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

This was a souvenir postcard made specifically for the "Back To Orbost" celebrations in 1937. The week-long celebrations were held from February 27 to March 6 in 1937 and included dances, picnics,concerts, sports, the Orbost Show and Ball. President of the organising committee was Councillor J. Perry and thesecretary was Mr M.W. Cowell.The Back To Orbost celebration in 1937 was a significant event in Orbost's history.A black / white photograph / postcard. On the left side is a collection of Australian native flowers. Net to it, inside a white circle, are two ears of corn and some pumpkins beneath a photograph of a bridge across a river (the Snowy River) with a boomerang above and "BACK TO ORBOST 1937" inside. orbost-back-to-1937 celebration postcard

Orbost has been subject to major floods throughout its history, such as those which left the town isolated in 1934, 1952, 1971 and 1978. It is recorded that the Snowy River broke its banks and flooded the flats 104 times between 1884 and 1978. Extensive flooding in Eastern Victoria during June 1978, caused widespread damage to roads, road closures and hazards to traffic, particularly over the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend.This is a pictorial record of a significant event in Orbost's history.A very faded black / white photograph of flood water under the railway viaduct at watt's Gulch.orbost-flood-1934 railway-viaduct-orbost

This is the sixteenth 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". 2211.1 belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school. 2211.2 belonged to Brenda Murray, a former mayor of East Gippsland Shire and a prominent Orbost resident. 2211.3 belonged to Mr & Mrs Shelton.This magazine is a useful reference tool.Three copies of a white covered magazine with black print : Croajingolong Vol.1 No. 16. On the left side is the badge of Orbost High School , a sheaf of corn inside a double oval which has, inside it, the school motto , " acti labore iundi".

This photograph was taken during the 1971 floods at Orbost. The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au)This is a contemporary pictorial record of a significant local event.A large black / white photograph of a man, dressed in shorts and a checked shirt, sitting on a fence post surrounded by mud. He is holding on to the leg of a cow which is stuck in the mud.on front - "Mr Harrison on Tracey's Dairy" on back - " Herald 11 Feb 1971"floods-orbost-1971 tracey-dairy natural-disaster-flood

This is the fifteenth 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". 2210.1 belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school. 2210.2 belonged to Brenda Murray, a former mayor of the East Gippsland Shire and a prominent Orbost resident.This magazine is a useful reference tool.Three copies of a magazine with a pale blue cover with black print : Croajingolong Vol.1 No. 15 1962. On the left hand side is the Orbost High Schoool badge, a sheaf of corn inside a double oval inside which is the school motto"acti labores iucundi".

This is a perpetual annually presented trophy for the Orbost Marching Girls, the Waratahs. It was donated by local jeweller, Roy Cope.Together with a chaperone's blazer, a uniform and photos this trophy forms part of the history of the Orbost Marching Girls group.A wooden trophy with a triangular base and metal shields. It has a gold painted statue of a female with a laurel wreath in her outstretched left hand. In the right hand is a plaque with a team of marching girls on it.Orbost Marching Girls Roy B. Cope Perpetual Trophy 1963 Awarded to Helen Kelly 1963-64 Diane Bailey 1964-65

This is a photograph of Councillor Hamilton Rutherford Reed who represented North Riding 1918 - 1936. Hamilton Reed was an early settler at Goongerah. In 1868 Hamilton Reed and John Locke both of Bendoc secured a grazing area of 60,000 acres at Goongerah. About the year 1878 Hamilton Reed and C. W. Nicholson decided to, if possible, to go from Bendoc to Orbost via Goongerah, they accomplished the task in 4 days from Goongerah. (more info. Newsletter September 2004)This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. 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.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a moustached man in a suit. There is also a framed photograph.on back - "Cr H.R. Reed, North Riding 1918-1936"reed-hamilton-rutherford goongerah-history orbost-shire-council

James Hossack and his wife, Penuel, arrived from Scotland to Geelong on Christmas Day 1852. "Granny" Hossack was born in 1821 and died in 1921 within two months of a century. 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 and his wife, Penuel, arrived from Scotland to Geelong on Christmas Day 1852. The Hossacks travelled to Australia on the "Ann Thompson"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 brown rectangular shaped photo album On front is a print of three large pink/red dahlia flowers. It has a pasted on label - GRANNY HOSSACKS CARDS. It has plastic sheets inside with a collection of cards sent to Granny Hossack -Christmas, funeral, New Year. On first page is a hand-written history of James Hossack and his wife Penuel.album "granny"-hossack hossack

Many farmers on the flats at Orbost used to grow a lot of maize and harvest the maize by putting the pigs in to eat the maize.. Maize and pumpkins fed in conjunction were largely used for fattening pigs. The photographer was Warren, Helena (1871-1962) who was a self-taught photographer who became both the local press correspondent and a producer of humorous trompe l'oeil postcard images. Helena Warren was a thirty-two year old settler living on a small mixed farm with her husband, William, at Newmerella, near Orbost in Gippsland, Victoria, when she bought her first camera, an Austral Box quarter-plate. Her family says she was entirely self-taught, like many women photographers who started out with nothing but the instructions on the packets of film and chemicals. In over fifty years practice she graduated from the total novice, who opened all her first mail order plates in bright sunlight and ruined them, to a competent photographer who became both the local press correspondent and an inveterate producer of humorous trompe l’oeil postcard images.This item is a pictorial record of farming in Orbost in the early 20th century. It is also associated with Helena Warren. a well-known photographer born in Orbost.a black / white photographagriculture farming-orbost pumpkins maize pigs warren-helena

This collection of photographs produced by Murray Views, Gympie, features eight scenic black / white photographic prints of Orbost and surrounding tourist areas.Photographs like these allowed tourists to send many images of their holiday destination or hometown in the one small package. Fred Murray opened Murray Studios in Gympie in 1906. The postcard and souvenir production side of the business initially covered Gympie and surrounding regions, but Murray expanded the business to include North Queensland, NSW and even Adelaide. It was opened under a separate name, Murray Views, in 1929. In 1945 the business was taken over by Murray’s nephews who began postcard folder production.These photographs are a useful research material.A white envelope with green and white print containing eight photographs of the Orbost area. It is titled For Your Album Murray's Snapshotssouvenir photographs-orbost postcards

This is a member's badge for the Orbost Racing Club and belonged to Mat Lynch. Secretary was Mr W. A. Malcolm. Some of the earliest horse races were held on a course in a paddock belonging to Mr James Cowell at Jarrahmond. For a long time horse races were part of the Marlo Picnic Races. Bellagoogan on Majors Creek near Orbost was the site of the first race course. Mat Lynch was a prominent local identity and generously donated a block of land situated on the Princes Highway, for the Brodribb Hall.Horse racing played a vital role in the history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A small metal badge which is a diamond shape with rounded corners. It has a small metal loop at the top. In gold print is "Member Orbost Racing Club" on a dark blue enamel around the edge. In the centre is "ORC" in white enamel.On back - 28 - LYNCH - almost indecipherable.orbost-racing-club lynch-mat recreation horse-racing

The C.W.A. rooms were in Munro Street, Orbost and were used for many activities, including Sunday School classes and dance lessons. This event was opened by Mrs J.N. Spittle, the state president of the C.W.A. The program lists an address by Sir Albert Lind M.L.A. In Australia, the Country Women’s Association was first formed in New South Wales and Queensland in 1922. Subsequently each State and the Northern Territory formed an Association, a process which took a period of 14 years. Mrs Spittle was the national president from 1951-1953. This item is of social significance as a representation of the role that the C.W.A. has played in the local and extended community. A souvenir program for the opening of a C.W.A. rest room in 1953. It is rectangular in shape with green print on white card with a black frame. Handwritten in pen on the back -"Thought you might like to have this love Annie"c.w.a. country-women's-association-victoria-orbost associations-women

This photograph was taken near the Snowy River Bridge on the the old Princes Highway in Orbost, near the caravan park. The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au)This is pictorial evidence of a significant local event. Floods have been an integral part of Orbost's history for hundreds of years.A black / white photograph of debris, fallen power lines, a tree across the highway and floodwaters across the road.on front at bottom - handwritten in upper case print - " 1971 FLOOD PRINCES HIGHWAY NEAR SNOWY BRIDGE"floods-orbost-1971

This photograph is an aerial view of the township of Orbost taken by the Bairnsdale Advertiser newspaper. It was taken from the northern end of the town. The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au)This is a pictorial record of a significant event in the history of Orbost,A black / white aerial photograph of a township with floodwaters in the background.on back - "Note main current through the lagoon 1971."orbost-floods-1971 bairnsdale-advertiser orbost-township

This jug was presented as a trophy to the Newmerella football team in 1909. The jug was donated by Carl Dreverman & Co. Carl Dreverman & Co. was an Ironmongers in Nicholson Street, Orbost. Established in 1900 at first as Dreverman and Reynolds, Carl Dreverman took over the store which still exists today in Orbost as Orbost Hardware. The official Newmerella Football Club was probably started in 1913. Simon Gargan was the founder of the Newmerella Football Club.Prior to that teams played socially. This cup was presented to the Newmerella team which defeated an Orbost team.Football clubs in Orbost and district, through their many changes, have always been an important social fabric of the community. Sport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia, contributing to community identity, sense of place, social interaction and good health.A silver plated pear shaped jug presented as a trophy. It has ornate floral decorations on the handle and a hinged lid. It has a circular base. It was possibly designed as a wine jug.W&H inside a pennant On front - Football Season 1909 Presented by CARL DREVERNAN & CO. Walker & Hall ORBOST V. NEWMERELLA won by Newmerella Sheffield England 1594 Patent 79759silver-plate trophy newmerella-football-club dreverman football

A new bridge over the Snowy River at Orbost was opened for traffic on June 20th 1922. It was designed for future joint use by road and railway traffic, but it was only used for road traffic. During the last few years the condition of an old suspension bridge [the 1893 bridge] which was the only vehicular crossing between the town of Orbost and the railway station, caused much concern. The structure was of timber, except for the wire suspension cables of its central span of about 100 feet. A design was prepared in 1914 for a permanent bridge with five spans of 85 feet composed of plate girders on concrete piers. With great increase in the price of steel work during the war, the cost of this design became prohibitive, and the need for a new structure becoming urgent, alternative proposals were investigated. As a result the present design was adopted as providing a sem-permanent bridge at moderate cost. The new bridge spans the river about 160 feet upstream from the old bridge on a slight skew, the piers being at an angle of 80 degrees with the centre line of the bridge. It has a camber of about 2 feet 5 inches in its total length of 527 feet. ( information from Newsletter March 2014 - Lois Crisp) The photograph shows Mrs James Cameron cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Orbost Pile Bridge in 1922. This second bridge, was built by the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board. Constructed at a cost of 35,000 pounds and used second-hand girders from the Flinders Street- Spencer Street viaduct. On July 4 1922 it was officially opened by Mrs James Cameron. Unfortunately, her husband, who had long championed the building of the bridge so that it would be ready for the railway to continue to the border, was too ill to attend the ceremony. In fact, James Cameron died on July 13 after a long and severe illness (ref. S.R.M. 20.7.1922). There is a section of this ribbon in the collection - Registration No. 366. This is a pictorial record of a significant event in Orbost's history.A black / white photograph of a pile bridge with a suspension bridge behind it. There are many people standing on the bridge.on back - "Opening of Pile Bridge - 1922"snowy-river-bridge ceremonies cameron-mrs

These articles were collated by Mary Gilbert. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert, and had seven sisters and one brother. Four siblings died at a young age. .She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community.These articles are contemporary reports of prominent Orbost identities and are a useful reference tool.A manila folder containing newspaper articles of local identities. 745.1 is titled,"What's In a Name? Their Meanings and Derivations". 745.2 is from the Weekly Times, February 23, 1955, page 25 and is titled, "Orbost Women Who Are Well-Known". 745.3 is from the Weekly Times, May2, 1951, Page 5 and is titled, " People of Orbost (Vic)". 745.4 is from the Snowy River Mail and is titled, "Vale: Richard Forsythe Beattie: Came to Orbost Over 80 Yrs Ago". On the back is an article titled, " Report of Death of Mr George Seymour Luckins". 745.5 is titled, " Happy Family Life is Answer - Harold (79) and Olive (78) Sheffield. It is a black and white photograph. 745.6 is titled, "Tubbut and the Whittakers".beattie-richard-forsythe luckins-george-seymour sheffield-harold whittakers-tubbut

Used as publicity/advertising item by Ken Heyne, butcher in Orbost.Fridge magnets are popular as promotional items because they are relatively cheap to manufacture, very portable and long-lasting. This item advertises a local business no longer operating.A small, rectangular, flat fridge magnet. One side is dark blue with white print - "K.B.& J.E. HEYNE Quality Butchers ORDERS TAKEN PRIVATE STOCK CUT & PACKED TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS Phone orders welcome Local DElivery No Charge 111 Nicholson St Orbost Ph 541921". The reverse is grey/black. fridge-magnet advertising-orbost

Presented to the Shire of Orbost as a history and commenoration of those who served and those who died during World War 1. This is an original Honor Roll and contains the names of Orbost men who served in W W 1. A framed memorial roll of honour for those from the Shire of Orbost who served at Gallipoli, Palestine and France. It is framed under glass with a large wooden frame. It has the names of those who served and those who were killed. On either side are the dates 1914 and 1919.Names of those who served in W W 1.roll-of-honor honor-roll world-war-one-honor-roll orbost

The school badge with its stalk of maize was designed by Clarke Cowell, who was in the first Senior Class of Orbost Higher Elementary School in 1912. The Latin inscription, :acti labores lucundi" can be freely translated as "finished work is pleasant".Orbost High School / Orbost Secondary College has been the sole senior educational institution in the Orbost district and therefore has played a significant community role in education. These badges are representative of its history.Two oval-shaped metal badges. They are school badges from Orbost High School. They have the school motto "acti labores lucundi" around the perimeter with a yellow/gold stalk of maize on a blue background in the centre..1 -1390 .2-870badge orbost-higher-elementary education school-uniform

2169.3 is from the Mary Gilbert Collection. Graham Dyce was a long-time member of Orbost & District Historical Society. His family came from the Combienbar / Club Terrace district.This is a local history written by a local author, Graham R. Dyce.Three copies of a book of 80 pp titled Combienbar The Valley of Contentment. It has a cream cover with a b/w photograph of a family standing outside a log house (probably late 19th century). The book was written by Graham Dyce, Orbost.combienbar-history-settlement

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 a cordial factory in Orbost. This bottle is an example of a product manufacture by a local industry no longer existing.A tall clear glass cordial bottle with a red printed label on the front of the bottle, It has a metal lid.On glass -"manuf. by Phillips & Stone, Bairnsdale & Orbost 52361 preservative added, artificially coloured & flavoured 850ml" On lid - "Lemonade"beverages phillips-stone bottle

This photograph was on display in the Orbost Information Centre - the Slab Hut - for many years. Originally the post office was not at Orbost at all but in the small settlement of Newmerella. The building in the photograph was completed and opened in 1898 at a cost of 1038/4/8 pounds. The post office building today is a replica of this building, opened in 2004 after a local campaign to retain a full post office in the town.The photograph of the early post office shows that it was a popular meeting place. Today's post office is a replica of this one and stands on the same site.A framed photograph of the Orbost Post Office (photocopy?) in 1917. The glass was cracked and has been removed. The frame is a wooden one with carved shell shape decorations. In the foreground of the photo is a horse and coach and an early model car. The mail coach is on its way to Cann River. In the car is the Warren family.W.S. Vogt, Bairnsdaleorbost post-office

Alan Richardson was born in 1853 and died in 1936. He was a sawmiller at Tabbara who built and held the ticket for the Paddle Steamer Curlip. PS Curlip was registered in 1893 and the Passenger Certificate issued on 30th January 1903 to Captain Alan Richardson by the Marine Board of Victoria entitled 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. He had the first horseless motor buggy in Orbost. Alan Richardson was married to Emily Dawson and had two children - Alan Jnr and Ruth.Alan Richardson was a prominent Orbost identity. He was associated with the Paddle Steamer Curlip.A black / white photograph of a man standing beside a fence covered with ivy. He is wearing a three piece suit and a seaman's type cap.on back - Alan Richardsonrichardson-alan p.s.curlip sawmilling-tabbara

This photograph is of Toby Nixon (Percival Charles Nixon) and Lexie Nixon, his sister. It was taken at the Roll Call for the "Back To Orbost" celebrations in 1937. Toby Nixon was born on 27.3.1902. He was the of George and Emily Nixon. Married to Grace Forbes, he farmed maize at Jarrahmond as well as wheat at Buchan. He was an active member of the Maize Growers Association, helping to create the Maize Board. He was also a director of the Seed Bean Board for many years. His sister, Lexie, married Edward Fortescue Abbott. (more information in "From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point" by Peter Nixon.) This photograph is associated with the Nixon family which contributed greatly to the history of the Orbost district. Toby Nixon was a well-respected Orbost identity.A black / white photograph of a man and a woman on a horse. Behind them is a foal.

Alan Richardson was born in 1853 and died in 1936. He was a sawmiller at Tabbara who built and held the ticket for the Paddle Steamer Curlip. PS Curlip was registered in 1893 and the Passenger Certificate issued on 30th January 1903 to Captain Alan Richardson by the Marine Board of Victoria entitled 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. He had the first horseless motor buggy in Orbost. Alan Richardson was married to Emily Dawson and had two children - Alan Jnr and Ruth.Before the First World War, few people in Australia owned or knew how to drive cars before they bought them. This International auto buggy was promoted as a useful vehicle for station owners, farmers, doctors, and town and country salesmen. It was said to be the cheapest automobile in Australia (at one third the cost of a conventional car), required much less maintenance, had durable solid rubber tyres rather than troublesome pneumatic ones, and didn’t need a chauffeur. This is a pictorial record of a "horseless buggy" which would have been a novelty in the early 20th century in Orbost. The item is associated with the Richardson family, early Orbost settlers.A small black / white photograph of a motor vehicle with a man seated at the steering wheel. The vehicle has large buggy wheels with mud guards. It is open with no windows.transport motor-vehicle horseless-buggy richardson-alan

The road to Marlo was cut by flood waters from the Snowy River in two places. The road was closed when water flowed over Gilbert's Gulch (3243.1) The Snowy River broke its banks and flooded surrounding Orbost, Marlo, Lochend and Jarrahmond were isolated. The river bank at the bridge site was broken and filled with earth and rock fill. (3243.2) The new Snowy River Bridge was nearing completion when the river rose 7.2 metres causing erosion on the eastern bank. (3243.7) Contractors involved in the construction of the Princes Freeway and bridge were delayed by the flood waters. (3243.8) The 1976 flood at Orbost was a significant event which delayed the construction of the current Snowy River Road Bridge.These photographs record that event.Nine black / white photographs of flood waters across roads. orbost-flood-1976 snowy-river-bridge marlo-road-flood-1976 gilbert;s-gulch-flood

Maize,has been grown on the Orbost flats for at least 70 years. When early settlers began to arrive on the Snowy River somewhere in the 1880s, the land was mostly swamps and heavily timbered jungle on the river frontages. The swamps were drained, bit by bit, by men with short handled shovels and working in mud and water. The frontages were cleared by axe and shovel and fire. Several kinds of crops were experimented with such as hops, hemp and maize, the latter grew particularly well and became the main crop of district. The problem then was to thresh and deliver the product to the market. A small single cob machine was brought here and one man turned the handle, while the boy or Mum fed the cobs singly into the machine. A good day’s work would thresh about 50 bushels or about 12 bags (4 bushels). The task then was to cart the maize to market. For a few years this was done by horses and dray carrying about 60 bushels to Mossiface, where it was loaded onto river boats to Lakes Entrance, and then by ocean boats to Melbourne. Later it was taken to Bairnsdale by foot and loaded onto the trains to Melbourne. (more information in Newsletter October 2006) This crib, measuring seven chains, sixteen feet, contained 10,000 bags of maize cobs which were grown by Linc Timmons on Peter Irvine's farm (Fairlea?) in Orbost, East Gippsland. The growing of maize in the Orbost district contributed significantly to the economy of the township for many years, The many maize cribs once seen on the surrounding farms have now disappeared and this photograph is a pictorial record of that significance.A black / white photograph of a large maize crib full of maize in a paddock. There is a large framed copy of the original.agriculture-orbost farming-maize-orbost maize-crib-orbost