red lines from Feely & Co., saddlers and harness makers for R. Cameron.feely-&-co. cameron-robert-pullar

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 Orbost business in the early 20th century and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with black print and red lines hand-written from J. Lamont, tailor and mercer to Mr R. Cameron. It has a yellow duty stamp.lamont-j-tailor-mercer-orbost cameron-robert-pullar

E. Swan (of Bairnsdale) purchased the Orbost Tank Factory from Mr E. F. Reynolds. Swan was a tinsmith, coppersmith, plumber, zinc and iron worker who specialised in repairing tanks. 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 Orbost business in the early 20th century and is a useful research tool.A very stained shite paper account with black print and red lines from E. Swan, Orbost Tank Factory, to R. Cameron.swan-e. cameron-robert-pullar

There were several small private hospitals in Orbost in the early 20th century. Babies were born at these private hospitals and mostly only a midwife attended as the doctor could be away on horseback treating another patient. As the new Orbost and District Hospital ( officially opened June 30th, 1930) developed and its facilities grew private hospitals closed. By the 1930's in Victoria there was an increase in the demand for beds in public hospitals by those who found private hospital costs prohibitive and wanted the higher standard of care provided in public hospital . This meant that many small private hospitals closed. Maldon Hospital in Orbost was one of several which could not compete with the new Orbost public hospital.A small white paper account with black print from Maldon Private Hospital to Mrs Lovell. It has a yellow tax stamp. orbost-health maldon-private-hospital

William Haycox was a wholesale and retail butcher who was a cash buyer of hides, sheepskins and tallow. The Haycox Butcher shop was near the Club Hotel. 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 Orbost business and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with black ink and blue lines from Haycox & Mc Henry, wholesale and retail butchers to R. Cameron. There is a duty stamp.haycox-butcher-orbost cameron-robert-pullar

This is an extract from the Victorian Parliamentary Debates on Tuesday 18th July, 1922. It is titled "Death of the Honorable James Cameron" and is a tribute from Mr Lawson, the Victorian premier. In 1882 James Cameron was the first Orbost councillor of the newly constituted Tambo Shire. In the next twenty years he served as justice of the peace, shire councillor, guardian of St James's Anglican Church, Sunday school superintendent and president of the local agricultural society. In 1902 he won a by-election for Gippsland East and took his seat in the Legislative assembly. He serve for eighteen years and his main achievements were securing one million pounds for East Gippsland development bringing the railway to Orbost and establishing the Country Roads Board.James Cameron was an early Orbost pioneer, a respected community member and a prominent politician.A memorial extract from the Victorian Parliamentary Debates. It is on white paper with black print, a black border and is tied with black ribbon.cameron-james-orbost

Orbost and East Gippsland Agricultural, Pastoral & Horticultural Society held their annual show in the Mechanics' Institute hall in Orrbost on November 16, 1894. First Prize in Class F Section C was awarded to Elsie Price for "six buttonholes (children under 14)". At this time C.N. Henderson was President and Lauchlan Ross was Secretary. The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904, on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall Prior to the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show these smaller shows were held in the Mechanics' Institute hall. Elsie Price, 1886-1897, was the daughter of David J and Mary Faithfull.This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century.A original rectangular white paper certificate. Text is inside a border- all print is black. Details are handwritten.On back - many names. On front -"Mrs Price"award agricultural-show public-event

Orbost & East Gippsland Agricultural Society held an Autumn Show on 3rd March, 1904. First Prize in Class C Section 21 fot Best Lady Ridrer was awarded to Miss Ross. Orbost and East Gippsland Agricultural, Pastoral & Horticultural Society held their annual show in the Mechanics' Institute hall in Orrbost on November 16, 1894. First Prize in Class F Section C was awarded to Elsie Price for "six buttonholes (children under 14)". At this time C.N. Henderson was President and Lauchlan Ross was Secretary. The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904, on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall Prior to the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show these smaller shows were held in the Mechanics' Institute hall.This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century.A rectangular, blue card certificate with yellow cord threaded through two small holes at the top centre. Text is black inside a frame. Details of the award are hand-written.On front - "Donated by her daughter Mrs Ethel Palmer"

The official opening of the Obost Theatre was held on 20th August, 1931, opened by Hon. T. Paterson M.H.R. Thomas Paterson was Minister for Markets and Migration from June 1926 to January 1928. He was elected as the Country Party Member for Gippsland in 1922 and held the seat until he retired in 1943. In January 1928 his portfolio was changed to Minister for Markets and in December of that year it was again changed to Minister for Markets and Transport. Nance Gilbert was the sister of Mary Gilbert, Orbost teacher and historian. Nance Jenning was a professional golfer, daughter of Jonathon Gilbert and Annie Cameron.This item is reflective of local community events in the first half of the 20th century.A white, rectangular paper program with blak ink. It is for the official opening of the "Orbost Theatre".On front - "Nance Gilbert - Aged 6 years"orbost-theatre-program paterson-thomas

This is Certificate No. 5293 and certifies that Maurice Clifford has been educated up to the standard of education required by "The Education Act 1890." It is dated at Briagolong on 26th November, 1894. Briagolong Primary School was established in 1875 when the town of Briagolong came into being. Maurice William Clifford was a farmer in Briagolong. He was killed in action at Ypres, Belgium on 4 October, 1917. Having served in the 10th Australian Light Horse, Citizen Military Forces, he enlisted on 22 February 1916 as a private in 37th Battalion D Company.The 1890 Act called for all children in Victoria between the ages of 6 and 13 to attend school forty days in each quarter of a year. Section 13 of the Act states that “Two hours before noon on any two days or two hours after noon on any two days” is deemed to be equal to one day's attendance. One of the reasons for exemption from compulsory attendance was if the child lived more than two miles from a school (or two and a half miles if aged 9 or over). If a student had reached a sufficient level of education an exemption could be granted.A white paper certificate with black print. It is issued by the Victorian Education Department for the exemption from compulsory attendance for Maurice Clifford. The certificate is printed with hand-written details.education clifford-maurice-william

This ticket was for a grand ball to celebrate the second anniversary of the Loyal Orbost M.U.I.O.O.F. Lodge. It was held in the Mechanics Institute hall on Friday 20th July, 1888. The cost of a single ticket was 5/-. The secretary of the lodge was John Rowe, the first teacher of the state school in Orbost. From the estate of Elsie Cooke. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref Mary Gilbert) Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (MUIOOF) had its origins in Manchester, England. It was established in Melbourne on 7 December 1840 when Augustus Greeves, a member of the MUIOOF in England, migrated to Australia and formed the first friendly society. In 1840 Manchester Unity IOOF was founded in Victoria. Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A small white rectangular paper ticket with black print. It is for the Loyal Orbost Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. Grand Ball.front - "Dancing to Commence at 8pm."public-event-orbost document-ticket m.u.i.o.o.f

This concert was held in the Mechanics' Institute on Friday, October 16th, 1891 commencing at 8pm. A dance was held after the concert. The secretary at that time was J. McNair. 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 Hall From the estate of Elsie Cooke. Elsie Cooke was a librarian in Orbost for many years. She was the daughter of John Cooke early Brodribb settler. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref. Mary Gilbert)The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.An orange, paper program with black print. The program and details are inside a black frame. It is for a concert in aid of the Orbost Brass Band.At the top handwritten in black pen is" Donated by Mrs Elsie Cooke".orbost-brass-band-programme cooke-elsie

This event was held on 12th January, 1916 and was held at the Mechanics' Hall. F.A. Nixon was the Shire President. The toast list included toasts to the king, the commonwealth and state parliaments as well as to the pioneers and old soldiers of East Gippsland.This item reflects an event held in Orbost in the early 20th century.A small white menu with black print. On the front are the details of the event, a state parliamentary party dinner with the Orbost Shire emblem at the top. On the back is the menu and the toast list.menu shire-orbost parliamentary-dinner

This certificate was issued on January 30, 1903 to Captain Alan Richardson by the Marine Board of Victoria entitling her to carry 25 passengers and only 10 passengers when engaged in towage service. Two children under 12 years of age to be reckoned as one passenger. The penalty of 20 pounds would be levied if these limits were exceeded. the certificate was valid until 21st July 1903. The original Paddle Steamer Curlip was built by Sam Richardson and his sons Mark, Albert and Frank, at their sawmill at Tabbara, a pioneering settlement on the Brodribb River, a tributary of the Snowy River. Curlip's keel was laid on 14th October 1889 and PS Curlip was launched in 1890. The Paddle Steamer Curlip was designed to travel up and down the Snowy and Brodribb Rivers with essential supplies from coastal ketches and schooners, that plied their trade up and down the coast between Melbourne, Sydney and Tasmania. The Curlip regularly towed one or two barges and up to five barges loaded with local farming produce and timber for the thriving cities, that was loaded offshore or in the Snowy River estuary, tide and depth permitting, on to the trading vessels.This item is associated with the P.S. Curlip and the Richardson family, early Orbost pioneers.A paper passenger certificate for a river steam ship.Details are handwritten in black and red ink.curlip-p.s. certificate-passenger richardson

This Elector's Right Certificate, No. 206179, is for Samuel Richardson, a sawyer, who lived at Bullarook in the Ballarat East Division. It has been signed by W. Cantwell, the registrar and by Samuel Richardson. As a resident and a male he was entitled to vote in the Ballarat East Division at Victorian State elections. Samuel Richardson was a sawmiller and farmer in Orbost. He built The Curlip, a wooden paddle-steamer of 9 tons gross and dimensions of 43 feet long, 10 feet wide and a depth of 3 feet, on the slipway at their Tabarra sawmill in 1890. This item is associated with the Richardson family, early Orbost pioneers,A white paper certificate with black print and hand-written details. at the top is the British coat-of-arms. It is an elector's right certificate made out to Samuel richardson.suffrage richardson-samuel elector's-right-certificate

This message concerned the P.S. Curlip's entry to the Snowy River Lakes Entrance. It was logged at 2:45 and received at 2:47.This item is associated with the P.S. Curlip and the Richardson family, early Orbost pioneers.A white paper telegram with blue print and details hand-written in black ink. It has been sent fro Orbost to "Allen Richardson Marlo". The handwritten message is difficult to decipher."You may enter - engine driver Curlip within two miles outside Entrance Snowy River."telegram-richardson-curlip communications-19th-century

The Stormbird was built in Southport Tasmania in 1874 and was originally a steamer registered in Hobart. 1876. It was re-registered many times with different owners: William Fergusson & S.Reeves, reg. Port Adelaide; 1878: G.McKay, C.Heath & J.Yeo; 1883: G.S.Simmonds. It made regular voyages from Port Victoria. In 1893 on November14 Stormbird sank at her wharf, near Honey Street, after being struck by the Tenterden. It was raised (29 Nov) & repaired.In 1902. It was registered to A.Le Messurier. In 1904 it was registered to J.& A.Tainsh. This certificate is the record of registration for George Tainsh, a master mariner, Alice Thompson, a widow and John Tainsh, master mariner. 1922. The Stormbird was eventually lost on a voyage Madang to Wewak with the loss of two lives. This was after 1968. It had been changed to a sailing ship with an auxiliary engine in 1938.This certificate is a useful research tool and is a valuable source of information on maritime history.A small, blue folder containing a certificate of British Registry for the ship "Stormbird". Black text with additional hand-written details in red added in 1938. The certificate gives details of size, tonnage and engine. The owners are listed and it is dated 24th May, 1922 and signed by the Registrar of Shipping, Ernest Hall.stormbird-registration tainsh

This is a certificate of indenture, a legal agreement, between George Beattie of Forest Creek, near Castlemaine in the colony of Victoria, and Peter Christian Smith of the same place. Both were miners. Beattie was the vendor and Smith paid twenty-five pounds for a land parcel. The contract was witnessed by John Hedderwick, a law clerk in Castlemaine. There is a record in the Mount Alexander Mail, dated Wed. 22 April 1857, of George Beattie purchasing land for three pounds, sixteen and sixpence in Castlemaine and that it was withdrawn. Records also show that a Peter and Thomas Smith farmed in Sandon near Castlemaine.This item is a useful research tool as it a hand-written record of part of the history of the gold fields region of Victoria.A white paper certificate of conveyance with black print and hand-written details from George Beattie to Peter Smith. There is a wax seal on the second page.beattie-george smith-peter-christian castlemaine-certificate-conveyance

From the THE LAND ACT 1884.-REGULATIONS: "Any person duly licensed under section 93 of The Land Act 1884 to cut and take away any live or dead timber on Crown lands, and any person specially licensed in that behalf by the Governor in Council, may at all times enter upon the said land and therefrom cut and take away live or dead timber. "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.A white paper licence certificate No. 182 made out to Samuel Richardson & Son for the purpose of a Saw Mill. It was to cost ten pounds per annum. Print is black and details are hand-written.richardson-samuel certificate-lands-sawmill

"The theatre itself was located in a barn close to the village pond. Its location is indicated on the attached 1827 map of Hampton Wick and the Swan arrowed where tickets were to be had. The picture of Ye Swan around 1900 is probably not too dissimilar to how it would have looked in 1797. One of the regular patrons at the theatre is believed to have been William, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV, uncle of Queen Victoria). The Duke lived in Bushy House about a mile away from the village and was a known devotee of theatrical entertainments. The theatre had disappeared by 1865. It would have been a touring company who were playing on the night of 3 October 1797." ( information from Ray Elmitt, historian of Hampton Wick ) The doors were to be opened at 6 to begin precisely at 7 o'clock,. Boxes were 3 shillings, Pit seats were 2 shillings and seats in the gallery were 1 shilling. Tickets could be bought at the printing office in Kingston or from Mr Ansel of Adam and Eve in Kingston or from Mr Pattenden of the Swan in Hampton Wick. "First Love" is a 1795 sentimental comedy play by the British playwright Richard Cumberland. It was first performed at the Drury Lane Theatre in May 1795. Frederick Mowbray becomes the protector of Sabrina Rosny after her abandoment by Lord Sensitive. The Agreeable Surprise is a 1781 comic opera to music by Samuel Arnold and a libretto by John O'Keeffe. The work in two acts was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket (London), on 3 September 1781. It was one of the most performed works of its kind in London in the last quarter of the 18th century. In England the 18th century saw the flourishing of theatre as a popular pastime. Many theatres were enlarged and new playhouses built in London and the provinces. This item was kept as a souvenir / memento and brought to Australia by an early settler.A very old program from the Richmond Company at the Theatre Hampton-Wick. It is white with black print. There are two performances - First Love and The Agreeable Surprise. There is a cast list for each. theatre hampton-wick-richmond-company

Charles Todd was one of the pioneers of meteorology in Australasia. Sir Charles Todd (1826-1910) was an astronomer, meteorologist and electrical engineer. Much of the history of astronomy, meteorology and telegraphs in South Australia is contained in his reports to parliament between 1856 and 1900.This is a useful research tool.A large sheet of lined card with a printed alphabetical list of South Australian towns and hand-written details of wind direction and force. Beside each is a remark.meteorology-records-south-australia todd-charles

The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. A rail motor which was used from 1924 – 1935, had the appearance of a motor bus on wheels. In October 1926 the rail motor service introduced from Bairnsdale to Orbost in May 1924 was in danger of being abandoned. The Victorian Railways Commissioners stated that patronage had not been satisfactory despite a one and a half hours reduction in the travel time.This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost.A small cardboard first class train ticket - buff coloured with black print. It is from Bairnsdale to Orbost.orbost-bairnsdale-railway transport railway