Tonghi Creek is 66km north - west of Orbost. Prior to the sealing of the Princes Highway west of Orbost, the road surface was anything but good, even by C1917 when cars started to use the road. From Orbost the old road via Marlo to Sydenham was abandoned for the new location which traversed more rugged country via Cabbage Tree, Bell Bird and Club Terrace to Cann River, and the reason for this diversion was on account of settlements being established at Murrungowar and Club Terrace, at which latter place there was a temporary rush to obtain gold. This road was constructed by the Public Works department and a maximum grade of 1 in 19 was adopted, and as speed was not to be catered for the grade followed in and out round the spurs and gullies, resulting in a maze of turns and twists which required a good deal of skill on the part of the horse driver to negotiate." - Bairnsdale Advertiser, Friday, May 2, 1947. (More information from Newsletter February 2010)This item is a pictorial record of roads in the early 20th century in East Gippsland.A large black / white photograph of a bridge over a small creek, surrounded by bush. The photograph is mounted on a thick cream coloured card.on back - "Bridge at Tonghi Creek 1918"tonghi-creek-bridge country-roads-east-gippsland

By 1905 there was an Orbost Bicycle Club. E. Donchi was a member and was a successful competitor around 1927. It is likely that the Orbost Cycling Club disbanded during WWI, and evidence from the Snowy River Mail is that it reformed again in 1945. There is no doubt that bikes were a dominant form of personal transport until the 1960s when cars ownership became more common, although children still rode to school. As far as theOrbost Cycling Club was concerned, the golden years were from 1945 to 1950. (information Newsletter August 2018 - Geoff & Lee Stevenson)This item is associated with a popular recreational activity in early Orbost. The period between the First World War and the 1950s was the heyday of cycling. After 1900 the efficient mass production of standardized safe bicycles, as well as the wider availability of second-hand bicycles, caused rapidly dropping prices and it was therefore easier for people to purchase a bicycle not only for utilitarian use but for racing. A small black / white photograph of a young man on a racing bike. It is on an unsealed road in a forest. on back - "E. Donchi, Cyclist, Orbost"donchi cycling-orbost recreation

Jack Bruton selected land at Murrungowar and held the licence for the Murrungowar Hotel. He later became a butcher in Orbost. He was on the first Orbost Golf Club committee in 1906. .The golf club was established in 1906 it was originally formed as the Snowy River Golf Club and played on private land near the banks of the Snowy River just to the south of town.This is a pictorial record of Jack Bruton, one of the early settlers of Murrungowar, a former township east of Orbost.A black / white photograph of a man standing outside alone with his hands in his pocket. He has a moustache and has a pipe in his mouth. He is wearing a hat.on front - "Jack Bruton died 1921" on back - "Mr Jack Bruton, Murrungower Hotel"bruton-jack murrungowar-hotel orbost-golf-club

The Orbost 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) Included in the photograph are: Wm Kerr; D. Robinson; Lance Herbert; Fred McCoy; Jacob Perry; Ted Eaton; Jack McKeown; Wm Cumming; Harry Cameron; Dick Pardew; Wm Cowell; John Bird; Paul Spadaro; Carl Dreverman.Lawn bowling” is an outdoor game that has been popular for centuries. Bowling clubs play a significant role in community recreation needs. This is a pictorial record of this recreational activity in the first half of the 20th century.A black / white photograph of a large group of men playing bowls on a bowling green. Some are dressed in whites and others in suits.orbost-bowling-club sport recreation lawn-bowls

This photograph shows the Battery Goldmine at Club Terrace from 1896 - 1905. Gold was found at Club Terrace in 1896. One of the best finds at Club Terrace was the 'Ace of Clubs' mine which was later sold to the Mallina Gold Mining Company. Syd Cadwallader was appointed manager of the company. The gold was smelted and brought to Orbost on horseback. The only protection against thieves was a revolver and riding crop, which the manager always carried. The 'Ace of Clubs' was eventually closed as the company was unable to cope with the rising water problem. (information Newsletter February 2011 - John Phillips)This is a pictorial record of gold mining in East Gippsland during the late 19th - early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a mine site with timber mine constructions spread around. There is a river in the foreground. Some wooden buildings can be seen in the background.gold-mining-battery-mine club-terrace

This is a souvenir program made for the musical event, Hiawatha, presented by Orbost Rotary Club on November 28,29 1949. Miss Elsie Lambert was a teacher at Orbost State School for 25 year.This is representative of the entertainment popular in Orbost in the 1940's-1950's.Two small 12 pp cream coloured books with brown print and the head of an American Indian chief in head-dress on the cover. It is titled"Hiawatha" prod. and directed by F.C. Herbert. a musical event presented in Orbost 1949, performed and sponsored by the Orbost Rotary Club. This was a souvenir program.On the back cover 657.1 in ink - E. Lambert.souvenir-program hiawatha musical orbost-rotary

This book was produced as part of the 50 years celebration of the Orbost Hockey association. It contains photos and stories of fifty years of the club.This book was produced as a historical record of the Orbost hockey association. It contains photos and stories of fifty years of the club.A yellow covered paperback book with green lettering. It is titled "Orbost Hockey association 50 year Reunion 1963-2013.orbost-hockey recreation sports

2169.3 is from the Mary Gilbert Collection. Graham Dyce was a long-time member of Orbost & District Historical Society. His family came from the Combienbar / Club Terrace district.This is a local history written by a local author, Graham R. Dyce.Three copies of a book of 80 pp titled Combienbar The Valley of Contentment. It has a cream cover with a b/w photograph of a family standing outside a log house (probably late 19th century). The book was written by Graham Dyce, Orbost.combienbar-history-settlement

This book was published by Orbost & District Historical Society in 2009 after the death of Graham Dyce in 2007. Graham Dyce was a long-time member of Orbost & District Historical Society. His family came from the Combienbar / Club Terrace district.This is a local history book written by a local author, Graham Dyce.A 144 pp book titled Club Terrace, A Town and its Diary 1895-1939. It has a grey and sepia cover with a sepia photograph of The club Terrace Hotel.The book was written by Graham Dyce.club-terrace-history-settlement gold-mining

This book was produced as part of the centenary celebrations in 2006. In 2006 Orbost Golf Club celebrated its’ Centenary having originally been formed as the Snowy River Golf Club and played on private land near the banks of the Snowy River just to the south of town. In the 1930’s the Golf Club relocated to its present site and was renamed Orbost Golf Club. The land was shared by the Show grounds and Racing Club. Orbost Golf Club later acquired the land outright to provide a permanent home for golfers in Orbost and surrounding district.This is a local history book.A 38 pp spiral bound book titled Orbost Golf Club Centenary Booklet 1906-2006 Centenary Celebrations 9/12 2006. The front cover is cream and has a black line sketch of the old club house at Orbost Golf Club.recreation orbost-golf-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)This is a useful research book.A book with a white cover titled Orbost Bowling Club Founded 1929. It contains photocopied pages of extracts from meetings and paper clippings.orbost-bowling-club recreation bowling

This is a local history book produced by a local sporting club.A spiral bound book of 18 pp with a yellow cover. It is titled Orbost Women's Hockey Association 63 to 93. There are hand drawings on the front cover.sport recreation hockey-women's-orbost

The book and program were produced as part of the 50 year celebrations of Orbost Rotary Club. This is locally written history book which is a useful research tool.Two dark blue covered books with 124 pp. There is gold lettering on the front cover ; ROTARY CLUB OF ORBOST FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE 1947-1997 50th Anniversary Celebrations. In the top left corner is the Rotary International symbol. The book title has gold corner frames. Two yellow single page programs for the celebratory dinner held at Orbost Motel Lodge on 31/5/1997. It has the Rotary International symbol. the East Gippsland Shire logo and an early Orbost Shire coat of arms. 2192.1 - has autographs /signatures in the back 2192.2 - Ruth Leggerotary-orbost

The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. (Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall)Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history.1944.1 is an Orbost Agricultural Society Member's Ticket No. 484. 1944.2 is an Orbost Agricultural Society Lady's Ticket no.484. Both are white cardboard edged in gold. The tickets are joined. There is a blue cord attached through a hole. The print is blue.Orbost Agricultural Society John Lynn President Member's Ticket E.H.D. White Secretary 1959 £1orbost-agricultural-society

This was an invitation to the Premiership and Grand Final Dinner. The invitation belonged to Mrs R. Smith, 20 Raymond Street, Orbost, 3888. Roma Smith (nee Cameron) was the daughter of Harry Purchase Cameron and Lilian Gladys (nee Harding. Roma married Ronald Richard SMITH in 1944 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.Orbost Football Club through its many changes has always been an important social fabric of the Orbost community. Sport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia, contributing to community identity, sense of place, social interaction and good health.A cardboard invitation in the shape of a football. It has a menu inside and a program for the evening. on the back is a list of the team players for both teams.invitation orbost-football-club recreation sport

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

A carved black wooden club with a thick scaled snake coiled around it. At the clubbing end is a solid round ball. It is handmade and believed to have originated in the New Hebrides.weapon wood-carving new hebrides hunting

This instrument was given to Allan White on 24.8.1935 by his grandfather. Allan White came to Orbost in 1946. He was firstly a share fvarmer on 3 farms then in business - saddler and bike shop with his brother Eric. Then withG.P. Motors as the RACV man. Allan was a "ham radio" operator and involved with Rotary, Rifle and Bowling clubs, also with the Presbyterian Church.A Mezon button accordion with a tan coloured canite carrying case. it has 3 bass valves and 10 treble valves.On front of case : MEZON Superior Manufacturer On accordion : MEZON accordion Made in Germany On end : steel reeds Hand engraved : 24.8.35 Corner pieces : MEZON Trade mark Made in Saxony musical-instrument button-accordion white-allan

The tennis racquet belonged to John Phillips who used it in the late 1950s / early 1960s. It was not a new racquet when Ihe started using it, but a pass-me-down from his father. He purchased his first new racquet in the mid 60s and gave this racquet to the Orbost Museum to go in the racquet press so that people would have an idea of what the item (press) was used for - to stop wooden framed racquets with gut strings from warping. John played tennis at Orbost Tennis Club from 1969-1981 - vice president 1971-77, president 1977-81, secretary of Orbost & District Tennis Association 1975-81. He is a Life Member of the Orbost Tennis Club (1980). John is also a Life Member of the Orbost & District Historical Society.This item is an example of an early piece of sports' equipment which was manufactured using different materials.A wooden tennis racquet with a reinforced cane handle. The handle has a black leather grip. The frame is wooden ash with gut strings.ALL ENGLAND Genuine Weather Proof SLAZENGER Reinforced Cane Sealed finishtennis-raquet sport recreation phillips-john orbost-tennis-club

A canvas golf bag with 5 clubs - two wooden and three metal. The bag has leather handles and leather binding. It has wooden handles with leather grips. The inscriptions are too worn to be legible.On one club : R. Forgan & Son Hand forged (crown) Another club St Andrews JIGGER Hand forged Scotlandgolf-clubs recreation leisure sport forgan

First croquet committee in Orbost started up in 1919. (ref : The Whos' Who of Orbost Settlers - Mary Gilbert). Often croquet lawns were in private gardens eg. at Connort (now Moogji)..This shield is part of the history of the Orbost Croquet Club. In the museum, there is also an old copy of the rules of Croquet, a mallet and a photo of the first committee.A wooden shield. The Dorothy Andrews Handicap Singles Memorial Shield for the Orbost Croquet Club. There are smaller metal shields for the names of the winners.Names on the shields are: Amy Gall; Gwen Reynolds; Ann Nixon; Don Herbert; Ann Kerr; Ella Evans; May Herbert; Izy Trewin; Maisie Nixon; Millie Leatham; Dot Eatoncroquet recreation leisure trophy

The clock was the original clock located over the bar in the Orbost Club Hotel. In 1884 J.A. Petterson built the first Orbost Club Hotel with the licence in the name of Thomas Maguire (his stepson). This hotel was the first in the area and cost 1,400 pounds to build (ref. In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall) and was actually built before Orbost was proclaimed a township - April 17 1885 The R A on the pendulum stands for: retard/advance. It is a common pendulum bob, used by many manufacturers, worldwide. Regulator clocks, sometimes referred to as pendulum clocks, were invented in the late 18th century in a quest for greater timekeeping accuracy. They were weight-driven devices. The pendulum on this clock appears to be German made. .The Orbost Club Hotel was the first hotel built in the Orbost district and was an important hub for the township with many whole town meetings held there.A wall clock with Roman numerals inside a dark brown wooden case. It has a brass pendulum and the key is inside the case.R A on the pendulum.wall-clock orbost-club-hotel

The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah HallAgricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history.A booklet which is a schedule of the Orbost Show 2010. It has a coloured cover and has 32 pages.Orbost Agric. Soc. Inc, 101st Annual Orbost Show Monday, March 8th 2010document orbost-show agricultural-societies program

This is possibly part of an old gold stamping machine from the Club Terrace/Combienbar/Bendoc area. It could have been used in the gold mining industry between 1890-1920. (Information from Lachlan Macalister - 11/11/2013.)A heavy solid iron octagonal shaped weight. One side is concave.iron-weight gold-mining-processing

Donor, Rupert Bird, was son of John Bird early auctioneer and estate agent. Founder of Men's Club.Very large white meat platter with moulded design in bottom.Unreadable marking on bottom.platter domestic crockery ceramic

Owned by Alexander Cameron who arrived in Australia in 1853. Alexander Cameron ("Big Alex") was an early settler on the Snowy River flats. he worked the paddle steamer Cheviot for a while, having a wharf and sheds on the Snowy River in 1900. Later moved to Cann River. 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)Alec Cameron was a prominent early Orbost settler. The Orbost Bowling Club was established in 1929.Wooden lawn bowl with wooden circles on top and bottom. Top- I Bottom - J.R.22recreation sport lawn-bowls cameron-alexander

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.Wooden lawn bowl with small carved circles at top and bottom.Top-L-V13A 1908lawn-bowl recreation sport

A knobkerrie is a form of club used mainly in Southern and Eastern Africa. The large knob at one end can be used for throwing at animals in hunting or for clubbing an enemy's head. It would have been carved from a branch thick enough for the knob, with the rest being whittled down to create the shaft. The name is Afrikaans and comes from 'Knop', meaning knot or ball and 'Kierie', meaning cane. A short brown wooden knobkerrie club which has a thin handle and spherical club on one end. It has a leather thong threaded through a hole at the end of the handle. knobkerrie club weapon hunting

The lil-lil is a type of club which was made and used only in eastern Australia. It was a dangerous weapon when used in battle.The necessary tools and equipment for hunting, fishing and warfare were some of the very few items that Aboriginals carried with them from place to place. Most were used for a multiplicity of purposes. Because many were made from raw natural materials, such as wood, generally only partial remains are found today. This lil lil club is an example of a wooden weapon used by the Indigenous people of Eastern Australia.A handmade wooden lil-lil club with a long handle and axehead shaped club at one end. Intricately carved with a turtle on one side of the club head and a wild dog on the other.hunting fishing challenge-stick aboriginal

A long and large handmade knobkerrie club of very dark, smooth with. It has a long handle and a large ball like club on one end.knobkerrie aboriginal hunting fishing club