In 1894 the Victorian Braille Writers Association was established in order to create a braille lending library. Such an endeavor also meant a need of space for storage. At first the library was accommodated in the home of Mrs May Harrison before moving to the home of Mrs Dickinson two years later. Eventually, with the help of donors, a space was rented in the Block Arcade to house the 1300+ volumes it held and the yearly increase produced by its braille transcribers. Fortunately in 1918 the Trustees of the Edward Wilson Estate provided 4000 pounds to pay for a new building in Commercial Road. Despite some misgivings from the RVIB at the time, this building was home to both braille volumes and talking books (albums and cassettes) for many years.1 b/w photograph of people on a stageFree Lending Library for the Blind. Senator G. Fairbairn, on behalf of the Edward Wilson Trust, presenting the key of the building to Miss Aston, a Braille reader, representing the Braille Writer’s Association. 26th April 1919. (Label on mount board)tilly aston, braille and talking book library

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

Tilly Aston moved to 42 Raleigh Street in 1913, after her mother had died and her brother married. She died there of cancer on 1 November 1947 and was buried in St Kilda cemetery; her estate was valued for probate at £1149. Her headstone is inscribed: headstone ‘Tilly Aston, Blind Poetess and Philanthropist, Died 1st Nov 1947, Aged 74, Resurgam.’2 x col. photographs of grave and headstonetilly aston, association for the blind

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

The Guiding Light Appeal was first launch in 1968 to raise money for building programs that the Association desperately required. Although the appeal target was reached, in 1974 it became clear that further funds were required to complete the work, and a second Guiding LIght Appeal was launched in May 1974. The Appeal chairman was Sir Henry Bolte and its target of $1million was slightly exceeded. 2 x B/W photographsBRI-P191.1 Personalities: Mr J.O. Wicking President of Association (right) With Sir Henry Bolte (L) & Sir Rohan Delacombe (Centre), Governor of Vic; at opening of Guiding Light Appeal 1974 Ticket no 3724 Client Abaus 120# Wanted Wed 18th Mounted as usual 52% Retouch scratches on photo, delete glass and cigarette from Bolteguiding light appeal, john wicking, sir henry bolte, sir rohan delacombe, association for the blind

Images of John Wicking at the Association's Christmas Party held at the Malvern Town Hall. In the first picture Mr Wicking reads from a prepared speech on the stage, with a Christmas model of a reindeer and sleigh behind him as well as seated people. In the second image John and Janet Wicking are talking to another couple in the foyer of the Malvern Town Hall, with the Gilbert/Montford war memorial in the background. The third image is of John Wicking and John Wilson, sitting side by side at long tables, talking to the people around them.3 x B/W photographsXMas Party 77 40A/3, 10, 15john wicking, janet wicking, john wilson, association for the blind

Presentations to John Wicking and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch of shields by John Moule, and Jeff Kennett and Don Argus of 'No Sight, Great Vision' book as part of the Centennary Appeal celebrations.4 x col. photographsjohn wicking, dame elisabeth murdoch, john moule, jeff kennett, don argus, association for the blind

Presentation at RVIB to unknown man with three other men either shaking hands or presenting the award. From the camera and camera bag held by the awardee, most likely a photographer who has done work for RVIB.B/W copy of negativesE:602royal victorian institute for the blind

Dianne Kerr (right) presents an award at Ballarat to an unidentified female.1 x col. photographdianne kerr, ballarat office

Award presented to unknown female with four staff members looking on. Dianne Kerr is second from right.1 x col. photographdianne kerr, ballarat office

Images of staff with Victoria Police outside a station, as part of Interlink 1998 awards. Other photos in this collection are of staff in the office and a Christmas party for day centre patients. Possibly taken with staff from Essendon office.1 photograph and 25 negativesassociation for the blind

A group of people on the steps of Government House holding their Advance Australia Awards. Included in this group are Glenn Wheatley, Daryl Cotton and John Farnham.1 x B/W photograph of group standing on steps of government houseawards, john farnham, glen wheatley, daryl cotton

The Association for the Blind was honoured with many awards for its achievements. This one from radio station 3MP, was gained because of the services the organisation provided to the community.Wooden shield with two metal nameplates attached1377 3MP Melbourne's Bay City Radio Presented to Association for the Blind For Outstanding Community Service 8 June 84association for the blind, 3mp radio station, nameplates

Three people stand in a kitchen. The gentleman on the left wears a white coat, the younger male in the middle wears a chefs jacket and checked pants, and holds a platter, whilst the older female at the right holds a certificate. A Cooking Apprentice award was given to a person employed at the Association for the Blind.1 x B/W photographassociation for the blind

An older female holds an award for running, whilst two young women look on. This photograph is believed to have come from the Mt Eliza office.2 x col. photographsassociation for the blind, mount eliza office

Circa 1960's, three men hold certificates towards the man in the middle.B/W photographBallarat Page No. 3 3" include all in full clip #85 flanges to and bottom Ballarat Courier press photographassociation for the blind

Mrs Ada Piper of Ballarat with her letter acknowledging and congratulating her on receiving the Order of Australia medal for services to the community.B/W photographada piper, ballarat office

Certificate of Honour presented the to Helen M. Schutt Trust for significant support towards the Visitor Resource Centre at the Association for the Blind. Diana Jones stands between two males.1 x col. & 1 B/W photographFil #7/90association for the blind, diana jones

A Certificate of Merit from the AFB is presented to an unknown Bendigo organisation (possibly a corrections institution). Three men hold the certificate; two in suits, one in a workshirt and pants.1 x B/W photographBendigo page 3" (illegible) Photo No. 14 #85 Flanges top and bottomassociation for the blind

ABC journalist and presenter Edwin Maher is given an award from the Association for the Blind offices in Mount Eliza.3 x col. photographsassociation for the blind, edwin maher