After the damage from the February 1971 floods at Orbost when the abutment to the Snowy River road bridge was washed away a Bailey bridge, portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge, was put into place to ensure town access, the C.R.B. rebuilt the approach to the bridge driving new piles and constructing the Bailey bridge. They worked late into the night under flood lights to ensure the link from the Orbost township to the Princes Freeway would be open to traffic as soon as possible.These photographs are pictorial records of a significant event in the history of Orbost.Three black / white photographs of a Bailey bridge being erected across a river. 3245.1 and 3245.2 are the same. bailey-bridge orbost-snowy-river-bridge bridge-orbost

This book was purchased new by Orbost & District Historical Society. Written by Buchan historian, Rhonda Coates, the book was commissioned by Tubbut Neighbourhood House following a commemoration event in 2002 when many people gathered for a special day organised by Sister Helen Barnes and the Tubbut community. (ref. Bombala Times)This book is a useful research item.A paper back book, titled McKillops Bridge, written by Rhonda Coates. On the front cover is a photograph tractors crossing the bridge during the Great Snowy River Tractor Stampede ( The Snowy River Tractor Strampede, a 560-kilometre journey, is organised by the Bega and District Historical Machinery Club every January - the first being held in 2009.) this photograph is inset over an earlier phpotograph by Howard Bulmer c 1936. The book contains the history of the bridge, photographs of the bridge and times before its construction.On front fly-Orbost &District Historical Society Incmckillops-bridge

Major General Sir Reginald Arthur James Talbot KCB (11 July 1841 – 15 January 1929) was a British Army officer, Member of Parliament, and Governor of Victoria in Australia. March 1905 and in April 1908 he visited East Gippsland, in particularMarlo and Orbost. Mr W. Cumming was the president of the Orbost Shire at the time. One of the topics discussed was the need for a railway in East Gippsland.This is a contemporary record of a significant event.A long narrow cutting from a newspaper. It is titled, "Governor in Gippsland National Railway Wanted". It relates to the visit of the then governor of Victoria, Reginald Talbot, to Orbost and Marlo. There is a photocopy and an original.talbot-sir-reginald governor's-visit-to-marlo

Written below photograph, 'Photo by Frazer & Vallance. Salisbury Buildings. C/o Bourke & Queen Sts., Melbourne." Written on back of photograph, 'Ringwood Show at old Hall, Ringwood East.' Typed below another copy, 'Celebration held at Ringwood Hall, Mt. Dandenong Rd. 1908. Hall burnt down 1909.' Last photograph has typed below picture, 'Ringwood residents at Old Ringwood Hall near Club Hotel in Mt. Dandenong Rd. circa 1900.'

This account was sent fro H. James & Co to Robert Pullar Cameron. Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district. He was a stock agent and auctioneer who helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost. He was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex. Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district. This item is an example of a hand-written document used by an early Orbost business. It is a useful research tool.Two white paper accounts , red lines and black print. It is from H. James & CO - Freighters to R. Cameron.james-henry cameron-robert-pullar account

In 1924 Harry Baughurst, a returned WW1 soldier, in partnership with Mr Hefford, purchased a grocery and ironmonger business in Orbost. It was situated on the corner of Nicholson and Tarra Streets, Orbost. When Mr Hefford left the district two years later , Harry Baughurst purchased and managed the business. In 1927 Baughurst formed a partnership with Robert Gall And Herbert & Co.to form the United Bread Supply Company so that they could purchase flours etc in bulk and therefore sell bread products more cheaply.This item is an exam ple of the book-keeping of an Orbost business in the early 20th century. It is a useful research tool.A large white paper account with blue lines and handwritten black text from H. Baughurst to R.P. Cameron. There is a pink receipt with a yellow duty stamp from Baughurst & Hefford. baughurst-harry account book-keeping cameron-r.p.

The proceeds of the raffle assisted in the War Relief collection fund. These tickets were purchased by Hilda Margaret Kerr. She was the daughter iof Dr and Mrs Kerr. The prize of an Australian flag was donated by H.James. Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district.He was a stock agent and auctioneer who helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost. He was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF. These raffle tickets are a reminder of the efforts made by the families and friends of those who served in the WW1 conflict.Four raffle tickets. They are in black print on white paper. The tickets are for a War Relief Raffle of the Australian flag which was a gift of H. James Esq. The tickets were purchased by Miss Hida Margaret Kerr and each cost 1/- (one shilling).On ticket nos. 337 and 338 - in handwriting H.M. Kerrraffle-tickets war-relief ww1 kerr family james-h

These photographs are associated with Mary Gilbert. The Mary Gilbert Garden no longer exists. Mary Gilbert was the first curator of the Orbost Museum, and a local teacher. She received a B.E.M. for services to education in 1971. 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. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert. She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community.Four black / white photographs associated with Mary Gilbert. 3136.1 is of an older women shaking hands with a man in a ceremonial uniform. It has been taken inside a hall. 3136.2 is of a woman sitting on ? outside an athletics track. 3136.3 is of two woman in front of a netball court where girls are playing.A group of spectators in school uniforms is watching the game. 3153.4 is a photograph of a garden and pond in front of a school building.3136.1 - on back -"Mary Gilbert receiving her Queen's Honour. Melbourne Gov. House from Sir Rohan Delacombe" 3136.2 - on back -"Mary Gilbert" 3136.3 - on back - "Mary Gilbert"gilbert-mary-orbost education-orbost

Pons asinorum was the name given to a wooden carving made by road worker Finlay Munro in the early 1920s at Boulder Creek, on the old Princess Highway, between Orbost and Cann River. The carved face was said to mock the supervising engineer after an argument about putting the road alignment across a swamp that required new bridges. The Italian workmen had advocated for a different route to avoid the need for building new bridges across the swamp. This photograph is from a set of thirteen black and white postcards in a fold-out format.This is a photograph of an iconic tourist attraction which records the woodworking skills of workers in the early 20th century. The carving is no longer there.A small black / white photograph of a face carved into a tree stump.on front at bottom - ON THE ORBOST CANN ROADwoodcarving pons-asinorum boulder-creek-east-gippsland princess-highway

Orbost Aero Club began in 1969 with Basil Dowie as Chair, David Nixon as Secretary/Treasurer. The group went into recess from 1977-1991 closing in 1997. The mid 1960s were boom years in flying training in Australia and the number of Aero Clubs grew rapidly. The Club played a significant role in the establishment of the small airport at Marlo and in the ongoing operation and development of the airport over the years particularly for patient transfer by aerial ambulance. The Orbost Aero Club Club played a significant role in the establishment of the small airport at Marlo and in the ongoing operation and development of the airport over the years.A buff coloured rectangular shaped cardboard box which contained badges for the Orbost Aero Club. The sides are stapled and the lid has a finger opening, written in blue pen on the lid is Orbost Aero Club Big Wings and Large$10.00 Small $2.00.Top in black print - STOKES (Australasia) Ltd METALWARE DIVISION MANUFACTURERS OF BADGES BUTTONS AND MEDALLIONS SINCE 1856 322-332 ALBERT STREET BRUNSWICK VICTORIA AUSTRALIA TEL 382101 orbost-aero-club

The annual Snowy River Country Music Festival was organised by the Lions Club of Orbost and held at the Newmerella Recreation Reserve. The 6th event was held on Sunday, Jan 11 1987.This program is significant in that it is a souvenir of a local event which no longer takes place.An official souvenir program for the 6th annual Snowy River Country Music Festival, 1987. B/W print.snowy-river-country-music-festival program souvenir

These students are possibly from the Orbost State School. After WW1 many community organisations such as church groups, and youth groups began to run gymnastics, including ‘gymnastics circuses’. This is a pictorial record of school students in the first half of the 20th century.A black / white photograph of a group of boys dressed in school uniforms forming a pyramid with some standing on the shoulders of others. the photograph has been taken outside.orbost-state-school sport-gymnastics

This was used by Snowy River Dry Cleaners. Snowy River Dry Cleaners was situated in Stanley Street, Orbost (previously a hat factory). There was also a shop in the CBD of Orbost. Basil Dowie moved his dry cleaning business from Nicholson Street to 31 Stanley Street where Stuart Hats had been. He had originally bought the business from Laurie Harrington in August 1950. (more information in Orbost & District Historical Society Newsletter No. 138 - John Phillips)This item is from a business which no longer exists in Orbost.A clear rectangular shaped plastic bag with red print inside a red frame - : Snowy River Dry Cleaners Orbost Moth Proof Storage Bag Service". It has a logo for FlexPak on an outline of Australia. snowy-river-dry-cleaners

The author, Denis O'Bryan was an assistant forester in Orbost, 1977/78.This book is a chronological history of East Gippsland.A small paperback book with a bright orange front cover. It has a stylised picture with historical drawings of a settler, sheep and Aboriginal art. The book was written by Denis O'Bryan and is a chronological account of the history of East Gippsland. It contains black and white photos.In pen - Marina Johnson $5.95 stamp of Orbost Historical Society Box 344 2190 Orb ostpionering-east-gippsland o'bryan-denis history-east-gippsland

This is a photograph of Elizabeth Lawless on her 102nd birthday. The Lawless family lived in Orbost from 1907 - c 1920. John Francis Lawless had a saddlery shop. He died at an early age - 47 years - June 7 1912, leaving his wife, Elizabeth and seven children. The eldest son, Victor Rowland lawless volunteered for service in WW1 but did not leave Australia because of illness. The second son, Edward Vincent Lawless (b 1895 d 1917) worked for McCoy & Co. in Orbost, coachbuilding, undertakers, general blacksmiths and farriers, prior to enlisting in WW!. He was trained as a signaller and was sent to France where he was killed in action on 9.10.1917. Elizabeth Lawless worked as a ladies' nurse (midwife) in Orbost prior to leaving the district in 1920. She lived to 6.6.1975 aged 104 years.The Lawless family was a prominent family in Orbost in the early 20th century.A large black / white photograph of an elderly lady seated and holding a cup of, with biscuit. She has a shawl draped over her shoulders.

This miner's right certificate was issued in Orbost to Donald Munro of Orbost. It was valid from 24.10.1904 until 23.10.1905 and cost two shillings and sixpence. Donald Munro, with his brother, Archie carried on a boot-making business in one of the rooms of a three-storeyed barn at Lochiel. The Munros were musically inclined and through them a band was formed in 1889. Donald Munro was involved in many of the town's activities. (More in Mary Gilbert's Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District). The Miner's Right was introduced in 1855 in the colony of Victoria, replacing the Miner's Licence. Protests in 1853 at Bendigo with the formation of the Anti-Gold Licence Association and the rebellion of Eureka Stockade in December 1854 at Ballarat led to reform giving the right to mine gold, the right to vote, and the right to own land. This new system proved economical and sustainable, operating substantially unchanged up until 1975. This item is of historical significance as it is associated with positive outcomes for gold miners brought about by the Eureka Stockade rebellion and its subsequent democrat changes. It is also associated with the Munro family who were early settlers in Orbost.A white paper miner's right certificate. It has black print with hand-written details. It is an elaborate document with the Victorian coat-of-arms at the top.on back- date, hand-written notescertificate-miner's-right munro-donald

This T shirt was sold as a souvenir of Orbost in the 1980's -1990's.This item was made for the tourism industry in Orbost.A short sleeved, round-neck white T shirt with a cartoon captioned "Where the hell is..." There is a kangaroo with an echidna and next to a signpost with a koala climbing up the pole and a kookaburra sitting on the top. Beneath this is "Orbost Vic" clothing souvenir tourism

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 in Orbost and district. This item probably belonged to A. WaitFootball clubs, 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 red cardboard shield - shaped ticket with "NEWMERELLA FOOTBALL CLUB member's ticket 1956" on it. It has two blue coloured cord ties.Newmerella Football Club Season 1956 Member's Ticket. N.G. Heinko Pres; G.C. Collis, Hon Sec"newmerella-football-club recreation

This landing net is a small, bag-shaped net with a long handle at the mouth, for scooping a hooked fish out of the water and bringing it to shore or into a boat. this one is home-made by an Orbost angler.This fishing net is an example of a home-made piece of equipment. It shows the self-reliance of rural people.A home-made fish landing net. It has a long wooden handle. Hose clamps hold the wire frame of the net,. The end of the bag shaped string net is bound with tape.fishing-net handcraft

This is a photograph of Mr John Scouller (born 1861 , died 1935) who was the first manager of the Orbost Butter Factory which opened in 1892. He filled the position for thirty years.John Scouller was a prominent Orbost citizen in the late 19th and earyl 20th centuries.A black / white head and shoulders portrait of a balding man with a moustache. He is wearing a suit and tie.scouller-john orbost-butter-factory

These handmade nails came from the Orbost Station homestead. this was built in Forest Road around 1882. the homestead had large rooms, French windows and a verandah all the way around. As a young girl Grace Jennings Carmichael (poet) lived at the Orbost station homestead with her family.Nine long hand-made nails with square edges. The ends are blunt.nails metal

These four scrap books were compiled by Margaret Smith, a long time member of the Orbost & District Historical Society. They were donated by her family after her death in 2015.These items are useful reference tools.Four large scrap books containing clippings from the Snowy River Mail. They are pasted in. Two books, 2529.1 and 2529.2 are for 2007 and 25209.3 and 2529.4 are for 2007. All books are large format books for NEWS & CUTTINGS. they contain personal items and news articles.Labelled 2006 and 2007smith-margaret news-orbost scrap-books

The photograph shows three trucks hauling logs of 120 feet, 116 feet and 118 feet long. Said to be the longest logs ever taken from East Gippsland forests, three special vehicles were needed to transport three giants, the longest measuring 120 feet, from the McKenzie River to Traralgon. Mr. J. De Piazza, of Orbost, was in charge of the transport of the logs. This photograph shows the logs passing through Bairnsdale.Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years. The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and many of the mills have closed. This item reflects a time when that industry was a significant contributor to the economy of the district.A black / white photograph of three trucks hauling logs of various lengths.on front - "120 ft; 118 ft; 116 ft" on back -" J. De Piazza, 23 Boundary Rd, Orbost, 1942"timber-industry-orbost

This fence post is from the original Snowy River Station stock yards which were where "Merindah" stands today. It was probably owned by the Marshall family at the time of transfer to "Merindah" in 1985. It was lifted out by Geoff Stevenson with a bucket on a tractor in 1986. The post was originally twice the length. The Snowy River Station was established in 1842 by Peter Imlay. In 1845 the land was sold to Norman MCLeod who named the area Orbost. After financial difficulties in the 1870's the run was taken over by W.J.Clarke and known as Orbost Station.Peter Imlay established the first white settlement in 1842 settling on the eastern side of the Snowy River where the township of Orbost now stands. This settlement was the Snowy River Station. A corner post from a post and rail fence. It is possibly made of red box.. On one side are three rectangular sections cut out with a similar one on the other sides. The post is hollow and has metal staples in the sides for attaching wires.orbost-station mcleod fence-post

The Richardson family was one of the very early settler families to establish themselves in the Orbost district. 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. The Ballarat Horticultural Society was established in 1859 by a group of thirteen men with the aim of establishing an association for all lovers of horticulture. There were many such societies throughout the colonies making a contribution to their communities.Samuel Richardson, with his family, was a very early settler in the Orbost / Marlo district. A black / white portrait photograph of a full-bearded man sitting at a table with one hand leaning on his knee and the other holding a piece of paper. He is wearing a dark suit with a longis coat.on back - Samuel Richardson 1821-1892richardson-samuel curlip timber-orbost

From The Argus (Melbourne) on January 10 1934 "Damage estimated at £500,000 has been caused by the floods in the Orbost district. No loss of life occurred, largely owing to the heroic efforts of rescue parties. Many families spent Monday night on the roofs of houses or in trees, surrounded by deep, rushing flood waters." This 1934 flood was devastating, destroying a section of the 1922 Orbost bridge - the centre span was washed away -. wrecking fences, bridges and roads, dumping silt and debris on the rich river flats and drowning cattle. This is a pictorial record of the 1934 flood, a significant event in the history of Orbost.A black / white photograph of floodwaters. In the middle of the water can be see debris including a large spoked wheel. In the background are houses and fences.on back - "near Hilyer's garage at foot of hill Main Street Caravan Park on right" on front at bottom left - "1934"orbost-flood-1934 flood-orbost

These cloths were embroidered by Mrs J.W. Bird of Orbost for her daughter's trousseau. Hilda Bird, the only daughter of Mr and Mrs J.W. Bird married Mr. John Russell of Caulfield in April 1940. Jane Annie (Jean) Herbert married John Whitney Bird on December 18 1902. she was a long-time member of the St James Church of England choir and a very keen tennis player. she died in 1953. (ref, Mary Gilbert - "Personalities and Stories of The Early Orbost District")This item has aesthetic significance and shows the needlework skill of the women of the early settler families.Two white linen cloths with drawn thread work and embroidery in white. 1582.2 has a fringed edge. 1582.1 has a crocheted edge.

The Snowy River Mail is a weekly newspaper published in Orbost in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. 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.This newspaper is a contemporary record of local events.A Snowy River Mail newspaper dated 17.1.1968. It contains news items, photographs and advertisements in black/white print.newspaper snowy-river-mail

The Snowy River Mail is a weekly newspaper published in Orbost in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. 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 Thisnewspaper is a contemporary record of a significant local events.A Snowy River Mail newspaper dated 27.7.1983. The main story is "Blaze at Golf Club". It contains news articles, photographs and advertisements - black/white.newspaper snowy-river-mail orbost-golf-club

The Snowy River Mail is a weekly newspaper published in Orbost in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. 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. These newspapers are useful research tools as they are contemporary records of events in Orbost.A cardboard box of black/white newspapers. There are 38 issues of the Snowy River Mail from 1987. All contain news reports, articles, photographs and advertisements.newspapers snowy-river-mail