The RVIB Radio Club was established initially as an entertainment for the RVIB 18th Box Hill Scout group, however anyone who was interested was welcome to join. In 1966 a licence application was submitted and approved, with the call sign allocated initially being VA1277 and used by the group in their initial transmission of September 25, 1967 . An appeal was made to change this to VK3VIB however this was rejected. An alternative call sign of VK3AVI was approved however, and first used on October 23, 1967. The club fostered an interest in radio communications and some later obtained licences of their own. The Radio Club lasted for 20 years and eventually concluded on November 16, 1988 with the equipment donated to the Kooyong Radio Club. A potted history of the club has written by Alex Paterson.3 log books and various loose papers including a brief history, radio licences, rosters and Wireless Institute of Australia Victorian Division membership cards.royal victorian institute for the blind, rvib burwood school, esme dunnell, alex paterson

With the growth of the Institution, demographic details needed to be recorded along with basic client information This register contains the handwritten entries of registration number, date, name in full, year of birth date classification of gender and age range (5-10 years, 10-15, 15-25, 25-35 or 35 and over), religion, birthplace, previous address, cause of blindness, terms of admission, name and address of parent or guardian. Discharges were also recorded with the registration number, date of discharge, name in full, classification (same as above) and remarks. All entries are recorded according to the date of entry and at each financial year the number of indoor pupils, outdoor pupils and journeymen would be tallied. This register covers the period 1/7/1893 to 30/6/1967. Extremely limited name searching is available for this register, due to its poor condition.1 volume of handwritten entries into columnsroyal victorian institute for the blind, rvib burwood school

Over 1962-63, plans were drawn up for the conversion of the main building into administrative offices and a rehabilitation centre. As the children were now located at the school in Burwood, and with funds achieved from the sale of the old factory buildings to the Alfred Hospital, the St Kilda Road building could expand room for its office workers and provide greater floor space to rehabilitation staff. These plans show the proposed conversion from bedrooms to administrative and rehabilitation areas.7 architectural plans and 1 letterJohn F D Scarborough and Partners, Architectsroyal victorian institute for the blind, plans

Photo of Sister Pat Parker accepting a cheque from children of the Browns Hill Primary School.1 photocopy of a picture with descriptionkelaston home (ballarat), association for the blind, sister pat parker

These meetings were held at the Kooyong office and the minutes include Present, Chair, Apologies, Minutes, Matter arising from minutes, Correspondence, Life governors, Election of members, Nominations, Reports from Regional Blind Members groups. Some highlights are: 30/6/1990 under the capable leadership of Mrs Elsie Germon the schools programme has been re-convened. Regular visits are being made to primary schools. Speakers are accompanied by sighted guides. 9/8/1991 Executive Director, Mr John Cook reported merger of the Braille & Talking Book Library with AFB. First radio appeal for 3RPH raising over $30,000, opening of the new Baringa Day Centre at Shepparton. 30/6/1996 the annual report highlighted the Centenary of AFB it was noted that self-help has always been the major emphasis underpinning the work of the Blind Member's Council. The Tilly Aston Fund raised over $1/2 million for the new National Information Centre. The peer support work and monitoring of services, ensures that we give back something to AFB, for the support we receive. BMC representatives made 70 visits across the State. The Council registered the Tilly Aston Rhododendron as a lasting way of acknowledging the work of our founder. 19/9/1997 The Chairman welcomed those present to the second combined meeting of the AFB and the Tilly Aston Customer Council. The Council welcomed the change in Articles and Memorandum of the Association and the formation of the Tilly Aston Customer Council which allowed all customer of the Association automatic membership and input to the monitoring of services. Minute book of Blind Members Council annual reports and general meetingsassociation for the blind, blind members council

These meetings were held at the Kooyong office and the minutes include Present, Chair, Apologies, Minutes, Matter arising from minutes, Correspondence, Life governors, Election of members, Nominations, Reports from Regional Blind Members groups. Some highlights include: 27/10/1986 it was reported that tactile maps of the Melbourne Metropolitan Railway network are now available. 6/2/1987 as special meeting had been called to discuss in detail what action should be taken regarding the proposed $2 coin. John Cook advised that BMC had been invited to send a representative to Canberra to meet with other Blind consumers and representatives from the Mint and Treasury. The BMC agreed the coins needed further testing. 29/2/1988 The Treasury received further letters regarding the $2.00 coin. It was agreed this matter could not be pursued any further. 26/11/1990 it was reported that the commissioned by BMC of the Association's founder Miss Tilly Aston, was officially unveiled by Mrs Jean Ross and Mrs Diana Jones at the 95th Birthday Celebration Concert. The portrait was then hung in the foyer of the Vision Resource Centre. Suitably framed photographs of the founder's portrait to be circulated to all branches. The visits to primary schools by BMC members continued as part of the School's program as did the BMC radio program on 3RPH. Minute book for Blind Members Councilassociation for the blind, blind members council

This poster is advertising 'Royal Packaging and Assembly Ind' coir mats. There is a line drawing of a jester's legs and shoes and the tip of a jester's staff on a coir mat. 1 rectangular white poster with red and black text with illustration Royal Packaging and Assembly Ind. Coir Mats For the Home, Office, Factory, Hall, School. Woven Business Logos, Monograms, Lettering. Standard Sizes or Made to Order Acknowledged as Top of the Range Manufactured at our factory from the finest Indian coir Packaging and Assembly Ind. - the Industrial Division of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Telephone: 5292211royal victorian institute for the blind, employment

To promote the 1970 Carols by Candlelight concert, John Farnham poses with two curious girls, one of whom is holding a Carols program.B/W photograph of John Farnham with two blind girlsNo. 703840carols by candlelight, john farnham

Minutes of the second White Cane Day organising committee, led by Bryan Sitlington, which decided to concentrate activities on to a single day. 20 pages of meeting minutes with covering letterwhite cane day, bryan sitlington, john blanch, villa maria society, blind members council, lindsay mcmillan, royal guide dogs association, national federation of blind citizens, m. jones, royal victorian eye & ear hospital, lady nell seeing eye dog school, allen egerton, val whitehead, royal victorian institute for the blind, braille and talking book library, association for the blind

A folder of newspaper cuttings about White Cane Day in 1994. These include personal stories about people who use white canes and the various schools and organisations who helped the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales sell confectionary white canes to help raise money for the Society.Various pages of newspaper cuttings royal blind society of nsw, white cane day

Joyce Evans demonstrates the ultrasonic guide at St George Girls High School in March 1970.B/W photograph of woman surrounded by schoolgirlsSt George Leader Mobility - historicalroyal blind society of nsw, joyce evans, st george's girls high school

Two high school children use white canes on a mockup of a bus at the Royal Blind Society.B/W photograph of school children using white canesMay 1970 Mobility - historicalroyal blind society of nsw, orientation and mobility

Black and white photograph of a man wearing a suit and hat, and a young boy of approximately ten years of age, standing side by side, outdoors, and each holding a white cane.1 black and white photograph of man and boy holding canesroyal victorian institute for the blind, orientation and mobility

Annual report on activities and financial performance of Kelaston, including the closure of the laneway behind Kelaston in preparation for the expected rebuilding, appointment of Dawn Veale, Rod McDonald, Deborah Hoover, Jane Brownfield and Anne Johnson, challenge issued to other centres to find the longest serving volunteer with no one beating Avenel McClure's record of 59 years with the Ballarat Auxiliary starting as a driver, Terry Fraser seconded to Mirridong, farewell to Teresa Skyrpko who use to carry bags of coal to fuel the stoves when she began 34 years ago, 4 residents attended a holiday at Halls Gap, Port Phillip Bay cruise for 2 residents, three people celebrated turning 100 (or more), establishment of an awareness program of vision impairment for Ballarat primary school students and the Low Vision Clinic in Horsham began operations.1 printed volume with illustrationskelaston home (ballarat), association for the blind, corporation records

Overview of events that occurred in 1963-4 : six children in residence at Deaf-Blind unit, a Residential Rehabilitation Centre for blind adults was opened and has catered for more than 20 clients, visit from Dr Richard Hoover, school children have participated in camps, visiting a Russian whaling ship and a poultry farm, and performing in a radio program, 10 students gained Honours in pianoforte AMEB, and one former student graduated with a Bachelor of Law from Melbourne University. Everton Soccer team visited the school, Swish was introduced and APEX adopted talking books as it's Association Service.1 volume of text and illustrationsannual reports, royal victorian institute for the blind

Events that occurred during the year : through the kindness of 3KZ and Institute will participate in the proceeds of the Carols by Candlelight festival and the 3KZ Christmas Day Appeal, 5000 pounds received from the Estate of the late Mrs A.B. Potter, Country Concert Party managed by Alf Broadway and led by Dick Sutcliffe raised over 9000 pounds, Harry E Finlayson has returned has Headmaster, the Girl Guides company and Scout Troop are ably led by Alma Cockerill and John Dammon respectively, and Cubs by Emily Bombardieri, a past student has received his degree and will take up a position as a teacher in a sighted school, complete reconstruction of the pipe organ was achieved (with a brief history of past events), the Board was able to make a contribution to recent Interstate Carnival conducted by the Australian Council of Blind Cricketers, and the relatively new sport of Football, with an visit of the Victorian team to their New South Wales counterparts, Harry Lloyd is conducting carpentry classes, Mr F Nixon continues to operate the Kiosk, new pupils continue to join the piano turning courses run by Harry Andrew, the retirement of S.W. Hedger after 32 years of service and appointment of K.R. Bunn as Chief Executive Officer.1 volume of text and illustrationsannual reports, royal victorian institute for the blind

"RVIB is grateful for Mrs Janet Conn for her generous support of our work with children who are blind or vision impaired. Mrs Conn's donation was made in loving memory of her late husband, Mr Charles Conn. June 1999." Beneath this script is the Braille text of the above. Digital image of plaque with writing and BrailleRVIB is grateful for Mrs Janet Conn for her generous support of our work with children who are blind or vision impaired. Mrs Conn's donation was made in loving memory of her late husband, Mr Charles Conn. June 1999.royal victorian institute for the blind, janet conn, rvib burwood school

Concerts were a fundraiser that the Association for the Advancement of the Blind first introduced in 1900, based upon the experiences of the RVIB concert tours that Tilly Aston had participated in whilst attending the school. Initially not as successful as hoped, they were re-introduced in 1911 and soon became a regular fundraiser for the fledgling organisation. This undated handbill lists the acts and the ticket seller for one such performance, possibly around 1923.Long paper sheet with printing on one sideThe Most Popular Company on Tour Blind Variety Entertainers will visit here Thur May 28 The following Up-to-date Artists will appear Norman Leslie comedian Charles Bennett welcome reappearance of the famous Blind Tenor and Pianist T.H. Andrew welcome reappearance of Blind Instrumentalist A. Solomon welcome reappearance of Old Time Blind Comedian Special Engagement Paul Debur paper manipulator and sketch cartoonist Fred Tilley welcome reappearance of the Popular Blind Basso in Songs, humorous and sentimental Leslie & Debur in Double Comedy & Melody The Most Popular Company now on Tour. Interesting Program of Genuine Delight. Instrumental, Comic, Classic, Trios, Duets, Etc. The Whole of the Proceeds in aid of Association for the Advancement of the Blind and the Home for the Adult Blind Any Blind Person may participate in the benefits of this Association. An Association of Blind People. Popular Prices No Tax Advance Representative, R. Reid Touring Concert Manager, Norman Leslie General Secretary: T. Marks, Oxford Chambers, Melbourne City Service Press (A.J. Charles), Rear Payne's, Bourke Streetassociation for the advancement of the blind, fundraising

From its beginning, the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind grew in size and its number of employees and benefactors. These bound volumes of annual reports contain the information sent to subscribers of the Institute and outline the notable events and difficulties facing the blind and the RVIB. In this report praise for both the school and the work of the Insitute by external agencies is mentioned, the program of allowing children to handle exhibits courtesy of the Museum of Victoria, Hugh Jeffrey has just attained his degree as a Bachelor of Music (only the second to do so), honours also to Arthur McKay and other pupils who received Honours passes at university, over 1000 piano tunings were carried out this year by RVIB trained specialists, the Institute classes in cooking and hand and machine sewing have proven useful to single and married women of Melbourne, the Institute supports two cricket teams as well as other physical culture, and providing advisc to the Post Master General concerning telephone dials.1 volume bound with illustrations.royal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports

From it's beginning in 1867, the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind grew in size and its number of employees and benefactors. These bound volumes of annual reports contain the information sent to subscribers of the Institute and outline the notable events and difficulties facing the blind and the RVIB. These include the acquisition of Ormond Hall, nursery and school buildings by the Commonwealth and the transferal of infants and pupils to 'The Georgian' at Olinda with the need for more staff due to more residential staff required, blind pupils formed a 'Junior Red Cross Circle' raising money and also contributed knitwear and splints for mine-sweepers, the loss of Headmaster Garnet Dent, Miss Lenna Bryson and Mrs E Dunkerton on or after the move to Olinda, the appointment of Headmaster Geoffrey E Green, Miss Betty De Huggard and Miss Dulcie Allen, with Mrs Rita Nightingall and Miss Vera Hopton visiting Olinda to provide lessons, Arthur McKay passed his Diploma of Music, 1400 pianos and harmoniums were tuned this year, as most sighted employees are engaged in war work an application was successful with the Director of Manpower to keep some sighted workers in key positions as they may be required to help those blinded by war action, around 25 partially sighted workers have been placed in other factories, several workers passed the Junior First Aid Certificate of St John's Ambulance, and the loss of Dr W.B. Vance who was Honorary Medical Officer for 39 years.1 volume bound with illustrations.royal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports