039 - Rex Hollioake, appeal chairman, shows Minister for Health Rob Knowles and another man the plans for a redeveloped Kelaston. 043 - Minister for Health Rob Knowles with Terry Fraser, Kelaston manager, and John Cook, Association for the Blind CEO.2 x col. photographskelaston home (ballarat), john cook, rex hollioake, association for the blind

041 - Gift of a table to Tinker for $100,000 donation from Werdouna Charitable Fund. L to R: Peter Duffy (manager Australian Timber), Vern Robson (Chief Commissioner, City of Ballarat) and Rex Hollioake (appeal chairman). 042 - Donation of $100,000 from the Timber Charitable Fund to the Kelaston Centenary Appeal. L to R: Clark Chester, Hugh Morrow, Neil Titheridge, Peter Duffy, Rex Hollioake and Jim Selkirk.2 x coloured photographs of men in suitskelaston home (ballarat), rex hollioake, association for the blind, peter duffy, vern robson, clarke chester, hugh morrow, neil titheridge, jim selkirk

Front of the Day Centre attached to Kelaston nursing home.1 x col. photographkelaston home (ballarat), vision australia foundation

Ballarat Courier (?) article on knitted donations for Chernobyl children from residents at the Kelaston Nursing Home and Day Centre.1 x newspaper articlekelaston home (ballarat), association for the blind

Photo of Sister Pat Parker accepting a cheque from children of the Browns Hill Primary School.1 photocopy of a picture with descriptionkelaston home (ballarat), association for the blind, sister pat parker

These meetings were held at the Kooyong office and the minutes include Present, Chair, Apologies, Minutes, Matter arising from minutes, Correspondence, Life governors, Election of nominees, Nominations, Reports from Finance, Welfare, Brighton, Ballarat, Kooyong, Regional Centres, Nursing homes, Blind Members' auxiliary, Social activities, General business, Guest speakers. The AFB Blind Members' Council Annual Reports are also included beginning with June 30th 1977. Some highlights include: 25/5/1976 it was reported that the newly formed Tandem Bicycle Club would be holding their meetings at Kooyong the first Sunday of each month. 30/6/1978 it was reported that in April the Kooyong complex of buildings was named H.M. Lightfoot Centre after the immediate past President of AFB. The Council has been successful in having included in the learner driver book of road rules a question on the significance of the white cane. 30/7/1979 The Chairman, Mr Sitlington, represented Blind Members at the opening of the Ballarat Day Centre, Kelaston, in April. 30/6/1980 it was reported that the BMC welcomed 119 new members during the past twelve months. The Chairman, Mr Sitlington, represented Blind Members at the opening of the new George Vowell Nursing Home and Day Centre. 20/2/1981 a letter from the Chairman of VicRail, Mr Reiher, giving assurance that audio announcements will still be made in conjunction with the computer board. Minute book for Blind Members Councilassociation for the blind, blind members council

Awarded to Vision Australia in recognition of voluntary service to the community by the Victorian Government and signed by Steve Bracks (Premier) and Christine Campbell (Minister for Community Services). Certificates presented to VAF Kooyong and Ballarat are held.2 apricot coloured sheets with blue and black writingvision australia foundation, awards

"Presented to Kelaston Ladies Auxiliary/Centre Committee Bendigo in grateful recognition of their generous support of blind and vision impaired people at the Kelaston/Mirridong Centre, May 1999". Signed by John Cook (Chief Executive Officer) and John Moule (President)2 cream coloured sheets with blue and black writingVision Australia Foundation eye logo in top left hand cornervision australia foundation, kelaston home (ballarat), auxiliaries

Two certificates presented to Vision Australia Foundation for being a Finalist in the Care in the Community award and People's Choice award. Certificates are signed by Dr Michael Wooldridge, Minister for Health and Aged Care.2 white sheet with red and blue side banner, and black writingCommonwealth Dept of Veterans Affairs logo and The Ballarat Courier logo at the base on the left hand sidevision australia foundation, ballarat

Dianne Kerr (right) presents an award at Ballarat to an unidentified female.1 x col. photographdianne kerr, ballarat office

Award presented to unknown female with four staff members looking on. Dianne Kerr is second from right.1 x col. photographdianne kerr, ballarat office

Circa 1960's, three men hold certificates towards the man in the middle.B/W photographBallarat Page No. 3 3" include all in full clip #85 flanges to and bottom Ballarat Courier press photographassociation for the blind

Mrs Ada Piper of Ballarat with her letter acknowledging and congratulating her on receiving the Order of Australia medal for services to the community.B/W photographada piper, ballarat office

Nathanial Billing was born in Brightwell Oxfordshire England on 5th May 1821. He emigrated to Australia on the ship 'Ballarat' in 1853 on arrival in Victoria he entered Government service and worked in the Warrnambool and Belfast districts until 1857. He then left the Public Service and commenced private practice. In 1850 Nathaniel and Henrietta Heybourne were married on July 17 at Hillingdon Parish, Middlesex, England. In Belfast Victoria he designed St Johns Church of England, the Bank of Australasia, and worked on St Patricks Catholic church from plans by English architect Hansom. He died on January 29 1910 in St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Architect of 3 significant public buildings in Belfast/Port FairyBlack and white portrait of gentleman with black full beard and striped cravatpioneer, settler, portrait, people, architect, st johns church of england,, st patricks catholic church, bank of australasia, nathanial billing

Jessie McCleverty had a private ladies school in 2 locations in Surrey Hills in the early 1900s. She is not registered in teacher records at PROV. According to Jocelyn Hall's notes her school was located at 12 Durham Road from 1903-1905/6 and from then until 1933 at 44 Windsor Crescent.The earliest date in Sands & MacDougall is c1902 and according to the Victorian Government Gazette 1924, the school closed in 1923. [1933 may be a typo.] She was born in Melbourne in 1862 daughter of George McCleverty and Mary Gill. She had a brother William Edward, b1858, Ballarat East. Her parents may have migrated independently from Ireland. They married in 1856. By 1931 she was retired but still living in Surrey Hills. It is unclear exactly when she moved to Queensland, but she is listed on the electoral roll there for 1943 living with her niece Frances Victoria Shepperd and she died on 26 Jul 1943. She is buried in Toowoomba Cemetery. Fanny Wridgway (1890-1956) was born in Box Hill, the daughter of Frederick Wridgway and his wife Mary Ann (nee Young). She had an older brother Alfred and a younger sister Mary Ann. Box Hill Reporter entry gives her attending Banff Ladies' College in Box Hill in 1904 and she was dux of the school in 1905. Although the original donor indicated that Fanny was a teacher, she is not registered on the PROV Victorian Teachers' Roll. Electoral roll entries consistently indicate that her occupation was 'clerk'. She is buried in Box Hill Cemetery, along with her sister Mary Ann. No information found regarding W M Nance.This a fine example of the standard of work required of a senior student for examination purposes in 1907/1908.An exercise book with alternating lined and plain paper. The cover is beige in colour with a stamped illustration in the top LH corner. The binding is navy coloured cloth tape. it has rounded corners. The pages are numbered in neat black pen in the upper outside corner. An index on the front page indicates the scope of entries and the page number. The book is almost full. Each completed page has been signed by W M Nance. Illustrations and executed in black ink and the detail is very fine. in 2 places there are pressed rose leaves.Front cover in faded black ink: "(No. 1118 Passed in 1907) / Fanny Wridgway / Ladies' High School / Surrey Hills. / N0. 1366. present Exam. Dec. 1908" Back page in faded black ink: "J. M'Cleverty / Principal / Ladies' High School. Surrey Hills" jessie mccleverty, fanny wridgway, nature study, schools, private schools, w m nance, box hill cemetery

Donations for structural improvements were often acknowledged via plaques. These plaques were on the walls of Kelaston then later the Vision Australia office in Ballarat until it closed in 2021. Anna Jane Bolte was a resident of Kelaston whose son, Sir Henry Bolte became the longest serving Victorian Premier. William Buckland Trust supported safe housing for vulnerable Australians, such as the residents of Kelaston. Other generous local donors who were also acknowledged are Thomas & Cora Turnbull and the work of Mrs C.M. (Edith) Nunn, who joined the Ballarat Auxiliary in 1949 as they sought development of a home for the blind.Digital images of cast bronze plaquesThe Anna Jane Bolte Room Named in memory of the late Anna Jane Bolte, a resident of Kelaston, in recognition of the service given by her son, the Honourable Sir Henry Bolte, G.C.M.G., as Chairman of the Guiding Light Appeal 1974. 20 April, 1979 In recognition & appreciation of the financial assistance received from the William Buckland Estate, 1979. This plaque acknowledges outstanding service to the blind people of the Ballarat district from 1948 until her death in 1975 by the late Mrs C.M. (Edna) Nunn, 1979. This room commemorates the generous support to Kelaston by Thomas & Cora Turnbull.nameplates, kelaston

Articles include Sir Rohan Delacombe agreeing to become patron, staff rest room and kitchen added, improved lighting in the Hall, increase to 119 transcribers, resignation of Doreen Ross and appointment of V Wearne as Librarian, Mr and Mrs Woods have moved out of the flat - which is now occupied by Mrs Weir, thanks to Wesley College boys and their teacher Mr Rush looking after the garden, as well as Miss Haley who makes canvas bags in which volumes are dispatched, approach to Free Library Service Board for some financial assistance, and Ivan Molloy's speech to the Ballarat branch on the Home Teaching Service.32 pages of text with drawingsbraille library of victoria, corporation records

Articles include Life Governorship bestowed upon Alice McClelland for her 41 years of service, David Palmer Music Library given to library with terms of agreement signed by Hugh Jeffries and Neil Westh (David Palmer Trust) and Captain Semmens and Dr Orr (BLV), sound system installed in and outside storage shed added to Hall, still operating at a deficit and with no reply from Free Library Service Board of Victoria on assistance, and decision to close of Ballarat branch of Braille Library and make it an Auxiliary for the Aged Blind with next year to be the final one.32 pages of text with drawingsbraille library of victoria, corporation records

Annual report on activities and financial performance of Kelaston, including the success of the Reach Out Appeal to partially fund the establishment of a Low Vision Clinic, the continuing care of 33 residents, the increase of day centre clients and activities, replacement of bedroom furniture and the deficit experienced this year restricting improvements.1 printed volume with illustrationsassociation for the blind, corporation records, kelaston home (ballarat)

Annual report on activities and financial performance of Kelaston, including the closure of the laneway behind Kelaston in preparation for the expected rebuilding, appointment of Dawn Veale, Rod McDonald, Deborah Hoover, Jane Brownfield and Anne Johnson, challenge issued to other centres to find the longest serving volunteer with no one beating Avenel McClure's record of 59 years with the Ballarat Auxiliary starting as a driver, Terry Fraser seconded to Mirridong, farewell to Teresa Skyrpko who use to carry bags of coal to fuel the stoves when she began 34 years ago, 4 residents attended a holiday at Halls Gap, Port Phillip Bay cruise for 2 residents, three people celebrated turning 100 (or more), establishment of an awareness program of vision impairment for Ballarat primary school students and the Low Vision Clinic in Horsham began operations.1 printed volume with illustrationskelaston home (ballarat), association for the blind, corporation records

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

In 1988, the Kelaston Community Day Centre won an award for providing accessible communication for deaf clients. These awards were developed to encourage and recognise programs that provided accessible communication for a wide variety of groups.1 digital image of blue and silver plaque1988 Access Communication Award Presented to the Kelaston Community Day Centre A project of Deafness Foundation (Victoria) Sponsored by the Quota Club of Moorabbinassociation for the blind, kelaston home (ballarat)

Vision Australia Foundation staff and clients were asked to make a square representing their base, which would be sewn together to represent the multi-faceted nature of the organisation. Unfortunately the patchwork wall hanging incorporating them was not made, however these squares were sent in: Warragul - sun and sunshine, clouds and water, a house on a hill with flowers around it, trees, water, people, a cow on a green hill that has daffodils and Pindari sewed upon it. Ballarat - Kelaston sown in same lettering as Ballarat, large fabric flowers with button centres, a mine head, a person panhandling, a person with a pickaxe. Warrnambool - sun and clouds over a seaside, a boat and whales in the water, a large fir tree and lighthouse. Hamilton - thick plaited stalks with fabric leaves and yellow pom poms as wattle. Digital imagevision australia foundation

Articles in annual report include: a short history of the AFB, President's Report, report on Ballarat, Bendigo and Brighton Homes, financial information, the work of the Welfare Service division, opening of two flatlets for aged blind at Ballarat, resignation of Celeste Baird as choirmaster after 17 years and A Williams stepping into the role, need for a better clubhouse which has been little changed since it was built over 30 years ago, students from Ballarat Teachers college read to home residents, publication of 'Courage' magazine to keep everyone up to date on Association events, and a profile on Russian migrant Alex Momot and how the AFB assisted him settle into Australia.1 printed volume with black and white illustrationsassociation for the blind, kelaston home (ballarat), elanora home (brighton), mirridong home (bendigo), alex momot, rosalie tyers, e irvine, l adamson, mrs r clarke, matron e mcleod, a sharry, matron rosewall, mrs s mcenroe, celeste baird, e goulding, mrs a bulluss, mrs a n roach, mrs m macdowell, mrs t carson, mrs j stanley smith, pam barker, mrs l thomas, mrs a mansfield, mrs l rogerson, elsie henderson, mrs murphy, mrs w christian, h h mackenzie, sister b agar, annual reports

Annual report of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind outlined activities and events over the year, including continued support through donations despite abnormal conditions caused by the war, less attendances at Country Concert Party events however it remains in a sound financial position, a bequest of 200 pounds was received from Jean Bickford for the purpose of accommodating blinded soldiers at Brighton, the work of the Association has largely been limited in area however with the Secretary's visit to both Bendigo and Ballarat it is hoped that more is possible, a new trade of plaiting bark to make small floral baskets has been added, a near miss was incurred at the 'Re-union' at Woodburn after the hot afternoon helped generate a violent tornado which fortunately missed the Home but created havoc a few hundred metres away, and the loss of several members and supporters, including Mr Young who was killed in a tram accident and Mrs G W Paterson, who along with her husband W Paterson, an active supporter of the Home.1 volume of printed material with some illustrationsassociation for the advancement of the blind, annual reports

Brochure advertising a ride to and from Ballarat on a vintage steam train to raise funds for Talking Book Library relocation from South Yarra to Kooyong, and the Kelaston Day Centre. The Tilly Aston Fund was part of the Centenary Appeal, and it was hinted that the lady herself may appear.Brochure advertising ride to Ballarat to raise funds for Talking Book Librarynon-fictionneil maxwell, association for the blind, fundraising

Female staff member smiles at an elderly female resident seated beside her, as they enjoy the sunny day. Believed to have been taken at Kelaston.1 colour photograph of two women sitting outside a buildingYellow post it note: F Caption Storyassociation for the blind, kelaston home (ballarat)

Miss Lucy Baldwin turned 100 years of age on December 2, 1992 whilst living at Kelaston.1 b/w photograph of Lucy Baldwin sitting in a chairMiss Lucy Baldwin 100 Years 2.12.92 Miss Lucy Baldwin, Kelaston Home Ballarat - 100 on 2/12/92 50% P2 (3)association for the blind, kelaston home (ballarat), lucy baldwin