Orbost Aero Club began in 1969 with Basil Dowie as Chair, David Nixon as Secretary/Treasurer. The group went into recess from 1977-1991 closing in 1997. The mid 1960s were boom years in flying training in Australia and the number of Aero Clubs grew rapidly. The Club played a significant role in the establishment of the small airport at Marlo and in the ongoing operation and development of the airport over the years particularly for patient transfer by aerial ambulance. The Orbost Aero Club Club played a significant role in the establishment of the small airport at Marlo and in the ongoing operation and development of the airport over the years.Five gold coloured metal badges which are wing-shaped on both sides of a black circle with a prop in the centre. each badge has a pin at the back. The two smaller badges have a locking clasp.ORBOST AERO CLUB around the prop in the centre.orbost-aero-club badge

: Hume and Hovell discovered the area in 1824 and by the end of the 19th century the Kiewa Valley was transformed by logging, dairy and beef cattle properties and tobacco farms. The logs could have been milled for timber at the State Electricity Commission's mill at Howman's Gap which provided a much needed source of timber for construction of McKay Creek Power Station which began construction in 1951 and also the camps and houses for the workers and their families There was a need for housing and infrastructure for an increasing population of workers for the hydro-electric scheme as there was a general shortage of this commodity. A timber mill was started in Tawonga by Mates, of Albury, in 1945, and electricity became available in 1946 the S.E.C. bought the mill, and enlarged it. In 1960 it was purchase by a local family, they also started a timber mill in Mt Beauty worked both until 1980 when they closed the Tawonga mill and enlarged the mill called Mt. Beauty Timbers Pty Ltd which employed approximately 50 people. An historical pictorial record of the type of machinery and vehicles in use in the 1950’s to harvest and mill the logs from surrounding forested areas.1. Colour photograph of large logs being milled for timber at a timber mill 2. Colour photograph of heavy machinery being used to harvest large logs for milling timber; timber mill; kiewa valley; forests; logging

Wehner's Blacksmith's was founded at Orbost in 1889. This door was in the blacksmith shop. The door has many brands burnt into both sides. These brands are for local farmers and the brands would have been made at Wehner's.The Wehner family is/ was a prominent family in Orbost from the late 19th century. Herman Wehner founded Wehner's Blacksmith's at Orbost in 1889. Oswald Wehner began working in 1910 with his father. In 1947 Ossie's son Tom started blacksmithing, retiring in 1991 and closing the business, The building remains in Nicholson street.A large solid wooden door - tongue and grooved oregon. It is made of 12 vertical boards. On it are local branding marks. wehner's-blacksmith brands

These photographs were taken at the Country Education Project's conference at Dinner Plain, Victoria. The Country Education Partnership (CEP) has been working in the area of rural and remote education for over three decades. It was initially established in Victoria during 1977 and in 2012 it changed its name from Country Education Project. In 3098.9 are Al Balfour (Far East Gippsland Area Coordinator CEP); John Pritchard (Orbost); and Kennie Ellis (Ministry of Education) at FEAST at Dinner Plain. In 3098.10 are: Rod Falconer (Genoa PS); Al Balfour (FEG Coordinator); Jeff Neale ( Club Terrace PS); Lorraine Wylie(Ottways?) and Naomi Ellis (Ministry of Education). They are sharing information at CEP's Dinner Plain conference. In 3098.11 are the East Gippsland representatives at the Country Education Project's Dinner Plain conference. L-R are Al Balfour (far East Gippsland Area CoordinatorCEP); Jeff Neale (Club Terrace)PS); Henrie Ellis ( Ministry of Education); John PritchardThese photographs are pictorial records associated with education in East Gippsland.Three black / white photographs associated with adult education in Orbost.. education-east-gippsland country-education-project balfour-al

The Old Station at Corringle was a popular picnic spot in 1901. Late in 1857 Mr Thomas T. Stirling took over Corringle Run ("Corringle" means "shallow water"). Mr Stirling and his family came from the wester district - Winchelsea. He settled at the Old Station. A few people were employed at the Orbost Stationb and there was settlement on the Orbost flats, Mr T. T. Stirling held the land from Lake Tyrers to Bemm River as a cattle run. About 1888 he became Secretary of the new Tambo Shire.This is a contemporary pictorial record of rural family life in Orbost in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a group of early settlers (it appears to be a family group) having a picnic underneath trees. There is a young boy on a horse on the left hand side.on back - "Picnic at the Old Station"family-rural-life-orbost old-station-corringle

This is a photograph of a group of people dressed up in traditional Japanese costumes for a Church of England bazaar and fete C 1900. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries Churches in Orbost provided venues for social activities, fellowship and entertainment. Many concerts, festivals and money-raising fetes were held by the church committees. St. James' Anglican Church, Orbost, was conceived and built as a memorial to the men 'who served and suffered during the Great War' as noted on the foundation stone. The Right Reverend GH Cranswick, DD, Bishop of Gippsland, laid the stone on 1 October 1927.This item is reminiscent of the late 19th - mid 20th centuries when church-going was more commonA black / white photograph on grey buff card. It is of a large group of men and women dressed in traditional Japanese costume.on front at top - handwritten - "E. H. NIXON" with an arrow pointing to the first lady standing in the back row.churches-orbost church-of-england-orbost anglican-church-orbost festivals celebrations

The photograph shows Bairnsdale carnival procession which the Orbost Band led as there was no Bairnsdale group. 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 This is a pictorial record of 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 members.A black / white photograph showing a procession through a main street. There is a band in the lead followed by several motor vehicles and a horse drawn vehicle. In the background is Bairnsdale Farm and Dairy Produce Market - The Mart - Mr C. A. Drevermann, A. Macarthur & Co. in Macmillan Street.on back - "Bairnsdale Band was defunct and Orbost Band played at the Bairnsdale carnival - includes Eric Wehner - Mrs O. Wehner"orbost-band orbost-municipal-band orbost-brass-band

These photographs were taken on November 25, 1976 at the official opening of the current Snowy River road bridge. Included in the photographs are: John Duggan; Pat Hall, C.R.B. chairman, R.E.V. Donaldson (3240.7) and J.A.Rafferty, the state minister for Transport, who cut the ribbon (3240.8). Di Young and Cheryl Dusting (3240.9) distributed souvenir information pamphlets to official guests. The Snowy River road bridge is one of four built as part of the 8.4 km project spanning the Orbost flood plains. The Snowy River bridge and another over the nearby Ashbys Gulch are among the 10 longest bridges in Victoria, being the eighth and fifth longest respectively. The new bridge removed through traffic from Orbost township crossing the Snowy River 45 m downstream of the old bridge.This bridge is the fourth to provide a crossing to the township of Orbost. (info from CRB NEWS No. 34. DECEMBER, 1976) These photographs are pictorial records of a significant event in Orbost's history.Eleven black / white photographs all related to the official opening of the current Snowy River Bridge. Details are in catalogue folder.snowy-river-bridge

This ledger was used by the Shire of Orbost in 1959. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council. This is a handwritten record of revenue accounts from local government. The Shire of Orbost as a local government no longer exists havinb absobed into the East Gippsland Shire Council.A heavy ledger with a brown cover and steel bindings. The covers are probably wooden. It is alphabetically indexed and the ledger is lockable. it contains revenue accounts for 1959. On the front cover is "LEDGER (underlined) SHIRE OF ORBOST" in gold print. It is an "Emu Binder".accounts-shire-of-orbost local-government

Nylon wool pack produced in Australia by Melba Industries under the brand name of 'Jumbuck'. They are made in Geelong in the old Valley Mill.Wool pack, empty. Made from white nylon with a woven cross hatch pattern. Jumbuck stamp on front."Jumbuck" TM / Proudly Made in Australia / By / Melba Industries / Batch No: WP00041 2000wool bales, melba industries (an austrim nylex ltd company), jumbuck wool pack

This is a group of students of Orbost State School. A list of those in the photograph has been hand-written by Mary Gilbert. Back Row- ?; Alan Nixon; Amy Yandle; Rose Whillance; Una Perry; Nellie Cross; Hilda Coverdale; Ada Morgan; Lesley Gluth; Molly Macalaster; Mel Gluth; Allie Macalaster Marion Gilbert; Ettie Hammill; Gwen Simpson; Marge Daley; Edie Boucher; ?; ? Burns; Gladys Gall; Billy Momford; mary Kavagnah; Hugh Hawkless; Norman Burns Royce Andrews; Syd Hardy; ? Lowater; Jim Tipping; ?; ? Joiner; ?; Sinclair Mosley; ? Pleydell; Ian McDonald The 19th of March 1886 proved an important day in the lives of many early settlers in the Orbost area, because on this day the Orbost State School opened. The fact that the school had first operated tem­porarily in a leased building, and on a half-time basis with SS2745 Jarrahmond, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the local inhabitants as they saw their offspring commence their education under the guidance of HT Campbell Mackay. However he remained in charge only until 12th of May 1886. The second HT, John Rowe, served until 1908. On 30th of June 1887, a portable room was provided; it being brought to the area by schooner. The school now had accommodation for 30 pupils; the teacher's welfare was considered because quarters of two rooms were attached. As the population increased so did the needs of the school. This was reflected in the provision of a larger classroom in 1898. During 1910-11 the first approaches were made to the Department for the establishment of a HES in Orbost and this became a reality in 1912. Orbost HES supplied post-primary education in the district until a high school was built in 1948. This photograph is associated with the history of education in Orbost.A black / white photograph mounted on grey card. It shows a group of school children posed in rows in front of an outside wall of a wooden building. A boy in the front row is holding a sign with "GRADE " written on it. The sign appears to be in white chalk on a blackboard.There is a handwritten list of names attached to the bottom of the photograph.education-orbost-state-school

Grace Cameron was the daughter of John Cameron who selected the first land on the Snowy River flats. She was the sister of Annie (later Mrs John Gilbert) who was the first white girl born in Orbost.This item is aesthetically significant and shows the skill and craftmanship of the women of the early settler families.Large oblong oil painting on green painted tin with the top and bottom rolled for decoration. Painting of three single petalled pink roses in full bloom with two small buds.tin painting cameron-grace art

"Melton has a long and celebrated history of horse breeding and racing. Draught horses were a crucial aspect of life in the early days of European settlement, and were heavily depended upon for both transport and agricultural labour. Peppercorn trees at the corner of Station and Brooklyn roads have been associated with a horse trough installed there to provide a drink to workhorses carting produce to the chaff mills and railway station south of Melton.20 Breeders, trainers and harness drivers in the area later became such an influential force in the equine industry that this came to be a defining aspect of the district’s identity and reputation.Pioneer of the Victorian horse racing industry and early Rockbank squatter William Cross Yuille was one of the earliest importers of stud racehorses in the district in the 1850s. A leading sports editor and writer, Yuille established bloodstock auctioning agency W. C. Yuille & Co. and was involved in the compilation of the first Australian Stud Book, which ensures the integrity of thoroughbred breeding in Australia. According to early Melton chronicler Alexander Cameron, horse races were first organised in the area by Rockbank farmer William Keating. Keating owned racehorses of his own, and many brought horses from Melbourne for the events, which ‘drew large gatherings’.22 Melton Racing Club meetings were held on the Exford Estate with the permission of H. W. Staughton, who built a small wooden grandstand in 1882. Other early races and sports meetings are said to have been held in the vicinity of the current-day Melton golf course.23 An 1884 article reported that Melton’s ‘race programme … equals any put forth by country towns of far greater size’. Ernest Clarke was another important figure in the early horse racing industry in Melton. He established the Melton Stud in 1902, which bred numerous successful racehorses. Perhaps most notably The Welkin, one of the most famous stallions in Australian horse racing in the early twentieth century. The Welkin sired Gloaming, bred by Clarke at the Melton stud in 1915 and one of Australia’s greatest champion racehorses. During a long and prestigious career in both Australia and New Zealand, Gloaming achieved a triumphant 57 wins out of 67 starts and won a record amount of prize money. Ken Cox purchased the Stockwell Stud in Diggers Rest in 1957 and developed it into one of the largest and most renowned thoroughbred breeders in Australia. With its top-class facilities, international design standards and scientific methods, Stockwell became ‘the flagship of the Victorian breeding industry’.26 As well as racing studs, numerous trotting tracks were established on the flat plains around Melton in the 1960s.27 Other studs to play a leading role in the development of Melton as thoroughbred country were Cornwall Park and Merrywood at Toolern Vale, St John’s Lane Stud at Diggers Rest and Birchwood, Teppo Park and Dreelburn in the far north-east of the shire, near Sunbury. By 1985, thoroughbred horse breeding was such big business in Melton that the shire council adopted the slogan ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, which was used throughout its promotional material.29 But the slogan contained deeper meaning and was not just about Melton’s great equine industry and thoroughbred champions, the council explained: ‘“Thoroughbred Country” should be seen as a new concept of Melton, as a place where people can achieve the “Thoroughbred” ideal, excellence in all aspects of life’. The aim of the council in promoting ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, was ‘to instil in present and future residents the feeling that this is a place that is better than others. A place to be proud of’. In 1988, Melton’s champion reinsman Gavin Lang won his 176th race of the season, claiming the national harness racing record for the most wins in a single season.The following year, the first Melton Plate was held at Moonee Valley Racecourse, cementing the district’s importance in the harness racing industry. The inaugural winner was Victorys Phil, owned by local Danny Mullan. By the 1990s, Melton had earned the title of the ‘Home of Harness Racing in Victoria’. State-of-the-art, world-class harness racing facility and entertainment complex Tabcorp Park opened in Melton in 2009. In 2011, the Shire of Melton was home to over 140 registered trainers and over 1,200 horses. The municipality’s continuing leadership and influence in the industry today is a testament to the skills, talents and leadership of the local community over its history".Shire of Melton pamphlet of a map and information of the equine industry in Meltoncouncil

These typewriters were imported fully assembled from Japan by CFM Industries. CFM (Curvie Furniture Manufacturing). The Nakajima portable typewriters were imported in the 1970s. Typewriters replaced hand written writing. Their benefits were that the work was written faster and was legible. The portable typewriter enabled the typist to take her typewriter with her. Typewriters have now been replaced by computers with the advantage of editing the work before the final copy is made and with the ability to add eg. photos, create different settings etc. Used by a resident of the Kiewa Valley in the 1970s.Beige hard plastic case with dark grey handle with chrome fittings and white buttons either side of the handle. Metal typewriter 'querty' key board, white keys with black inscriptions. Includes typewriter ribbonLabel inside cover for servicing. "CFM Industries Pty Ltd address, phone number" Label on back of typewriter for CFM Industriesportable typewriter

Matthews and Sons' Snowy River Garage was situated in Nicholson Street Orbost. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of book-keeping in Orbost in the early 20th century and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with black print, blue lines and an illustration of an old car in the top left corner. It has a blue receipt attached for W.A. Matthews & Sons General Motor Engineers to R. Cameron.matthews-w.a. cameron-robert-pullar

This group is signing the visitors' book at the Orbost State School "Back To" on March 1 1937. The school burnt down three years later in 1940 under suspicious circumstances. In the photo are Mrs Ralston and Harold Rodwell.This item is associated with the history of education in Orbost.A black / white photograph showing a group of people standing waiting to sign a book which is on a small table. They appear to be outside the school building. A woman is bent signing the book. The men are wearing suits, one is smoking, the women well-dressed and most are wearing hats. on back - handwritten " Includes Mrs Ralston & Harold Rodwell. Signing Visitors' Book at 1937 Back to School"education-orbost orbost-state-school

A newspaper article regarding the awarding of a 2011 National Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence for Delderfield Luxury Bed & Breakfast in Marysville.A newspaper article regarding the awarding of a 2011 National Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence for Delderfield Luxury Bed & Breakfast in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, delderfield luxury bed & breakfast, accommodation, national accommodation industry award for excellence, 2009 black saturday bushfires

The Old Station Homestead site at Corringle Beach was a popular destination for Orbost people to have picnics late 19Century. They would travel out in buggies from Orbost or Newmerella with food hampers, have a picnic, play games etc. This location was always referred to as the Old Station because it had been one of the earliest Stations in this district in the early days of European settlement. evidence of recreation, entertainment in the Orbost districtA sepia coloured photograph pasted onto grey cardboard. Photo shows a group of people standing and sitting under trees with picnic baskets and hampers in the foreground. Many people wear hats. On back of photograph: Mrs Reynolds Senr, 72 Boundary Road. Old Station Beach, Orbost orbost, corringle, old station homestead site, picnic

This blazer was probably worn by Doris Trewin (nee Mehlert) in her role as a chaperone of the Orbost Marching Girls, the Waratahs.Together with a trophy, a uniform and photos this blazer forms part of the history of the Orbost Marching Girls group.An Orbost Marching Girls' Chaperone's blazer. It is navy wool, lined, has two pockets (one on each side) and fastens with two silver buttons. On each sleeve cuff is a smaller silver button.blazer uniform orbost-marching-girls

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 album was donated to the Orbost & District Historical Society after the death of Judy Walcott, a long-time member. The veiling of McKillops bridge was a 'Year of the Outback' event. The event was organised by Orbost resident, Sr Helen Barnes RSJ. to show solidarity with rural people. The local community transformed the bridge into "a symbol of communal love and hope", when its sides were draped with hundreds of personal messages. McKillop's Bridge, located high in the Snowy Mountains, is named after George McKillop, a pioneering explorer of the area. The bridge is a vital link for isolated farming communities living beyond the Bonang highway.This album is a useful reference tool.A large photo album with a bright yellow cover and 19 plastic sleeves. It contains photographs, newspaper clippings, brochures , maps and an invitation to the veiling of McKillops Bridge on 8th August 2002. It also contains the history of McKillops Bridge.On inside cover - left hand side - "To Marie with Best Wishes from Judy Walcott 8/8/2005"mckillops-bridge album

The East Gippsland News is generally printed in Bairnsdale. this edition was a Snowy River Mail edition. The Snowy River Mail is a weekly newspaper published in Orbost in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. Previously published as The Snowy River mail and Tambo and Croajingolong gazette from 1890 to 1911. The Gippsland Courier merged with the Snowy River Mail when proprietor Lachlan Ross moved to Orbost in 1910. In 1999 the paper was acquired by the Yeates family when the Hollins family retired from the newspapers business. The paper is still being produced by the fourth generation of the Yeates family as part of East Gippsland Newspapers. This newspaper is a contemporary record of local events.A black / white newspaper, titled The East Gippsland News and dated Wednesday 28 1990. It contains articles , reports., advertisements and photographs.newspaper east-gippsland-news snowy-river-mail

This ticket was for a grand ball to celebrate the second anniversary of the Loyal Orbost M.U.I.O.O.F. Lodge. It was held in the Mechanics Institute hall on Friday 20th July, 1888. The cost of a single ticket was 5/-. The secretary of the lodge was John Rowe, the first teacher of the state school in Orbost. From the estate of Elsie Cooke. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref Mary Gilbert) Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (MUIOOF) had its origins in Manchester, England. It was established in Melbourne on 7 December 1840 when Augustus Greeves, a member of the MUIOOF in England, migrated to Australia and formed the first friendly society. In 1840 Manchester Unity IOOF was founded in Victoria. Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A small white rectangular paper ticket with black print. It is for the Loyal Orbost Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. Grand Ball.front - "Dancing to Commence at 8pm."public-event-orbost document-ticket m.u.i.o.o.f

Built by the Forests Commission of Victoria for the timber haulage on the Tyers Valley Tramway near Erica. Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Timber working - Timber Bogies used by Forests Commission of Victoria for the timber haulage on the Tyers Valley Tramway near EricaTimber Bogies - Made of Wood and steel and wrought irontyers valley, sawmill, puffing billy, forests commission of victoria, timber bogies, industrial narrow gauge railway

From L-R : Nathan Spielvogel, Hector Young, Percy Watt and George Holden. . Taken on the front porch at Illfracombe in 1908 after the four men had enjoyed a weekend fishing There appears to be a photo hanging on the wall in the background which looks like it could be of a young Marion Watt and the family's dog, a golden retriever In "The Gum Sucker at Home: Bound for Croajingolong 1908" by Nathan Spielvogel, published in Mary Gilbert's Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District, 3rd edition, p. 107-116, Spielvogel talks of his trip to Orbost, and fishing with Watt, Bruce and Young aboard Percy Watt's boat, the Maris Stella. Spielvogel's story says Young was the secretary at James & Birds auctioneers and "was one of the builders of the first foot bridge over the Backwater". It says George Holden was a Bank Manager at the Bank of Victoria. (info. from Campbell Watt) This photograph shows Mr Nathan Spielvogel on the left. He was a school teacher at the Orbost State School following Mr Rowe. Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874-1956), teacher, writer and historian, was born on 10 May 1874 at Ballarat, Victoria, son of Newman Frederick Spielvogel, pawnbroker, and his wife Hannah, née Cohen. As well as his stories he published a number of books about the history of Ballarat. Spielvogel taught at Orbost for at least a year Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874–1956) was a teacher, writer and historian. As a country schoolteacher, he traveled widely in the eastern Australian outback and also made a journey to London. Spielvogel gained distinction as one of the only Australian Jewish writers of his time. Many of his early books were best-sellers. He has an association with the history of Orbost having spent a year as a teacher at Orbost. The Watt family were early Marlo settlers.A black / white photograph / postcard of four men sitting around a small table playing cards. Two of the men have pillows behind their heads. Three are smoking pipes.on back - "On R - N. Spielvogel"spielvogel-nathan-orbost

This photograph is of Percy Nixon, son of James Nixon and Alice Roberts Percy Nixon married Evelyn Harding. The photographer was Warren, Helena (1871-1962) who was a self-taught photographer who became both the local press correspondent and a producer of humorous trompe l'oeil postcard images. Helena Warren was a thirty-two year old settler living on a small mixed farm with her husband, William, at Newmerella, near Orbost in Gippsland, Victoria, when she bought her first camera, an Austral Box quarter-plate. Her family says she was entirely self-taught, like many women photographers who started out with nothing but the instructions on the packets of film and chemicals. In over fifty years practice she graduated from the total novice, who opened all her first mail order plates in bright sunlight and ruined them, to a competent photographer who became both the local press correspondent and an inveterate producer of humorous trompe l’oeil postcard images. Helena Francis Warren (nee McKeown) was married to William John Warren and lived in Newmerella. She supplied the photos for the Back-To-Orbost celebration book in 1937 and also designed the Back-To-Orbost badge. She was known for her soft toy making. (by Ivy Rodwell in from Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District by Mary Gilbert). This item is associated with a prominent Orbost family. George Nixon was the son of James and Alice Nixon. The Nixon families were among the earliest settlers on the Snowy River. This photograph also has significance in its association with Helen Frances Warren, a popular Orbost identity who was well known as an accomplished photographer and needleworker.A black / white photograph of a young boy standing next to a very large pumpkin. His right arm is resting on the top.pumpkins-orbost warren-helena-photography nixon-percy