Inspected by Joanna Freslov, archaeologist 2.6.2008. This club was brought from New Hebrides to Orbost by Reverend Alex Morton in 1894. Morton was the minister at the Presbyterian church about 1890. He had spent time in new Hebrides and went on to New Zealand.A handmade carved wooden club with carved rings at top and bottom.weapon new-hebrides hunting-club morton

This item was used for sheep foot trimming on a rural property in Orbost. Sheep with overgrown hooves have difficulty walking far enough to reach available pasture. Their hoofs were regularly trimmed with special hoof trimmers or a good pair of garden secateurs. This item is an example of a farm tool commonly used on early Orbost farms.Metal secateurs with a brass spring system.agriculture-tools rural secateurs hoof-trimmer

This bottle was found in the pine plantation in Orbost. De Witt’s Kidney and Bladder Pills were intended to ease backache, aches and pains in the muscles, and kidney problems. They are typical of a huge range of treatments that were available ‘over the counter’ at pharmacists for many years.This item reflects the changes and development in public health and medicine over the last century.An empty rectangular clear glass bottle that contained De Witts Pills. On bottom - DE WITTde-witt bottle medical health

Research by O.D.H.S. suggests that the 'Oliver' who received this wallet from 'John' is likely Oliver George Scott but the identity of 'Jack' or 'John' is unknown. Oliver G Scott was born 19/2/1880, enlisted 13/9/15 after examination by Dr Kerr of Orbost, returned 7/5/19, died 3/8/1920, buried in Bairnsdale. His name is on the Orbost Roll of Honour. He was one of four Scott brothers who enlisted with three of the four dying in action. The Scott family lived at Ensay. A fifth son John was not accepted on medical grounds. Prior to enlisting, Oliver is described as a sawmiller and a single man. This is a personal item with high significance because it was owned by a man who enlisted from Orbost for World War I. It was a gift from one soldier to a mate during World War I and has personal inscriptions.A square black leather card wallet with metal binding and clip. It has two flat leather pouches inside.In pen - "From John to Oliver for birthday 18.2.18. Salisbury Road Fovant England Jack killed 4.4.18wallet

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. (More information Newsletter July 2013)Built during the period 1914-16, of Gippsland Grey Box and Red Ironbark, the Stoney Creek bridge on the East Gippsland Railway is a fine example of early engineering skilll , being constructed without the aid of any of the modern machinery available today. This is a rare photograph and of high significance in showing the bridge under construction.Landscape format black + white photograph (unframed). Four pin holes in each corner, tear to top left quadrant and fold / crease top to bottom in centre of image.construction, 1916, railway bridge, timber industry, trestle construction, stony creek bridge, east gippsland, bairnsdale to orbost line

These items were used or were available for sale by chemists in Orbost. Chemists who worked in Orbost included Henry Cottman; James Alfred Dubois Williams; Harry Arthur Murray; Miss P.E .Mason (Phyllis Estelle?); Miss Sybil Monica Buzza; Thomas James Frayer; Australia Shaw; James David Torley; John William Zimmer; Dalkeith William Steele; William Thomas Hollingsworth; E.E. Cohen; R.S. Anderson; Frances John Perry Faith Everard Pardew and Charles Anthony Wurf. The tin was designed and used by the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. to store and sell golden syrup which is a by-product of cane sugar, molasses and treacle. The practices of early pharmacists are revealed through these items. The items have a clear association with Orbost.3210.15 is a rusty tin of CSR Golden Syrup. It is a yellow, red, brown, white tin with a black lid. used to sell and store golden syrup. The kilogram tin has the words 'golden syrup' printed in large red letters. There is a recipe for ANZAC BISCUITS on the back of the tin. Inside two concentric circles - "FROM THE AUSTRALIAN CANEFIELDS NATURALLY GOLDEN" around a drawing of a sugar refinery. 3210.16 is a glass jar with a black metal lid. It contains small beakers, rubber tubing, stoppers and vials. on front in red print - "FROM THE AUSTRALIAN CANEFIELDS NATURALLY GOLDEN ; CSR GOLDEN SYRUP ; GUARANTEED PREMIUM QUALITY ; NET 1KG ; SEE BACK FOR DELICIOUS RECIPE"pharmacies-orbost zimmer-john tin-golden-syrup medical-equipment

Peter Nixon, the author of this book, grew up on the family farm on the Snowy River. He entered Federal Parliament in 1961 as the Member for Gippsland, holding various portfolios before retiring in 1983. The Nixon family has been in the Orbost district since 1885.This book records the history of the Nixon family and its association with Orbost.A book, titled From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point, the Nixons from 1593. On the cover is a coloured photograph of Pumpkin Point, taken by Peter Nixon, the author. There is a b/w photograph of James Nixon, with the caption, James Nixon 1832-1899 and Family, beneath it. The book is a compilation of stories and b/w photographs of the the first three generations of Nixons in Australia. There is a brief history of the Nixons in 1593 - the earliest records.2136.1 has "With compliments Peter Nixon 6/7/04" inside.nixon-family orbost-history nixon-james pumpkin-point snowy-river

Martin Jorgenson lived at Marlo for 60 years. He had built his home there in the early years, and worked on the paddle boats and barges that plied their trade on the Snowy River from Marlo to Orbost. He and his wife ran a guest house in Marlo.Martin Jorgenson was a prominent Marlo resident.A black / white photograph of a man with a hunting dog on a leash standing in front a fence. To their left are animals hung on a rod.on back - Martin Jorgensonjorgenson-martin marlo

Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874-1956), teacher, writer and historian, was born on 10 May 1874 at Ballarat, Victoria. 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 and this book reflects that time. Spielvogel 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 book also has an association with J.W. Bird an early auctioneer and estate agent in Orbost.A small 124 pp book with a pink, white and red cover with an illustration of a fisherman at a river. It is titled "The Gumsucker at Home" by N. F. Spielvogel.inside cover - J. W. Birdspielvogel-nathan the-gumsucker-at-home australian-literature

This item was donated as a display item for the Slab Hut (Orbost Information Centre). Quadruple silverplate items were four times as heavily plated with silver as standard items. Quadruple plate hollowware was some of the highest quality made during the latter part of the 19th century.This item clearly has an aesthetic significance as silver cake baskets were a common sight in upper-class households in the 18th and early 19th centuries.A silver plated cake plate on a pedestal with a handle. It has a pattern of flowers and birds etched into the top of the plate.SIMPSON HALL MILLER & Co. Quadruple platesilver-plate cake-stand tableware domestic

Nowa Nowa is located in Victoria on the Princes Highway between Lakes Entrance & Orbost. Tall eucalypts stand guard as you drive into this small village.The fresh waters of Boggy Creek and the tidal waters of Lake Tyers meet here. In the past its history was of logging. Black and white post card showing a lady in long skirt standing on the banks of a river with Australian eucalypts (gum tress) in the background and reflected in the water. nowa nowa, lake tyers, trees, river

The Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial is located on Anzac Parade in Canberra, the Nation's Capital. In May 1988 the Federal Government announced its support for the project. In August 1988 the first official Vietnam Veterans’ Day was held. In September, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Ben Humphries, launched two television commercials designed to encourage donations and handed over a cheque for $12,500. Subsequent support from the Federal Government brought this to $250,000. However the bulk of the funds cam from public donation, together with some corporate sponsorship. The final cost for the memorial was just over $1.2 million. (info. from Vietnam Veterans association of Australia web-site)This item is significant in that it is a reminder of the history and experiences of the veterans of the Vietnam War and the enduring impact of the war on society.A framed momento of Vietnam War. Medallion is inset into red coloured card over mount board. It is double sided so that the medallion can be viewed from both sides. Silver raised lettering on rectangular black ribbon: "For Those Who Served Suffered and Died - Vietnam 1962 - 1973" Black lettering on red card: "This Commemorative Medallion was presented to the Orbost Shire Council by the Vietnam Veterans Association in recognition of the generosity of the people of the Orbost Shire, the Shire Council and the local R.S.L. in raising $1000, toward the building of the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial in Canberra. This Shire was the first area in the state to raise $1000." On front of medallion: "In Appreciation For Your Support" On reverse side of medallion: "Australian Vietnam Forces - National Memorial"vietnam-war war-momento war-plaque

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

This is a ticket for one adult to cruise on the P.S.Curlip 11 which operated from the Brodribb Jetty in Marlo.from 2007 - 2015. "Paddle Steamer Curlip, a 62 feet long, traditional, plank on frame carved timber vessel, that was built by the people of East Gippsland at Orbost, in far Eastern Victoria. The undertaking to design and build this vessel, as a community project commenced in 2002. The community, based around Orbost was largely dependant on the Timber industry in the surrounding Victorian High Country. With the closure of Alpine logging and the creation of vast National Parks, the people of the region needed to create a major undertaking to bond the community and engender… a sense of belonging, this was critical for many of the men, who were dispossessed with the loss of their historical timber and forestry industry." (Information from website: https://www.curlip.com.au/) The Paddle Steamer Curlip 11 is a reproduction of the historic Curlip a small paddle steamer built by Samuel Richardson and his sons at his Tabbara sawmill near Orbost. It helped open up the region in the 1880’s before road or rail, serviced East Gippsland. Much work is being done to restore the Curlip 11 so that it can begin again as a tourist cruise boat.The P.S.Curlip 11 is Victoria's only Paddle Steamer. It was a community project involving many Orbost peolpe.A rectangular, white paper ticket with black print. In red is No. 1297 and the date and cruise time are hand-written in blue pen. ttached to the back of the ticket is a printed receipt.paddle-steamer-curlip 11 tourism-orbost

Access to the cottages at the lighthouse was difficult and the horse-drawn sled was in use until the 1940s. It was used to haul personal goods as wel as those needing medical attention at far-off Orbost. This photograph could be connected with the Gledhills in the 1930s when a medical emergency necessitated a removal to Orbost. Dr Nettleton was the doctor at Orbost at that time. (there could be a link through donor) Point Hicks is claimed to be Captain James Cook’s first sighting of mainland Australia. The lighthouse was built on the point during 1887 and 1888 and commenced operation in 1890, built from concrete and with timber keepers quarters. It was connected to mains electricity in 1965, and then to solar power recently. Originally access to Point Hicks was by sea. In 1920 a return trip, by land to Cann River, 47 kilometres away from the light station, took two days. By 1946 the journey had been reduced to 36 hours by a combination of horse and jeep. During the early 1950s it was still a 12-hour ordeal. The light no longer works, it was turned off 21 years ago and the Point Hicks lighthouse is now powered by a much smaller, more modern light. the lightkeepers' cottages are used for tourist accommodation.This photograph is associated with Point Hicks, a historically important lightstation in East Gippsland.A small black / white photograph of a horse dragging a sled with suitcases on it. There are seven people walking behind, one holding the reins. They are waalking through a sand dune.on label on back - "Bring Out to Light House keeper from Point Hicks"point-hicks-lighthouse

This veterinary item was found in a walk-through dairy at Wombat Track, Orbost. It has been identified by vet, Peter Honey (9.1.2015) as possibly used for flushing abscessed or mastitis teats. It could have been improvised for another use by the farmer and was probably originally for medical use.These items are representative of items used in Orbost on dairy farms in the first half of 20th century.A glass syringe-like tube with a glass plunger inside. There is a small hole at one end and a movable plunger at the other end which has a cork collar.veterinary-equipment dairy farming

Coal scuttles or hods were made with some sort of tipped lip that made it easy to pour out the lumps of coal. It also was used to carry ashes away from the fireplace. This one could have been used to carry firewood more likely to be used in Orbost.A metal coal scuttle with two handles - a tipping handle and a carrying handle. scuttle fireplace-accessories domestic

A plastic produce bag from c.1990s used for promotion of the SNOWY RIVER PRODUCE Co. which was famous as a sweet corn producer. The sweet corn was grown locally under contract by farmers in the Orbost district and marketed through the Co. This company no-longer exists (2022).a rare item to survive as evidence of the Snowy River Produce CoA white plastic bag, printed on both sides with green print. One side has a drawing of a bucking horse and rider, and the other side a piece of yellow coloured corn. The bag has a hand hold opening. Size of bag: H-504mm W-362mmSide 1: SNOWY RIVER PRODUCE. FRESH FROM THE FARM SNOWY RIVER CO-OP PRINCES HIGHWAY MEWMERELLA Side 2: SNOWY RIVER CO-OP FAMOUS FOR SWEET CORN PRINCES HIGHWAY NEWMERELLA phone (051) 541878orbost, sweet corn, farming produce, snowy river produce co.

These stories are from the Orbost district, Snowy River flats, Conran, Bete Bolong, Marlo, Bonang, Goongerah, Combienbar, Club Terrace,Cann Valley, Cabanandra, Bendoc, Deddickand McKillop's Bridge' Mapping of Memories was first broadcast as four programs on A.B.C. Radio National in 1993.This item is a record of the lives and history associated with East Gippsland. It is a useful reference tool.Two copies of a D.V.D. titled, "Mapping of Memories The Telling of Place". There are also two tapes - 4 sides. The D.V.D.'s are in black plastic cases with 2 discs in each. The front cover has a colored photo of a child next to a giant pumpkin.memories-orbost-district mapping-of-memories

Marlo was once a very busy port. Goods needed by the early settlers were carted by sea-going vessels to Marlo. At the Marlo wharf goods were unloaded from the large vessels onto barges and towed by paddle steamers to Orbost. (information - In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall)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 yearsA black / white photograph of the Marlo landscape. In the background is the Marlo Hotel. Appears to have been taken from Corringle looking out over ocean and Snowy River. The Marlo Hotel can be seen on the right.Thon front - "Marlo from Sand Hummock"; "Bulmer copyright"marlo-landscape marlo-hotel-township

Marlo was once a very busy port. Goods needed by the early settlers were carted by sea-going vessels to Marlo. At the Marlo wharf goods were unloaded from the large vessels onto barges and towed by paddle steamers to Orbost. (information - In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall)This item is a pictorial record of Marlo in the late 19th century.A black / white photograph of a beach with a sloping hillside covered in thick vegetation. There is a pole at the top with a light on it. It overlooks the jetty. A sailing ship can be seen in the background - left.on back - "Marlo showing light on pole on the point above the jetty about 1890"marlo-19th-century marlo-jetty

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 other at the time, the Camerons bred race horses.Harry died in 1964 aged 75.Hand saw with a skew-back, steel blade and a wooden handle. It has three metal saw pins and a medallion marked 'warranted superior'. There is a chip carved wheat sheaf decorating the front hand grip. This handsaw is probably a Disston Keystone K-4 Air MasterOn a metal disc around a keyhole is "Warranted Superior".tool timber-industry handsaw

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