John Blanch was on the Board of Directors for the Association for the BlindCol. photograph of John Blanchassociation for the blind, john blanch

Association for the Blind treasurer Robin Pleydell at KooyongCol. photograph and negative of Robin Pleydellassociation for the blind, robin pleydell

Portrait of Association for the Blind treasurer Graeme UptonB/W photograph of Graeme Uptonassociation for the blind, graeme upton

Matilda (Tilly Aston), was a blind Australian writer and teacher, who founded the Victorian Association of Braille Writers, and later went on to establish the Association for the Advancement of the Blind. Born in Carisbrook, Victoria in 1873, she was the youngest of eight children born to bootmaker Edward Aston, and his wife, Ann. Tillu was vision-impaired from birth, and totally blind by the age of 7. The memorial was built by the Midlands Historical Society in 1970.Colour photograph of a Memorial to Tilly Aston.carisbrook, church, tilly aston, matilda aston

Part of the AFB network of fundraising involved the use of opportunity shops in various locations. The Top Opp was a large contributor and the work of those who volunteered is acknowledged in this plaque.Gold coloured metal plate with black writingAssociation for the Blind gratefully recognises the financial contribution made by the Top Opp at the Chadstone Shopping Centre through the efforts of its many volunteers August 1995association for the blind, fundraising

Arthur Wilkins was a tireless advocate and campaigner for the AFB, and this centre in Essendon was named in his honour. As demand for more services grew with the aging population, extensions were required, and in 1995, a low vision clinic and rehabilitation facilities were added.Metal plate with black writing and four screw holesThe official opening of the Low Vision Clinic and Rehabilitation Facilties at the Arthur Wilkins Centre was performed by John Moule President Association for the Blind 31 August 1995association for the blind, nameplates

Coin collections have a long and varied history. Coins were often collected in churches in a box located near the entrance/exit, and later via a collection plate that was passed amongst the congregation Funds were used to repair the church or feed the poorest of the parish. The donation of coins is and was considered part of religious life and mentioned in Christian, Jewish and Islamic texts. With the need and expansion of charitable works occurring outside religious life, charity boxes began to spread into hospitals, orphanages and asylums. The need for non-fixed boxes grew with the rise in charities and their activities outside a fixed building. Collection boxes could be large (and therefore hard to move) or could be held by individuals acting as collection agents, working at a specific location, moving between dwellings or at events. In this example, the RVIB tin could be used gathering coins at events such as Carols by Candlelight, White Cane day or other special marketing days.1 metal coin collection tin with handle and paper wrapYour Donation Supports the Work of The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind RVIB lighthouse logo 557 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Telephone 9529 3544royal victorian institute for the blind, equipment

Mortlake Waterworks Trust – 18 May 1915 to 1 July 1984 Mortlake Waterworks Trust was constituted on 18 May 1915 following application by the Shire of Mortlake to carry out works for the supply of water to the township of Mortlake. The Trust was abolished on 1 July 1984 under the Water and Sewerage Authorities (Restructuring) Act 1983 when authority was transferred to the Mortlake Water Board. A cast iron seal press. This was used by Mortlake Waterworks Trust to emboss agreements and official documents. Die is still attached to the press. It reads: Mortlake Waterworks Trust 1915. Small metal machine painted black , decorated gold . Dies are attached with the seal of Mortlake Waterworks Trust . Paper is placed between the dies, the handle depressed and the seal embossed on the paper under pressure as a blind (inkless) embossing. The seal consists of two circles with the wording "Mortlake Waterworks Trust 1915". Mortlake Waterworks Trust 1915mortlake, public administration, water supply, amalgamations

Yields information about the appearance of one of Ballarat tramcars No. 25 during the mid 1950's and Gardens Loop.Black and white photograph of Ballarat No. 25 north bound in Wendouree Parade, Gardens Loop, 1950's with all the blinds drawn and destination of Victoria St. Shows the signage at the time at Gardens loop. No details of photographer. Original negative scanned at hi res and image updated 1/6/2020.tramways, trams, wendouree parade, gardens loop, tram 25

This book contains verses written by Tilly Aston. Matilda Ann (Tilly) Aston was a blind writer and teacher who was born in Carisbrook, Victoria in 1873. She became totally blind at the age of seven. She learned Braille and gained her Matriculation Certificate, spending a short time at Melbourne University. She helped to establish the Victorian Association of Braille Writers and to found the Association for the Advancement of the Blind. She was the first Secretary and later President of the latter association. She was appointed the Head of the School for the Blind in Melbourne and retired from this position in 1925. She published several books of verse and prose. There is a Parliamentary electorate in Victoria called Aston. This book is of considerable interest because the author, Tilly Aston, has an important place in Australian literature. The book, ‘Maiden Verses’ has a local Warrnambool connection as it contains a poem written about Warrnambool, a town which Tilly Aston visited on occasions.This is a hard cover book of 146 pages. It is a book of poems written by Tilly Aston. The cover is dark red with the printing on the spine and on the cover in gold lettering. There is at least one page at the front of the book torn out. There is a receipt for the purchase of the book pasted on to the inside of the front cover. The date of the receipt made out to ‘John F. Watts’ is for three shillings and sixpence (1900). The book is bound with glue and string.Signature on the first page: ‘John F. Watts, Nov. 18th 1900’ (or maybe ‘1901’)tilly aston, australian literature, history of warrnambool

To commemorate the birthplace of Tilly Aston, a memorial tablet was unveiled at Carisbrook in 1970. The ceremony drew a large crowd and included a reading of Tilly's poetry as well as a performance by school children. REMEMBER WITH THANKSGIVING THE SPIRIT OF TILLY ASTON 1873-1947 Blind From Childhood, She Endured As Seeing The Invisible A Singing Poet She Rejoiced In The Beauty Of Life Born In Carisbrook, Studied At The Blind Institute. The First Blind Student To Matriculate And Be Appointed A Teacher Foundation Member Association For The Blind. Promoted The Braille Library. (Braille characters) Below the plaque is a smaller one: ERECTED BY MIDLANDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND CHILDREN OF CARISBROOK STATE SCHOOL 19707 images of the unveiling ceremony tilly aston

Yields information about the appearance of tram 18 in Sturt St mid 1960's.Agfa colour slide, white blue plastic mount. Photograph by David Verrier of No. 18 in Sturt St lower, with the Union Hotel and Thomas Jeweller's building in the background. The tram has a good set of blinds, with roof advertisements for Whites Flowers and Electricity best for cooking. Photo taken 6/10/1964.On back of slide in pencil "Tues 6/10/64 Ballarat, Sturt St, from Victoria St."tramways, trams, sturt st, tram 18

Possibly used as plough winkers on farms in the 19th and 20th century.A pair of vintage leather horse winkers with metal rings and side leather buckles to strap it around the horse's head and eyes. The pole and neck straps are adjustable and can be lengthened and tightened without altering the blinds. The front strap goes around the horse's muzzle. They were possibly Plough Winkers. The bit is missing.horse accessories, horse tack, horses, agriculture

Advertisement for Decorator Tiles and Blinds, 121 Main Street, GreensboroughNewspaper advertisement.decorator tiles and blinds, main street greensborough

Valentine Series No 2325 c1942 Stawell Hospital with striped blindsstawell hospital

To honour 15 years of service provided, a bronze coloured medallion inset to a wooden column was awarded to individuals. On the front is a cameo of a woman wearing a pendant and an old fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Vision Australia Foundation Tilly Aston Award' and below this '15 Year Award'. On the back of some awards is a printed panel: 'Tilly Aston, at the age of 21 years and herself blind, founded the Association for the Blind in 1895. Visionary, administrator, teacher and poet, Miss Aston brought together sighted and blind people in a partnership of action to improve the lives of blind people. This award recognises the continuing accord and tradition of friendship and selfless service which she initiated.'1 maroon wooden stand with bronze tone inlaid medallion, with illustrations15 Years Awardvision australia foundation, awards, john wicking

A man is learning to use a Hoover long cane with the assistance of a woman wearing a white coat.B/W photographMobility training - the long cane or Hoover cane Newly blind man aged 45 (light perception) learning to use correct grasp of Hoover long canewhite cane day, royal blind society of new south wales

Two trouser legs and soft pair of leather shoes descend steps, along with a white cane.B/W photograph of man walking down steps with white caneSkills Training - O&M A white cane provides blind people with early warning of obstacles 5A inset into Pic 5 CJ 481/C/4royald blind society of nsw, white cane day

The H. & L. Hecht Trust was established in 1970 to provide support for community development projects. One such project was the establishment of services so that people with low vision had access to the devices and equipment that could assist them. Digital image of gold coloured metal plaqueAssociation for the Blind gratefully recognises the financial contribution made by the H and L Hecht Trust to provide low vision services in the Western Metropolitan Region August 1995association for the blind, h & l hecht trust

Donated by Jessie SmithSepia Photograph of "Delamore" property San Remo. Ladies on verandah from left to right: Miss Small, Mrs Mary Bonwick, Miss Small. Standing at front gate Miss Elsie Bonwick. House located at the corner of Panorama Drive and Anderson Street, San Remo. Double fronted weatherboard with rolled blinds.On back: "Delamore San Remo 1896?" "L - R Miss Small, Mrs Mary Bonwick, Miss Small, Miss Elsie Bonwick. Corner Panorama Dve and Anderson St.""delamore" san remo, bonwick family, small family, jessie smith

Sepia coloured photograph of four women and a man standing in front of the Belmont hotel. Two photos one an enlarged copy of the other. The licensee was Ann Jackson wife of Edward Jackson who was blinded in an underground explosion at the Lady Barkly mine in 1875. Their daughter Ann Jackson continued in the hotel until the 1950's.bendigo, hotel, belmont hotel

The Asylum and School for the Blind, designed by Crouch & Wilson, was built on St Kilda Road in 1868, and later became the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. This photograph was most likely taken in the late 19th century, with white posts and wire fencing sectioning the driveway from the garden..B/W photograph of RVIB St Kilda Road buildingroyal victorian institute for the blind, crouch & wilso

Association for the Blind treasurer Mr Robin Pleydell at an Annual General MeetingCol. photographs and negatives of Robin Pleydellassociation for the blind, robin pleydell

Portraits of Don Draffin, President for the Association for the Blind, taken for the Annual Report.5 colour transparencies of Don Draffinassociation for the blind, don draffin

A brown wooden award depicting a wooden lawn bowls ball with two white metal canes crossed behind it. The award is inscribed with the following individual silver plates: Frank Yates Trophy -- Charlestown -- 8/6/63 J. McDonald, C. Dodd, R. Bramble, S. Mascord -- 5/10/63 J. McDonald, C. Dodd, R. Bramble, S. Mascord -- Balmain -- 13/6/64 C. Harlinar, R. O'Connor, H. Hussey, F. Yeats -- A. Snowden, K. Barron, D.Evans, P. Gilbert 1964 -- Balmain B.B.C. 9/4/72 -- William St. Blind W.B.C. Balmain 10/2/74 -- Balmain BBC 8/4/78 -- B.S.W.B.C. Enfield 1979 -- William St. Blind W.B.C. Balmain 31/5/70 -- Balmain B.B.C. 14/2/71 -- Partially Blinded Solders Assoc. NSW Branch -- Blind Women William Street v Blind Men Balmain -- Balmain Blind Bowling Combination -- P.B.S.A. 4 Rinks 22/8/65 -- William St. Blind W.B.C. Belfield B.C. 23/6/68 -- B.B.B.C. 1975 -- Balmain B.C. 15/10/67 -- B.B.B.C. 4 Rinks 27/2/66 -- Blamin B.B.C. 2/3/69 -- Balmain Charlestown -- Balmain B.B.C. 12/10/69.Digital image of wooden shield with smaller silver plaques and wooden ball top crossed by mini white canesawards, royal blind society of new south wales

Donations for structural improvements were often acknowledged via plaques. These plaques were on the walls of Kelaston then later the Vision Australia office in Ballarat until it closed in 2021. Anna Jane Bolte was a resident of Kelaston whose son, Sir Henry Bolte became the longest serving Victorian Premier. William Buckland Trust supported safe housing for vulnerable Australians, such as the residents of Kelaston. Other generous local donors who were also acknowledged are Thomas & Cora Turnbull and the work of Mrs C.M. (Edith) Nunn, who joined the Ballarat Auxiliary in 1949 as they sought development of a home for the blind.Digital images of cast bronze plaquesThe Anna Jane Bolte Room Named in memory of the late Anna Jane Bolte, a resident of Kelaston, in recognition of the service given by her son, the Honourable Sir Henry Bolte, G.C.M.G., as Chairman of the Guiding Light Appeal 1974. 20 April, 1979 In recognition & appreciation of the financial assistance received from the William Buckland Estate, 1979. This plaque acknowledges outstanding service to the blind people of the Ballarat district from 1948 until her death in 1975 by the late Mrs C.M. (Edna) Nunn, 1979. This room commemorates the generous support to Kelaston by Thomas & Cora Turnbull.nameplates, kelaston