David Blyth and an unknown man sit on a wooden bench, next to a wooden planter and a wooden table with a wooden frame on it. Above them is a sign that reads "RVIB Enterprises Sales Centre Courtesy of Wonderflex".1 B/W image of two men sitting on a bench outside a buildingroyal victorian institute for the blind, david blyth

Upon his retirement in 1993, this clock was presented by the grateful community at Kelaston, to honour the work done for vision impaired people in Ballarat and across Victoria by John Wicking. Made by resident Jack Jones, it had a lacewood base and Huon pine centre.1 x wooden clock with plaque attachedTo John O Wicking AM in grateful recognition of the outstanding care and time devoted to the Association for the Blind 1972-1993association for the blind, kelaston home (ballarat), john wicking, jack jones

First established in 1922, the British Empire Medal (BEM) was awarded to subjects of the United Kingdom who had provided meritorious service at a management or non-commissioned officer level. It consists of a silver coloured medal depicting a seated 'Britannia' with the sun above her left shoulder. Around the edge of medal is written 'For God and The Empire for Meritorious Service'. On the reverse of the medal is a crown above the letters 'ER II Instituted by King George V'. Four heraldic lions surround the edges and is hung from a pink ribbon with pearl-gray edges. This medal was presented to Hugh Jeffrey, date unknown, for his service to people with visual impairments. 1 silver medal with rose pink and grey ribbon inside burgundy boxmedals, hugh jeffrey

To recognise the dedication and service of non-military persons, the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (civil order) was established. Shortened to MBE, the award consists of a silver cross with a circular centre and a fleur de lis attached on four sides. Above the north facing fleur de lis is a crown which is connected to a rose pink crossgrain ribbon with pearl grey edges, and tied into a bow. In the central part is the profile of King George V and Queen Mary, and the words 'For God and Empire' in raised letters against a roughened background edging the portrait. On the rear are the copperplate letters 'GRI' (which stand for Georgius Rex Imperator) and an image of a crown directly above this. It is designed to be worn on the left hand side by the female recipient. In 1974 this medal was awarded to Miss Elsie May Henderson for services to blind persons.1 silver coloured medallion in black frame association for the blind, medals, elsie henderson

To recognise the dedication and service of non-military persons, the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (civil order) was established. Shortened to MBE, the award consists of a silver cross with a circular centre and a fleur de lis attached on four sides. Above the north facing fleur de lis is a crown which is connected to a rose pink crossgrain ribbon with pearl grey edges, and tied into a bow. In the central part is the profile of King George V and Queen Mary, and the words 'For God and Empire' in raised letters against a roughened background edging the portrait. On the rear are the copperplate letters 'GRI' (which stand for Georgius Rex Imperator) and an image of a crown directly above this. It is designed to be worn on the left hand side by the female recipient. In 1937 this medal was awarded to Miss Millicent Frances Ritchie for her service as Secretary of the Braille Association of Australia.1 silver coloured medallion attached to ribbon in black case millicent ritchie, victorian association of braille writers, medals

To recognise the dedication and service of non-military persons, the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (civil order) was established. Shortened to MBE, the award consists of a silver cross with a circular centre and a fleur de lis attached on four sides. Above the north facing fleur de lis is a crown which is connected to a rose pink crossgrain ribbon with pearl grey edges, and tied into a bow. In the central part is the profile of King George V and Queen Mary, and the words 'For God and Empire' in raised letters against a roughened background edging the portrait. On the rear are the copperplate letters 'GRI' (which stand for Georgius Rex Imperator) and an image of a crown directly above this. It is designed to be worn on the left hand side by the female recipient. The medal from this box was presented to Katharine (Kitty) Margaret Rose in 1975 for her tireless work with the aged blind, and is on display at the Bendigo office.1 burgundy box (with silver medal on display at Bendigo VA office)association for the blind, medals, katharine (kitty) rose

Hugh Jeffrey attended the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at Melbourne University, graduating in 1940. This cloth patch would have formed the breast pocket of Mr Jeffrey's university blazer. The Melbourne University blazer is traditionally black with blue stripes, and organisations such as the Boat Club, Cricket Club or, in this case, the Student Union, would have their particular logo or badge embroidered on the pocket. The logo on this patch is a version of the University of Melbourne coat of arms - with the angel Victory embroidered in white on a black background, offering her laurel wreath. Unlike the official coat-of-arms, the stars of the Southern Cross are not included, nor is the Latin motto. 1 coloured cloth path with embroideryhugh jeffrey, university of melbourne

Takeo Iwahashi was the founder of the Nippon Lighhouse for the Blind in Japan. He made an enormous contribution to the lives and progress of blind people around the world, and was a great friend of Helen Keller. The annual Takeo Iwahashi Award was founded in his memory and is awarded to a "worker for the blind whose contribution to work for the blind in the fields of education, training, rehabilitation, placement, prevention and cure of blindness, administration of services for the welfare of the blind or any other program related to the welfare of the blind has been outstanding." Hugh Jeffrey won this award in 1988. This intricate and delicate presentation envelope is made from a heavy guage paper/fabric blend. It features a small addition of origami on the front, as well as Japanese calligraphy and a gold and silver knotted ribbon holding it closed. Originally the envelope unfolded to a large size with a red liner, and contained the Award certificate and cheque for the prize money.Handmade paper envelope with red edging and gold and silver ribbonshugh jeffrey, awards

A tube sent from the University of Melbourne transporting Hugh Jeffrey's university diploma. It is addressed to The Principal, Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, St Kilda Road Prahran.1 cardboard tube with address handwrittenhugh jeffrey, awards

This box contains a collection of objects and documents pertaining to the memorial service held for Hugh Jeffrey on 6th February 2001. The objects include a folder entitled "Cherished Memories", which contains readings from the service, a list of participants and attendess, and a condolence book. There is also a cardboard folder featuring a crucifix on the cover, which has a preserved copy of newspaper death notices. The box also contains two audio cassettes containing recordings of the thanksgiving service and celebrations which followed.1 lidded box containing various documents and objectshugh jeffrey, memorial

This is a coin shaped gold coloured medal sitting upright on top of a small plastic pedestal. On the front the coin contains representations of leaves, and a white cane across the top. Around the sides is an inscription: ' Alex Johnson Memorial Medal for devoted service to the blind' and across the bottom 'Blind Workers Union of Victoria'. On the back is inscribed in signature style ' Hugh H Jeffrey' 1972' inside a circle of leaves. 1 coin shaped medal on pedestalawards, hugh jeffrey

17 silver plastic letters that spell out Royal Blind Society, that were used for signage inside the Enfield office until the merger in 2004. Believed to have been part of a bequest.17 silver plastic letters royal blind society of nsw, fundraising

To assist in offsetting the costs for building works, some donors made a provision in their will. In this instance Betty Ross-Wyatt contributed to the recording studios in Kooyong, where books and magazines are recorded for dispatch across Victoria. 1 wooden tablet with engraved gold plate These recording studios were constructed with assistance of a major contribution from the estate of the late Betty Ross-Watt M.B.E. Member of Gisborne Auxilliary 1932 to 1989.association for the blind, nameplates

The plaque believed to have been attached to the Guiding Light structure, which was installed at AFB's Brighton office due to the efforts of President Bruce Small. Although removed some years ago, the structure was a symbol used by the Association for the Blind as a visual way to represent it's work within the community. 1 metal plate with engraving "This Guiding Light symbol of the Association for the Blind was donated by Bruce Small, Esq. Member of Committee 1944-1954. President 1954-1964. Honorary Counsellor 1964-"association for the blind, fundraising, nameplates

"National Federation of Blind Citizens of Australia Ltd. NFBCA David Blyth Award 1994. Presented to: Hugh Jeffrey. In appreciation of his outstanding contribution through dedication, tenacity and by example, as a leader of blind people and as an advocate for the rights and responsibilities of citizenship to be accorded to blind people everywhere." Gold coloured disk with NFBCA logo is located above the citation, which is written in Braille on the back of the shield.1 wooden shield with engraved gold plateshugh jeffrey, awards

"Thjs collection of Braille Music was presented to the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales by Mrs Ruby Lavers in memory of her husband Gordon Lavers L.R.S.M., A.R.C.O. Director of Music of this Society from 1917 to 1961". Braille music requires a specialised understanding of both musical scores and music Braille notation. This collection materials would have been valuable addition to the Society, where blind musicians often had to learn pieces through memory due to the lack of musical scores transcribed.1 metal plaque attached to wooden boardroyal blind society of new south wales, gordon lavers, ruby lavers

In 1994 the Association for the Blind began to use the phrase 'New beginnings' to signify a shift in the way that work was undertaken. Some new signage was created with this in mind, and this sign has 'New beginnings' and the Association for the Blind symbol of a square (filled with horizontal lines crossed by two diagonal lines), in black and blue and a circle in the middle with lines inside it. This sign was previously situated on the wall of the conference room at Kooyong in the Vision Resource Centre.1 plastic sign with AFB logoAssociation for the Blind New Beginningsassociation for the blind, signs

Wooden shield with a metal plate attached. On the plate is inscribed "In appreciation of Mrs Hilda Kozlowski's gift towards the refurbishment of RVIB's Early Education Room 2002".1 wooden shield with engraved silver plateroyal victorian institute for the blind, awards

Certificate awarded to Hugh Jeffrey in 1938 upon his being awarded the Diploma in Music (Instrumental School Pianoforte Teaching). The certificate features elaborate script and the University of Melbourne logo at both the top centre and in the red seal at the bottom left hand corner. Signed by the University Chancellor (illegible) Dated 23rd August 1938.1 frame with paper certificate with black writing and red sealhugh jeffrey, awards

Certificate awarded to Hugh Jeffrey in 1940 upon his being awarded the Bachelor of Music (Instrumental School Pianoforte Teaching). The certificate features elaborate script and the University of Melbourne logo at both the top centre and in the red seal at the bottom left hand corner. Signed by the University Chancellor (illegible) Dated 13rd April 1940.1 plastic frame with paper certificatehugh jeffrey, awards

A brown wooden award depicting two hands holding a square, whilst another hand holds a small piece of the square. The words 'VALA Award' are located in the right-hand base corner of the image. On one of the awards is inscribed '1976 Association For The Blind' on the upper side of the relief image. This award was presented by the Victorian Automation in Libraries Association for the Vision Hotline that was developed by the Association, which allowed people with visual impairments to obtain information and advice.2 wooden shields with engraved bronze coloured relief1986 Association for the Blind (engraved at the top of b/c 1010698)association for the blind, awards

Room sign for 'Presenters' in white lettering, with a burgundy coloured background. Most likely used at Enfield studios. A braille label 'Reserved for Presenters' is attached to the right-hand side of the sign.Burgundy coloured sign with Braille attachedPresentersroyal blind society of nsw, nameplates

Narrow rectangular sign for 'W.H. Paterson Hall' on a white plastic base with raised black lettering. Holes have been drilled into each corner for screw attachments. Possibly attached to the building in 1966.White sign with black letteringW.H. Paterson Hallassociation for the blind, nameplates

Narrow rectangular sign for the 'Hamish Mackenzie Room' on a white plastic base with raised black lettering. Holes have been drilled into each corner for screw attachments. Possibly attached to the building in 1966.White sign with black letteringHamish Mackenzie Roomassociation for the blind, nameplates

Coin collections have a long and varied history. Coins were often collected in churches in a box located near the entrance/exit, and later via a collection plate that was passed amongst the congregation Funds were used to repair the church or feed the poorest of the parish. The donation of coins is and was considered part of religious life and mentioned in Christian, Jewish and Islamic texts. With the need and expansion of charitable works occurring outside religious life, charity boxes began to spread into hospitals, orphanages and asylums. The need for non-fixed boxes grew with the rise in charities and their activities outside a fixed building. Collection boxes could be large (and therefore hard to move) or could be held by individuals acting as collection agents, working at a specific location, moving between dwellings or at events. In this example, the RVIB tin could be used gathering coins at events such as Carols by Candlelight, White Cane day or other special marketing days.1 metal coin collection tin with handle and paper wrapYour Donation Supports the Work of The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind RVIB lighthouse logo 557 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Telephone 9529 3544royal victorian institute for the blind, equipment