Designed to create an impression on paper, the stylus allows users to create Braille through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. Used in combination with a slate to guide placement, this was the primary source of Braille books in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century before Braille typewriters were commonly used. In this example the handle is made of plastic and it has a metal tip.1 plastic stylus with metal tipbraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Various letters written to Mrs P Amery of 11 Maury Road, Chelsea during her role as the Honorary Secretary for the Chelsea RVIB Auxiliary. Correspondence between Head Office and the Auxiliaries (who provided a lifeline of donations) was a crucial way to maintaining a good relationship, providing support and acknowledgement for the hard work undertaken by volunteers. A summary of these letters is listed below: 1939 - Appreciation for holding the role as Honorary Secretary. 1941 - Congratulations on appointment as secretary to the RVIB Chelsea Auxiliary. 1944 - Congratulations on re-election as Honorary Secretary 1952 - Acknowledgement of unselfish and valued service upon her retirement of the Secretary role. 1954 - Acknowledgement of service upon her retirement on behalf of the President and Committee members of the Chelsea auxiliary5 letters from the RVIB to Mrs P AmeryVarious illustrations based upon the letterhead used at the timeroyal victorian institute for the blind, p. amery, auxiliaries

Letter offering congratulations and future success to the RVIB on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Melbourne on the occasion of the RVIB's 125th anniversary in 1991. Signed by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Richard Wynne.1 letter from the Melbourne Lord MayorSeal of the Lord Mayor Melbourne, with two ribbons, is affixed to the bottom right hand corner The Crest of the Melbourne Lord Mayor's Office in the top centre of the page.royal victorian institute for the blind, richard wynne

Certificate reads "Disability Friendly Recognition Program. RVIB Employment Services is acknowledged as disability friendly." Signed by the CEO, Diversity@Work (illegible), dated 27th November, 2002.1 certificate with blue edging on left sideroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Certificate reads "In appreciation. This certificate is awarded to RVIB Technical and Training Services in appreciation of your participation in the work experience programme." Signed by the Career Adviser A. M. Crowe, and Principal J. M. Lamb, dated 26th July, 2001. Certificate has an ornate gold border, and features the school crest at the top.1 certificate with gold and black printroyal victorian institute for the blind, our lady of the sacred heart college

Schedule lists the 12 site addresses of RVIB offices included under the Certificate of of Quality Assurance Registration QEC12897. 1 A4 sized certificate with stamproyal victorian institute for the blind, registration

Schedule lists the 11 site addresses of RVIB offices included under the Certificate of of Quality Assurance Registration QEC12897. 1 certificate with black writingroyal victorian institute for the blind, registration

Certificate reads "Certificate of Registration. RVIB Enterprises, 201 High Street, Prahran, VIC 3181 Australia complies with the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems Requirements for the following capability: This registration covers the Quality Management System for the provision of case management, production, resources, and support services including education, course development and provision of training, rehabilitation, employment, technology, information and fundraising for people who are blind or vision impaired. The registration also includes the provision of commercial products and services through RVIB Enterprises." Signed: Alex Ezrakhovich, General Manager Certification. Certificate #: QEC12897/002. Issue Date: 1st April 2003. Certified Date: 29th December 1999. Expiry Date 19th March 2006.1 certificate with black writingroyal victorian institute for the blind, registration

A wooden device that appears to have been used in a workshop. This device has a rotating pointer, hence it may have been used for balancing, measuring or alignment at the RVIB workshop.1 wooden board with metal attachmentassistive devices, royal victorian institute for the blind

This kit was designed to help children understand about Braille through a series of activities and exercises. It consisted of 2 books and a plastic ruler (which is missing). Learn about Braille book - which provided a brief history of Braille, how it is used, alphabet, numbers and introduction to Grade 2. The Bee Book - a print Braille book where children can feel the words and the diagrams.1 plastic case with 2 booksLearn about Braille kit RVIB logo Image of Bee Braille (printed)royal victorian institute for the blind, education

Saw used in the RVIB workshop. It has wide teeth on one edge and narrower teeth on the opposite side of the blade. The handle is made of resin with three rivets holding the handle to the blade.1 metal saw with wooden handle and dual bladesroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Rectangular box of matches sold at Carols by Candlelight. White box with blue lighthouse logo on one side, with the words in blue lettering 'Please Support', and on the reverse side in black lettering 'Happy Christmas to your Family' with the Coles Myer Ltd. logo in red and blue.1 box of red headed matchesPlease support Royal Victorian Institute for the Blindcarols by candlelight, fundraising

Poster advertising the need to get immunised for Rubella, a cause of deafness. Space donated by the Royal Victorian Instituted for the Blind. Notes the Deafness foundation. Used on a Melbourne tram.trams, tramways, advertisements, posters

Royal Blind Entertainers, Town Hall, Bendigo Wednesday and Thursday 3rd-4th, 1938. The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind presents a programme from the following: The Famous Royal Blind Orchestra. Jack Stewart, Ern Pike, Gordon Girdwood, Harry Keegan, Jack Byrns, J. H. Croker, Will Rule, Terry Scanlon, F. Sutcliffe.entertainment, theatre, town hall

A tube sent from the University of Melbourne transporting Hugh Jeffrey's university diploma. It is addressed to The Principal, Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, St Kilda Road Prahran.1 cardboard tube with address handwrittenhugh jeffrey, awards

Richard Sutcliffe played saxophone with the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Orchestra. He was the arranger for the Orchestra and would re-work popular tunes into Braille copies for the other members. He also performed on radio with his saxophone quintet.B/W image of a saxophone playerdick sutcliffe, rvib orchestra

Rectangular box of matches sold at Carols by Candlelight. White box with 'Carols by Candlelight 1990' in blue lettering, with a Hungry Jacks logo in the centre. On the reverse side, also in blue lettering, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Carols by Candlelight 1990'.1 box of white headed matchesCarols by Candelight 1990 Hungry Jacks logocarols by candlelight, fundraising

Travelling entertainment has been one popular way that charities have been able to raise revenue over the past 170 years. The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind toured regional Victoria regularly to help raise awareness, showcase their talents and fundraise to provide care and education for vision impaired men, women and children. Double sided printed ticket for a concert in the Bendigo Town Hall featuring blind artists and dancers from the Royal Institute of the Blind.Obverse; Under the Patronage of the Mayor and Mayoress (Cr, and Mrs J. A. Michelson) and / Councillors of the City of Bendigo / 30 Blind Artists !! / FIRST APPEARANCE IN BENDIGO of The Famous Orchestra and / Concert Party of Blind Artsits and Blind Children Dancers from the / ROYAL VISTORIAN INSTITUTE for the BLIND, / (ST KILDA ROAD MELBOURNE) / WILL GIVE THEIR / FIRST BENDIGO ENTERTAINMENT / IN THE BENDIGO TOWN HALL, / on TUESDAY, MARCH 22nd, 1927, at 8PM / His worship the Mayor will Preside / Tickets 2/- box plan at the Premier Piano Company from March 14th. / PROCEEDS IN AID OF INSTITUTE S.W Hedger, Superintendent and Secretarymayor and mayoress michelson, vision australia, city of bendigo town hall, city of greater bendigo community partnerships, city of greater bendigo events

In this scanned image used in the 1888 and 1889 RVIB annual reports, the RVIB Brass Band holds their instruments at the ready. This 12 piece band was made up of blind students and workers, and had two drummers holding the beat for 10 brass instruments. The Brass Band stands outside the front doors of what was then the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind building at St Kilda Road.B/W scanned image of the Brass Band of the RVIBrvib orchestra, fundraising

The Eureka A4 was invented in Melbourne by Milan Hudacek, and designed to capitalise on the growth of IBM PCs. It attached to the PC and allowed blind and vision impaired people to utilise screen orientated programs. It had a sockets for telephone lines, a Braille keyboard, an inbuilt disk drive, speed and volume controls as as well outlets for data ports and headphones. The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (now a part of Vision Australia) received both the Eureka Award and the Qantas Rolls Royce Award in 1990 for its participation in the development and promotion of the Eureka A4 computer. It was the first computer of its kind, designed specifically for people who are blind or vision impaired.1 black rectangular box with grey and orange keys with advertising leafletSerial no: 1897braille equipment, assistive devices, milan hudacek

John Richard “Jack’ Stevenson John Richard Stevenson was born in Bendigo in 1886 and moved to Albury as a child. He later moved to Wodonga where he established a carrier’s business in the 1920s. As a young man he was involved in bands in Albury and Wodonga. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Wodonga for over 40 years. John was also made a life member of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. In his later years, John’s main interest was lawn bowls. He was a foundation member of the Wodonga Bowling Club. In 1956 John was recognised as the Club’s first Life Member. He was for some time the greenkeeper and a trustee of the club but retired from that position in 1956. As a member of the Club, John served as secretary for 11 consecutive years from 1937 to 1948 and was club champion for 4 years in 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1943. John passed away in Wodonga on 24th September 1964.This Badge was presented to member of the Wodonga community who was a businessman and active member of several organisations.A badge issued to their first life member by the Wodonga Bowling Club. The badge is coated in enamel in white, blue and gold. It is attached by a short chain to a bar and pin to allow it to be attached to a lapel.On front: PRESENTED TO/ 1955/ LIFE MEMBER." Around the lower edge: "WODONGA BOWLING CLUB" On reverse " JACK STEPHENSON/FIRST/LIFE MEMBER"wodonga bowling club, john richard stevenson, sport and recreation wodonga

Set of 13 different pre decimal and decimal MMTB tram tickets. All numbers in black ink, printed on off white paper unless noted otherwise. Two various sizes. .1 - 10d - black printing on red paper - Bj859105 .2 - 10c - brown ink, with Red P and diagonal stripe in red - A508245. .3 - 20c - blue ink, with Red P and diagonal stripe in red - B244641. .4 - 1/- - black ink on brown paper - Af243147. .5 - 1/9 - black ink on blue paper - Ay707793. .6 - 1/10 - black ink on green paper - Aa898467. .7 - 1/6 - black ink on yellow paper - Yo529926 - with a Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind advert on rear. .8 - 2/2 - black ink on grey paper - Ad032677 .9 - 7d / 6c - multiple currency ticket - black on orange paper - An523030. .10 - 4d - green - Ab426372 .11 - 7d / 6c - multiple currency ticket - black on off white paper, over stamped "City Section" - An596491 .12 - 6d - red - Ng965785. .13 - 7d - blue over stamped "City Section: - Ab688270trams, tramways, mmtb, tickets, concession fares

In 1980 the John Wilson Award was given to Elizabeth Inez Lindsey. The citation reads: The Committee, Blind Members and Staff of the Association for the Blind pay tribute to, and record for posterity, the sustained love and devotion of Elizabeth Inez Lindsey to the blind children entrusted to her care between 1935-1945 as the first Matron of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Nursery, and her continuing influence for good in their lives hereafter. In particular, at his request, we recall her greatness of heart in applying for the guardianship of Barry Farnsworth, despite his serious disability, and her acceptance of him into her own home where she lavished affection and cared for him physically, mentally and spiritually as long as she was able and thereafter to this day continued faithfully and unwaveringly to serve and protect his interests. We present our respects to Sister Lindsey who has consistently reflected, in and through her life of service, enduring love and compassion and now honour her in the presentation of the John Wilson Award. 1 A3 cream page in gold frameassociation for the blind, elizabeth lindsey

At the top of the shield is a Lions International symbol consisting of two lions heads facing outwards either side of the words 'Lions International' and the letter 'L' in between them. At the base of the shield is a blue and gold coloured badge, consisting of two rifles crossed in front of the RVIB lighthouse, with the words 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Rifle Club' around the outside. Between the two symbols is engraved "In memory of the late George Glover Past President-Lions Club of Bennettswood - Patron and Life Member of the R.V.I.B. Rifle Club. George developed and donated equipment in order that the blind may enjoy rifle shooting and compete with others. His work done will continue to serve." In the 1960's, the RVIB approached engineer George Glover to produce equipment to allow blind people to shoot, based upon that made available at St Dunstan's Hospital in the UK. The rifle range opened in February 1966 at the rear of St Kilda Road with 30 members, and soon became involved in matches with sighted rifle clubs in the area. Passionate about the sport, Mr Glover continued work and supporting the club until his death in 1977.1 wooden shield with engraved silver plategeorge glover, rvib rifle club

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

This cricket ball is made of cane wicker and was used in cricket games with visually impaired players by people who lived or were educated at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind from the 1920's through till 1972. It is a circular shape made of plaited strips of woven natural cane and is lighter than a conventional cricket ball. The hollow center of the ball contains pieces of twisted metal pieces which rattle as the ball is moved to aid players in tracking the ball's movement. The stumps also had bells attached so fielders knew when the batsman was out. Blind cricket was invented in Melbourne in 1922 when two blind factory workers started playing a game using a tin can containing rocks. The game soon gained popularity and the Victorian Blind Cricketers' Association was formed. Mr William Paterson, a volunteer worker and advocate for blind people for over 60 years, was instrumental in acquiring and developing the sports ground and clubhouse in Glenferrie Road Kooyong, Victoria on behalf of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now called Vision Australia). In 1928 play began on the world's first sports ground for blind cricketers, in the first official blind cricket match. Blind cricket is now played internationally. This particular cricket ball was awarded to William Paterson Esq in 1928 in recognition of his support in establishing the world's first blind cricket ground in Kooyong. On the front of this ball is attached a small metal crest with an inscription: 'Presented to W.H. Paterson, Esq as a token of esteem for his interest in Blind cricket being the first ball bowled on the cricket ground for Blind Kooyong 7. 4.28'.1 wicker cricket ball with metal shield attached and metal bells in the hollow centre'Presented to W.H. Paterson, Esq / as a token of esteem for his/ interest in Blind cricket/ being the first ball bowled /on the cricket /ground for Blind /Kooyong / 7. 4.28'. recreation equipment, awards