Portrait of a man against a dark background (green-brown and black). He is wearing formal attire: a black suit, black waistcoat, a white shirt with small brass (?) buttons and a narrow black cravat. His hair is dark blond and parted on the left. His sideburns are of a more reddish shade and reach to his jawline. Only upper torso visible. Original frame: ornate gold-painted wooden frame.Front: (no inscriptions) Back: Framers label - (Isaac Whitehead Collins St Melbourne) Conservation Centre, Melbourne label.

Bereavement card for GHS member Brian Roberts 1927-2022, with personal note on reverse from his widow June.Bereavement card, black text and image.Personal note on reverse.brian roberts, june roberts, roberts family

Framed portrait of John Moule who was President of the Vision Australia Foundation, from 1992-1999. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Moule is standing with his arm on a dresser, and holds a pair of glasses. He is dressed in a navy blue suit, with a blue kercheif in his breast pocket,, a white collared shirt and a blue, white and black striped tie. On his lapel is a small gold badge. The plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr John A. Moule AM / President 1992-1999 / Vision Australia Foundation'. 1 art original in old gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr John A. Moule AM / President 1992-1999 / Vision Australia Foundation'.vision australia, john moule

Patrick Ryan married 'Ellie' Forrester of Towaninnie in 1918 at Inglewood Vic. 'Ellie' daughter of Richard & Ellen Forrester (nee Dauber) of Towaninnie Vic. This photo depicts the more sombre dress worn for weddings during the war years.Studio portrait of Elizabeth Helena Forrester 'Ellie', bride is wearing a two piece ankle length suit, court shoes and carrying a large bouquet of flowers with trailing ribbons. Organdie lace trimmed blouse fastened with a brooch, a smart brimmed hat and necklace completed the elegant ensemble. Patrick Ryan groom, single breasted suit with waistcoat, white bow tie and gloves, button hole and lace up boots.Right hand corner - on embossed card mount "Richards & Co Ballarat". Reverse - "For Auntie Ellen with love Ellie & Pat" hat, studio portrait, forrester, wedding, 1918, bouquet, bride, groom, two piece tailored suit, single breasted suit waistcoat, towaninnie

Issued to Frederick Gardner DAVEY DFC permitting his return to work at Hume & Iser, Bendigo. Item re Frederick Gardner DAVEY DFC No 410533 RAAF. Refer Reg No 3536P for his service details.Proforma, cream, with black type print front / back. Personal details handwritten in black ink. Card folded in two.Handwritten in black ink front / back: Personal details Date stamped in purple: 24 SEP 1945employment return, wars end, individual

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

A b/w photo of a portrait of a gentleman wearing a stiff collar and large tie. Unmounted.Written on back in biro: Photo of a portrait of / David Brodie of / "Harpsdale" / Yuroke. / Portrait probably painted around 1860.brodie, david, harpsdale, yuroke, clothing and dress, 1860s, george evans collection

One of a series of annual Resident Medical Officer (RMO) portrait photograph groups that used to hang in the RMO quarters in the old Boiler Room building. Black and white image. Grey background has nine oval photographic portraits arranged across it with the title in white at the bottom. Each portrait has the person's name printed in white beneath it.Resident Medical Officers / St. Vincent's Hospital / 1935. The named portraits from left to right are: Dr. E.A. Briglia, Dr. J.J.M. Kenny, Dr. F.G. Prendergast / Dr. A.R. Kelly, Dr. J. Horan, Dr. A.J. Carroll / Dr. S.J. O'Loughlin, Dr. L.A. Hardy, Dr. J.F.Cadest vincent's hospital melbourne, hospital staff, portraits, resident medical officers

Head and shoulders portrait painting of a man. The man has receding grey hair, and is wearing a blue shirt and brown top, and is painted on a black background. The number '20' is handwritten on both sides of the wooden frame on the back of the artwork. The number '18' is handwritten on both the top and bottom edges of the wooden frame on the back of the artwork. Bottom right hand corner of the frame is printed with the text 'BLARNEY STRETCHERS' and a phone number. Left hand side of frame is printed with the text 'BLARNEY LINEN and STRETCHERS' on upper section, and 'BLARNEY LINEN and' at bottom corner.

Alan Martin studied under Max Meldrum, at the National Gallery School and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He later established his own art school. He has won several prizes and is represented in several provincial collections. Alan Marshall was the author of more than fifteen books, and lived much of his life in Eltham. He became a central figure in the area's arts community of writers, artists, sculptors, film makers, actors and musicians. He contracted polio when he was young is considered one of Australia's most successful and loved authors. His most famous book, 'I Can Jump Puddles' is based on his life story and the obstacles he faced as a child in trying to overcome his disability. The portrait of Alan Marshall was exhibited as a finalist at the 1956 Archibald Prize.

Framed portrait of Malcolm Daubney who was President of Vision Australia Foundation 1999-2002. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB/VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Daubney wears a navy suit, pale blue shirt and navy blue Kiwi tie. Mr Malcolm Daubney has worked closely with blind and vision impaired people for many years. In the 1980s Mr Daubney was “volunteered” by John Wicking to the Vision Australia’s Kooyong Committee. Shortly after his appointment he was posted to Singapore for business, where he served on the committee of the Singapore Association for the Blind for five years. Upon his return he rejoined the Kooyong Branch Committee. Later he was appointed to the Vision Australia Board of which he was President from 1999 to 2002, and then Chief Executive Officer from 2002-2005.1 art original in old gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr Malcolm Daubney / President 1999-2002 / Vision Australia Foundation'.vision australia, malcolm daubney

The photo was taken in 1990 at the official opening of Pacific Maltings in Gregory Street West, Ballarat by Premier of Victoria the Hon. John Cain. Group portraits of 14 men on a footpath next to a brick building. Most of the group are brewing students at Ballarat University College. I. Kerr (Brewing Student) R. Vickers (Brewing Student) G. Vincent (Brewing Student) S. Page (Brewing Student) G. Hughes (Brewing Student) S.T. Williams (Brewing Student) T. Gaffney (Brewing Student) Neville Gower (Lecturer in Brewing ) G. Fox (Brewing Student) Premier John Cain I. Richardson (Lecturer in Brewing) L. Cormie (Brewing Student) P. Vawdrey (Brewing Student) J. Armstrong (Brewing Student)i kerr, r. vickers, g. vincent, s. page, g. hughes, s.t. williamst. gaffney, neville gower, g. fox, premier john cain, i. richardson, l. cormie, p. vawdrey, j. armstrong, pacific maltings, s.t. williams, t. gaffney

Personal notice on the birth of Justin James Ayer, 1970. He is the son of Robyn [nee Partington - Jack her Father] and John Ayre.Digital copy of newspaper personal notice.justin james ayer, partington family

Group Portrait of Stawell Fire Brigade Members in Uniform 1920-1926 BACK ROW: L-R W. STEWART, N. FRASER, H. GRAY, J MADDOCKS (EX. CAPT), ????? SECOND ROW: L-R S.. ROSS,, R. HUGHES , T. DADSWELL, ?, ABRAHAMS , W. COLLINS, ?????? , A. OLIVER (EX. Capt.) THIRD ROW: L-R W. WILLIAMS, W. JONES , W. THOMLINSON , W. RICKARD, R. BROWN, J. BROWN (EX. Capt.) ,T. GOODSON, T. REA . E. GRAY (EX. Capt) , W. EARLE FOURTH ROW: L-R M. CHELLEW, J.H. CLARKE , I. COOK , ???????????? , ??????????????? G. BARNES , W. A. WHITEHEAD , T.S. MARSHALL (Chief Officer) FRONT ROW: L-R JOHN MARTIN , E. CLOUGH (EX. Capt), R. K. CHAPMAN (EX. Capt) , J. NEYLAN (Capt.) , H.H CHAPMAN, P. LEDGAR (EX. Capt), F. CROUCH *NEYLAN was in the brigade from 1922 to 1926Black & white photograph of a large group of men. Some are dressed in uniform.. Large tree, and other men in the backgroundR.K. Chapman !920's Stawell Fire Brigade with older members. J. Neylan Captain R.K. Chapman Lieutenantstawell

Hardcover w/ Dust Jacketwalsh st library

Soldier in WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force No 5998 Christopher Clark 59th Battalion Born in StawellChristopher was a WW1 Serviceman from Stawell who returned to Australia Framed Studio Portrait of Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1,59th Battalion Christopher Clark was born in Stawell on 25th December 1892 and was brought up on the family farm in Callawdda and worked in the district and then in Queensland where he obtained an engine drivers licence and drove the sugar trains then worked on the steam boiler engines in the sugar mills. When the First World War started he came back to Stawell and enlisted in the army on 11/4/1916. He was sent to France in the 59th Battalion. He was in the army 1175 days, serving 1029 days abroad. During his service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Details from his daughter Ruth Clark of Ararat December 2017.ww1, serviceman, soldiers, military, stawell

Framed portrait of David Robertson who was the first President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, from 1895-1899. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Robertson sits with his hands resting upon a wooden cane. He is wearing dark spectacles, a gray suit and waistcoat, white shirt with starched collar and pleated front, and a red and blue striped necktie. On his left lapel is a blue and red medal. David Robertson was educated at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind and was trained as a basket maker. He was one of eight foundation members of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now Vision Australia Foundation ) which was formed in 1895 in order to encourage blind people to manage their own affairs and build their self esteem. He was appointed the inaugural president and served as such from 1895 to 1899 and again in 1913 as well as acting as vice president from 1900 to 1902 and in 1911 and 1915. Known as a level headed and wise peacemaker he was elected chairman of the first interstate conference of blind people, which took place in Melbourne in 1913. From this evolved the Federal Council of Organizations of the Blind, which undertook to consider all matters affecting blind people. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'David Robertson / Inaugural President of / Association for Advancement of the Blind'.david robertson, association for the advancement of the blind

Lifeboat equipmentLifeboat equipment userSepia photo of Henry Freeman - lifeboat disaster survivorReverse - " Gift from Henry Reid 6/11/86 - Artboard AB 57 - Frank Meadow Sutcliffe 1853 - 1941 - Henry Freeman - A portrait of Henry Freeman. Lifeboatman for over forty years & sole survivor of the Whitby lifeboat disaster of 1861 in which twelve men were drowned close by the West pier. Henry Freeman was the only one wearing a newly designed Ministry Life Jacket. - Reproduction by courtesy of the Sutcliffe Gallery, Whitby. - Hand finished photographs printed from Sutcliffe's original negative available from The Sutcliffe Gallery, 1 Flowergate, Whitby, Yorks White. Write for details. (c) Camden Graphics Ltd 1977 43 Camden Passage London N1 01-226 2061 ".historical references

This is a coloured formal portrait of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. They are dressed in full royal regalia with crown and tiara. They are standing on a raised step in front of a maroon curtain. On the walls beside the curtain are garlands of flowers and leaves. At the bottom of Portrait is the phrase "Their Majesties, the King and Queen." This portrait is unframed.At the very bottom of portrait is printed - "Printed and Published - by the Argus and Australasian Ltd"'ww2, britain's king and queen

Photo of a portrait by Kim Tarpey of Tracey Naughton. Tracey was Eltham’s first Community Arts Officer. Kim coordinated a couple of drawing groups at the North Riding Living and Learning Centre. This organisation eventually metamorphosed into Living and Learning Nillumbik (Panton Hill). Tracey sat for the portrait group. The work was exhibited at the Community Centre in an exhibition organised for the Eltham Festival. Unfortunately the work went missing later down the track when on loan to an art centre and has not been recovered. Kim Tarpey advised "Tracey Naughton sat for my portrait drawing group at Panton Hill. She had a watch with a print of the Mona Lisa on the dial - so I named it the 'Tracey-Lisa.' The colour of her hair is distorted as it was photographed through glass"Digital file only - scanned from personal photos on loan to EDHSart, community arts officer, eltham community centre, eltham festival, kim tarpey, living and learning nillumbik (panton hill), north riding living and learning centre, portrait of tracey naughton, shire of eltham, tracey naughton

Framed portrait of John Wicking who was President of the Association for the Blind 1973-1984 as well as a generous benefactor. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr. Wicking wears a navy suit, white shirt and navy blue Kiwi tie. He was Managing Director and Chairman of Kiwi International when he was introduced to the Committee in 1971. With a natural air of authority, he was known to be both strong and wise. One of the first hurdles Mr Wicking faced following his election as President in 1973 was understanding the health service system and sorting out the differing views of committee members over recommendations for projects costing hundreds of thousands of dollars with no funds to implement them. The ten years of his Presidency were a time of exceptional growth and expansion. He was instrumental in acquiring an adjacent property to those already owned in Glenferrie Road in 1974 at a cost of $120,000, on which the Low Vision Clinic was erected – the first of its type in Australia. Land was also bought in both the metropolitan and country areas for future expansion. Day care centres were opened in Ballarat and Bendigo and new metropolitan services commenced. Mr Wicking formed a committee to explore the possibility of a radio station people unable to read standard print. As a result 3RPH commenced broadcasting in 1981. After his retirement as President, Mr. Wicking continued as a committee member until 1994. In 1995 he was instrumental in the establishment of the Tilly Aston Heritage Collection, on which he served as Chairman until sadly passing away in 2002. 1 art original in old gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr John O. Wicking AM / President 1973-1984 / Association for the Blind'. association for the blind, john wicking

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF LADY IN VICTORIAN CLOTHING taken in a studio / reverse 'the London Portrait Gallery Bourke Square , DaylesfordLondon Portrait Gallery Bourke Square, Daylesfordphotograph, person, female, 'the london portrait gallery bourke square , daylesford

London, Europe and Dardenelles. Personal recount of boyhood in England to Military service and death.WWII personal recount. Statistics, Maps, Illustrations, Photographs. Letters .An autobiography. " A blessed companion is a book" by Jerrold Inside front pagewwii, whitehall, 8th army, london, el alamein, dardenelles, europe, unity of the west, palestine, germany, russia, high command, german surrender, italy, sicily, normandy, dunkirk, docterine of command, arnhem

Portrait photograph of Rev Thos Evans First Minister at Stawell Baptist Church,Rev. Thos Evans who was the first Minister at Baptist Church. Portrait was once coloured as faint evidence can still be seen on image.ROBERTS & Co. by Special Application Photographers H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh and his Excellency the Governor Royal Studio Corner of Bourke & Elizabeth St. opposite the post office Melbourne. This or any other Portrait can be Enlarged up to Life Size. Copies may be had by sending name & N? " handwritten" Rev. Thos Evans who was first Minister of Church.stawell

Framed portrait of Diana J. Jones who the first female president of the Association for the Blind since Tilly Aston. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mrs Jones sits facing the painter with both hands clasped in her lap. She is wearing a black double breasted blazer, white shirt, blue beaded necklace and earrings and a gold bracelet . A white kerchief sits in her breast pocket. Diana Jones served for 8 years on the General Committee before being elected President. During this time she was deputy chairman of the Reach Out Appeal to raise funds for the building program and President of the Honorary Services Group which co-ordinated volunteers and gave them a spokesperson on the General Committee. In her 8 years as President a great deal was accomplished. New centres were opened or extended throughout Victoria and the Metropolitan area, volunteer services expanded and the Vision Resource Centre at Kooyong was built into which 3RPH radio was relocated. A Vision Information hotline, audiology services and the National Centre for Ageing and Sensory Loss were established, the Braille and Talking Book libraries was incorporated into the Association and the Charlie Bradley Cricket Pavilion opened at Kooyong. In 1990 Diana Jones became a member of the first Board of Directors of the newly incorporated Association for the Blind Ltd which ushered in a new era, requiring strict observance of financial and accounting methods in order to ensure continued Government funding. Mrs Jones was highly regarded by clients, volunteers and staff as a capable hard-working leader. Her services to the Association and over many years to the wider community, were recognised in her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 1993 Queen's Birthday Honours. She passed away in July 2009.1 art original in gold frame The plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Dame Diana J. Jones, AM DSJ / President 1984- 1992 / Association for the Blind'. association for the blind, diana jones

Studio portrait of unidentified male, taken circa 1882. From the Partington collection. [Note: In the Hobart Mercury 11 May 1882, page 3… Portraits: Secure the shadow ere the substance pass away. Persons desiring large life-like portraits; taken from life; or copied from any portrait; and finished in oil or water colours; Indian ink; or any other style known in the art; should go to C. W. and Co.; who are the only artist photographers (portrait painters) in Tasmania. The most perfect and highly finished card portraits. Only 7s. 6d. per dozen. Address: C. WHERRETT and CO. Melbourne Portrait Rooms. Elizabeth-street, Hobart.] Sepia studio portrait.In black pen on reverse "Mrs Partington Kindest regards WRC"partington family

History of the War Memorial Following the end of the First World War, communities across Victoria and Australia typically erected memorials which were predominantly statues, cenotaphs, avenues of honour and plaques. The Shire of Eltham established the Avenue of Honour at the gateway to the shire as well as an obelisk at the corner of Main Road and Bridge street and the Shire of Eltham War Memorial Tower at Kangaroo Ground. After the Second World War communities once again desired to preserve the memories of those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Resources were scarce so there was a transition away from the traditional style memorials that sprang up post 1918 to one of building facilities that would provide ongoing benefit to the community. Even before the end of the Second World War, the citizens of Eltham began to consider an appropriate form of memorial for those from the area who fought and died in the First and Second World Wars. In 1943 the Eltham Women’s Auxiliary raised funds for the construction of buildings to be established on land to be purchased for the proposed War Memorial. On March 27th, 1945, the Eltham District Progress Association called a meeting of local people who in turn set up and registered the Eltham War Memorial Trust Inc. As a focus for the purpose of the memorial, the newspaper notice read:- ‘Those who have had a member of their family in the fighting services will want to see that the form of a memorial we are concerned with is the one which will be a constant reminder to us of those who fought for us and the little ones for whom they fought and died.’ At that meeting it was decided the Memorial should take the form of a baby health centre along with a creche and children’s library. In late 1945, the newly formed Eltham War Memorial Trust purchased the land at 903-907 Main Road Eltham from Miss Shillinglaw, which once formed part of the Shillinglaw farm on Lot 90 of Holloway’s 1851 “Little Eltham” subdivision. The Governor of Victoria, General Sir Dallas Brooks, laid the foundation stone on November 24th, 1950, in memory of those who fell in the Second World War. The Eltham Infant Welfare Centre was opened November 15th, 1952, the Pre-school on December 1st, 1956, and the Children’s Library in 1961. In late 1966 the children’s library service was integrated into the Heideberg Regional Library Service and the building was officially renamed the Eltham War Memorial Hall. Following the opening of the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, work began in 1953 planning for the entrance to the grounds, which is signaled by a wrought iron arch entitled “Eltham War Memorial” . In 1954 the Eltham War Memorial Trust decided that a legacy provided by the late Councillor Ernest James Andrew (d. 29 March 1950) in memory of his wife, Mrs. Ellen Andrew (d. 13 July 1946) and who are both buried at Eltham Cemetery, should be used to fund the construction of the entrance. A metal plate inscribed to this effect was attached to the gates. Work on the Memorial Gardens was undertaken throughout the following decade, with a Memorial Forecourt included in the final 1956 plans for the Pre-School Centre. A quote was accepted by the Trust in 1963 for the implementation of a memorial garden, which included grading of a sixty-five foot strip at the rear of the Trust buildings and construction of concrete paths. The stone retaining walls at the front of the site were installed in 1968 when Main Road was widened and it is believed that the Memorial Gates were relocated at that time also. Eltham Senior Citizens Centre In 1964, Eltham Shire Council purchased a section of land from the Trust at the northern end of the site, as a provision for Country Fire Authority buildings. At the same time the Elderly Citizens Club proposed a Senior Citizens Centre on the south western section of the Trust’s property. This was approved by the Trust with the provision that the building was constructed in ‘accord’ with those already existing. In 1965 Council took on board the plans for the Senior Citizens Centre and applied for a government grant. These could only be awarded if Council owned the site. In 1962 the Trust had resolved to hand over the assets to Council once the Memorial Gardens were completed. This was in line with Health Department requirements that grants for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the three facilities would only be made once the the facilities were completed and handed over to Council. In 1965 the Department of Health further demanded substantial alterations to the Pre-School playground as a result of the pending impact of the planned Senior Citizens Centre and Main Road duplication. As a consequence, handover of the Trust’s assets to Council was initiated with a formal ceremony held in the Children’s Library on August 28th, 1965. The Trust continued on as a committee of management for another twelve months. Plans and specifications for the Senior Citizens Centre were prepared by March 1966. Council obtained a grant from the Government which covered one third of the cost and the building was completed by April 1967. Whilst the Senior Citizens Centre is contained within the original Eltham War Memorial building precinct, it was not part of the original Memorial and was not funded by the Eltham War Memorial Trust.16 pages 18.5 x 12.3 cm, double stapled; three copies. 1,000 copies distributed 1953-54 Copy marked '1954' in red pencil from personal papers of Stanley Simpson Addison M.B.E.Copy marked '1954' in red pencil from personal papers of Stanley Simpson Addison M.B.E.eltham children's library, eltham infant welfare centre, eltham pre-school, eltham war memorial hall, eltham war memorial trust, stanley s addison collection, women's auxiliary

Framed portrait of Thomas Marks who was President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind 1900, 1935-1937. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Marks sits at a table, wearing black tails and pants, a white pleated dinner shirt and black evening dress bow-tie. One hand rests next to a cup and saucer, the other rests on his lap. Tom Marks was educated at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. He was a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now Vision Australia) at its establishment in 1895. He went on to serve as President of organisation in 1900 and was later appointed as a part time paid secretary – an office he occupied from 1904 to 1927. He again served as President from 1935 to 1937 during which time he celebrated his 80th birthday. As the living conditions of many blind people were deplorable at this time – they were often confined to a room or shed without any social contacts – it was realized that support for blind persons was needed to serve as a refuge for the oppressed, a home for the indigent, a rest home for the sick and a convalescent home to provide both respite care and permanent accommodation. Mr Marks had a reputiation of having good contacts and being able to use people with more knowledge than himself. An able musician, Tom Marks was often employed in the homes of wealthy families. As a result he met Mr and Mrs Grimwade who were already supporters of Vision Australia. They organized a gymkhana to raise money for the nucleus of a building fund. From this time Tom Marks was involved in the finances of the centres at Brighton, Ballarat and Bendigo, which were the ultimate result of the fund. He was also part of a team that negotiated the financial agreement between the RVIB and Vision Australia over fund raising and the allocation of money, which lasted from 1930 to 1939. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr Thomas Marks / President 1900, 1935-1937/ Association for Advancement of the Blind'. association for the advancement of the blind, thomas marks

Framed portrait of George Maxwell who was President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind 1920-1935. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Maxwell is turned slightly away from the viewer, and wears a blue suit, white high collared shirt and a blue tie. George Maxwell was President of Vision Australia from 1920 to 1935. After an early teaching career he studied law, was admitted to the Bar and became one of Victoria’s great criminal lawyers and later a Federal Member of Parliament. He took an interest the welfare of blind people from his student days. A detached retina in 1920 led to total blindness nine years later, which gave him a great empathy for those with a similar affliction. Through his contacts he was also instrumental in obtaining the first voting rights for blind Australians. Up until 1902 blind people were unable to vote if they couldn’t write with a pen. George Maxwell was working at that time at the legal firm of Strongman and Crouch one of the partners, Mr. Crouch, was elected as a member of Parliament. When the Commonwealth Electoral Bill was being drafted, Mr. Crouch has a clause added enabling blind people to vote in Federal elections, constituting a world first. But perhaps his greatest achievement was obtaining the pension for legally blind people. Until 1910 only those who met the age and means test criteria were eligible. With the help of his legal and political friends a bill was passed which granted the pension to all persons over 16 years of age who were unable to work due to physical disability or blindness. Until this time these people had to be supported by their families or go to a benevolent institution. This was a world first and gave to blind and vision impaired people a measure of independence which increased both their self reliance and self esteem. 1 art original in gold/brown frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Honourable George A Maxwell Q.C. / President 1920-1935 / Association for Advancement of the Blind'.association for the advancement of the blind, george maxwell