the Orbost State School opened on19th of March 1886. The school had first operated tem­porarily in a leased building, and on a half-time basis with SS2745 Jarrahmond, The head teacher was Campbell Mackay who remained in charge only until 12th of May 1886. The second head teacher, John Rowe, served until 1908. On 30th of June 1887, a portable room was provided; it being brought to the area by schooner. The school now had accommodation for 30 pupils; the teacher's welfare was considered because quarters of two rooms were attached. As the population increased so did the needs of the school. This was reflected in the provision of a larger classroom in 1898. During 1910-11 the first approaches were made to the Department for the establishment of a Higher Elementary School in Orbost and this became a reality in 1912. Orbost. The Higher Elementary School supplied post-primary education in the district until a high school was built in 1948. When fire destroyed the school in 1941 local halls were used as classrooms until a new school was built, opened by the Hon. A. E. Lind, MLA, on 13th of February 1942. But Orbost continued to develop and the new school was soon over­taxed. This resulted in the erection of two Bristol classrooms in 1947. By 1950, when the school population had reached 500 pupils the opening of the new school at Orbost North was welcomed by all concerned. In 1963 the Department purchased land diagonally opposite the school and developed it as a playing area.This item is associated with education in the Orbost district.A black / white photograph of a large school building with two men standing out the front.orbost-state-school education-orbost

This photograph shows the Orbost Butter factory, which in 1917, installed a very successful electric light. the dark heap to the left of the road is Supposedly the grave of "Dan the Cook" who was speared by Aborigines in 1857. Dan Moylan, known as "Dan the Cook"was speared to death in 1851 at Orbost Station, Snowy River as punishment for kidnapping a young Aboriginal girl and holding her for three days, refusing to release her. The men of the tribe congregated at Dan's hut. When Dan came outside, a volley of spears was launched at him, killing him. In the tragic aftermath, the camp at Milly Creek was attacked in retribution and a number of Gunai/Kurnai people were killed. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district. These photos are pictorial records of the Orbsot Butter Factory.A black / white photograph showing a large white building and factory beside it. on the verandah are about thirty milk churns. There are three men standing astride bicycles in front of the verandah. On the left hand side is a mound of dark soil??

The photograph shows a chaff cutter on John Watt's farm about 1892. Mr John Watt set up farming in 1879. He was a native of Port Fairy. He was educated in Scotland and came back to Victoria and selected 320 acres on the Snowy River.The property extended from Majors Creek Road to around about Gilbert's Gulch.this item is associated with John Watt an early Orbost settler.A black / white photograph of a large wooden slatted barn with motorised farm machinery outside . There are three men with the machines and a young girl watching.agriculture-machinery farming-orbost watt-john

About 1912 work began at Newmerella on clearing the track for the railway line from Bairnsdale to Orbost. A canvas town sprang up on the higher land adjacent to the river flats. Local farmers supplied meat, milk and fresh produce to the camp, as well as gaining employment carting and labouring. The line opened in 1916, the Orbost railway station being built on the Newmerella side of the river. 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. On April 10 1916, the first scheduled train service left Orbost for Bairnsdale. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987.A black / white photograph of a group of people standing next to a train carriage.orbost-railway east-gippsland-railway celebration-opening-of railway

Ellen Thomas was an Aboriginal woman who lived in Newmerella. George Thomas who lived with his family at Newmerella on Grand View Road until the 1950's. The family was a very well-respected local Aboriginal family.The Thomas family were early residents of Newmerella.A black / white portrait photograph of a lady in a long-sleeved top and long skirt. The photo is oval -shaped and mounted in a light grey card.on back - Ellen Thomasthomas-ellen

Mr John Watt set up farming in 1879. He was a native of Port Fairy. He was educated in Scotland and came back to Victoria and selected 320 acres on the Snowy River.The property extended from Majors Creek Road to around about Gilbert's Gulch.The Watt family settled in Orbost as farmers being one of the first farming families in the district.A black / white photograph showing wooden farm sheds and wagons. a small wooden house is on the right hand side and there are tall trees in the fioreground.on back - Mrs Watts farmwatt- farm agriculture-buildings

This photograph was taken at sunset. It is of the Snowy River at Lochend.A black / white photograph of a river at sunset with thick trees and bushes on both banks. There are reflections in the water.on front - Eventide Lochend Howard D. Bulmer Photo. Lake Tyerssnowy-river lochend-orbost

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 vessel on the right hand side is possibly the Curlip.This is a pictorial record of Marlo when it was a busy port.A black / white photograph of boats in the shipping channel at Marlo. Most appear to be sailing boats. In the background on a hill above the water is a large building.on back - view at Marlo in 1898 Xmasmarlo shipping transport

The Richardson family was one of the very early settler families to establish themselves in the Orbost district. Samuel Richardson was a sawmiller and farmer in Orbost. He built The Curlip, a wooden paddle-steamer of 9 tons gross and dimensions of 43 feet long, 10 feet wide and a depth of 3 feet, on the slipway at their Tabarra sawmill in 1890. The Ballarat Horticultural Society was established in 1859 by a group of thirteen men with the aim of establishing an association for all lovers of horticulture. There were many such societies throughout the colonies making a contribution to their communities.Samuel Richardson, with his family, was a very early settler in the Orbost / Marlo district. A black / white portrait photograph of a full-bearded man sitting at a table with one hand leaning on his knee and the other holding a piece of paper. He is wearing a dark suit with a longis coat.on back - Samuel Richardson 1821-1892richardson-samuel curlip timber-orbost

This is a fishing party at Bream Point, Marlo C 1900.Marlo has always been a popular destination for fishing. This is a pictorial record of an early fishing group at Marlo.A black / white photograph of a small group - possibly a family - fishing off a river bank. A small ketch is on the water.on back - Near Bream Pointmarlo-fishing recreation

The photograph shows Miss Clarice Ingram with her grandmother Mrs Sivewright on her 95th birthday.A black / white photograph of an elderly woman in a dark dress sitting outside with a young girl next to her. Yhe photograph is oval shaped and mounted on light grey card.on back - Clarrie Ingram (night Tues) wife..................95th birthdayingram sivewright

Robert Ingram and his family were very early settlers in Bonang - possibly the first at Bonang House.This item is associated with the Ingram family early settlers in the Bonang district.A small black / white photograph of an elderly lady, wearing a dark dress, sitting against a wall. She is wearing a bonnet and has glasses.on back - Mr & Mrs Robt Ingram were the first settlers at Bonang at Bonang House.ingram-bonang

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

This photograph shows men fishing in the Snowy River at Marlo - possibly at Bream Point. The man in the white coat is Lancelot Herbert. Lancelot Herbert came to Orbost in 1886, taking up a partnership with local store-owner George Temple. After Mr Temple’s death in 1891, Lancelot took over the store and progressively developed Herberts Snowy River Stores which grew into a department store of several shops along Nicholson St. He also had small shops at Cann River, Noorinbee and Genoa which were run by members of his family, as well as a carrying business and fuel outlets. Lancelot died on 2/6/1911 and his wife Martha [died 1945] are buried in a joint grave in Orbost Cemetery. (info. Noreen and Lindsay Thomson. More from "In Times Gone By' by Deborah Hall)This item is associated with the Herbert family very early settlers in the Orbost district. It is also associated with Marlo which has always been a popular fishing destinationA small black / white photograph of four men fishing from a river bank. Three are sitting and one is standing.on back - Lancelot Herbert in white coat fishingfishing-marlo herbert-lancelot

A black / white photograph of an early settler's home on a small clearing in bushland.on back - Boarding House at Sardine Creeksardine-creek

This photograph shows men working in the gravel pit at Newmerella just outside Orbost. Not long after this photograph was taken an accidental explosion killed three workers. In the newspaper, The Hobart Mercury on Saturday March 1914, There was this report: "EXPLOSION OF BLASTING CHARGE. THREE MEN KILLED. MELBOURNE, March 13 A fatal accident occurred this after- noon on the railway construction works at Hagen's Cutting, about two miles from Orbost, three men being killed. The victims were John Carroll, contractor, his son, Peter Carroll, and John Sullivan, a navvy. The gang had just finished work, and the three stayed behind to draw a blasting charge, which had missed fire yesterday. J. Carroll was using a pick, and it is presumed that the tool struck a percussion cap, and fired the charge. He and Sullivan were killed instantly, Carroll being literally blown to pieces. Fragments of his body and garments were recovered from the surrounding bush, and the main portion of the trunk, with leg attached, was hurled a distance of 200 yards. Peter Car roll was terribly- injured, and he died before medical aid arrived. ' This is a pictorial record of construction workers associated with the Orbost - Bairnsdale railway. 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. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. A black / white photograph of a large group of men with horses and wagons. Most are holding tools - picks, spades and shovels. Some of the wagons are loaded with soil.railway-construction east-gippsland-railway orbost-railway quarry-gravel-newmerella

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

The photographs show the Butter Factory at Orbost in 1892 and 1906. The postcard is addressed to Miss N. Cameron C/- Mrs H. Nixon of Picnic Point Bairnsdale. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district. The first shipment in about 1893 to England went rank and was only good for axle grease on wagons and carts.The milk was brought to the factory by horse and dray.Most people would take the whey home for their pigs,which were abundant on the farms in the Orbost district. Mr John Gilbert is the man second from the left in 1250.1.Postcards form a vital part of social and historical records for researchers. These cards are photographs of the Orbost Butter Factory. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district. Two photographs / postcards of the Orbost Butter Factory. 1250.1 is a a photograph of several horse-drawn wagons outside a large wooden building.There are several men on top of the wagons, seated and standing. 1250.2 is a postcard with a photograph of the butter factory taken from the north side showing the two storeys with a person standing at a door on each level. There are horse drawn carts behind a wooden fence and several men standing on the front verandah with one man at a top window. On the back of this postcard is a hand-written letter.1250.1 - on front - Orbost Butter Factory Ward Bros Sale 1250.2 - on front - Butter Factory Orbost on back - " 27/11/06 Dear Girls Yours to hand you should have had a letter from me yesterday. Glad you wrote to Miss Alexander. Hope ypou have a good time out there. ??? meeting a success, Mother"dairy-orbost orbost-butter-factory

This is a photograph of a motor passenger train driven for many years by Fred Christmas.This photograph is associated with the Orbost - Bairnsdale railway. and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. A black and white photograph of a train carriage next to a grass paddock. On the side of the carriage is "Mt No.14" and at the top is "First" at one end and "Second" at the other.christmas-fred orbost-railway transport-rail

This is a photograph of the gravel pit at Newmerella, near Orbost. This pit was used during the construction of the Orbost to Bairnsdale Railway line.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. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. A black / white photograph of a small steam engine with open freight wagons at a gravel pit. There are some men watching.

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 an operational mine with scaffolding and bridges. There are several men standing in front.mining-club-terrace mallina-mine battery-mines gold-mining-east-ippsland

This photograph shows Harold Rodwell and his daughter, Ina, in a paddock full of pumpkins. Pumpkins were grown widely on Orbost farms and used to feed pigs. There was usually a competition for the heaviest or biggest pumpkin at the annual Orbost agricultural Show.This photograph is associated with the history of pumpkin growing in the Orbost district.A black / white photograph of a man and a woman people standing in a large paddock of pumpkins.on front - INA & H, Rodwellrodwell-harold rodwell-ina pumpkins-orbost agriculture-orbost farming-orbost

These children are the Rice family. In 1925 Walter Rice built a general store in Marlo and in 1930 built the "Ozone Picture Theatre" also in Marlo.This item is associated with a popular activity of the Orbost community in the first half of the 20th century. Pumpkins have been been part of the district's agricultural history since settlement. It is associated with Walter Rice a prominent citizen of Marlo in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a group of six children sitting in a pumpkin in water. there is a flag on each side and "HMAS VICTOR" on the side of the pumpkin.pumkins-orbost warren-helena rice-walter

Farmers on the Orbost flats and nearby districts used to grow a lot of maize and harvest the maize by putting the pigs in to eat the maize. They had to get the pigs to Bairnsdale with other chaps, droving about 600 pigs. It would take them 12 days. A wagonette would go in front and dribble out the maize. When they reached Swan Reach, the drovers would often go over to the old grog shanty and got drunk while one man would stay to keep the 600 pigs together. It was a difficult job. The pigs were ferried across the rivers. This is a pictorial record of early farming in East Gippsland.A black / white photograph of men on horseback droving pigs from the Cann River district to market along a dirt road.pigs agriculture farming-orbost-cann river

Pigs were taken to Bairnsdale by coaxing them with maize thrown from a wagonette . From Bairnsdale they were freighted to market by train. The journey to Bairnsdale took about five days . This method of transport continued until the rail line to Orbost was opened in 1916.This photograph is a pictorial record of farming practices in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph on a brown buff card showing pigs being taken to market. The photograph shows the pigs close up with men on horseback behind them. The pigs are on a gravel road with a fence on one side and and the Orbost flats can be seen in the background.on back - "Pigs being driven from Orbost to Bairnsdale. M.Gilbert, Orbost"agriculture farming-orbost pigs

Pigs were taken to Bairnsdale by coaxing them with maize thrown from a wagonette . From Bairnsdale they were freighted to market by train. The journey to Bairnsdale took about five days . This method of transport continued until the rail line to Orbost was opened in 1916. This photograph is a pictorial record of Orbost farming practices in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of pigs being taken to market. There are men on horseback with them.on front - On the Way to Market W.S. Vogt Bairnsdaleagriculture farming-orbost pigs

Maize, or corn as it is called in America and New South Wales, has been grown on the Orbost flats for at least 70 years. When early settlers began to arrive on the Snowy River somewhere in the 1880s, the land was mostly swamps and heavily timbered jungle on the river frontages. The swamps were drained, bit by bit, by stout hearted men with short handled shovels and working in mud and water. The frontages were cleared by axe and shovel and fire. Several kinds of crops were experimented with such as hops, hemp and maize, the latter grew particularly well and became the main crop of district. The problem then was to thresh and deliver the product to the market. A small single cob machine was brought here and one man turned the handle, while the boy or Mum fed the cobs singly into the machine. A good day’s work would thresh about 50 bushels or about 12 bags (4 bushels). The task then was to cart the maize to market. For a few years this was done by horses and dray carrying about 60 bushels to Mossiface, where it was loaded onto river boats to Lakes Entrance, and then by ocean boats to Melbourne. ( from NEWSLETTER OCTOBER, 2006) This is a pictorial record of farming practices in Orbost in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a horse team hauling a wagon loaded with bags of maize.A man is sitting on the edge of the wagon.farming-orbost agriculture maize corn transport

This house belonged to the Ashby family. Roy Ashby, son of James Rowland Ashby and Edith Annie Hall, was born on 21 Nov 1892 in Orbost. Victoria. Australia and died in 1942 in Orbost. Victoria. Australia at age 50. Roy married Elsie May Stephens, daughter of James Stephens and Sarah Taylor, in 1920 in Victoria.Australia. Elsie was born on 15 Sep 1898 in Beaconsfield Tasmania.Australia and died in 1974 in Orbost Australia at age 76. Their children were: Roy Ashby, William Henry Ashby, Cordelia Valma Ashby and Edith Ashby. .The Ashby family was one of the early settlers in Orbost at Newmerella.A black / white photograph of a house surrounded by a tall timber fence with. The house has vegetation growing over it. There are two people standing against the fence.ashby-orbost

A sports carnival was held annually in Orbost from the late 19th century onward. Usually the carnivals raised money for worthy local causes.Closer to the date, a program of events was published, including the prizes on offer and entries invited for the footrace and woodchop events, as nomination and acceptance fees applied. Entries for other events were taken on the day. The Sports Day would end with a concert in the evening. (info. Jenni York)This is a pictorial record of an event which was an important part of the lives of the early settlers of Orbost.A black / white photograph of a group of ladies and children standing in shade with trees and bushland behind them. They are wearing long dresses and hats.on front - "The Ladies Picture"recreation sports-orbost sports-day-orbost athletics woodchop

A sports carnival was held annually in Orbost from the late 19th century onward. Usually the carnivals raised money for worthy local causes.Closer to the date, a program of events was published, including the prizes on offer and entries invited for the footrace and woodchop events, as nomination and acceptance fees applied. Entries for other events were taken on the day. The Sports Day would end with a concert in the evening. (info. Jenni York)This is a pictorial record of a significant annual event in the late 19th century in Orbost.A black / white photograph of a group of men wearing athletic clothing ready for a foot race. There is a large group of supporters standing behind them.on front - "Sports Day at Orbost"recreation orbost-sports day athletics foot-racing carnival