maldon, easter fair, 2012

The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the square mile of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078, and was a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new ruling elite. The castle was used as a prison from 1100 (Ranulf Flambard) until 1952 (Kray twins),[3] although that was not its primary purpose. A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. As a whole, the Tower is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat. There were several phases of expansion, mainly under Kings Richard the Lionheart, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries. The general layout established by the late 13th century remains despite later activity on the site. The Tower of London has played a prominent role in English history. It was besieged several times, and controlling it has been important to controlling the country. The Tower has served variously as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of England. From the early 14th century until the reign of Charles II, a procession would be led from the Tower to Westminster Abbey on the coronation of a monarch. In the absence of the monarch, the Constable of the Tower is in charge of the castle. This was a powerful and trusted position in the medieval period. In the late 15th century the castle was the prison of the Princes in the Tower. Under the Tudors, the Tower became used less as a royal residence, and despite attempts to refortify and repair the castle its defences lagged behind developments to deal with artillery. The peak period of the castle's use as a prison was the 16th and 17th centuries, when many figures who had fallen into disgrace, such as Elizabeth I before she became queen, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Elizabeth Throckmorton were held within its walls. This use has led to the phrase "sent to the Tower". Despite its enduring reputation as a place of torture and death, popularised by 16th-century religious propagandists and 19th-century writers, only seven people were executed within the Tower before the World Wars of the 20th century. Executions were more commonly held on the notorious Tower Hill to the north of the castle, with 112 occurring there over a 400-year period. In the latter half of the 19th century, institutions such as the Royal Mint moved out of the castle to other locations, leaving many buildings empty. Anthony Salvin and John Taylor took the opportunity to restore the Tower to what was felt to be its medieval appearance, clearing out many of the vacant post-medieval structures. In the First and Second World Wars, the Tower was again used as a prison, and witnessed the executions of 12 men for espionage. After the Second World War, damage caused during the Blitz was repaired, and the castle reopened to the public. Today the Tower of London is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. Under the ceremonial charge of the Constable of the Tower, it is cared for by the charity Historic Royal Palaces and is protected as a World Heritage Site.(Wikipedia) A World Heritage Site is a landmark which has been officially recognized by the United Nations, specifically by UNESCO. Sites are selected on the basis of having cultural, historical, scientific or some other form of significance, and they are legally protected by international treaties. UNESCO regards these sites as being important to the collective interests of humanity. More specifically, a World Heritage Site is an already classified landmark on the earth, which by way of being unique in some respect as a geographically and historically identifiable piece is of special cultural or physical significance (such as either due to hosting an ancient ruins or some historical structure, building, city, complex, desert, forest, island, lake, monument, or mountain) and symbolizes a remarkable footprint of extreme human endeavour often coupled with some act of indisputable accomplishment of humanity which then serves as a surviving evidence of its intellectual existence on the planet. And with an ignoble intent of its practical conservation for posterity, but which otherwise could be subject to inherent risk of endangerment from human or animal trespassing, owing to unmonitored/uncontrolled/unrestricted nature of access or threat by natural or accelerated extinction owing to local administrative negligence, hence it would have been listed and demarcated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to have been identified or recognised and officially christened and internationally elevated through multilateral declaration by UNESCO as a universally protected zone. [1] The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 UNESCO member states which are elected by the General Assembly. (Wikipedia)The Tower of London is a UNESCO world heritage site.tower of london

St Patrick's Day is celebrated on 17 March. A St Patrick's Day March was held in Ballarat. According to the Ballarat Courier of 03 February 1916 a festival was organised in Ballarat to celebrate St Patrick's Day: "ST PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL - There was an excellent attendance last night at St. Patrick's Hall to make a rangments for the annual celebration of St. Patrick's Day Festival. Mr A. W. Hager occupied the chair. The date allotted by the V.R.C. committee, Friday, 24th March, was accepted, and the festival will take place on that date, with the usual race meeting on the Miners' Racecourse, and entertainment at Her Majesty's Theatre in the evening. The secretary was instructed to appeal for the hearty co-operation of the different societies, and to ask for a holiday on 24th March. The amount of stakes and the racing programme were left in the hands of racing committee, whose report will be dealt with at the next meeting. The following officials were appointed to carry out the celebrations:--Chairman, Very Rev. Father Kennelly; vice-chairmen, Rev. Father Henneberry, T. J. O'Loughlin, and A. W. Hager; general manager, Mr M. Newton; Secretary; Mr F. T. Kierce; treasurer, Mr William White; collecting secretaries, Revs. Fathers Kennelly and Henneberry; entertainment. Mesers D. J.Ward, J. Morrisey, Fraser Hussy, Chris Hager, Shelly, Dr Spring, Dr Kelly, J.J. Coglan, P. Thornton, Jasper Coghlan, Jas Early; finance committee, Revs. Kennelly, Henneberry, Messrs White, T. Foley, Dr Spring, Brophy, Shelley. All present with power to add wore appointed a general committee. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting."Black and white photographic reproduction of the 1916 St Patrick's Day March in Sturt Street, Ballarat. A band leads the parade, a horse drawn float carries a banner "Unity of Peace & War" with hundreds following as part of the parade. ballarat irish, st patrick's day, st patrick's day march, ballarat, hager, kennelly, henneberry, o'loughlin, kierce, white, ward, morrisey, fraser, hussy, shelly, kelly, spring, coglan, foley, brophy

A programme of songs used in a Comradeship Christmas gathering in 1968.Comradeship Committee meetings were very important to the Legatees. Legatees supported each other by coming together for various events throughout the year. This carol booklet shows that Legatees enjoyed singing together at their Comradeship meetings and in particular singing carols at Christmas time. A programme of songs for a Christmas party on medium paper stock with red text. Contains lyrics of songs including ‘Oh You Beautiful Doll’, ‘Somewhere, My Love’, ‘That Certain Party’, ‘A World of Our Own’, ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’, ‘Moonlight Bay’ and ‘We’ll Meet Again’.Pencil numbers, ticks and question marks.comradeship, function, legatee event, songs

A programme of songs used in a Comradeship Christmas gathering at Legacy function in 1971. Contains words to songs only.Comradeship Committee meetings were very important to the Legatees. Legatees supported each other by coming together for various events throughout the year. This carol booklet shows that Legatees enjoyed singing together at their Comradeship meetings and in particular singing carols at Christmas time. A programme of songs for a Christmas party on tryfold card, red cover with black type. White paper inside with black type. comradeship, function, songs

A leaflet created for a Christmas gathering of the Comradeship Committee. The hand drawn images and handwritten song lyrics have been printed on yellow paper. The songs include; O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels, White Christmas and Jingle Bells.Comradeship meetings were very important to the Legatees. Legatees supported each other by coming together for various events throughout the year. This carol booklet shows that Legatees enjoyed singing together.Yellow paper program containing lyrics of Christmas carols, single A4 page folded in half.comradeship, songs, legatee event

The document covers the year of 1941. Mention is made of the restrictions and difficulties (petrol rationing, scarcity of paper to name some) that occurred with running a wartime economy, and trying to implement the social welfare programme of Legacy. In particular, The Welfare Committee. Despite the difficulties of the time, Legacy not only continued its work but expanded the programme e.g. the establishment of a Legacy Dental Clinic in Collins St, Melbourne. The document also notes with some sadness the death of some Junior Legatees due to war service, and the realisation that the work of Legacy will need to be expanded due to World War 2. Legacy Probation Officers paid tribute to the never failing support of the Police department. To quote, "In all cases the Police were just as anxious as we to save the boys from the Reformatory of Gaol." There are many documents styled as 'The work of 19XX' so it was a way legatees reported the main events of the year. Many were put into the original archive started by Frank Doolan and were labelled with the letter 'H' to signify History.A record that Legatees were recording the major events of the year in a report for future reference. Significant in that the Law Courts valued the work Legacy was doing to reform their Junior Legatees who had appeared before the courts.White quarto paper, black type. Pages held together by a sewing pin. Pages numbered in pencil, top right hand corner. The documents are enclosed in a Melbourne Legacy badged envelope, stating the title written in black biro.annual summary, history

A planting of a pine tree at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital on 17 April 1991. Legacy had a programme of donating trees grown from seeds from Lone Pine in Gallipoli. One photo shows 4 Gallipoli veterans standing by the newly planted pine tree. One shows President John Sullivan with the shovel. Also with representatives of John Allison / Monkhouse who provided the plaques for the tree. A different photo was used in the July 1991 issue of the Widows' Newsletter (later called The Answer) and explained two small Lone Pine trees were donated in appreciation of the care extended by the hospital to widows and dependents of veterans. Special guests included WW1 Gallipoli veterans who had revisited Gallipoli for its 75th Anniversary. White paper labels say: "Gallipoli 'Lone Pine' Lives on. Two lone pine trees, propagated from Gallipoli Lone Pines, were presented on behalf of Melbourne Legacy to the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital by the President, Legatee John Sullivan. The trees were presented in appreciation of the care extended by the Hospital to widows and dependants of veterans." "Commemorative plaques. Managing Director of John Allison / Monkhouse, Mr Clive Allison and Legatee Rob Allison presented bronze commemorative plaques which will be installed by the trees." "Gallipoli veterans were special guests at the presentation." The Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital has a proud history of caring for Veterans and War Widows. From the early 1970s Legacy had a commemorative programme of providing trees grown from seeds from Gallipoli to various towns throughout Australia. This may be part of that project (see the Lone Pine brochure at 00593) or subsequent propagation undertaken by Legacy. Melbourne Legacy’s Commemoration Committee was responsible for the collection, propagation, presentation and dedication of Lone Pines from the 24th Battalion tree at the Shrine of Remembrance. On the 14th September 1989 further seedlings were collected with the hope to raise 1,000 trees from the seeds. Thus, Legacy is helping to keep the memory of the Gallipoli 'Lone Pine' alive – its spirit living on today. Presentations are made to schools, ex-service organisations and interested bodies by Legacy Clubs in the hope that they will be cherished as a symbol of nationhood and of its just pride, devotion, courage, selflessness and sense of service to others. Photos were taken by the publicity officer Susie Howard.A record of a tree planting of a Lone Pine tree.Colour photo x 6 of a tree planting at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.On the back 'Lone Pine Heidelberg Repat.', handwritten in black ink. White paper labels with black type captioned group of photos.tree planting, answer, lone pine

A planting of a pine tree by Legatee Mal Huffman and two children at Aberfeldie Primary School. It appear in The Answer in June 1995. From the early 1970s Legacy had a commemorative programme of providing trees grown from seeds from Gallipoli to various towns and schools throughout Australia. This may be part of that project (see the Lone Pine brochure at 00593) or subsequent propagation undertaken by Legacy. Melbourne Legacy’s Commemoration Committee was responsible for the collection, propagation, presentation and dedication of Lone Pines from the 24th Battalion tree at the Shrine of Remembrance. On the 14th September 1989 further seedlings were collected with the hope to raise 1,000 trees from the seeds. Thus, Legacy is helping to keep the memory of the Gallipoli “Lone Pine” alive – its spirit living on today. Presentations are made to schools, ex-service organisations and interested bodies by Legacy Clubs in the hope that they will be cherished as a symbol of nationhood and of its just pride, devotion, courage, selflessness and sense of service to others.A record of a tree planting of a Lone Pine tree.Colour photo of a Legatee and two children planting a tree.On the back "Copyright of Community News.", stamped in red ink.tree planting, lone pine

A planting of a pine tree by a man and two school children at what could be a school. There was a service with speeches and a band playing. The venue, names and date are unknown. In the early 1970s Legacy had a commemorative programme of providing trees grown from seeds from Gallipoli to various towns throughout Australia. This may be part of that project (see the Lone Pine brochure at 00593) or subsequent propagation undertaken by Legacy. Melbourne Legacy's Commemoration Committee was responsible for the collection, propagation and dedication of Lone Pines from the 24th Battalion tree at the Shrine of Remembrance. On the 14th September 1989 further seedlings were collected with the hope to raise 1,000 trees from then seeds. Thus, Legacy is helping to keep the memory of the Gallipoli "Lone Pine" alive - its spirit living on today. Presentations are made to schools, ex-service organisations and interested bodies by Legacy Clubs in the hope that they will be cherished as a symbol of nationhood and of its just pride, devotion, courage, selflessness and sense of service to others.A record of a tree planting of a Lone Pine tree.Colour photo x 8 of a tree planting at a school.tree planting, lone pine

Has a strong association with the 1980 Melbourne Pageant, and the involvement of the Bus and Coach Society of Victoria in the event. Various papers giving programme detailsEvent materials associated with the 1980 Australia Day Pageant, Melbourne, 28 January 1980. .1 - Guide to all motor vehicles, including buses of the Bus and Coach Society of Victoria - fourteen duplicated pages, stapled within a printed card cover - landscape format. Centre pages has a map of the Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens. .2 - Programme of events for the period 21st Jan to Monday 28th giving details of displays throughout the Melbourne CBD area. Printed quarto sheet on art paper, folded into three vertically.trams, tramways, bcsv, melbourne, australia day

Bendigo Operatic Society ''You're in Love'' Capitol Theatre - Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., March 24th,25th,26th,27th, 1958. Programme, 1/- Bendigo Operatic Society President: Mr. John Cannon - Vice-President: Mr C. Bubb - Secretary: Mr. E.B.Thomas - Treasurer: Mr. Bruce Ralph - Hon. Auditor: Mr. Frank Iredale - Committee: Messrs L. Spencely, J. Smyth, W. Kelly, Mesdames J. Cannon, N. McCarthy, J. McGrergor, J. Smyth and Miss M. Welch. Our Producer: Norman Lee - Our Musical Director: Max O'Loghlen Gertrude Perry Plays Georgiana - Bert Donovan Plays Hobby Douglas - Alfred Annison Plays Mr. Wix - Celia Douglas Plays Mrs.Payton - Barbara McGregor Plays Dorothy - Brian Brewer Plays Lacey Hart. Synopsis of ''You're in Love'' The action of this story takes place prior to and during a pleasure cruise of the Hawaiian Islands and centres around Hobby Douglas and Georgianawho both wish to marry, but are unable to do so without the consent of georgiana aunt, Mrs. Payton. Mr. wix a missionary worker and Hobby's Guardian is also against marriage. Dorothy and Lacey are a young married couple on the honeymoon cruise. What happens to this assortment of people will have to be seen. Cast in order of appearance: Judge Brewster: Max Beckwith - Lacey Hart: Brian Brewer - Dorothy: Barbara McGregor - Mrs.Payton: Celai Douglas - Georgiana: Gertrude Perry - Hobby Douglas: Bert Donovan - Mr. Wix: Alfred Annison - The Captain: Mervyn Penno - The Steward: Joseph Quigg - Specialty Dancers; Ann Stone, Rosalie Spencely. Costunmes and Scenery by J.C. Williamsons Ltd. Music by Rudolf Friml. Book and Lyrics by Otto Hauerbach and Edward Clarck.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

Items belonged to a Bendigo woman, born in 1919 who lived in Bendigo all her life and died at the age of 94 years. Program is for Bendigo Operatic Society's performance of H.M.S. Pinafore at Flora Hill High School Auditorium, for 5 nights commencing Tues 26th June (year not mentioned) consists of 4 pages, double sided print, folded in half & stapled in centre. Pink colored cover/back page & centre page. Black/white & some red ink print Program includes: names of Committee, Cast, black/white photos of production team & cast, synopsis of story & list of musical numbers & local advertisements souvenir programme, bendigo operatic society

The 1956 Melbourne Olympics saw the rowing events held on Lake Wendouree Ballarat. This was only set of events held outside Melbourne Region. The Programme, lists the scoreboard abbreviations, the Games Committee, map of the course, Rowing events Committee and Council, Officials, each event, finalists, names position, previous winners, transport services, though did not include Ballarat trams and on the rear cover a simplified programme of events and a map and list of competition venues. Cover printed by Sands McDougall Pty Ltd Melbourne with text by Alex King & Sons Pty Ltd Ballarat. Two contestants of interest are Murray Riley and Mervyn Wood who came 3rd in the double sculls. Wood became the NSW police commissioner in 1977 and Riley was a corrupt NSW Policemen and after leaving the police force became highly involved in the Nugan Hand Bank which was highly involved in drug trafficing, and crime syndicates. See reference.Yields information about the Rowing Events on Lake Wendouree in 1956. The trams were an important transport service to and from central Ballarat for this event.Book - 20 pages, centre stapled, titled "1956 Olympic Games, Melbourne Official Rowing Programme Lake Wendouree, Ballarat" and printed specifically for Tuesday 27 November 1956.All event results have been filled in with the list of countries and their times.olympic games, transport, ballarat, rowing, lake wendouree, events

Books, posters, letters and bromide sheets for background information and use in Australia Remembers (1995), commemoration - 50th anniversary of end of second world war. 255.1 - three copies - 1 item with 4 Velcro dots on rear, Australia Remembers logo poster - gloss paper, minor creases, three colours, 420 x 286. 255.2 - A4 size, 40 page and card cover background information book - "Australia Remembers", 1945 - 1995", published by Department of Veteran Affairs, 1994 Canberra. Gives brief history of Australia's involvement in Second World War, 297H x 210W, no damage. 255.3 - letter from Victorian Committee to BTPS dated 28/2/19905 - white paper with colour logo, A4, BTPS received stamp in top right hand corner - crease in top left hand corner. 255.4 - 8 page A4 size magazine format on Australia Remembers events, issued in Jan. 1995 - 297H x 210W - no damage. 255.5 - single sheet - A4 size, black and white, and colour bromides of Australia Remembers logos in various screens. Produced by Department of Veteran Affairs. Has been cut on left hand side. Images added 19/10/2013.trams, tramways, world war ii, australia remembers, 50th anniversary, commerations

The Herald on 10 August described the Festival offerings as: "Varied 10-Day Programme For Kew Arts Festival Opened last night, the Kew Arts Festival in the Recreation Hall, Wellington Street, provides an interesting and varied programme for the next 10 days. Today at 8.15 p.m. Mr George Bell and Mr Colin Badger will have a public discussion on "What Is Modern Art?" The Vice-chancellor of the Melbourne University of Melbourne (Mr JDG Medley) will preside. Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. Junior students of the Methodist Ladies College, directed by Dorothy Dwyer. will show how they learn to speak and move on the stage, and will present three short plays. Tomorrow night Elise Steele and Violet Ewart (violin and piano) Beryl Batten (songs) and Edith Parnell (accompanist) will give a concert. Paintings and other works of art will be on show from 2.30 to 5.30 p.m. on Sunday. On Monday night. Mr Colin Badger will speak on "Dead Wood and Green Shoot: Australian Literature Today" and on Tuesday night there will be "Ballet in Story and Action"— the story told by Norman Macgeorge, with Joan Burnett as ballerina and Fred Manners-Sutton at the piano. Wednesday night will have an illustrated lecture "Contemporary Art Education." by John Bechervaise. Remaining nights will be taken up with a performance of Somerset Maugham's "The Circle" presented by the Little Theatre, a youth concert, and another concert with songs and piano. On Saturday morning, August 18, there will be a special concert for young people. The festival will end on Sunday week with a chamber music programme in the afternoon."Important local arts festival initiated during the Second World War and continuing till the early 1950s. The souvenir programmes produced for successive festivals are historically and artistically significant records of visual and performing arts practice in Melbourne during this period.11 page souvenir program for the Kew Arts Festival, held in the Recreation Hall, Wellington Street, Kew from the 9th to the 19th August 1945. The content of the program can be viewed through the image carousel.kew arts festival - 1945, visual arts - kew (vic), performing arts - kew (vic)

Arthur Henry Dear was an employee of the City of Kew, acting as Hall Keeper of the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, and later the new Kew City Hall in Cotham Road. The Arthur Dear Collection contains memorabilia - tickets, programmes, invitations - as well as his identification badge. Items in the collection dates from the 1940s to the 1960s. The Arthur Dear Collection is a comprehensive collection of theatrical ephemera relating to performances by theatrical and musical organisations from within and outside the former City of Kew who typically performed at venues in Kew during the 1950s and 1960s.One page flyer issued by the Steering Committee for the proposed Kew Recreation Council to individuals to attend a Special Get-together in No.3 Hall, Kew Civic Centre, on 27 November 1975 at 7.15 p.m.arthur dear collection, city of kew, kew civic centre, mrs henri serroni

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.THE PRESIDENT AND COMMITTEE / OF THE VICTORIAN CIVIL AMBULANCE SERVICE / REQUEST THE PLEASURE OF THE COMPANY OF / The Town Clerk / AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING / OF THE NEW HEADQUARTERS STATION / AT 64 LATROBE STREET, MELBOURNE / BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA / GENERAL SIR DALLAS BROOKS KCB KCMG KCVO DSO KStJ / ON WEDNESDAY, 2ND JULY 1958 AT 3 P.M. / REFRESHMENTS / RSVP 20TH JUNE TO / THE SECRETARY VCAS 64 LATROBE STREET MELBOURNE C1civic invitations -- kew (vic), victorian civil ambulance service, new headquarters station - 64 latrobe street (melb)

The Black and White committee started in 1936 to raise funds for the children supported by the Sydney Industrial Blind Institute (later Royal Blind Society of NSW) through a variety of events. One such major fundraiser was a Ball, initially began as the White Ball then changed to Black and White Ball in 1948. Ball programs were created to provide opportunity for sponsors to advertise their involvement with this prestigious event, as well include information on the time progression of the night, a menu, a list of the current committee (Patron, President, various positions and members) and the Black and White Derby race sheet. First run in 1956, the Derby gave individuals or businesses the opportunity to sponsor a 'horse' in the race, which was ridden by a 'jockey' who rolled up a line to reach the finish post. Later programs included auction items, information on performers at the Ball and photographs from other events organised by the Black and White Committee (Casino Cruise, Women of Achievement lunch, previous year's Ball, etc.)Booklets with black and white covers with illustrationsCover on title changes: The Black and White Ball (1981-3) The Black and White programme (1985-1988) The Black and White Ball ((1992, 2003, 2005)black and white committee, royal blind society of nsw

Victorian Association of Braille Writers had subcommittees including the 'Entertainment Committee' which organised concerts, lectures including fortnightly socials and dances throughout the year. These minutes contain information on attendees, meeting chair, apologies, minutes acceptance, matters arising from the minutes, accounts, reports, matters arising from reports, donations, general business and the date of the next meeting. 'Helping the afflicted" from The Herald Jun 14, 1917 - ' On Thursday evening the Entertainment Committee of the Braille Writers' Association held it's first social evening in the Braille Library. More than 100 blind readers responded to the invitation. A hearty welcome was give to two blinded soldiers, Sergeant Walshe and Private Glew. A musical programme followed, and the evening ended with the serving of light refreshments. These gathering will be held fortnightly in the Braille Library, and the next is to be a picture competition'.1 volume of handwritten minutesvictorian association of braille writers, recreation

The AFB were aware that accommodation options for blind people were limited and sought to open a hostel to assist with this.The first hostel opened in Lara Street, South Yarra but could not meet demand. In 1926, a suitable property 'Egremont' at 54 The Avenue, Windsor, came on the market. The price was £2650. Lack of funds to purchase seemed an insurmountable barrier. With assistance from the Trustees of the Edward Wilson Estate and the Felton Bequest a deposit of £650 was raised. In a huge step of faith the Committee took out a mortgage of £2000. The interest on the mortgage and its repayments weighed heavily on the Committee. The Avenue, as 'Egremont' was commonly termed, was also a seven roomed house. Mr Paterson and the Architect, Mr Parkes of Oakley and Parkes, immediately began planning an extension, fourteen single bedrooms were added. They were filled from the Waiting List. A Windsor Auxiliary was formed and worked to reduce the mortgage of £2000. An active programme of dances, card evenings, theatre nights and the like took place under the leadership of Mrs. Robertson. The Auxiliary also took an interest in the boarders, arranging entertainment and social activity. £1500. was still owed in 1930. Living side by side is no easy task for a group of people, and the Hostel meeting minute books are filled with stories of disputes over wireless sets, telephones, hot water bottles and wardrobes. In 1958, with rising costs and the growth of aged care centres, the Hostel was closed and the house sold to a succession of private buyers. In 2016 it still stands and has been refurbished as a guest house.B/W copy of newspaper photographThe hostel for blind women at 54 The Avenue, Windsor was established in 1926 to provide a place where sightless women may live together to their mutual advantage under proper and sympathetic supervision. The Windsor Hostel was sold in 1958. This building still stands today and has been refurbished.egremont, blind womens hostel, tilly aston