This photograph shows the Orbost - Cunninghame coach leaving from outside Dickson's Hotel in Nicholson Street Orbost. Although noted as the Dickson Hotel, this may have been the Commonwealth Hotel which opened on New Year's Day 1902. Mr Jasper Drew held the first licence. Laura Dixon held the hotel licence from 04/04/10 until 05/02/17 and during that time it was known as Dickson's Hotel. A township, known as Cunninghame after a pioneer Gippsland squatter, was surveyed near Lake Bunga in 1866. The name changed to Lakes Entrance in 1915.This is a pictorial record of horse-drawn transport commonly used in Orbost, early 19th century. It also shows the Commonwealth Hotel before the second storey was added.A black / white photograph of a large single-storey building with a horse drawn coach and seneral people and horses standing nearby. The road is unsealed. On the side of the carriage is "CUNNINGHAME".transport-horse-drawn dickson's-hotel commonwealth-hotel cunninghame

This is a photograph of the Orbost Post Office on the site of the Commonwealth Hotel. The horse -drawn vehicle is a Cunninghame (Lakes Entrance) Coacht. The Post Mistress was Miss Farrell, who was a trained telegraphist. This was the first time the telegraph line had reached Orbost, and was about the year 1895 or 1896. (more info. from Newsletter Npovember 2008) This is a pictorial record of the an early Orbost Post Office. Post Offices are a vital necessity in any town or community playing a very important part in the progress and development of the town and district. A black / white photograph of a one - storey wooden building with a passenger coach drawn by a team of four horses outside the wooden picket fence. There are a man holding a flat basket, a young boy and a woman (on the verandah) standing nearby.on front - "Orbost Post office"farrell-post-office-orbost

This photograph shows Pike's buggy with Joe Pike, Mrs George Pike, Annie Bruton and Maggie Middleditch on the verandah. Annie Bruton was the wife of Jack Bruton who came to Orbost about 1891. When land was made available for selection at Murrungowar. they took up a selection and embarked in dairying, sheep-farming and pig-raising. They transformed a veritable wilderness into a productive farm by sheer hard work and liberal expenditure. By 1892 he had secured a licence for an hotel and accommodation house, store and the first post office at Murrungowar. For a time she was licensee of the Murrungowar Hotel. In December 1897 he was living at Murrungowar when he made application for a Roadside Victualler’s License for a house situated at Boulder Creek, East Gippsland, containing four rooms in course of erection, exclusive of those required for family. He was a butcher at Orbost in 1902-03 and also had a farm on the Bendoc Road. He was a member of the first Golf committee. After leasing the hotel to Jonson's he moved to Orbost and started brick-making near the Orbost water service basin on the Bendoc Road. He had the order for the bricks required for the Masonic Hall. Mr and Mrs Bruton resided at Murrungowar for 29 years. They let their property to Messrs McDONALD and sons and retired to Orbost in December 1920. Mr Bruton had not been in very good health for the last 4 or 5 years of his life, and about a fortnight prior to his death he got wet at his brick kiln, and contracted pneumonia which led to hiThis is a pictorial record of the the Murrungowar Township which was once a thriving settlement with a hotel, store, post office and school. In the 1890s pioneers were attracted to the area with the promise of a railway from Orbost. However, when the promised railway did not eventuate most of the farms were abandoned. Much of the previously cleared areas have reverted to Forest. Most of the remaining farms are now privately owned eucalypt plantations.A large black / white photograph of five people standing outside a one - storey wooden building. There is an empty buggy behind them with a horse behind it. The building has a sign above the verandah - "MURRUNGOWAR HOTEL ANNIE BRUTON".on front - "Pikes Buggy - Mrs Bruton, Mrs Geo & Mr Joe Pike" ; Herbert Sherwood photographer murrungowar-hotel bruton-annie pike-joe

This is a photograph of Alice Swallow's hotel at Cabbage Tree. The settlement of Cabbage Tree Creek is located on the Princes Highway, 27 km east of Orbost in East Gippsland. The first white settler arrived in the valley in 1887 cutting a dray track from Marlo to the south-west. Several families cleared the alluvial flats, growing maize, peas and beans and raising pigs, cattle and sheep. Later the farmers milked cows, sending cream to Orbost. In the late 1890s, small quantities of alluvial gold were found in the creek. A school commenced classes in 1913, but enrolment was small and at times the school operated part time with several other small schools in the area. The school building served as a hall for the district. From the 1920s the Cabbage Tree Hotel catered to drivers on the improved Princes Highway. (info. from Victorian Places)This is a pictorial record of Cabbage Tree, East Gippsland in the late 20th century. It shows a building that no longer exists.A black / white photograph of a small, single - storey wooden building in a bush setting. There are people standing in front of the building with a horse and wagon nearby. In the foreground is a wagon with four horses hitched to it and the driver seated behind the horses.

This is probably a view of Orbost on the Snowy River.This is a pictorial record of the Snowy River in the early 20th century.A small black / white photograph of two canoes on a river bend. There is a small masted boat. In the canoes and boat are some men.On the bank is a horse and rider.indecipherable inscription at bottom front

This is a photograph of "Whalebone", a packhorse belonging to Jimmy Parkes.In the late 1800's early 1900's transporting goods by road was difficult and at times impossible because roads as thoroughfares did not exist.The means of travelling along the roads in the 1800's was by bullock wagon, horse pulled dray, pack horse or simply by foot.A small black / white photograph close-up of a packhorse with a full load.

This is a photograph of the wagon service to the Bendoc goldfields. The service commenced in 1887.This is a pictorial record of transport in the mid 18th - early 19th century. Pack horses were vital for the delivery of goods, responding to emergencies as they could travel in country inaccessible to larger horse - drawn carts or wagonA small black / white photograph of two men in a wagon pulled by a team of horses (5?). The wagon is loaded with bags and is on a bush track.transport wagon-horses

This is a photograph of bullock teams on the Cann Road. out of Cann River, East Gippsland.This is a pictorial record of transport in the mid 18th - early 19th century. Bullock teams could travel in country inaccessible to larger horse - drawn carts or wagon.A black / white photograph of two bullock teams travelling side by side along a bush road.transport-bullocks cann-river

This photograph shows Country Roads Board men clearing a bush track at Hospital Creek. Their vehicle was bogged. The y Roads Board was formed in 1913 1910 it had become apparent that there was a need for a central roads authority to take over responsibility from the Board of Lands and Works for the care and management of the main roads of the state of Victoria. Because there was no consistent and systematic policy for road maintenance Victorian roads were in a deplorable condition. At this time the use of the motor car accentuated the demands for better roads. As a result of these needs the Country Roads Act 1912 was proclaimed in 1913 providing for the establishment of the Country Roads Board as a central road authority with responsibility for those roads within the State considered to be main roads. the C.R.B. was responsible for the construction of roads and bridges including the Snowy River road bridges in Orbost.. This is a pictorial record of transport difficulties in East Gippsland in early 20th century.A large black / white photograph of three men clearing a bush track with a motor vehicle behind them.transport roads road-maintenance country-roads-board

This photograph shows the main road near Bellbird, East Gippsland, in 1924. This road would have been the Princes Highway, a main thoroughfare through to New South Wales. Bellbird Creek is a small rural location between Orbost and Cann River. There was no township at Cabbage Tree at this time. The Cabbage Tree Creek township was established to support the booming timber industry of the mid 20th century. Five timber mills worked full time supporting the families that were drawn to the area's wealth of natural resources. Nestled on the banks of the Cabbage Tree Creek, the township was built by those mills to house their workers. Today although the timber mills have disappeared, some of the buildings still remain. Little now remains to remind of the saw-milling history apart from photographs and some relics - a boiler and a brick furnace. There was also a thriving agricultural community farming dairy, beef, seed beans and fresh peas and beans that were sent to the Victoria Market in Melbourne. Dairy farming still plays an essential role in the township. this is a pictorial record of the Princes Highway, the main road from East Gippsland to the New South Wales border.A large black / white photograph of a very wet and boggy bush road.on front - "Main Rd near Bellbird 1924"road princes-highway bellbird-creek-1924

Pons asinorum was the name given to a wooden carving made by road worker Finlay Munro in the early 1920s at Boulder Creek, on the old Princess Highway, between Orbost and Cann River. The carved face was said to mock the supervising engineer after an argument about putting the road alignment across a swamp that required new bridges. The Italian workmen had advocated for a different route to avoid the need for building new bridges across the swamp. This photograph is from a set of thirteen black and white postcards in a fold-out format.This is a photograph of an iconic tourist attraction which records the woodworking skills of workers in the early 20th century. The carving is no longer there.A small black / white photograph of a face carved into a tree stump.on front at bottom - ON THE ORBOST CANN ROADwoodcarving pons-asinorum boulder-creek-east-gippsland princess-highway

This is a photograph of Dave Hawkless crossing the Snowy River at Bete Bolong with a wagon load of maize from the farm of Sam Lynn. David Hawkless was married to Mary Downey in 1906. They had five children. Samuel James Lynn was born in 1865 in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. His father was James Lynn and his mother was Mary Jane Keith. Sam, as he was known, was the second of three brothers, his older brother being William and his younger brother was John Wilson Lynn. (info. Margaret Hollands) Samuel Lynn was a well-known Orbost pioneer. He owned much property throughout the district , bred Clydesdale horses and fattened about 600 cattle. He was in great demand as a judge of both cattle and horses at agricultural shows in Victoria and interstate. He was a shire councillor for 30 years and president several times. He took a great interest in the sporting clubs of the town and played cricket until late in life. He was goal umpire for the local football team for many years, judged for the Orbost Racing Club and was the first president of the Orbost Bowls Club. He was also a member of the first municipal band.This is a pictorial record of the transporting of maize in the Orbost district in th late 19th century. It is associated with Sam Lynn, a prominent citizen of early Orbost.A small black / white photograph of wagons crossing a river. There is a man on a horse beside what appears to be a team of bullocks pulling a loaded wagon.hawkless-david agriculture-maize transport

The local logging industry had its beginning back in 1882. The first batch of timber was cut in a sawmill at Orbost on the Brodribb River.Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years. The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and many of the mills have closed. This item reflects a time when that industry was a significant contributor to the economy of the district.A very large framed black / white photograph of a large group of timber workers in a bush setting. Above and below the photograph are their names. The names can be clearly read. The photograph is on a white buff card under glass in a black frame.Names are type - written above and below the photograph.timber-industry

This is a photograph of Alf R. Barling who was the bandmaster of the Orbost Municipal Band from 1961 - 1978. He played bass and cornet. This photographer, Peter Fagg, worked as a scientist with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (now DELWP) to study dieback in eucalypts. He specialised in the silviculture of the eucalypt forest types of South-East Australia for most of his 40-year career, which started with the Forests Commission Victoria. He was in Orbost from 1968 - 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. 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 coloured photograph of a man in a band uniform holding a brass instrument ( a cornet?). The photograph has been taken outdoors. The photograph is in a frame with gold esges.on back - Alf R. Barling 1977barling-alf orbost-municipal-band

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

No information available. According to the label this is a photograph of "a well known reprobate among the navvies who built the railway line" - probably the East Gippsland Bairnsdale to Orbost line.A black / white photograph of an old man, unshaven, missing front teeth and wearing a hat. It is on a brown buff card under glass in a heavy, black wooden frame.on bottom of photograph - "S Vogt 1914" on card at front - "Shoot 'em, Fly 'em. A well known reprobate among the navvies who built the railway line"railway-east-gippsland navvy-railway

This is a photograph of Mr Clem Heather, band leader. Clem Heather was a Forestry employee in Orbost, The Orbost Workers' Band was started in 1889 by Donald and Archie Munro. The band folded after the town was devastated by floods in 1893. Charles Spink reformed the group in 1905. It split in 1908 and the breakaway band was named the Orbost Workers Band. The two bands, The Orbost Workers and Orbost Town Band would often compete against each other. Eventually, in 1913, the two bands amalgamated to form the Orbost Municipal band. The old Orbost Municipal Band recorded its last meeting in 1941 -a lack of effort and membership. The new Orbost Municipal Band was restarted by Clem Heather (a previous member) on Wednesday 20th September, 1961 and continued into the late 1980s when lack of interest caused it to become defunct.This is a pictorial record associated with the Orbost Brass Band. The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many membersA black / white photograph of a man in a brass band uniform. He is holding a brass instrument (French horn?). It is under glass in a white wooden frame.on front -????????? Orbostheather-clem orbost-brass-band music recreation

The frame was hand carved by Cecil Rice and given to his aunt Mrs Marion Gargan. Cecil Rice ( 1912 - 1985) was the son of Walter Cecil Rice and Ellen Theresa Gargan.This item is a pictorial record of a 1920s wedding. Wedding dresses are a useful way to chart changing fashions. The Gargans were early settlers in the Orbost district.A small black / white wedding photograph of a seated man with a woman standing beside him. He is wearing a dark suit, white bow tie and is holding a pair of white gloves in one hand. She is wearing a dress which finishes above the ankles. She has a veil which is "cloche" style and is holding a large bunch of flowers.The photograph has a yellow frame and is mounted on gold card inside an ornately carved wooden frame.on front - Marion & Tom Gargan 1923gargan-thomas gargan-marion rice-walter wedding-photography

This is a photograph of John Draffin and his family. John Draffin was for a time the Orbost Shire Secretary. John Draffin came to Australia as a child with his parents from the north of Ireland . He came to Orbost in 1894 and was Shire Secretary from then until 1910 He had four children: Andrina, Eva, George, Maggie, Sally and Nellie. "Mr Draffin was 67 years of age when he died. He had for many years been engaged in farming pursuits, and at one time held the position of champion plough- man of Victoria. In his younger days he used to make it his boast- that although he was a small man he could do as much work as a big one Some thirty odd years ago be took up land in South Gippsland, but in 1895 gave up farming, and was appointed secretary to the Orbost shire, a position which he held until he was compelled by failing health to resign." - from Snowy River Mail 1 August 1912.John Draffin was a prominent Orbost citizen involved in many community activities.A black / white studio photograph of a family - mother father and six children. The parents are seated with the youngest child, other children are standing.draffin-john orbost-shire-secretary

History unknown.This item is of aesthetic significance. The identity of the subject is unknown as yet but is likely to be a local woman.A large black / white studio photograph of a bride, sitting down, holding a large bouquet of flowers. She is wearing a long wedding dress with a close-fitting beaded cap. Her veil is long and ornately embroidered. bottom right - hand-written "Ruth Hollick"photograph-wedding

This photograph was taken from the balcony of the Star of the West Hotel. There are three Orbost men in the photograph, front right. They are Frank Nixon, John Johnston and Keith Lynn.This item is associated with agriculture which has always been a significant part of Orbost's history. The men in the photograph are prominent early settlers of the Orbost district.A large sepia photograph on a cream buff card. It is of a large group of men standing in a street.on front - "Farmers' Convention at Port Fairy. Frank Nixon, John Johnston, Keith Lynn"events farmers-convention nixon-frank johnston-john lynn-keith

Photographs in this album are : forest,creek; Burns Cutting; river with bridge; Tony in his boat (spare print); Murrungowar and three of Conran.Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district.He was a stock agent and auctioneer who helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost. He was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF.a fabric covered book with gold print - "Photographs" on front cover. It contains an assortment of photographs.inside front cover - "Photographs taken by Mr Harry James about 1900-10"james-harry photography-orbost-conran-murrungowar

John Rowe began his teaching career at Orbost and Jarrahmond in 1886, a career which continued at Orbost until 1908 when he retired due to ill health. He began teaching at Orbost, (initially part-time with Jarrahmond) on 10th May 1886, following the very short tenure of the first appointee, Campbell MacKay. (more information Newsletter June 2018 - Lois Crisp)This item is associated with the history of education in the Orbost district.A large enhanced photograph in black / white of the head and shoulders of a moustached man in a suit.on front - "John Rowe Esq, First Head Teacher of Orbost State School"rowe-john education-orbost

James Hossack and his wife, Penuel, arrived in Geelong from Scotland on Christmas Day 1852. This album contains photographs of the Saunders family; Gertrude Morris, sister of Percy Morris; Isabella Wright; the Whillance family; Mrs Stevens; Mrs Conlan of Marlo;and her sister Susanna who died aged 62 in 1918; Bella Turnbull, wife of Captain McNeill of Marlo;Hon. James Cameron, First President of the Orbost Shire, M.L.A. East Gippsland 1902-1920.This item is a pictorial record of many Orbost locals of the first quarter of the 20th century.A large photograph album with a deep purple ornate cover. It contains photographs of local people with most labelled.inside- "Best love to Lucy from Fred & Daisy Christmas 1913" On front page on white label - " The unnamed photos belonged to Mr James Hossack - March 1821 to January 1921. They are from Scotland, Geelong, Ballarat, Melbourne. She landed at Geelong 1853 with her husband."photograph-album whillance saunders morris wright conlan cameron-james

Dudley Charles Seymour Courtney , with a fellow worker, was trapped on the Orbost Raailwaay Station roof until rescued by an army duck. These photographs were his. He worked on the railway in Orbost from 1942 - 1952 approximately. During the 1952 flood nearly half of Orbost rail way station is washed away. The stationmaster and four members of his staff were rescued by police using army ducks.This is a pictorial record of a significant event in the history of Orbost.Nine small black / white photographs of a derailed train at a railway station. Derailed trucks and floodwaters can be seen. The photographs have a narrow white frame. Some are portrait and others landscape.on back of 3082.8 - hand-written in blue pen :"The floods worked the line from under the trucks in a couple of hours"floods-orbost orbost-railway-station rescue courtney-dudley-charles-seymour

This is a photograph of a cattle sale. There is no information with the item. It is probably of an Orbost cattle sale.This is a pictorial record of a cattle sale in East Gippsland.A large black / white photograph of cattle in yards with metal rails. Mden are standing on the rails. Others are watching.cattle-sale agriculture farming

These photographs were taken at the 1980 annual Orbost Show. The first photograph is of Mr Frank Rourke congratulating Combienbar rider, Gavin Chester, East Gippsland Olympian ( a member of the 1980 Australian team which did not compete in Moscow). He won the title of Champion Show Jumper riding his mount "Blue Trick" on Monday March 10 1980. The second photograph shows Mr Frank Rourke placing the winning ribbon around the neck of Gavin Chester's winning mount, "Blue Trick" The third photograph is the winner of the coveted R.L.Fisher Memorial Plate won by Eric Musgrave being congratulated by Mr Frank Rourke. Frank Rourke was the Gippsland and Northern manager. G. & N. sponsored the event which carried a prize of $500. On the left in this photograph is Mr J. Horstman, ring four judge.This is a pictorial record of a significant event in Orbost. This item is also associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. 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.Three black / white photographs of a rider on horseback receiving congratulations. There are details on labels on the back of each photograph.orbost-show equestrian chester-gavin musgrave-eric show-jumping

3084.1 is titled "Ready For Launching" and is of Mr Lachlan Macalaster on the left and Mr Jim Holden preparing to release two roosters for a competition - The Rooster Chase,. 3084.2 was taken at the 1978 annual Orbost Show in a new division for goats. the photograph was taken during the judging. Linda and Val Donald are in the photograph' 3084.3 and 3084.4 are of the new pavillion at Newmerella Recreation Ground,This is a pictorial record associated with the annual Orbost Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. 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.Four black / white photographs. 3084.1 shows two men each holding a rooster. 3084.2 shows a group of five people standing near some goats. 3084.3 and 3084.4 are of the construction of a large metal shed.Each photograph has a label on the back with detailed information.orbost-show macalaster-lachlan holden-jim donald-val agriculture

These photographs are of winners in the Orbost Agricultural Show's Show Boy and Show Girl competitions. The first photograph is of Peter? Joiner and Jarod Forrester in the Master Show Bow Competition. The second is of Pauline Bommer (Weston) and her daughter at the Nowa Nowa Gymkhana. The third has Chloe Kenny on the left. in the fourth photograph are Dianna Munn with Laura; Sharon Chambers with Jessica and Sharon Cook with Tayla. These photographs are pictorial records of a social event in Orbost. They are associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. 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. Four black / white photographs related to the Orbost Show. 3086.1 is of three young boys wearing sashes. The middle boy is holding a trophy. 3086.2 shows a woman bending over a young girl wearing a sash. 3086.3 has three girls, one one right wearing a hat, one on left has a sash. 3086.4 is of three women holding babies. All babies have sashes and the one in the middle has a trophyOn the back of each photo are the details and names.

These photographs were probably published in the Snowy River Mail. Some of the Orbost identities in the photographs are: Jim Holden; Brian Morgan; Clarrie Ingram; Jeffrey Fecondo; David Holden; Brian Holden; Richard Morgan; Sue Joiner and Charlie Owen. They were taken in the Poultry Shed at the Orbost Show at the Newmerella Showground. 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)These photographs are associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. 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.Twenty-two black / white photographs and four coloured photographs. all are related to the Orbost Agricultural Show.poultry agriculture-show-orbost