This is a photograph of John Johnston. John Johnston was elected as a member of the Orbost Council and during thirty-five years of service, he was president four times. He was also president of the Agricultural Society and Chairman of the local School Committee for over thirty years, (from Richard Johnston -1969 in "Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District: by Mary Gilbert)John Johnston was a prominent citizen of Orbost in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was referred to as "the father of the council".A black / white portrait photograph of a man, with beard and moustache, wearing a bow tie and suit jacket. johnston-john orbost-shire-council

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) These newspapers are contemporary records of a significant local event.Four newspapers relating to the floods in 1971. They contain news articles and photographs of the floods in Orbost in early 1971. 2556.1 is the Weekly Times dated 3.3.1971 and has an orange cover. 2556.2 is a Snowy River Mail dated 17.2.1971. 2556.3 is a Snowy River Mail dated 10.2.1971. 2556.4 is a Snowy River Mail dated 3.3.1971.floods-orbost-1971 snowy-river-mail weekly-times newspapers

The hat band was part of the girls' school uniform and attached to their straw hats. The school badge was designed by Clarke Cowell, a student in the first Senior class at Orbost Higher Elementary School in 1912. The Latin inscription "Acti labores jucundi"can be freely translated as "Finished work is pleasant." The hat band and badges formed part of the Mary Gilbert Collection. Miss Mary Gilbert attended Orbost Higher Elementary School 1917-1920. She was dux of the school in 1920 and returned as a trained teacher in 1927. She taught at Mordialloc H.S. in 1932, at Lilydale in 1933/34 and returned to Orbost H.E.S. in 1935, remaining there until her retirement in 1969.Mary Gilbert, the first curator of the Orbost Museum, was recognised for her work in education and the community when she was awarded the British Empire Medal. Orbost High School / Orbost Secondary College has played a significant part in the education of senior students in the Orbost district . It is the sole senior educational institution. This uniform is representative of its history.A yellow, navy and white striped hat band. A badge of the Orbost Higher Elementary School emblem is sewn on. A metal badge with the school emblem is attached.gilbert-mary orbost-secondary-college education-orbost

This ledger was kept by the management of a rural property in Marlo, East Gippsland. Entries were made by Hugh Cameron and Alaster Cameron. Their property was reputed to be the largest private dairy producer in Australia at one stage. (ref. Mary Gilbert) Some station owners or managers kept records like diaries, wage and ration books, and registers of births, deaths and marriages. This one records federal transactions, costs of produce and payments for share farming at Brodribb and Marl, as well as a list of donations made. Hugh Cameron (1850-1921) was on the Orbost Shire council from 1892-1915. His son Alaster was also an Orbost Shire councillor representing the East riding from 1932 to 1954. Hugh died at Orbost on 3rd May 1921, aged 71, and was buried on 5th May at the Orbost cemetery. (more info. in O.D.H.S. newsletter -Tambo Shire)This is an example of record keeping on rural properties in the first half 20th century. It is associated with the Cameron family who were early settlers in the Orbost district.A large leather bound ledger with a dark blue patterned cover and suede leatherette binding and corners. There are pages with alphabetical indexing. Some pages are ruled for accounts. All entries are hand-written in blue or black ink.There is blotting paper inside.on spine on red leatherette in gold print - " "STATION LEDGER" and on black in gold print - "CLOVERDALE"cameron-marlo dairy-farm-cameron agriculture-records station-ledger-cameron

This photograph was taken at Orbost Higher Elementary School circa 1918. Mr Bill Guy was the teacher in the photograph.Orbost High School / Orbost Secondary College has played a significant part in the education of senior students in the Orbost district . It is the sole senior educational institution. This item is representative of its history. A black / white photograph taken inside a classroom science laboratory. A dozen female students are involved in science activities, some holding apparatus, others sitting observing. There are shelves holding bottles at the back of the room.on back - "the science room H.S. about 1918? Mr Bill Guy HT"education-orbost orbost-higher-elementary-school guy-bill

A pillow sham is a decorative pillow case. This is a handmade pillow sham especially crafted for a household in early Orbost.This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the early to mid 20th century. Embroidery was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value to domestic linen and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes,A rectangular lace pillow sham. the centre rectangle is white and made of pulled thread lace. The edging is pale pink and blue lace,handcraft pillow-sham needlework

These documents were used in the WW1 exhibition held in Orbost April 2015.This item is a useful reference tool.A white ring binder with plastic sleeves containing information on the Orbost men who died during WW1, On the ront is a coloured photograph of David Young kneeling beside a gravestone.ww1 soldiers-orbost

These house plans were drawn up for James Nixon. James Nixon was born in Orbost on 15.11.1912. He married Joyce May Thompson on 2.2.1937. He was a well known Orbost identity, serving a record 47 years as a Commissioner on the Snowy River improvement Trust, as well a director of Snowy River Seed and th Bean Board. He died on 21.12.2002.James Nixon, a third generation Nixon, father of Peter Nixon A.O., was an involved and respected Orbost identity. This item is a significant research tool.Architectural plans for a two-storey house with 4 bedrooms to be built on the corner of Gladstone and Tennyson Streets in Orbost. On a white background with coloured drawings ( water colour).nixon-james house-plans architecture

Clare Gervasoni and Dorothy Wickham at International Women's Day function at the Bell Tower Conference Centre, Ballarat at the launch of "Amongst Ballarat's Finest", a publication about some of Ballarat's amazing women. Jacqueline Dark, soloist; Dorothy Wickham, guest speaker.Three photorgraphs of women at the International Womens Day event, Bell Tower Conference Centre, Ballaratinternational women's day, clare gervasoni, dorothy wickham

The Donchi family has been cutting sleepers since the 1890s in the Orbost area. This photograph , one of a set of six, was taken for an article in the Victorian railways Magazine in 1975. This was a pamphlet produced for Victorian Railways. . It contains photographs and an article about Orbost as "Timber Country" and a detailed article titled, " Cutting Sleepers is a Family Business" which tells about the Donchi family.This item is associated with the timber and sleeper-cutting industry in the Orbost Region. Timber sleepers were superceded by concrete sleepers in c. 1970s. 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 a bush scene of a timber harvesting coupe used by the Donchi family.on back - Pr 8766sleeper-cutting-orbost donchi-orbost timber-industry-orbost

This photograph was taken inside St James Hall, Orbost at the 75th anniversary of the Orbost Municipal Band.on November 8, 1975. It was published in the Snowy River Mail on November 12, 1975 under the heading "ANNIVERSARY FOR BAND". "Some 250 people filled St James Hall on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the band, The evening began with a buffet dinner followed by a recital by the members of the band, The fitting numbers chosen were favourites throughout the different eras during the band's 75 years. A display of old brass instruments, photographs and a history of the band drew much comment. Bandmaster, Alf Barling, conducted the band during the celebratory recital." The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall This is a pictorial record of the Orbost Municipal Band. The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A black / white photograph of a bandmaster in uniform standing, conducting, in front of a group of musicians.sitting down playing their instruments. The photograph has been taken indoors. music-orbost recreation orbost-municipal-band barling-alf entertainment

The photograph shows two modes of transport in the early 1900s. Mr F. Gibbs is driving the bullock team and Mr G. Nixon and his family are in the car.This is a pictorial record of transport in Orbost in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph post card showing a bullock team and a motor car.on front at top - " F Gibbs; W.W. G. Nixon, Orbost." on front at bottom - "The two modes of travelling in East Gippsland" on back is a letter from "Jack & Nell to "Alice" transport bullock-team nixon-george

The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.Target shooting is one of the oldest organised sports in Australia. Records date back to the British Marines at Sydney Cove in 1788. The Victorian Rifle Association (VRA) was formed in 1860. One of the most important adjuncts to the militia system from 1903 to the re-organisation of 1912 was the role played by the Rifle Club movement in Australia. At the time, these clubs were seen as the reservoir of manpower for a potential guerrilla force should any invasion occur. For Australia, the invasion fear was uppermost in the minds of the population. So important were the rifle clubs for the defence of Australia that the Commonwealth provided the training staff, rifles and ammunition so the clubs could function. Members were drilled, wore uniforms and practised all the basic skills of soldiering as well as target shooting. The Orbost Rifle Club was active during this period.Nine envelopes containing correspondence sent to Mr D. Thexton, Secretary of Orbost Rifle Club in 1977-1978. Some are from the Victorian Rifle Association.orbost-rifle-club shooting

Hand drawn by Kerr, Hilda (nee Temple). Daughter of George Temple and Mary McAuslane of Castlemaine, Hilda married James Kerr in 1893 and lived at Lincluden, Raymond Street, Orbost. Her husband, Dr James Kerr, was a Scot who had come to Australia as a ship's doctor and practised in NSW before visiting Orbost on a government vaccination programme. He liked Orbost and returned there, its first doctor, until his death in 1928. Hilda was sometimes referred to as 'Mrs Dr Kerr.' She and her sisters Mabel Stewart Temple and Margaret Ferrie Temple were all talented writers and musicians. This item is associated with Hilda Kerr (Temple) a prominent resident of early Orbost. She and her sisters Mabel Stewart Temple and Margaret Ferrie Temple were all talented writers and musicians. A selection of 7 pencil illustrations of Marlo in a wooden frame. Hessian background with red/brown wood.illustrations marlo kerr temple

This photograph is of Orbost Shire Councillor Joseph Armstrong who represented East Riding 1918. He was president twice.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 man in a suit. There is also a framed copy.on back - "Cr J. Armstrong J.P."armstrong-joseph orbost-shire-council

This is a photograph of Councillor J. Walker who represented East Riding on the Orbost Shire council from 1915 - 1926.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.on back - "Cr J. Walker, East Riding 1915-1926"walker-j. orbost-shire-council

John Russell Senior was a blacksmith, wheelwright, farmer and later chairman of the Orbost Butter Factory, makers of Sunny South Butter (today part of Murray Goulburn Co Ltd). His blacksmith business was in Nicholson Street, Orbost. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of the book-keeping of an early 20th century Orbost business and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with red lines and black print. Details are hand-written in blue ink. It is from J. Russell to R. P. Cameron.account-book-keeping russell-john blacksmith cameron-r.p.

This is a photograph of Councillor Henry Ingram who represented North Riding from 1927 - 1947 on the Orbost Shire Council. Harry Ingram delivered milk, bread, groceries and meat to towns between Delegate and Orbost with his eldest son. The pair generally drove a four wheeled wagon pulled by five horses along a hand carved winding track through the mountains.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 man in a suit.There is also a framed photograph.on back - " Cr H. Ingram J.P. , North Riding 1929-1947"ingram-henry orbost-shire-council

About 1912 work began at Newmerella on clearing the track for the railway line from Bairnsdale to Orbost. A canvas town sprang up on the higher land adjacent to the river flats. Local farmers supplied meat, milk and fresh produce to the camp, as well as gaining employment carting and labouring. The line opened in 1916, the Orbost railway station being built on the Newmerella side of the river. This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost. On April 10 1916, the first scheduled train service left Orbost for Bairnsdale. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987.A black / white photograph of a group of people standing next to a train carriage.orbost-railway east-gippsland-railway celebration-opening-of railway

Edward James Pardew died in 26/9/1927 aged 92. He came to Orbost from New Zealand in 1886 and selected 720 acres of hill land in the Brodribb area. He was a member of the first Orbost Shire Council. His daughter had a fruit & meat shop in McLeod Street. He was an inaugural vestryman of St James Church of England. Edward Pardew was a prominent Orbost citizen in the late 19th / early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a bearded man wearing a hat sitting on a horse. He is holding a horse whip. a riding crop. Behind him is a fenced house.pardew-edward

Pat Donchi's grandfather came to Orbost to cut sleepers in the 1890s. Pat and his sons have carried on since then. This photograph, one of six, was taken for the Victorian railways Magazine in 1975, a pamphlet produced for Victorian Railways. It contains photographs and an article about Orbost as "Timber Country" and a detailed article titled, " Cutting Sleepers is a Family Business" which tells about the Donchi familyThis item is associated with the timber and sleeper-cutting industry in the Orbost Region. Timber sleepers were superceded by concrete sleepers in c. 1970s. 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 Pat Donchi, a local sleeper cutter, falling a tree with a chainsaw.on back - Pr 8708timber-industry-orbost donchi-orbost sleeper-cutting-orbost

1. Taken 1944 at Liverpool base with a mix of men and women including "Beryl Scrimshaw" (Morrel) from British Army. 2. Aug 1944, Liverpool base, formal photo of men and women in uniform and some women in white coats at same location. 3. Women in uniform in WW2 in front of a British Fighter plane. Refer Cat no. 304P & 315.1. Black and white photo, 14 women and 2 men in British uniforms in formal photo in front of buildings. 2. Black and white photo, same location as photo 1, mix of men and women in uniform and some women in white coats. 3. Black and white photo, heavily creased of 6 women in uniform in a field in front of a fighter plane.1. & 2. Both have the stamp of photographer on back and a note saying photo taken in Liverpool Aug 1944. 3. Identification notes written on back and identification of Unit - faded and hard to read.british army, liverpool, uk, ww2

The seed bean industry was a major industry in the Orbost district for the first half of the 20th century. The total area sown with beans for seed at Orbost was estimated to be about 1000 acres. Fisher Bros, grew or supervised the growing of approximately one quarter of the bean seed produced at Orbost, and, in addition, prepared for market and sold a considerable quantity for other growers. From Newsletter February 2015 : "the Fishers took over the old Butter Factory in Lochiel Street. They had sorting tables there in the 1920s. In Orbost, the Fishers had a Shell fuel depot at the back of the bean factory. The Fishers were very enterprising people, very smart. One of their uncles is supposed to have invented the knot that was used to tie the sheaves of hay in the fields. At their Lochend Barn, they had a Blackstone engine which ran on oil. They used to light a fire under it and hot it up to start it. This engine drove all the bean machinery in the barn" The seed bean industry was a major industry in the Orbost district for the first half of the 20th century. the Fisher Brothers were a significant part of that industry.A black / white photograph tajen from a river bank. On the right behind some trees is a barn. On the left between tres is a small building. Reflections can be seen in the water.on back - "Snowy River, Fisher barn on right. Mary Gilbert"bean-industry fisher-beans snowy-river

This is a black and white photograph of a group of women who were members of the Country Women's Association. The original photograph was taken in the Sunbury Memorial Hall.A black and white copy of a group of women.country women's association, sewing, craft, women's organizations, collett, margaret, duggan, mary, sunbury memorial hall, george evans collection

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 knife was found in a drawer from the estate of Judy Walcott who died in 2016 in Orbost. The Dicken Bros, shop is in the main street of Orbost . Frank B. Dicken and his son, Selwyn, were General Merchants. Frank and May Dicken moved to Orbost in 1936 where Frank became manager of Pardew Brothers store in Nicholson Street. In 1945, Frank purchased the business and in 1947, formed a partnership with his son, Selwyn. The store was then called F.B. Dicken and Son. The premise are still retained by the Dicken family although the shop business was sold in 1981. (ref. In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall) This item is an example of an item produced for advertising and promotion. The Dicken General Merchandising business is no longer an Orbost feature.A bone handled butter knife with an inscription on one side of the blade. Handle is a cream bone with a rounded end. Stainless Steel Made in Sheffield Expressly fo F.B. Dicken & Son ORBOST

This photograph is of Orbost Shire Councillor, F. A. Nixon who represented East Riding in 1908 to 1916. He was president in 1916.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 photograph portrait of a young man in a suit.on back - "Cr F.A. Nixon"nixon-f.a. orbost-shire-council

This photograph was taken inside the Orbost Butter Factory. The person standing near the large piece of equipment might be Ray Holmes. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district for many years.A b/w photograph of a man in white overalls and black boots with white soles. He is standing to the right of a large butter churn.

This is the twenty-second 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". 2217.1 belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school. 2217.2 belonged to Brenda Murray, a former East Gippsland Shire mayor and prominent Orbost resident. 2217.3 belonged to Mr and Mrs Shelton. This magazine is a useful reference tool.Three copies of Croajingolong 1969. It has a white cardboard cover with black print. On the cover is a stylised "CROAJINGOLONG".2217.1 - has Mr & Mrs Shelton in blue pen on the front cover 2217.2 has Brenda Murray in pen on front covercroajingolong orbost-high-school

This photograph is part of the Mary Gilbert Collection. This photo shows the first Orbost State School which is now known as Ruskin Street Primary School. "The 19th of March 1886 proved an important day in the lives of many early settlers in the Orbost area, because on this day the Orbost State School opened. The fact that the school had first operated tem­porarily in a leased building, and on a half-time basis with SS2745 Jarrahmond, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the local inhabitants as they saw their offspring commence their education under the guidance of HT Campbell Mackay. However he remained in charge only until 12th of May 1886. The second HT, John Rowe, served until 1908. On 30th of June 1887, a portable room was provided; it being brought to the area by schooner. The school now had accommodation for 30 pupils; the teacher's welfare was considered because quarters of two rooms were attached. As the population increased so did the needs of the school. This was reflected in the provision of a larger classroom in 1898. During 1910-11 the first approaches were made to the Department for the establishment of a HES in Orbost and this became a reality in 1912. Orbost HES supplied post-primary education in the district until a high school was built in 1948. When fire destroyed the school in 1941 local halls were used as classrooms until a new school was built. Work was quite rapid and a new brick structure was opened by the Hon. A. E. Lind, MLA, on 13th of February 1942. This new building was a fine type of school of which both the pupils and the HT Leslie Collins were indeed proud. But Orbost continued to develop and the new school was soon over­taxed. This resulted in the erection of two Bristol classrooms in 1947. By 1950, when the school population had reached 500 pupils the opening of the new school at Orbost North was welcomed by all concerned. In 1963 the Department purchased land diagonally opposite the school and developed it as a playing area. In 1965 two LTCs were opened in November, and in October 1968 the Brodribb School building was moved to SS2744 Orbost for use as a general purpose room." (re.f Schools East Gippsland")This item is associated with education in Orbost.A black / white photograph showing a group of children posed in front of a wooden school building. A sign on the building has "STATE SCHOOL No. 2744"3127.1 - "front row left is W.J. Cameron" 3127.2 - "Teachers, Mr Rowe, Miss Lucy Watt (sewing) back row Mrs Kerr (Hilda Temple) Miss Hofen back left W. Roadknight 4 from left back Annie Cameron 1 left centre row" 3127.3 - as per above education-orbost state-school-orbost