Braille hand frames and styluses were the primary way to produce Braille for over a century. The stylus was used to make a separate indentation for each dot, and the hand frame to keep dots within the same cell. Braille rows are produced from right to left. The process was very time consuming. Volunteer transcribers for the library could take an average of ½ hour to produce one page of Braille using this method. For example: “Oliver Twist” required approximately 600 sheets equating to 300 hours of work! This wooden slate, which was used to make the system portable, served as a firm base needed to sustain puncture pressure. The frame can also be slotted into both sides of the slate, thereby ensuring that the lines of Braille were straight across the page. The metal clasp at the top of the frame held the wooden which kept paper from slipping. In this example, the Rules of Membership for the Victorian Braille Writers were attached to the board.1 wooden back board with metal hand frame and stylus156 carved into wooden framebraille equipment, victorian association of braille writers

The Sound Scriber Dictaphone allowed recordings to be imprinted into a soft disk that could then be replayed later. This was useful for blind stenographers who could transcribe the audio recording. The lid contains a speaker into which sounds are made, the front knob is allows for 'Talk' or 'Listen' and three other dials on the device allow for the tubes to be turned on/off, starting/stopping the turntable and the recording volume to be 'Dictation' or 'Conf". There are two measuring tapes placed near the recording head and the Listen head, which show the minutes in the recording. The large disk that is placed on this machine has been stopped at the 12 minute mark. At the rear of the device are two plugs, one of which is for electrical supply. This model of dicta phone remained popular until magnetic tapes.1 hinged leather case over a metal and wood machineSound Scriberaudio equipment, assistive devices

Wooden braille board with wooden header, hinged with brass hinges and small pins to clamp the paper to the board. Metal frames on each side hold a rod across the front of the board. The rod is fixed to two moveable parts which can go up or down the board as required.1 wooden back board with metal flanges either sideroyal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment

To honour 15 years of service, a gold coloured medallion inset to a wooden column was awarded to individuals. On the front is a cameo of a woman wearing a pendant and an old fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Association for the Blind Ltd. Tilly Aston Medal' and below this '15 Year Honorary Service'. On the back of some awards is a printed panel: 'Tilly Aston, at the age of 21 years and herself blind, founded the Association for the Blind in 1895. Visionary, administrator, teacher and poet, Miss Aston brought together sighted and blind people in a partnership of action to improve the lives of blind people. This award recognises the continuing accord and tradition of friendship and selfless service which she initiated.'1 blonde wooden stand with gold tone inlaid medallionJohn O. Wicking, Presented 17.9.93 Mardi McCann 18.5.2000 Neil Maxwell 27.02.98 Elizabeth Maxwell Presented 16.10.92association for the blind, awards, john wicking, mardi mccann, neil maxwell, elizabeth maxwell

In 1977 the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales was awarded the HRH The Prince of Wales trophy for outstanding community service. The certificate was signed by P.R. Mitchell (National Chairman) and Reg Lusford (Regional Chairman).1 cream page with seal of Queens Silver Jubilee TrustAt the head of the page: the Royal crown then below a spray of flowers sit either side of the initials "ER II" and the dates "1952" and "1977" amongst the flowers. Beneath that reads "The Queens Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Trust for Young Australians". All text and illustrations are in blue.royal blind society of nsw, awards

EDHS Newsletter No. 266 October 2022 It is 150 years since the Colony of Victoria introduced the Education Act in 1872. At our next society meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday 12th October we will look at the early history of some of the schools in the Eltham district. What were the driving forces behind the establishment of some of these schools and what challenges were encountered along the way? At this meeting Dr Geoffrey Sandy will speak about the Church of England Denominational School at Little Eltham, Dr Andrew Lemon will talk about the history of Research State School, Jim Connor will speak about the Eltham Primary School and Irene Kearsey will comment on some of the findings from her recent project digitising the early class records of Eltham Primary School.1:21:48 duration Digital MP3 file; 28.0MBaudio recording, eltham district historical society, meeting, society meeting, eltham, 150th anniversary, dr andrew lemon, dr geoffrey sandy, irene kearsey, jim connor, public education victoria

EDHS Newsletter No. 268 February 2023 Prior to the extension of European people into the lands of the Nillum-bik in the late 1830s the Wurundjeri people had been meeting in the area now known as Eltham Lower Park for thousands of years. Waterway junctions had a particular attraction as tribal meeting places and the junction of the Diamond Creek with the Yarra River (Birr-arung to the Wurundjeri) was one such important location in terms of aboriginal culture. The sculpture “Not Just a Pretty Place” by Aleks Danko, located near the junction of these two watercourses pays tribute to this important cultural location. The first European settlers were squatters or leaseholders and itinerants such as timber workers. Records of their early occupation are sketchy but the Eltham Lower Park area was probably included within the pastoral run established in 1841 by Henry Foley. He sold his leasehold in 1845 to Joseph Wilson who in turn sold it to Frederick Faulkner soon after. From this early history the Eltham Lower Park area has undergone many changes and has been developed to provide residents and visitors with a range of passive and active public open space, including even being used for various horse racing events. At our next meeting, Jim Connor will explore the history of Eltham Lower Park and touch on various individuals and groups involved along the way.1:05:19 duration Digital MP3 file; 22.4MBaudio recording, eltham district historical society, meeting, society meeting, jim connor, eltham, eltham lower park

EDHS Newsletter No. 272 October 2023 Our next meeting will be a special evening, if not a little unusual. On pages 3 and 4 in this newsletter edition there are articles about Eltham Films, with particular reference to the film ‘The Prize’, made by Tim Burstall in 1958/59. As Burstall had strong connections with Eltham it would have been an easy decision for him and his associates to use the local area as the setting for his first film. Following this film Burstall went on to make many more. He became a key figure in Australian postwar cinema and was instrumental in helping to rebuild the Australian film industry, at a time when it had been effectively dead for years. At this EDHS meeting we will view this film, or should we say review this film, stopping at times to attempt to identify the main actors and where certain scenes were filmed around Eltham. Some locations may be more obvious than others. The actors are mainly children playing the characters in the film. So this will be an exercise in identifying people and places, whilst enjoying the rare opportunity to view a valued example of early Eltham film history.1:12:11 duration Digital MP3 file; 24.7MBaudio recording, eltham district historical society, meeting, society meeting, eltham, eltham films, guest speaker, the prize (film), tim burstall

EDHS Newsletter No. 271 August 2023 Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) is the Archive of the State Government of Victoria. Established fifty years ago under the Public Records Act 1973, PROV at the Victorian Archives Centre in North Melbourne now holds around 106 kilometres of public records from 1836 to the present day. There are also PROV collections at Ballarat, Beechworth, Bendigo, Geelong and the University of Melbourne. Our next meeting will be about PROV and former PROV staff member Andrew Lemon, will briefly reminisce about his work there, in it’s early days. As Assistant Director Access Services at PROV, David Taylor oversees the management of, and access to, the State collection. David will be outlining PROV’s unique role in Victoria, the nature of the public records it holds and how researchers can use increasingly sophisticated online resources to discover more about their ancestors and Victorian history. Finally, our Society member Irene Kearsey will talk about her experiences as a long-time volunteer at PROV.1:21:12 duration Digital MP3 file; 27.8MBaudio recording, eltham district historical society, meeting, society meeting, eltham, david taylor, dr andrew lemon, irene kearsey, public records office victoria (prov)

EDHS Newsletter No. 274 February 2024 Our EDHS member Irene Kearsey is forever searching, researching and at times discovering hidden historical gems. One such discovery is finding details about the life and career of “Senior Constable Dungey – Eltham’s third policeman” and what he and his wife had in the Eltham police house; now our Local History Centre at 728 Main Road, Eltham. At our meeting on Wednesday 14th February 2024, Irene with talk about the career of Arthur Eggleston Dungey leading him to Eltham and then describe what was in the house. We now know how he and wife Louisa furnished the house in 1890, down to the number of teaspoons. If you had ancestors in 19th century Victoria, Irene has a suggestion for your research that might reveal such details1:02:35 duration Digital MP3 file; 21.4MBaudio recording, eltham district historical society, meeting, society meeting, eltham, guest speaker, eltham police station, irene kearsey, snr constable arthur eggleston dungey, eltham police residence

EDHS Newsletter No. 269 April 2023 At this meeting we are pleased to have Peter Pidgeon, our vice president, as our speaker to talk about a selection of photographs recently added to our collection. Peter, who is our Digital Collections, Website and Social Media Manager, has scanned and catalogued much of the content on our Victorian Collections website and maintains our website, facebook and social media. The focus of his presentation will be on new additions to the collection, records of interest that have been digitised over the past year and added to Victorian Collections and the processes we undertake.1:26:31 duration Digital MP3 file; 29.7MBaudio recording, eltham district historical society, meeting, society meeting, eltham, activities, catalogue, collections team, peter pidgeon, victorian collections

Guest speaker at Eltham Community Action Group (ECAG) Annual General Meeting The Shire of Eltham was established in 1871 and ceased to exist, due to a municipal restructure, when all councillors were sacked on 15 December 1994. Jim Connor, a past Councillor of the former Shire of Eltham and current President of the Eltham District Historical Society gave a very interesting presentation about the machinations of how and why Eltham became Nillumbik. He also displayed and discussed images of the various plans that have been suggested for the former Shire Office Site since the building was demolished by the decision of the commissioners in July 1996, the commissioners having replaced the elected council when the Kennett government amalgamated all Victorian councils.1:08:28 duration Digital MP3 file; 23.5MBaudio recording, meeting, eltham, guest speaker, commissioners, community engagement, community protest, council amalgamation, demolition, eltham gateway action group, eltham shire offices, jim connor, planning application, shire of eltham, shire of nillumbik, agm, eltham community action group (ecag), eltham district historical society

Photograph (3 copies- 2 large, 1 small postcard)Typed below large photograph: "Overlooking Ringwood railway station looking north from Station Street. c1920." Inscription beneath photograph reads, "Railway Station. Ringwood. Real Photo Series M. 2451". Image shows steam locomotive in station, with platform advertising boards, and shops fronting Maroondah Highway.

John Moule was President for the Association for the Blind from 1992 until 1999. Shortly after his commencement, political changes forced the realignment of government departments and expenditure, requiring a reduction in nursing home accommodation and staffing levels. With the demand increasing for services, and the need for a financially sustainable model, he oversaw the increasing amount of government support for the AFB as well as the successful centenary appeal. John Moule and his wife Pam stand beside resident Frances Norris, at the opening of the 'Pam and John Moule Terrace' at Elanora, Brighton.1 coloured photograph of Pam and John Moule, with Frances Norrisassociation for the blind, john moule, elanora home (brighton), pam moule, frances norris

Map: Sandhurst ,County of Bendigo, sheet 1. Parish planmap, bendigo, parish plan, sandhurst

HistoricPhotocopy of proposed pergola structure. 1/4 inch scale ballarat botanical gardens, buildings, plan, pergola

The MMTB Timetable details the trips from Elsternwick or Point Ormond for each day of the week. The sheet records the time of the last tram, 1036pm, driver G Loft No. 2480, and the tram as X2 677 on 22-10-1960. The donor advised that the MMTB following the practice adopted for the Bourke St changeover in 1940, the MMTB chose to pull the tram service before the last advertised trip for the day. Those present to ride the last started early and rode up and down for quite a few runs, then, on one arrival at Elsternwick Station, the Inspector (known as grasshoppers or Braids) on board instructed the driver to keep going and we rode through to GH Depot without paying another fare. They noted a half-cab bus, destination 'Clifton Hill', lurking ready to take up the running. The donor reported (and as you will see from the endorsements on the timetable) “I circled the time of the last run and got the signature and badge number of the driver. The rubber-stamp impressions were also applied to souvenir tickets (3d).” Yields information about the Point Ormond Service prior to its closure and records details of the last tram service.Foolscap Gestetner duplicated sheet, dated 29/1/1960Marked to show the last tram on 22-10-1960, time, tramcar and driver's name and number.tramways, timetables, tram 677, point ormond, closure, last tram

Designed to create an impression on paper, the slate allows users to create Braille by guiding the stylus into the correct alignment to produce Braille, through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. In this example, the frame has two side hinges which allow it to sit over the paper edge, and four lines of Braille could be written.1 metal Braille frame with four lines of Braille windowsPerkins Model 140 RVIB sticker has been attached to the back of the framebraille equipment, assistive devices

Anzac Day 2019 ceremony program for Greensborough RSL ceremony, with illustrated article by Rosie Bray12 p. booklet printed in colour, with 1 p. documentanzac day 2019

Portraits of the 14 men who comprised of the Committee of Management for the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution. The largest photograph is of a bearded man writing at a desk (Rt Hon Sir Alfred Stephen PC GCMG CB President). Directly above him (in clockwise direction), J Dawson Hon Tresr, W. Beaumont, J W Hood, J F Weller, Thos Buckland, R L Tooth, A E Tooth, John J Keep. A second row extends below this (from left to right) E O Smith, A W Weeks, E Sinclair Hon Sec, Arthur Blacket, A Consett Stephen.1 framed mounting board with 14 sepia toned portraitssydney industrial blind institution, sir alfred stephen

"The Board, Tilly Aston Customer Council and Staff acknowledge and record for posterity the outstanding service given to blind and vision impaired people in Victoria. This exceptional contribution was made in a selfless and warmhearted manner and continues Vision Australia's tradition of caring and sharing. Inherent in the many attributes displayed were the admirable qualities of leadership, loyalty, consistency of purpose, and a great generosity of spirit. In recognition of this distinguished service we now pay tribute to and honour Neil and Elizabeth Maxwell in the presentation of the John Wilson Award on 6th October 2000." Signed by John Cook - Chief Executive Officer, ? Chairman, Tilly Aston Customer Council and Malcolm Daubney, President.1 white A3 page with blue border around edgevision australia foundation, neil maxwell, elizabeth maxwell

These four tins were used to make the ANZAC Day rum and coffee at the Soldiers Memorial Institute Hall to be served after the Dawn Service. (Bendigo RSL Sub - Branch) It was brewed on the electric stoves in the old kitchen on the side of the building. It was made from Chicory Essence coffee, milk and a small amount of water, a bottle of Rum was added to each when near ready. These were used for many, many years up until about 2006 when new containers were used. The old kitchen was removed in the Renovations to SMI in 2016 - 2018 as it was not part of the original building..1) - .4) Kerosene tins, metals, open at one end.brsl, smirsl, rum, coffee

Antonio and Angelina Casonato with their four children and a baby cousin taken with lettuces growing on the river flat at Bell Street, Fabbro Farm (Fabbro Fields) in front of Eltham High School in the late 1960s. The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now made up of Fabbro Fileds and Barrack Bushlands. This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 black and white photograph reproduction print (low quality)fabbro's farm, bell street, eltham, farming, vegetables, angelina casonato, antonio casonato, fabbro family, fabbro farm, fabbro fields