Opened by the Hon. J A Rafferty, Minister for Transport, 25 November 1976, the bridge was the first of four bridges to be built as part of the freeway bypass of Orbost. Construction cost $2.4 million. This construction was an important development along the Princes Highway corridor through East Gippsland. The original highway approached the Snowy River at a very poor alignment, and several serious accidents had occurred at the Orbost end. In times of heavy flood, the highway on both sides of the river had been cut by floodwaters and during the 1971 floods, the highest ever recorded, the river was a mile wide at the crossing. Construction of the bridges commenced in January 1975, with an expectation to open the bridge across the Snowy River as soon as possible. Less than two years later, on 25 November 1976, the bridge across the Snowy River was opened to traffic, allowing the old bridge to be demolished. The remainder of the Orbost Bypass, both the floodplain crossings and the eastern section around the township itself, was declared ‘Princes Freeway’ and opened to traffic in December 1977. (ref http://mrv.ozroads.com.au) The Country Roads Board was the government authority for the construction and maintenance of main roads in Victoria between 1913 and 1983. It was succeeded by the Road Construction authority on 1 July 1983 and later merged with the Road Traffic Authority on July 1 1989 to form the Roads Corporation. James Cameron, an Orbost farming pioneer and Member of the Legislative Assembly, fathered the Country Roads Board. The opening of this Snowy River Bridge was an important development in the accessibility to the township of Orbost.Three coloured Country Roads pamphlets for the 'Princes Freeway - Orbost Section". On the front is a coloured photograph of the new construction over the Snowy River at Orbost. Inside is a program for a ceremony for the opening of the new Snowy River Bridge. There is also a black print map of the project.

This photograph was taken at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Orbost High School in 1962.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 historyA black / white photograph of students and other sitting on lawns outside the Orbost High School.on back - "Orbost H.S. Golden Jubilee 1962"education-orbost orbost-high-school-golden-jubilee

This is a useful reference tool.Two copies of a 10 pp black / white magazine titled, " The Forests of East Gippsland". There are eight black/white photographs on the front cover depicting the timber industry. In the centre inside a black frame is "THE FORESTS OF EAST GIPPSLAND AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO RESIDENCE OF THE ORBOST SHIRE PREPARED BY THE ORBOST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JUNE, 1983".timber-industry-orbost

This share certificate is made out to Herman Wehner of Orbost for 25 shares at 20/- per share in the Orbost Butter & Produce Co.. It has been signed by M. Blacklock as the secretary and James Nixon and H. James as directors. The Wehner family is/ was a prominent family in Orbost from the late 19th century. Herman Wehner founded Wehner's Blacksmith's at Orbost in 1889. Oswald Wehner began working in 1910 with his father. In 1947 Ossie's son Tom started blacksmithing, retiring in 1991 and closing the business, The building remains in Nicholson Street. The original Orbost Butter and Produce factory was built in 1893 by a group of landholders described in The Snowy River Mail in 1916 as including “two or three exceptionally constituted individuals who did not know when they were beaten”.The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district.A pink paper certificate with black print and handwritten details. It has a "Not Negotiable" stamp vertical centre. It has also been cancelled.orbost-butter-produce-co.

Life time friends since school days at Lakes Entrance taken at Nursing Home Lochial House in Orbost, VictoriaColour photograph of Mavis Smith nee Muir on left and Gladys Scarce nee Legg on right, people, nursing home, accommodation

These documents show the beginnings of the society with a committee in 1966 leading to the formation in 1967,These documents record the history of the Orbost & District Historical Society.A cardboard box of documents of Orbost & District Historical Society, It contains minutes, correspondence, accounts, receipt and cheque books. There are also two keys. orbost-history-documents

This ledger was used by the Shire of Orbost pound keeper from 15 june 1947 -12 June 1971. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum. 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. Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council. This book records the impounding of animals which have been found wandering on local roads or trespassing on land. Many are farm animals. Impounded animals were either claimed by their owners after payment of a fee or if unclaimed , they were sold. The Orbost Pound was situated on Martin Street.This book is a record of a practice which was necessary to remove stock which were wandering on local roads or trespassing on neighbours. It contains many local names and is of social interest. (ref. Vic. Collections)A rectangular hard cover leather bound ledger with fawn cloth spine, titled "POUND KEEPERS BOOK SHIRE OF ORBOST". Inside the back cover are several sales dockets and Shire of Orbost By-Law No 48. Pages are lined in blue and red and pages are headed in black . Entries are hand written in blue and black. The entries give particulars of the animal impounded and where found with name of council officer and owner, if known.orbost-pound orbost-shire-council

These photographs are of the final train to leave Orbost railway Station on August 21 1987 signalling the closure of the line. 3105.12 shows Locomotive T408 and on the side is written "LAST TRAIN EX ORBOST 24.8.87". These photographs are 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. The closure of the line was a significant event in Orbost's history.Fifteen black / white photographs of the last train to leave Orbost Railway station.3105.1 - on back - "Last Train leaving Orbost Railway Station on Friday August 21. 1987. SRM August 26 1987 Last train from Orbost, Friday last saw the end of an era when the last freight train to pull out of Orbost Station at about 4.co pm. A symbolic wave from engineer, Bill Buckley, was the only ceremony to mark the passing of rail transport for East Gippsland." 3105.2 - on back - " Last train prepares to leave from Orbost on August 21, 1987." 3105.3 - on back - " The Orbost railhead following the departure of the last train on Friday August 21, 1987. Shows spectators who farewelled the last train." 3105.4 - on back - "From Grandview, Newmerella, shows the last train from Orbost crossing the timber Trestle (sic) viaduct across the Snowy River flats on Friday August 21, 1987" 3105.5 - on back - " A pair of Series 3 "T" Class Diesel Electric locomotives which were used to haul the final train from the Orbost Rail Head on Friday, August 21, 1987. Goods shed on right" 3105.6 - on back - " VFTY Timber Wagons at the Orbost Railway Station. 30 of these large wagons were built for the timber traffic between Orbost and Melbourne. Part of last train to leave Orbost on August 1, 1987." 3105.7 - on back - "The Fordson powered Rail Tractor which was used during shunting at the Orbost railway station, hooked up behind the second locomotive for its final journal from Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987." 3105.8 - on back - "Two Series 3 "T" Class Locomotives (Diesel Electric) were used to haul the final train from Orbost - T408 and T347, T408 was the leading locomotive. Orbost Goods Shed is on the left. Last train left on Friday August 27, 1987." 3105.9 - on back - " 3 "T" Class Diesel Electric locomotives often used in pairs to haul the timber trains out of Orbost. This locomotive was used to lead (haul) the final train from Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987" 3105.10 - on back - "The Gantry at the Orbost Railway Yards - capacity 10 tons. The last wagons before being hooked up to the locos for their last trip out of Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987" 3105.11 - on back - " Station Masters Office and Goods Shed at Orbost Railway Station. The two Series 3 "T" Class Diesel Electric locomotives waiting to haul the final train from Orbost on Friday 21 1987" otrbost-bairnsdale-railway east-gippsland-railway orbosr-railway-closure

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 yearsA round Three Nuns Tobacco tin with a petty cash book inside. The tin - 2406.16 - has a red tape label - Petty Cash. The lid has a black circle on an orange background with white and orange print. The book - 2406.17 has a grey vinyl cover It is rectangular with rounded corners, cut to fit inside the tin. It contains hand-writteen records of costs.On top of tin lid - labelling tape - PETTY CASH On book cover in black print - PETTY CASH above black line Three Nuns Tobacco in white ORBOST None Nicer in orange AERO J & F Bell Glasgow in white CLUB On rim of lid - 2 oz Insert coin under lid and twistorbost-aero-club three-nuns-tobacco-tin

This photograph shows the main street of Orbost and in particular, the Orbost Post Office.This is a pictorial record of the Main street of Orbost in the early 20century.A black / white photograph which has been taken diagonally across the post office in the main street of Orbost. Buildings are wooden. The road is unsealed. There are several people outside the building, a dog in the foreground and a small cart on the left side.at top front - MAIN STREET, ORBOSTorbost nicholson-street-orbost post-office-orbost main-street-orbost

Councillor J.D. Torley was the chair of this committee. The Bicentenary of James Cook in Australia was commemorated in Australia in 1970. The British explorer Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook sailed and charted the East Coast of Australia in 1770, and claimed the eastern seaboard of the Continent for the British Crown. This was not considered the official bicentenary of Australia, but rather the mapping of the Eastern coastline.This item reflects the commemoration of a significant event in Australian history.750 is a red coloured plastic folder. The front cover has "SHIRE OF ORBOST" in gold print with the shire seal beneath it. It contains event programs, flyers, booklets, letter heads, souvenir programs, a catalogue for an art contest and minutes of the committee meetings. 750.1 is a manila folder which contains a program and tickets to the 1770 Ball held on Friday 17th April,1970. It also contains letter heads, envelopes and copies of correspondence concerning the Captain Cook 1970 centenary celebrations.cook-james centenary-1970 orbost-shire-council

This is a deposit book to the Commercial Bank of Australia Limited and is stamped by the Orbost Branch. It was used by the Orbost Rifle Club. The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.The Orbost Rifle Club was an active group for over seventy years. It no longer exists.A small thin book with a mottled tortoise shell like cover and light blue binder. accounts deposit-book-commercial-bank orbost-rifle-club

This photograph shows Nicholson Street, Orbost with horse teams in front Of Borland's Blacksmith shop and Royce's Bakery net door in August 1897.This is a pictorial record of the main street of Orbost in the late 19th century.A black / white photograph of the main street of Orbost. The road is unsealed. There are several wooden buildings facing the road and a cart with a team of horses is standing outside the blacksmith's building. A small child is standing behind the cart and several men are outside the bakery.on front - Orbostnicholson-street-orbost orbost-township borlands-blacksmith royces-bakery main-street-orbost

Souvenir booklet for the Centenary of Great Westernlight green card cover, with brown circle in to left, contains Rams head, a bunch of grapes and two bottles of wine and two glasses.1859 - 1959 Great Western Centenary Bookletstawell, great western

In 2012, Orbost Secondary College and the wider community celebrated 100 years of secondary education in Orbost. With earlier levels of schooling available at the Orbost State School or nearby schools of Newmerella and Jarrahmond School, it was not until April 1912, and after much campaigning from parents and other notable community members, that the Orbost Higher Elementary School was opened. Mr Richard Trembath was appointed the new Head teacher of Orbost Higher Elementary School and was assisted by Miss Olga Hirst. The senior class consisted of 26 pupils, and the junior class, 16 pupils. A limited curriculum was available which included lessons in Latin, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Geography, History, Drawing and advanced English. (info. O.S.C. website)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. A black / white photograph of a group of ladies seated on chairs outside the Orbost High School.on back - hand-written - " Orbost H.s. Jubilee, 1962 - Welfare Ladies & Edna Towns, Joan Liddell"

Four businesses owned by Ron Mason all situated in Maroondah Highway Ringwood, Academy film Productions, Compass Video Market Craft, Maroondah Garden Supplies and Ringwood Self Service Grocery Pty. Ltd.in the 1940s.stationery from 4 businesses owned by Ron Mason 1 Academy film Productions -flyers and stationery 2 Compass Video market Craft - stationery 3 Maroondah Garden Supplies -Business cards and blank invoice sheets 4 Ringwood Self Service Grocery Pty. Ltd. blank writing sheets

The photograph shows students watching the Orbost High School Golden Jubilee celebrations . Two girls in the front are Cheryl Matthews and Chris Herbert who are still local women.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 historyA black / white photograph of studentssitting on lawns outside the Orbost High School.on back - "Orbost H.S. Golden Jubilee 1962" on front - " Cheryl Matthews, Chris Herbert"education-orbost orbost-high-school-golden-jubilee

These books were used by the Orbost Rifle Club to record correspondence. 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.Four duplicate Correspondence books. All are brown with a brown cloth spine. 1359.1, 1359.2 and 1359.3 have marbled covers and 1359.4 has a dark brown soft cover with "TUDOR DUPLICATE BOOK" in paler print.

The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.The Orbost Rifle Club existed in Orbost for over seventy years.A blue Vana exercise book used by the Social Committee of the orbost Rifle Club to record its minutes.On front cover - handwritten - Orbost Rifle Club Social Committee Minute Bookorbost-rifle-club shooting

These documents were compiled by the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre) Committee.These documents are a useful reference item.A manila folder of ten documents. It contains reports of Orbost & District Tourist Association and of South East Coast Tourism Limited.tourism-orbost slab-hut

The photograph shows the Royal Mail wagon outside Herbert's General Store in the main street of Orbost. Lancelot Herbert came to Orbost in 1886, taking up a partnership with local store-owner George Temple. After Mr Temple’s death in 1891, Lancelot took over the store and progressively developed Herberts Snowy River Stores which grew into a department store of several shops along Nicholson StThis is a pictorial record of transport in 19th century Orbost. It is associated with the Herbert family.A black / white photograph of a travelling salesman and his samples on the Orbost Coach outside Herbert's grocery store. Two other men are standing nearby. The photograph is on a cream buff card.on front - "Traveller's Samples on Orbost Coach"herbert's-store transport

This photograph shows Mr John Scouller, the manager, on the left with His assistant, Fred ?. Mr Scouller was the manager of the Orbost Butter Factory for 30 years and was succeeded by Mr Stafford after his retirement. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st, 1892.The first shipment to England went rank and was only good for axle grease on wagons and carts.The milk was brought to the factory by horse and dray.Most people would take the whey home for their pigs,which were abundant on the farms in the Orbost district. First directors – James Nixon (chairman), James Cameron, Carl H. Grove, Harry Richardson, David Rhys Morris, Lachlan Ross. The factory opened 11th January, 1893 with John Scouller as the manager. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district.A black / white photograph of two men standing near machinery inside the Orbost Butter Factory.on back - " Orbost. m. Gilbert. J. Scouller, Fred?????. Donated by Colin Perry"orbost-butter-factory scouller-john dairying

This is a photograph of the Orbost Municipal Band in 1973. 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 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 group of uniformed band members seated outside a building. In front is a large drum with "ORBOST MUNICIPAL BAND" around the circumference. The photograph is under glass in a white wooden frame.on front - Orbost Municipal Band with a typed list of namesmusic recreation orbost-municipal-band

Sister Lynette Young was born in Orbost and lived there all her life until 18 when she went to Teachers’ College in Melbourne. This study was produced for partial fulfillment of the requirements of Church History 111 in the degree of Bachelor of Theology in the Melbourne College of Divinity at the affiliated teaching institution, Catholic Theological College in November 1980.This is a local history book written by a local author. It is a useful research tool.A 65 pp spiral bound book with a pale green cover. It is titled The Development of the Parish of Orbost 1887-1937. The title is in black. The book was written by Sister Lynette M. Young.Autographed by Sister Lynette Young.church-history-catholic orbost-history catholic-theological-college

This photograph shows a distant view of the Orbost township taken from Grandview Lookout at Newmerella. It appears to have been taken before the railway line was there.This is a pictorial record of early Orbost.A small black / white photograph of the Orbost township taken from Grandview Lookout , Newmerella. The main road can be seen below with paddocks of crops on both sides.on back - "Distant View, Orbost from Grandview"orbost-township-c19th grandview-lookout orbost-flats-paddocks

The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. (Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall)Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history.1944.1 is an Orbost Agricultural Society Member's Ticket No. 484. 1944.2 is an Orbost Agricultural Society Lady's Ticket no.484. Both are white cardboard edged in gold. The tickets are joined. There is a blue cord attached through a hole. The print is blue.Orbost Agricultural Society John Lynn President Member's Ticket E.H.D. White Secretary 1959 £1orbost-agricultural-society

This story was written by Brenda Johnson and details her time in Orbost from 1959 -1966 settling on land at Lake Road in Newmerella.This book is a useful and interesting reference tool on life in Newmerella in the mid 20th century.A thin stapled paperback book of 31 pp. It is titled "The Orbost Story 1959 to 1966 Lake Road Newmerella Victoria". The cover is shiny silver with black print. In the centre is a black/white photograph of the block with numbers ( 2 3 ?) carved into a tree. There is a Land Rover in the background.Stapled inside back cover - "Bob Johnson" with telephone details and email address.newmerella-history johnson-brenda rural farming

These photographs are from the Snowy River Mail newspaper, September 9, 1987. Ron Hayward's family ran a shop in Rupert Street, Orbost.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. The closure of the line was a significant event in Orbost's history.Five black / white photographs related to closure of the Orbost - Bairnsdale Railway Line.3104.1 - on back - "A view from Grandview, Newmerella, of the last train to leave Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987. As the afternoon sun lengthens the shadows on the Snowy River flats, the sun also sets on an era in Far East Gippsland transport as the last train crosses the viaduct." 3104,2 - 0n back - "Ron Hayward passes over the staff during the last crew changeover for the last train to run on the Orbost line. Ron Haywood (L) who 39 years and 6 months ago drove the first diesel loco to Orbost (T366T) presents the last staff to the driver, Bill Buckley, who took the last diesel out." 3104.3 - on back -" as above - 2nd paragraph only 3104.4 - on back - " Ron Hayward who took the first diesel engine from Bairnsdale to Orbost on February 21. 1957 when he was stationed at Orbosst. Last Friday he rode on the last diesel to Orbost after obtaining a special pass from V Line , he also handed over the staff for the last change at Orbost. The last driver was Bill Buckley." 3104.5 - on back - "LAST TRAIN ROLLS INTO ORBOST B/A Friday August 28 1987 For Ron Hayward the last train journey on the Orbost rail line was a sad occasion. Mr Hayward took the first diesel engine from Bairnsdale to Orbost on February 21, 1957, whe he was stationed at Orbost. Last Friday he rode on the last diesel too Orbost after obtaining a special pass from V-Line. He also handed over the staff for the last change at Orbost. The last driver was Bill Buckley. Mr Hayward was an engine driver with nhe railways and transferred to Orbost when steam engines used the line. He left the railways in in 1957 but took up a job with them again in 1968. He said also it was a privilege to have been able to ride on the last train, the occasion was a sad one,"east-gippsland-railway railway-closure hayward-ron buckley-bill orbost-bairnsdale-railway