Photographs taken of various activities that occurred at the Association for the Blind's nursing home in Bendigo - Mirridong. These include clients sitting outside (for possibly the opening of a new wing or a street parade), staff participating at a local fete, volunteers/staff playing games with residents, reading newspapers, receiving visitors and awards for gardening activities.8 B/W photographs of clients, staff and volunteers at Mirridongassociation for the blind, mirridong home (bendigo)

A woman smiles as she places a cup of tea in front of a nursing home resident at the Association for the Blind's Ballarat home.1 B/W photograph of resident and staff at Kelaston Nursing Homeassociation for the blind, kelaston home (ballarat)

Two sighted women sit in an outside porch at the Braille Library in South Yarra, transcribing the books in front of them into Braille, using a stylus and frame. This image shows sighted volunteer Braille transcribers. At this time all Braille was manually transcribed using a hand frame and metal stylus. These volunteers worked at Australia's first Braille Library created by the Victorian Association of Braille Writers.Black and white image of two Braille writersbraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers

As a way of raising funds, an art exhibition and sale of paintings was held at the William Street offices of the Royal Blind Society before they moved to their new offices in Enfield. This was one of a series of events held to say goodbye to the former building and to pay for the creation of purpose built offices outside of the CBD. 6 page booklet providing a brief history and overview of current situation, including a list of auction itemsroyal blind society of nsw, fundraising

Individual thank you letters were sent out to those who made a certain level of donation directly to the organistion. In this example, Mr C. Bruce Miller of 11 Moorakyne Street, Malvern is thanked for his donation of 5 pounds and 5 shillings and the letter is personally signed by J. W. Wilson in 1958 and 1961 respectively.2 letters to Mr C. Bruce Millerassociation for the blind, john wilson, fundraising

The gardens of Mirridong were well maintained as these certificates for First Prize in the Bendigo District Garden Competition acknowledge in 1992 and 1993.2 x A4 certificates of appreciationmirridong home (bendigo), bendigo district garden competition, association for the blind

Initially donations were thanked by individuals or via typed notes. The next step was the use of pre-printed certificates of honour, which could then have the donor's name hand-written or typed in. These examples are interesting as they show the use of the initial draft of the guiding light symbol, of a black outline flame and semi-circle on a white background, and the continuance of the circle, but in white on a black background. Light blue flowery motifs vertically fill the top left hand side and horizontally the bottom right hand side of the page. Signed by the President (unknown/John Wicking) and Secretary (John Wilson) they were presented to staff of the Association for their contribution of $11,000 for the Guiding Light Appeal in 1968, the staff of the Blind Citizens Community Centre for their $5000 contribution in 1974, and the staff of Mirridong for their $1500 contribution in 1974. A4 sized certificates with blue decoration and black and white AFB half circle logassociation for the blind, fundraising, john wicking

The Guiding Light symbol appears on the next issue of certificates from the Association, using the sphere and triangle shapes that would also become part of name badges and other items around the organisation. These certificates reflect the financial support of the Reach Out Appeal by the Mirridong Social Club in 1981 (signed by Kitty Rose and John Wilson), Elanora, Head Office and George Vowell Centre staff in recognition of their services to residents and blind members in 1982 (signed by John Wicking and John Wilson).A4 sized certificates with guiding light logoassociation for the blind, john wicking, john wilson, katharine (kitty) rose

Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! This wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. The metal clasp at the top of the frame held the wooden which kept paper from slipping. In this example, the Rules of Membership for the Victorian Braille Writers were attached to the board.1 wooden back board with metal hand frame and stylus156 carved into wooden framebraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers

Musicianship was a pursuit encouraged by the RVIB, who then established orchestras as a way of raising funds for the organisation. To this end, tours were often given around the state, so that the general populace could appreciate both wonderful musical talent and the work of the institution. In these images, various ensemble members and their instruments are displayed. Digital files of blind orchestra membersrvib orchestra, fundraising

A boy sits in the board room at the RVIB building in St Kilda Road, holding a Taylor's mathematical slate. Developed by Rev. William Taylor in the mid-late 19th century, this English invention provided a device that allowed pegs to represent a variety of numbers upon an array, rather than using raised numbers. Various models were produced around the world before it's eventual demise around the early 1970's.B/W image of a boy holding a metal grid in his laproyal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment

This Easiplay 2 model was produced by CSI (Clarke & Smith Industries) using a combination of overseas and locally made parts; however demand for compact discs was increasing by this time and the players were not financially viable. After the death of John Clarke in 1997 and the subsequent loss of it's major contract with RNIB, the company was wound up in 2004.Plastic rectangular grey coloured audio player with buttons for navigational controls, power cord and 3 buttons Clarke + Smith Model 1322 Serial number 9701-0011audio equipment, clarke and smith

Image of boys and men around and in a grassed area at RVIB, that is bordered by wooden railing. A single-storey bluestone building and two wooden buildings surround the grass. Some children rest on the railing whilst others play in the grass or walk around the area. Three adults talk amongst the boys. Boys and men standing behind or by a fence bordering a grassed arearoyal victorian institute for the blind, education

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.1 volume with black and white illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports

An album of pictures, memories and a report in honour of Merle Reid, a teacher at the RVIB Burwood School who passed away unexpectedly on March 25, 1985. Originally stored in a brown photograph album, this book contained tributes to the late teacher and a plan for an outdoor space redesigned to become an activity area, including elements she had promoted during her teaching career.Approx. 25 pages of textrvib burwood school, merle reid

This black wooden antique hinged book magnifier was typical of the elegant way that Victorian age designers combined both practicality and style into the salon. Folded down, this box would sit on a side table until required, whereupon it would expand to allow the user to read items in their hand. A platform designed to hold reading materials would be elevated into position, and the magnifier allowed for three different levels of height. On top of the magnifier are engraved decorations - one of a bow and the other of a globe, telescope and scroll.1 wooden box with fold out top and inset glass magnifier.assistive devices, equipment

A Royal Humane Society of Australasia silver medal for bravery was awarded to Mrs Isadore Susannah Smith who, although blind, went to the aid of her husband, Arthur who was also blind, when he fell against a gas fire on July 2nd, 1967. Mrs Smith suffered second degree burns to her hands and wrists when she removed his burning pieces of clothing. On the front shows a woman in Ancient Greek clothing standing at left placing wreath on head of young man kneeling at right below Southern Cross; around edge is ' Virtute Paratum' and on the back is at centre within olive wreath 'Awarded to Isadore Smith 2.7.67'around edge is , Royal humane society of Australasia Instd. A.D. 1874. 1 silver coloured medallion and ribbon bar with ivory, brown and yellow striped ribbon. Women in ancient Greek clothing with 'Virtute Paratum' on front. Back is inscribed with 'Isadore Smith 2.6.67' inside a wreath.medals, isadore smith

Used to teach geographical information, this tactile globe was most likely produced by the RNIB and used at the RVIB Burwood School. Equator is raised and marked in black rubber. Topography land masses and meridians are tactically represented, and includes place names in Braille. A different shade of green is used to represent land masses, and major rivers are shown as well.Green plastic tactile globe with metal stand.Variouseducation aids and devices, rvib burwood school

This book contains the set up and clues for cross word puzzles that can be constructed with the RNIB crossword board. The board is contained inside a wooden box, which also has compartments for storing yellow and red rubber markers that fit into a grid that sits on the lower side. Red smooth markers are used for blanks, whilst the yellow markers have three turnable pieces, which can be adjusted to represent each letter in Braille.1 braille book and 1 wooden box containing yellow and red rubber markers that fit into the grid inset in the box.'From the Evening News book of crossword puzzles no. 18' Catalogue 29444recreation equipment, games

A bust of Louis Braille was gifted to the Victorian Association of Braille Writers in 1929 by the sculptor Guilliame Daniel Duprat. The bronze bust sits upon a blackwood plinth, with an inscribed nameplate below the chest, and a revolving medallion at the base of the stand.Sculpture of man on wooden plinth with inscribed medallion on axis and base plateOne side of medallion: Offert par le Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres (curved edge) Louis Braille Centenary Presented by French Government to The Victorian Association of Braille Writers Melbourne 1929 Reverse side: Republique Francaise Baseplate: Presented by Mrs George Swinburne to commemorate the Centenary of Louis Braille. Copied from the plaster cast. Made & Donated by G.D. Delprat Esq. 1929 victorian association of braille writers, guilliame daniel duprat

To commemorate the contribution of Mr MacLennan, this tablet was commissioned and on display in the foyer of the Braille Library in Commercial Road. It consists of a wooden frame, with a copper inset of Scottish thistles (to the left and right) and gum leaves and nuts (above and below) surrounding a sepia photograph of Mr MacLennan. A blue glass plate below the photograph reads "The social, friendly, honest man/ What e'ver he be/ 'Tis he fulfils great / Nature's plan / And none but he. Burns". To the left and right of this are accompanying blue glass plates with interwoven lines. At the base of the tablet is another blue glass plate: "To perpetuate the memory of the late/ William Hector MacLennan/ Who died on Sept. 18th 1929/ He was one of the founders of this Association/ and President of the Social Committee from its inception/ 1894-1929". Brown wooden memorial tablet with inset of copper and photograph victorian association of braille writers, william hector maclennan

During the 1970's RVIB conducted fund raising through the use of Instant Bingo machines in Melbourne's pubs and clubs. For 20 cents per card, a Lucky Envelope would be provided and amounts from $1 (if all the numbers were green), $2 (gold), $5 (blue), $10 (grey) or $25 (red) could be won. Machines were emptied/refilled by RVIB volunteers and the profits gained were expended by the Institute for services to the blind. Wooden box with brown veneer and metal shutes for money inserted and tickets dispensed, with separate locks for doors in top for envelope restocking and base for money collection. royal victorian institute for the blind, fund raising

This pocket watch is believed to have been owned by Tom Marks, a past president of the AFB, and is an example of how Braille could be integrated into everyday items at the early part of the 20th century. Braille numbers are located on top of each printed number. Steel metal watch with copper trims. Sixty minute markers on white face and black numerals of the clock face. Minute and hour hands are of blue anodised material. Embedded seconds dial, sixty divisions marks with blue anodised sweep hand.Metal pocket watch with raised Braille numbers on facetom marks, assistive devices

Believed to have been made by Tilly Aston, this tray cloth is an example of the type of skills the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind school taught its female students. Handicrafts was a possible method of income, and the emphasis was on producing usable pieces rather than highly decorative ones.Linen cloth with crocheted edgingtilly aston

In November and December 1964 the All Negro Folk Singers began a run of ‘Go Tell It On The Mountain’ at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne. School children from the RVIB School attended a meet and greet with some of the cast and a special presentation of some of the songs from the show. 8 digital images of RVIB school visit to 'Go Tell It On A Mountain'rvib burwood school, esther rolle, frank turley, joetta cherry, princess stewart

The 'Blind' Orchestra on stage at Ormond Hall. From the left, Reg Hill (trumpet), Arthur Tyzac (alto sax) Bob Tennant (drums) Allan Campbell (soprano sax & clarinet), Richard Sutcliffe (baritone sax & arranger) and Jack Burns (piano).Six piece band of blind musiciansrvib orchestra, ormond hall

In this scanned image used in the 1888 and 1889 RVIB annual reports, the RVIB Brass Band holds their instruments at the ready. This 12 piece band was made up of blind students and workers, and had two drummers holding the beat for 10 brass instruments. The Brass Band stands outside the front doors of what was then the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind building at St Kilda Road.B/W scanned image of the Brass Band of the RVIBrvib orchestra, fundraising

Richard Sutcliffe played saxophone with the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Orchestra. He was the arranger for the Orchestra and would re-work popular tunes into Braille copies for the other members. He also performed on radio with his saxophone quintet.B/W image of a saxophone playerdick sutcliffe, rvib orchestra