Donated by the Harry Cameron family, Harry's father, James Cameron, came to Bellagoogan on Majors Creek in 1882. Bellagoogan was on Majors Creek near Orbost and was the site of the first race course. Like many others at the time, the Camerons bred race horses.Harry died in 1964 aged 75.This item is an example of a handcrafted ornament of the early 20th century. The Cameron family were early Orbost settlers.Natural - coloured raffia plant holder. Ornate design. Nails used to hold it together.ornament plant-holder craft-handmade

This is an extract from the Victorian Parliamentary Debates on Tuesday 18th July, 1922. It is titled "Death of the Honorable James Cameron" and is a tribute from Mr Lawson, the Victorian premier. In 1882 James Cameron was the first Orbost councillor of the newly constituted Tambo Shire. In the next twenty years he served as justice of the peace, shire councillor, guardian of St James's Anglican Church, Sunday school superintendent and president of the local agricultural society. In 1902 he won a by-election for Gippsland East and took his seat in the Legislative assembly. He serve for eighteen years and his main achievements were securing one million pounds for East Gippsland development bringing the railway to Orbost and establishing the Country Roads Board.James Cameron was an early Orbost pioneer, a respected community member and a prominent politician.A memorial extract from the Victorian Parliamentary Debates. It is on white paper with black print, a black border and is tied with black ribbon.cameron-james-orbost

In 1977 great efforts were being made to preserve this bridge, the highest trestle bridge in Victoria at Stoney Creek. The Stony Creek Trestle Bridge was built in 1916 when the existing rail line from Melbourne to Bairnsdale was extended to Orbost. This 97km Bairnsdale to Orbost extension through rugged terrain was reputed to have been the most difficult rail project undertaken in Victoria. In service for over 60 years the bridge was damaged by bushfire in 1980, with the last train crossing in 1987. At 247m long and 20m high, it is the largest standing bridge of its kind in the State, and is listed on the Register of Historic Sites. Built of red ironbark and grey box timber, it is a fine example of the early engineering skills that utilised the resources and materials found on site.The Bairnsdale to Orbost rail line contains the most varied range of timber & timber composite bridges on any Victorian line. The Stoney Creek bridge is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register for its architectural and historical significance.A black / white photograph of a very large trestle bridge. a steam locomotive, with loaded goods trucks, is on the bridge. stoney-creek trestle-bridge railway east-gippsland-railway

This is the Nowa Nowa crossing off Old Orbost Road, to the first Nowa Nowa Hotel built by Moses Faithfull, in 1890, in background. Moses Faithful came to Australia from England with his parents on the Royal Consort in 1844. After living at Bulla, Pakenham and Wurruk he and his wife moved to Hospital Creek in about 1885 where he took up the first selection of land at Upper Hospital Creek. As well as farming he built the first hotel at Nowa Nowa in 1890. He had charge of the hotel until 1895 when he sold to Mary Stirling. Moses died on 8th July 1901, aged 66, at the residence of his son-in-law, David Price, at Newmerella, and buried in the Orbost cemetery.This hotel was built in 1890 and doubled as a coaching stop on the inland route. Settlement grew up around the hotel. It was sold 1895 to Mary Stirling who husband own the land the hotel stood on. The hotel burned down on 29 July 1955. This is a pictorial record of Nowa Nowa in the late 19th century.A black / white photograph of a creek crossing with large stones in the foreground. A bridge can be seen in the background across the creek.nowa-nowa faithful-moses stirling-hotel

Grace Elizabeth Jennings Carmichael (1867-1904), poet and nurse, was born on 24 February 1867 at Ballarat, Victoria, daughter of Archibald Carmichael, a miner from Perthshire, Scotland, and his wife Margaret Jennings, née Clark, from Cornwall, England. . She was educated at Melbourne and while still a child went to live on a station at Orbost, and grew up close to the bush she came to love so much. In 1888 she went to Melbourne to be trained as a nurse at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, and in 1891 published a small volume of prose sketches, Hospital Children. Having qualified she obtained a position on a station near Geelong, and subsequently married Francis Mullis. She contributed verse to the Australasian, and in 1895 Poems by Jennings Carmichael was published. She lived for a time in South Australia and then went to London, where she died in poor circumstances in 1904. Her husband, Henry Mullis, was last recorded in the workhouse in Woolrich, but then disappeared leaving the three children- Geoffrey 7 yrs, (Thomas) Clive 5 yrs & 4 year old (Archibald) Keith and one year old (Rupert) Wyatt, destitute & were sent to the Northampton workhouse, (Thomas ) Clive dying in 1906. In 1910, a group of Carmichael's admirers, discovered the whereabouts of her children, where a public fund was established to bring the children to Australia, the Victorian Government giving them free passage, arriving in Victoria in October of 1910. The children were placed in private homes and took on their mother's single name of Carmichael. In the late 1930s, plaques were unveiled in Orbost & Ballarat in honor of Grace Jennings Carmichael. The one in Orbost was part of the "Back To' celebrations. It hung in Mechanics' Institute in Orbost.This is significant to the Orbost region in that it is associated with a woman who is certainly our foremost female poet. A bronze cast memorial plaque set onto a wooden backing board. The plaque has an image of a woman, a candle and a book, and also some text (see below).Grace Jennings Carmichael, Australian poetess, 1868-1904, spent her childhood in this district, erected by Mrs G A Hunter & a few admirers.memorial-plaque grace-jennings-carmichael orbost-poet

The kerosene lantern is a type of lighting device that uses kerosene as a fuel. Kerosene lanterns have a wick or mantle as light source. They may be hand-held for portable lighting.This kerosene lantern was used as a light on road works in the Orbost area. It would have been carried/used by one of the road workers. Lamps of this kind were significantroadworks items in their period of use as essential tools to the safe-working operations of the Country Roads Board.. A red metal roadworks warning lantern. It is rectangular with a metal carrying handle. The top is domed. The door at the back is hingedand opens with a small nail. The lamp was lit by kerosene held in a small square tank with a wick.lantern kerosene light lamp

This was used by PMG technicians in Orbost from 1957. These strainers were used until the end of open aerial routes which were phased out over many years at a guess right into the 1980’s. They were a standard and necessary issue device for any linesman working on open aerial routes. A leather strap with metal fittings. It consists of two flat steel surfaces operated by a lever action to grip the wire without causing damage.pmg telephone communication wire-strainer wire-tensioner telecommunications

This is a marriage certificate registering the marriage of William Whitehead Archer, the hotel manager of the Club Hotel, Orbost and Jane Ann Cooper who also reside at the Club Hotel. The marriage was conducted at the Club Hotel by D. R. Hewton of St James Anglican Church. It was witnessed by Hannah Cooper and Lancelot Herbert.This is a useful research tool.This is an old copy of a marriage certificate - black print on white paper. Details are hand-written. It is the marriage of William Whitehead Archer and Jane Ann Cooper.archer-william-whitehead cooper-jane-ann certificate-marriage club-hotel-orbost

This limestone rock containing many marine fossils, crustacean imprints and embedded shells, bivalves, and two imprints of spiny oyster, Pelecypos and Spondylus from the Miscene Age 10-20 million years BP. It was collected in the Orbost region, possibly at Newmerella when the railway was being constructed in 1915-16. An example of marine fossils, collected near Orbost. this fossil is part of the geological history of the Orbost area.A large piece of yellow/ochre coloured rock (East Gippsland limestone) containing many marine fossils. marine-fossils miscene-fossils east-gippsland-fossils

This outfit belonged to Ethel May Robertson (nee Watt) b: 1879 in Jindiwick, Victoria, Australia. She was the daughter of John Alexander Watt. John Watt was an early selector who in 1879 selected land on the Marlo Road. She married Frank Edward Robertson on 4 March 1901 in Orbost.A black silk lace skirt and top. It has a petticoat attached. There is a black scarf with a cameo brooch attached.costume-women's lace robertson watt

This item has been identified by David Nixon as the workbook of George Henry Douglas Russell (Doug) of Bete Bolong. He was the second son of John and Elizabeth Russell. John Russell wasblacksmith in Orbost. His family were Jack, Doug, Dave and Billy. Doug was in WW! where he was a Veterinary Sergeant. After the war he came bach to Orbost and his father gave him the farm at Bete Bolong to work. This farm is on the corner of Birkins Lane and Buchan Road (presently owned By Ginger and Helen Johnstone). He started farming tgere in 1920 and married Hilda Raymond in 1922. The slatted barn and house still exist. David Nixon, the donor, married a daughter of Doug and Hilda Russell and worked the farm from 1947-1973. He found the diary at the farm. This item is a valuable record of agricultural practices in the Orbost district during the 1920's.An exercise book with a worn black cover and a faded red spine. It contains hand-written records of farm accounts. russell- bete-bolong diary-farming agriculture

Mary Ann Willis is a member of The Orbost Nixon family and as a child spent time in Orbost. Mrs Marion Dwyer held office at Bairnsdale Golf Club and the East Gippsland Golf Associates Association for many years, being honoured with Life Membership from both. She was also a member of the YGLU (now Golf Victoria) council for 10 years. Mrs Dwyer won a number of titles including: Victorian Country Champion 9 times, Victorian Veteran Champion 3 times, Gippsland Champion 13 times, East Gippsland Champion 16 times, East Gippsland Foursomes' Champion 2 times, Bairnsdale Golf Club Ladies Champion 32 times, Bairnsdale Golf Club Foursomes' Champion 4 times & 106 single tournaments.A large book with a black cover. Book written by Mary Ann Willis. Contains poetry and articles including an oral history of Marion Dwyer. willis-maryann literature dwyer-marion nixon-family orbost

James came to Australia from Plymouth on the ship "Mobile" arriving 16/11/1853 aged 22. he married Alice Roberts on November 27, 1861. With a large young family he moved from Central Victoria to Glengarry in Gippsland where he farmed and set up sawmills at Glengarry and Rosedale. After hearing of land grants at Orbost and investigating the possibilities with Elizabeth, his eldest daughter he selected land at Pumpkin Point, Bete Bolong. The whole family (ten children from 23years - 2years) eventually moved to Orbost around 1885. ( read "From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point" by Hon Peter Nixon A.O.) He had the first saw mill. He convened the meeting that established butter factory foundation and shares and was the first Agricultural Show president,James Nixon was a significant and influential citizen of Orbost's early years.Portrait done in oils of Nixon, James Mr. The portrait is of the bust of Nixon in a tuxedo with blue to grey background. Timber finish frame.nixon-james orbost-bete-bolong pumpkin-point

This bag belonged to Harry Perry and was donated by his son Trevor Perry. Harry Perry was the son of Jacob Perry, Shire Councillor, a farmer and Boer war veteran. Harry Perry's father, Jacob Perry, was a member of the inaugural Orbost Bowling Club. The Bowling Club was founded in 1929, by a group of farmers and businessmen. They set about providing a sporting icon for the town. Six rinks were constructed on the current site using horse drawn scoops and drags. The "Back to Orbost” 1937 book, describes the greens as "a bit rough for the first two seasons but now compare favourably with most country greens". Funds for the construction were raised by the issue of debentures at £5 each, and subscriptions were £1/1s/0d ($2.10). (info. Margaret Smith)Lawn bowling” is an outdoor game that has been popular for centuries. Bowling clubs play a significant role in community recreation needs. Members of the Perry family were inaugural members of the Orbost Bowling Club.A brown leather bowls bag. It has a zipper around the sides and metal studs on the bottom. There are carrying straps at the top.bag personal-effects bowling-bag recreation sport perry-harry

These badges are unused and were possibly available for those guides who took part in the various camps or became new members. they were designed to sew on to the guide uniforms or blankets. Nancye Wallace (nee Warren) was a Guide leader.Established in 1910, Girl Guiding is now one of the largest all female organisations in the world. It is designed for girls, young and not-so-young women to join and enjoy a program of informal learning, opportunities, fun, personal development and friendship. (ref. Girl Guides Victoria). These badges used by an Orbost local reflects the history of that organisation in Orbost.Twelve cloth badges. They are unused Girl Guide badges. two are round with a black background and inside a red circle is a wattle tree. One is round with a variegated fairy wren inside a red circle. One is rectangular with an eastern rosella inside a red circle. There are four smaller square shaped badges (cut from a strip) with gold, and red print on a blue background - " 1910 Girl Guides Jubilee 1960". One is a rectangular Camp Kindamindi badge and there are three rectangular strips, white with blue print "1st Orbost".badges-cloth girl-guides

This appears to be the Boggy Creek bridge and to have been taken at Nowa Nowa. The Boggy Creek Bridge was built in 1916 as part of the Bairnsdale to Orbost extension to the main Gippsland Railway, and is situated in the middle of the township of Nowa Nowa, crossing a steep-sided and well-timbered creek-valley. This section of the line closed in 1987.This bridge plays a major part in the identity and history of the town of Nowa Nowa, since Boggy Creek’s steep sided valley divides the township into two components. It is part of the East Gippsland Railway line.A black / white photograph of a bridge across a creek. A young man in a suit is standing in the foreground.boggy-creek-bridge-nowa-nowa

A ticket voucher book used on the railway line between Bairnsdale and Orbost which closed in 1987. Escept for special events, passenger trains ceased in 1937 and after that time, passengers wishing to travel by train had to take the good trains and be issued with this ticket. The train guard may have issued these tickets.This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost.A Victorian Railways ticket voucher book. This is a tear-off ticket book, stapled at the left margin. It was used for passengers travelling on goods trains from Bruthen Railway Station.TR88 Victorian Railways BRUTHEN 6879 STATION 7/1/1939. In consideration of my being able to travel by the ......goods train on the 7/1/39 from BRUTHEN 6879 to NOWA NOWA, I hereby unertake ........................... etc.railway-history orbost-bairnsdale-railway-line

This appears to be the Boggy Creek bridge and to have been taken at Nowa Nowa. The Boggy Creek Bridge was built in 1916 as part of the Bairnsdale to Orbost extension to the main Gippsland Railway, and is situated in the middle of the township of Nowa Nowa, crossing a steep-sided and well-timbered creek-valley. This section of the line closed in 1987.This bridge plays a major part in the identity and history of the town of Nowa Nowa, since Boggy Creek’s steep sided valley divides the township into two components. It is part of the East Gippsland Railway line.A black / white photograph / postcard of a tall railway bridge, with concrete pylons in the centre,There is a creek below.on front - bottom left - " NOWA NOWA BRIDGE"boggy-creek-railway-bridge nowa-nowa railway-bridge east-gippsland-railway orbost-bairnsdale-railway

This book was prepared by Mrs. C. D. Reed and the Division of Research and Planning of the N.S.W. Dept. of Education for the centenary of the Delegate Public School. Delegate is 118 km north of Orbost. In 1870 a petition was forwarded to the Council of Education to request educational facilities at Craigie, Corrowong and Delegate. In 1871 Delegate Public School was opened. This book is a useful research tool on the history of Delegate.A paper covered book of 24 pp. It has a white cover with black print and was produced to celebrate the centenary of the Delegate Public School. It is a short history of Delegate and the Delegate Public School from 1827-1971.On front cover in red pen -Bendoc Schoolbook delegate-history delegate -public-school

It was owned by Evelyn Paten ( nee Roberston) who was married to Thomas Paten who came to Orbost in 1893 and in 1907 began growing fancy bean seeds for H. James. He built the first private flood levee bank in the district. (ref Mary Gilbert) Evelyn Paten died in 1959, aged 85.A wooden walking stick with a rubber lip. The handle is joined with an inside screw. walking-stick paten-evelyn

This is the Dalgety bridge across the Snowy River. It is a steel construction.The first bridge over the river was constructed in 1888. There was a punt across the river before the bridge was built . Dalgety is a small service centre, located on the Snowy River approximately 235 km from Orbost. It was an early consideration for the site of Australia,s capital city. The Dalgety Bridge over the Snowy River has been an important item of infrastructure in the history of New South Wales for over 110 years. It was designed by noted bridge engineer J. A. McDonald,and was a technically sophisticated bridge structure for its time. This is a pictorial record of a significant structure on the Snowy River.A small black / white photograph of a large bridge over a river.bridge-dalgety-snowy-river

James Chester Kerr Trewin (916-1965) was born in Orbost, Victoria, Australia and died there. Service Australian Army  Service Number VX5640. He enlisted on 23 Oct 1939  at Sale, VIC  He was discharged on 5 Aug 1943 with the rank o Lieutenant  He was in 2/7 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION.  This personal document gives an insight into the human element of World War 11 ensuring that those who were part of the Orbost community and played a vital role during this time are remembered.A rectangular laminated certificate which was given to James C. K. Trewin for contributing to Australia's effort in WW11. It is signed by John Howard-prime minister ; Peter McGauran - federal member and Bruce Scott-minister for veteran affairs.On rectangular picture of the Australian flag - Their Service Our Heritagecertificate trewin-james ww11

This roughing plane was used by Peter Jensen who came to Martin's Creek (35 miles north of Orbost) in 1890 having been told that Martin's Creek would be on the railway line. He was a cooper who made the casks from silver wattles. He cleared the area for farming and then built an accommodation house, Danebo.Ths item is an example of a woodworking tool used in the late 19th to early 20th century.Large smooth wooden roughing plane. It is curved and has a large metal blade. roughing-plane tool jensen-peter

The first settler to occupy the Marlo township area was James Stirling around the year 1875. He built a bark hut on the bluff that had two rooms, bark walls, earthen floors and a shingle roof. By 1884, this structure had expanded to a 9 roomed accommodation house and in 1886 became the Marlo Hotel when a liquor license was granted. The Governor-in-Council declared Marlo to be a township on 18 February 1889. During May 1889, the government surveyor, E.L. Bruce set out 19 sections of the new township, with the first sales of subdivided land occurring the following May. At this time, Stirling's Marlo Hotel was the unofficial hub for the community. It was a general store, accommodation house and the unofficial post office, with settlers taking turns in bringing the mail from Orbost or Cunningham. This continued until Aug 1942, and in 1969 was located in a house adjacent to the Marlo Hotel, before being transferred to the Marlo General Store in this year. The official Post Office List states the Marlo Post Office opened around 1902. in 1925, the "Marlo House" (a nine room accommodation guest house) was granted a liquor licence. The "Marlo House" became "The Marlo Hotel". The Marlo Hotel was popular with many Orbost and district settlers, who travelled to Marlo by horseback or buggy. In the early 20th century the hotel advertised itself as " Under Vice-Regal Patronage. Situated on High Cliff, fronting Ocean, Lakes and Snowy River. Those in search of Health, Rest and Sport should visit Marlo. Boating, Fishing, Shooting, Bathing, Golf. Comfort and Convenience at Marlo Hotel, near Orbost, East Gippsland. Nixon's Cars would meet the train at at Orbost. Fare---6s single, 12s return. Telephone No. 1, Marlo. S, P, STEWART, Proprietor." The Marlo Hotel, perched on the hill overlooking the estuaries and the entrance is a significant building in Marlo. Established in 1886, it has been operating for over 120 yearsAn original black / white photograph and a black / white copy of a party being held under trees on the lawn of the Marlo Hotel. It is a postcard with advertising of Marlo on the back.on back - "Where to spend your holiday - Marlo" on front - "Vice Regal Party at Hotel, Marlo"marlo-hotel

This is a photograph of a fishing party at Marlo, East Gippsland, in 1936. On the back is a description written by Ruby Richardson. Ruby Richarson was born 1902 in Orbost. Her father was Albert Eli and mother Lettice Tomlinson. Ruby had sisters, Mary Agnes Jessie born 1897 and Grace Jane born 1905. Albert Eli Richardson, died in 1851 aged 90i Orbost, His father was given as George Samuel Richardson and mother Jane Farndon, (research - Lois Crisp) The first settler to occupy the Marlo township area was James Stirling around the year 1875. He built a bark hut on the bluff that had two rooms, bark walls, earthen floors and a shingle roof. By 1884, this structure had expanded to a 9 roomed accommodation house and in 1886 became the Marlo Hotel when a liquor license was granted The Governor-in-Council declared Marlo to be a township on 18 February 1889. During May 1889, the government surveyor, E.L. Bruce set out 19 sections of the new township, with the first sales of subdivided land occurring the following May. At this time, Stirling's Marlo Hotel was the unofficial hub for the community. It was a general store, accommodation house and the unofficial post office, with settlers taking turns in bringing the mail from Orbost or Cunningham. This continued until Aug 1942, and in 1969 was located in a house adjacent to the Marlo Hotel, before being transferred to the Marlo General Store in this year. The official Post Office List states the Marlo Post Office opened around 1902.[ In 1925, the "Marlo House" (a nine room accommodation guest house) was granted a liquor licence. The "Marlo House" became "The Marlo Hotel". The Marlo Hotel was popular with many Orbost and district settlers, who travelled to Marlo by horseback or buggy. Marlo has always been a popular destination for fishermen. A small black / white photograph of a group of men and women on a small boat.on back - "Fishing party..................Ruby Richardson"marlo-fishing recreation-fishing

Trudi Hogeman made this fan from old greeting cards. This is an old way of making fans with blanket stitch around the edges. She was a member of a craft group when she made this object. Trudi Hogeman died in January 2017 and is buried at Marlo. Her daughter is heather Terrell, president of the Orbost Historical Society.This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills and hobbies of women at the time.Six teardrop shaped leaves held together by a paper clip to form a fan. It has been blanket stitched around the edges of each leaf. Leaves are made of cardboard photographs possibly cut from greeting cards. All cards have floral images.handcraft hogeman-trudi fan

The glass phial contained liquid ethyl chloride. By directing the nozzle downwards at the skin a stream of liquid squirts out, vaporising on contact.. Ether's unpleasant smell agitated patients. Ethyl chloride's pleasant odour reduced agitation. It was used for controlling pain associated with injections and in minor surgical procedures. This item was used at Orbost Hospital.This item reflects the changes and development in medicine over the last century.A blue cardboard box containing a glass phial with metal lid that forms a spray nozzle. The lid of the box has a white manufacturer's label with blue writing. The phial has a discoloured white label with red writing.Ethyl chloride (pure) 100cc Woolwich for local anaestheticethyl-chloride chemical woolwich-eliott anaesthesia medical health orbost-hospital

The glass phial contained liquid ethyl chloride. By directing the nozzle downwards at the skin a stream of liquid squirts out, vaporising on contact.. Ether's unpleasant smell agitated patients. Ethyl chloride's pleasant odour reduced agitation. It was used for controlling pain associated with injections and in minor surgical procedures. This item was used at Orbost Hospital. This item reflects the changes and development in medicine over the last century.A blue cardboard box containing a glass phial with metal lid that forms a spray nozzle. The phial has a discoloured white label with red writing.ethyl-chloride chemical woolwich-eliott anaesthesia medical health orbost-hospital

Veterinary equipment. Although glass mortars and pestles are fragile, they are stain-resistant The substance to be ground is placed in the mortar and ground, crushed or mixed using the pestle. It would have been used to break up tablets. (identified by vet. Peter Honey) These items were found in an old walk-through dairy at Wombat Track near Orbost. These items are representative of items used in Orbost on dairy farms in the first half of 20th century.A mortar and pestle. The mortar (2397.1) is a shallow bowl. The pestle (2397.2) is a blunt club-shaped object, the end of which is used for crushing and grinding. Both are made of glass.veterinary-equipment mortar-pestle dairy farming

These flares were possibly used during WW11. They were used by Orbost Aero Club at Marlo from 1964 onwards for transporting patients by aerial ambulance to Melbourne. They were placed on the L.H.S. of the runway to indicate wind direction. They were superseded in the late 1970's by pilot activated lighting (PAL) switched on by incoming pilots via radio.These lamps are associated with the history of the Orbost Aero Club.Eight kerosene smudge pot road flares - round metal bases painted red. There is a reservoir at the bottom used for kerosene storage. It was lit at the top for flare.DIETZ . 51 Use Kerosene only Made in U.S.A.lighting kerosene-flares road-flares beacons marlo-airport