This item belonged to Alan Richardson, a sawmiller at Tabbara. He helped to build and held a ticket for the paddle steamer "Curlip". He was a member of the Rechabites from March 3 1892. The Independent Order of Rechabites began in Salford, England in 1835. It was named after Rechab, a leader in the Old Testament, who instructed his tribe to refrain from drinking alcohol. During the Industrial Revolution the idea of temperance became popular as damage was caused to families by alcohol. In Australia it was first established in Tasmania in the mid 1800s. In 1847 a branch was created in Victoria, and it then spread to other States. Members were provided with assistance during times of sickness, death and hardship. This item is associated with the Richardson family, early settlers in the Orbost district.A small grey book with a black spine. The title and details are in black print. Inside is a magazine cutting - "The Rechabite July 1st 1931". This book is the "Constitution of the Victorian District, No 82" and contains the district by-laws."This is to certify that Bro. A.J. Richardson was admitted clearance a member of the Orbost.........."richardson-alan rechabites

This item probably belonged to Albert Coulson a farmer of Brodribb. Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This book was used in a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A small grey book with the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. At the bottom of the cover in black print is the society's Coat of Arms showing a woman holding a child with two children beside her. On the right is a woman holding an anchor with her arm around a woman holding a cross. There is an images of a group of people holding a scroll beside a reclining lion."Brother A.H.J. Coulto was initiated a member of the Loyal Orbost Lodge 8 Sept 1909"

A letter is a book in which letters or copies of letters are kept especially to provide a running account of a business or enterprise. This one was probably used by H. James & Co. with some letters written by Alan Richardson. Henry James (1860-1932) was an agent and auctioneer. Record secretary of the Snowy River Shipping company. Shire councillor. Foundation member of Butter Factory. This iotem is an example of very early book-keeping in Orbost and is probably associated with Henry James who was a prominent Orbost identity very much involved in the local community.A correspondence book with a blue suede fabric cover and brown binding. It has a red label on the spine. the end papers are marbled. It contains handwritten copies of correspondence.on spine - Letter Bookbook-keeping correspondence-book h.james-&-co richardson-alan

This correspondence book was used by the Orbost Shipping Company which was managed an partly owned by Henry James from 1906 until 1915.This item is associated with the Orbost Shipping Company (Henry James was the principal shareholder and manager of this company). The Stormbird, the Coringle and the Wongrabelle were the main steamers owned by this company. These boats also carried sails. The significance of this item lies with its association with the shipping trade which serviced this region prior to the railway coming in 1915/16.A hard back fabric covered correspondence book containing hand-written details of shipping movements, reports and correspondence concerning the Orbost Shipping Company. It has a black cover and a gold stamp on the spine.on spine - "Andrew Sherar Stationer Melbourne"orbost-shipping-company transport shipping

Used by Orbost Butter and Produce Factory. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893. The site of the factory was purchased at a cost of five pounds from Mr James Cameron. (See In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall) The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd , registered on June 1st 1893, was an important source of income to the Orbost district. Two large ledgers. Both are hard backed with blue suede fabric covers and corners. Page edges are multi-coloured and end pages are marbled design. Entries are hand-written.791.1 - on spine - O.B. &P. Co. 791.2 - on spine - LEDGERledger-orbost-butter-factory dairy agriculture

These knitting pattern leaflets were published by Patons and Baldwins and contain knitting patterns for women's and men's garments. Patons & Baldwin began as two separate companies: J & J Baldwin and Partners, founded in the late 1770s by James Baldwin of Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, and John Paton Son and Co., founded in 1814 by John Paton of Alloa, Scotland. Both men had formed their businesses using the spinning mule developed by Samuel Crompton. They mainly produced yarns for commercial knitting machines. Patons established itself in Australia with its first mill built in Tasmania in 1923. For decades, Patons was the leading hand knitting yarn brand but due to the market conditions in the mid 1980's, Patons felt the decline and eventually amalgamated with Alliance Textiles, New Zealand in 1996. Patons Australia was acquired by Australian Country Spinners in 2000. Knitting has always had a great appeal to women, as it needs few tools. Companies which manufactured yarn often produced instruction guides and patterns. These pattern books are typical of the knitting pattern books commonly used in the mid 20th century. The patterns contained are for garments commonly worn at that time.Two knitting pattern books. Both are black / white and contain knitting patterns. 821.1 cost 7d, is titled "Patons Specialty Knitting Book No. 145" and has on the front cover a lady standing near a buggy wheel. 821.2 cost 1/3, is titled " Patons Knitting Book No. 394 (introducing Patons Double Quick Knitting)" and has has on the front cover a photograph of a man on a boat.knitting-patterns needlecraft patons-baldwin

The Sun News Pictorial newspaper reports of aircraft disaster.

Letter inviting the Mayor and Councillors of Ringwood to the release of 500 rainbow trout into the Ringwood Park Lake in preparation for a State fly and Bait Casting Tournament at the lake . See program #47641 sheet typewritten letter Victorian Fly-fisher's logo at top to the Town clerk Ringwood .4-Jun-1935 +Additional Keywords: Vail, L. E.

Letter indicating the gift of land to establish a Municipal children's playing ground on the death of the owner E.F. Tregaskis sent to the Town Clerk. The land was later sold by the council.Two 2-page letters to the Ringwood Town Clerk from the Trustees Executors and Agency Company Ltd. +Additional Keywords: Tregaskis, E.F.

Letter dated 5 July 1939 - Cr. A. Temple Miles J.P. appointed District Warden for Borough of Ringwood, Victoria; Clipping from "The Mail" 13 June 1940 re A. Temple Miles.

Scissors were used by Mrs. Herman Pump (Louise) to cut the ribbon to open Heathmont Railway Station May 1926.Ceremonial scissors in small case 13cm x 8cm hinged on short side, metal clip on closing. Scissors 10cm long x 5.2cm wide handles. Case is black felt exterior and black felt interior one side and blue padded side with inscription. Opening of Heathmont Railway Station +Additional Keywords: Pump, Herman (Grandfather of donor) / Pump, Wilfred (Father of donor) / Pump, Louise (Grandmother of donor)G.W. Catanach Diamond Jeweller and Watchmaker Lit Collins Street Melbourne.

Large demijohn donated by Tomlinson, Connie Miss) daughter of Tomlinson, John (Mr) who worked in Temple's then Herbert's store, then his own business - very keen worker for starting Orbost Hospital. Father was also secretary of Loyal Orbost Lodge for 21 years.Miss Tomlinson owned Connort (now Moogji building) and worked as a secretary at the Orbost Shire Council.This item is an example of an early 20th century ceramic container. The Tomlinson family was a prominent Orbost family in the early to mid 20th century.Large cream-coloured demi-john with screw top lid with rubber seal. Cylindrical body with domed shoulder, screw stoneware stopper. Handle from shoulder to neck.NOXO Products Pty Ltd Melbournedemijohn tomlinson-connie container-commercial stoneware ceramics

This item is an example of domestic furniture created to reflect an Australiana type design with Australian motifs.Wooden, Australiana dining chair. Emus + bush scene carved into back with wood turned legs and supports.Front top - Rd 253chair dining-chair wooden-chair furniture-domestic

This item is an example of domestic furniture created to reflect an Australiana type design with Australian motifs.Australiana lyre bird wood dining chair. Lyre bird carving on head rest. Wood turned structuressRID 254chair dining-chair furniture-domestic

Henry James (1860-1932) was an agent and auctioneer. Record secretary of the Snowy River Shipping company. Shire councillor. Foundation member of Butter Factory.Henry James was a prominent Orbost identity who was very much involved in the local community.Invitation to James, H. (Mr) to the opening of Federal Parliament by the Prime Minister Edmund Bartonon 9 May 1901. Framed in wood, white paper with print of the young queen on a horse holding court. Colour invitations shows a young woman with armour and sword dismounting from a white horse in front of an older woman who has a crown in front of her. Several other women look on. The room is hung with heraldic bunting and shields, including one of the Union Jack and one showing the Southern Cross. The older woman is dressed as Britannia, and her shield and trident are at rest beside her.Printed: His Majesty's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth of Australia/ request the honour of the presence of... / in the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on Thursday, 9th May, to witness/ the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth./ Edmund Barton/ Prime Minister invitation 1901 parliament james-harry federation snowy-river-shipping-company

This item is representative of formal gentlemen's dress in the latter part of the 19th century/early 20th century.Man's top hat, black velour with ribbon around base. Brown leather and cream silk inner. With cover - bright red top hat keeper.Made expressly for Robertson & Moffat. Burke St East Melb. Inside - 7 1/8 YL/021/-hat costume-men headwear top-hat

An ink bottle was made of glass or ceramic and typically sat on a desk. The writer would dip the pen (or quill) into the bottle to put more ink on the pen. Because they sat on a desk, ink bottles were often decorative. We have mostly dispensed with ink bottles and quills. This item is an example of early stationery equipment commonly used.A cylindrical brown glazed ceramic ink bottle with a neck narrowing to a pouring lip and cork. Label is blue.Front bottom - Commercial.bottle ink-bottle ceramic domestic writing-equipment stoneware

From the estate of Elsie Cooke who was the Orbost librarian for many years before 1940's. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref. Mary Gilbert) Elsie Cooke was a well-respected Orbost identity. This item is an example of a fashionable accessory used by women in the first half of the 20th century.Small black velvet lady's change purse. Metal clasp and black holding string. Velvet has floral design. Purse has two coins inside - 1938 threepence (3d) and 1918 sixpence (6d) purse personal-effects money-containers

This chair is presumed to be Ruth Richardson's chair from when she was a child. A child's rocking chair, frame of round wood and highly finished, seat and backrest of coffee coloured canvas, coiled springs are made of metal.child's-rocker spring-rocker richardson-family

A set of collars, possibly worn during the 1920s-1950s period, wearer unknown. A detachable collar is a shirt collar separate from the shirt, fastened to it by studs. The collar is usually made of a different fabric from the shirt, in which case it is almost always white, and, being unattached to the shirt, can be specially starched to a hard cardboard-like consistency. The popularity of detachable collars and starched collars in general began to fade in the 1920s and 30s as men’s clothes became more comfortable.These items are examples of men's clothing from the first decades of the 20th century when men wore more formal daily attire. A set of four white men's collars of assorted sizes, made from stiffened fabric.Cremorne Collar Company, Melbournemen-collars male-apparel

Owned and worn by Mrs Marjorie McKeown (nee Ford) who lived in the Orbost area.A lady's corset made from apricot coloured cotton with small flowers embroidered on the fabric. It has suspender straps with clips attached to the bottom of the corset. Stays, possibly whalebone, are sewn vertically into the fabric. Size 28 Liberty Corset Factory Howard Street North Melbournewomen's-underware foundation-wear female-costume

This newspaper was sent by the Shire President Cr F. Deery from Bairnsdale to P.C. Cameron, Orbost Shire President. It was sent on the first aeroplane to arrive in Orbost. The Commonwealth plane in the charge of Lieut. Oakes landed in Mr McPhee's paddock at Newmerella. It left for Sale on the same day.The purpose of the plane's visit was to raise subscriptions towards the WW1 peace loan. There is a plaque commemorating the oversubscription to the peace loan by the Shire of Orbost by 1919.A yellowed Herald newspaper from September 9 1919. It has the brown paper packaging in which it was sent. It is tied with string.newspaper document herald-melbourne first-aeroplane-orbost peace-loan

By 1914, when Australia joined the war against Germany, there were 23 Light Horse regiments of militia volunteers. Many men from these units joined the Light Horse regiments of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).This WW1 item is a reminder of the roles that men from Orbost played in that conflict.Large brown leather saddle used by the Light Horse Brigade in WW1. The saddle is built on a pair of felt-padded wooden "bars" which sat on either side of the horse's spine. These are joined by steel arches with a shaped leather seat laced between them. C G H F The saddle also has a few other numbers on it which are difficult to read with accuracy. saddle military-history army transport horse