By 1941, the threat of Japanese invasion caused restrictions to daily life. Blackouts became the norm. To prevent identification from enemy planes all lights had to be turned down, including car headlights that had to be covered to minimize light exposure. In Australia more relaxed regulations led to the Australian air raid precautions being dubbed the “brownout”. These shields limited the amount of light emitted by a vehicle. To drive at night without them was an offence; however, the increase in road accidents led to the removal of headlight masks everywhere in Australia south of Rockhampton from 15 February 1943. These shields, though not rare, evoke a period of restrictions, fear, rationing and confinement.A circular metal disc painted black - car light blackout shield. It has a small glass slot in front and a scooped out front to cover the light.ww11 blackout-shield

This magazine was produced as a program for the 75th Annual Show at Newmerella Recreation Reserve. The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah HallThis item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history. A small thin 40 pp paper booklet with a buff coloured cover. On the cover is the title, "75th Annual Show in black print. It is inside a black border with "Orbost Agricultural Show" at the top. There is the date of the event, details of the committee members and costs of admission beneath the title.orbost-annual-show

The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah HallThis item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history. Two copies of a program for the 90th Orbost annual Show. It has a yellow paper cover with black print. On the cover is a black/white photograph of a man on a white horse with a rug printed with the names of the sponsors of the event.program-orbost-annual-show agricultural-society

"The Association was officially launched in November 1967 with the aim of preserving and maintaining good relations and understanding within the cattle industry and between that industry and all bodies and organisations with which the industry is associated in the spheres of Government, and land use and marketing." (ref Mountain Cattlemen's Association web-site) Since 1972, the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria, have produced a journal, “The Voice of the Mountains”. This journal commemorates the activities and history of the previous twelve months and bygone years of cattlemen and their families. This item was used in the library of Orbost Secondary College. The journals form a part of Victoria’s history and are a useful research tool.A 44 pp book covered in clear contact. It has a brown cover with a photograph , "On the Road to Ringwood - protest ride against the establishment of Alpine national Park". It is titled :"Voice of the Mountains, Journal of the Mountain District Cattlemen's Association of Victoria Inc., 1986 Edition no 10" and is priced at $4.00. journal-voice-of-the-mountains cattlemen-history cattle-industry

Jack Kenneth Loney (21 October 1925 – 13 February 1995) was an amateur Australian marine historian who published over one hundred books and numerous newspaper and magazine articles. He was a schoolteacher and principal until his retirement. He became interested in maritime history after preparing several general history booklets covering the Otway region of western Victoria, Australia.This item is a useful reference tool.A 132 pp book with a coloured photograph of the Great Ocean Road, on the south-western coast of Victoria, on the front cover. The title. "Wrecks Along The Great Ocean Road" is in black print above the photograph. The book contains black / white photographs and sepia text.It lists and describes shipwrecks on the west coast from Point Lonsdale to Portland.shipwrecks-great-ocean-road-victoria shipping-history

these bottles were found at the old pine plantation near Forest Road Orbost.These various shaped containers are examples of glass containers used in the early 20th century.Seven bottles found at old pine plantation in north of Orbost. 2372.1 is a cylindrical Vegemite jar made of white opal glass. It has a threaded rim and two mould seams. 2372.2 is a brown beef extract jar. 2372.3 is a rounded square white Ponds jar which would have had a metal lid. 2372.4 is a brown Bovril jar and probably had a cork seal. 2372.5 is a clear perfume bottle from Rogers & Gallet Paris. It has concentric circles around the neck and a star pattern on the base.. 2372.6 is a clear glass medical bottle used by Bosisto and 2372.7 is a clear glass cordial bottle from O.T. ltd.2372.1: on base AGM above V905 above 6 2372.2: GLOBEX AGM X3 with Beef Extract on sides 2372.3 - on base PONDS with logo 2372.4 - on side- 2oz BOVRIL LIMITED F204 2372.5 - ROGERS & GALLET logo PARIS 2372.6 - on bottom - AGM ; in indented rectangle on back - BOSISTO & CO Pty Ltd. 2372.7 - at bottom - PROPERTY of O.T. LTD; on base - AGM logo F1151 M F?bottles containers jars vegemite-jar bovril-jar bosito's-bottle pond's-jar

The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall Prior to the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show these smaller shows were held in the Mechanics' institute hall.This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a centuryA faded copy of a large paper sign used for advertising the sixth annual Autumn Show for Thursday, March 3, 1898. It has a list of prizes to be awarded and advertising of sponsors.annual-show agricultural-society

The kerosene lantern is a type of lighting device that uses kerosene as a fuel. Kerosene lanterns have a wick or mantle as light source. They may be hand-held for portable lighting.This kerosene lantern was used as a light on road works in the Orbost area. It would have been carried/used by one of the road workers. Lamps of this kind were significantroadworks items in their period of use as essential tools to the safe-working operations of the Country Roads Board.. A red metal roadworks warning lantern. It is rectangular with a metal carrying handle. The top is domed. The door at the back is hingedand opens with a small nail. The lamp was lit by kerosene held in a small square tank with a wick.lantern kerosene light lamp

This photograph shows the second major bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. The current Snowy River bridge is the fourth to provide a crossing to the township of Orbost. The first, in 1891, lasted just two years before it succumbed to flood waters. The bridge in this photograph was built in the 1920s as a road and rail bridge, and was again partly washed away by flood waters in 1934. After the end of the first World War the Victorian Railways considered an extension of the railhead across the river at Orbost, and in 1922 a new timber and steel girder structure, a joint Country Roads Board — Victorian Railways venture, was built and completed at a cost of £41,000 (the steel girders came from the Flinders Street viaduct reconstruction). Subsequently it was decided not to take the railway across the river, and the bridge was only used by road traffic. It was severely battered by floods during its life. and after the 1971 floods was eventually replaced by the current bridge in 1975. (info from Newletter 54N by John Phillips) This item is an early pictorial record of the previous Snowy River bridge at Orbost.A postcard with a black / white photograph of a bridge - timber and steel girder structure - across the Snowy River at Orbost, Reflections of the bridge are seen in the water.snowy-river-bridge-orbost

This photograph is of a train on the small rail bridge which crosses over the Burn Road Newmerella cutting. In 1912 work was underway to complete the Bairnsdale to Orbost section of the railway. This meant the end of river transport for the area. The railway was opened on April 10 1916 and closed in 1987. The letter written on the card is from Hilda Graham to her uncle.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.A black / white postcard photograph showing a train engine crossing on a small rail bridge. On the back is a handwritten letter.Photo caption - "NEWMERELLA RAILWAY, ORBOST STANLEY VOGT"newmerella east-gippsland-railway

The photograph shows a loaded truck outside the Noorinbee Store. This is a pictorial record of early road transport in East Gippsland.A black / white photograph of a large truck loaded with large bundles. It is in front of a small store at Noorinbee on the main road.on back - "in front of Noorinbee Store"transport noorinbee

This photograph is of the low level bridge across the Bemm River about 50 km east of Orbost in East Gippsland.This is a pictorial record of the 1913 low level bridge across the Bemm River, East Gippsland.A large black / white photograph of a horse - drawn wagon on the low level Bemm River bridge. In the foreground on the bridge is a dog.on back - "Country Roads Board Princes Highway low level bridge"

This photograph shows the regrowth of vegetation on the road between Genoa and the border - now the Princes Highway.This is a pictorial record of the main road from Orbost to the New South border, The Princes Highway, in the early 20th century.A large black / white photograph of a bush road wwith a vehicle and a man on the side of it.on back - " Princes Highway showing the regrowth.....1913"princes-highway-genoa transport

Photo shows an unidentified lady standing on the Orbost / Brodribb Road.A black / white photograph of a women in a long dress standing on a bush road surrounded by dense scrub.on back - " Track near Orbost / Brodribb Road, May 1897"orbost-brodribb-road

History unknown. Oswald Stuart Green taught at the Bete Bolong State School in the 1920s /30s. He wrote many books about East Gippsland including several on thee Orbost / Marlo district.Oswald Green has an association with the Orbost area.A black / white photograph of a dirt road in the bush with a motor vehicle on the road and a man standing beside it.on back - " O.S. Green 31 Malcolm St Blackburn Princes Highway east of Coolwater Creek."princes-highway-coolwater-creek green-oswald-stuart

In the late 1800's early 1900's transporting goods by road was difficult and at times impossible because roads as thoroughfares did not exist.The means of travelling along the roads in the 1800's was by bullock wagon, horse pulled dray, pack horse or simply by foot. This is a pictorial record of transport in the mid 18th - early 19th century. Pack horses were vital for the delivery of goods, responding to emergencies as they could travel in country inaccessible to larger horse - drawn carts or wagons.A black / white photograph on a black buff card. It is of a group of pack horses being guided across a waterway with a man on horseback on either side of the river.transport pack-horses

This photograph is of a cutting on a road at Bete Bolong known as Hofen's Cutting. This photograph was taken c. 1906 when transport was by horse, wagon and prior to cars and railways.This is a pictorial record of early Bete Bolong showing a road through a cutting which was known as Hofen's cutting. Two black / white photographs showing a dirt road heading down a cutting with a post and rail wooden fence on the left side in the background. In 958.1 there is a cut - away hillside beside the dirt road.on back - "Newmerella" (note: this location is at Bete Bolong and not on Newmerella Hill) 958.1 - on back - "Hofen's Bluff 1906"bete bolong, orbost, tracks/roads

The bridge shown in the background was built in the 1920s as a road and rail bridge, and was partly washed away by flood waters in 1934. There is no known history of this item.This photograph is a contemporary record of rural life in Orbost in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a group of young girls dressed up and posing on the banks of a river. On the left hand side of the photograph is an older man and on the right is an older lady. In the background is a bridge - the first Snowy River bridge. The photograph is on a cream coloured buff card. orbost snowy-river

The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au) The railway line was destroyed and was not expected to be opened for a fortnight. Orbost was cut off by 50 square miles of Snowy River floodwater. This train was being shunted across the viaduct when waters smashed through washing away several trucks sending the crew running for their lives.This is pictorial evidence of a significant local event. It is connected to the history of the railway in East Gippsland.A large black / white photograph of flooded railway yards with a train engine stranded on a small section of track surrounded by water and debris.on front - "1971 Flood, Railway Yards"floods-1971-orbost orbost-railway natural-disasters-orbost

Broadmeadows was home to the major army training camp for the Australian Imperial Force. The land was previously known as Mornington Park. It was a wide field, suitable for military practice, including training for the Light Horse regiments. It is the current location of the Maygar Army Barracks on Camp Road in Broadmeadows. To reach the camp, soldiers marched from Victoria Barracks in St Kilda Road and headed north up Sydney Road, only resting near Fawkner Cemetery. Soldiers slept in tents and food was basic. Training was hard, but it did not prepare soldiers for a modern war with machine guns, gas, shells and aeroplanes – technology that did not exist in previous wars. Some men only completed a few months training before departing on troopships from Port Melbourne. Once overseas, some soldiers received further training in Egypt. It is likely that these men are associated with the Orbost district.This photograph is a reminder of the personal stories of those who were involved in WW1.Two copies of a black / white photograph on dark grey buff cards. The photos show a group of soldiers having a meal. Some are sitting on the ground with others standing behind them.on back of 989.1 - "Sept 14 Broadmeadows"w.w.1 broadmeadows-army-training-camp

This photograph shows members of the Orbost Agricultural Show committee about 1908 with L to R : S. Lynn; John Russell; Mat Lynch; W. Warren; John Johnson; Will Cumming & Geo. Perry. The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. (Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall) This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history. A faded black / white photograph of seven men standing outside with trees in the background.on back - " Orbost Agricultural Show" and list of men in photograph.orbost-agricultural-society annual-show

This photograph was taken during the 1971 floods at Orbost. The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au)This is a contemporary pictorial record of a significant local event.A large black / white photograph of a man, dressed in shorts and a checked shirt, sitting on a fence post surrounded by mud. He is holding on to the leg of a cow which is stuck in the mud.on front - "Mr Harrison on Tracey's Dairy" on back - " Herald 11 Feb 1971"floods-orbost-1971 tracey-dairy natural-disaster-flood

There is no information with this photograph. It could be associated with the construction of the East Gippsland Railway.This is a pictorial record of construction work in the early 20th century. It shows the use of hand tools and horse and cart transport.A black / white photograph on a black buff card. It shows men working with picks and shovels to construct a pass. There is a horse and cart in the foreground.road-construction railway-construction civil-engineering

This photograph is of Mr J.W. Lynn riding over the jumps. In the background ids the first motor car in Orbost - 19132. The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. (Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall) Equestrian events have always been an integral part of the show. This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history. Horse riding as a recreational and sporting activity has always played a significant role in the social history of Orbost.A faded black /white photograph of a rider and horse jumping over a fence. People are watching. It appears to be a male rider.on front at bottom - " 1912 Orbost Show" on back - "1st motor car - G. Nixon, Orbost Show J. W. Lynn riding over jumps"equestrian orbost-show recreation

The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history. Horse riding as transport, a recreational and sporting activity has always played a significant role in the social history of Orbost. A small black / white photograph of several small groups of people at an agricultural show. Some are walking, others are on horseback and some are in carts / coaches. They are in an open grassed area with trees in the background.equestrian orbost-agricultural-show recreation

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 is associated with John Watt, a prominent early settler in Orbost.A black / white photograph of a dilapidated farm shed with three horses in the foreground. A house can be seen in the background (left) behind a fence. on back - "Watts Farm"watt-john-orbost farming-buildings

This photograph shows a distant view of the Orbost township taken from Grandview Lookout at Newmerella. It appears to have been taken before the railway line was there.This is a pictorial record of early Orbost.A small black / white photograph of the Orbost township taken from Grandview Lookout , Newmerella. The main road can be seen below with paddocks of crops on both sides.on back - "Distant View, Orbost from Grandview"orbost-township-c19th grandview-lookout orbost-flats-paddocks

In the late 19th century in the Orbost area roads were just bush tracks which generally were unsuitable for any type of vehicular traffic so were traversed mainly by horseback. As the settlement grew, a weekly mail service from Cunninghame (Lakes Entrance) was estab-lished. The settlers had to carry the mail for three months and each took a turn as mailman during that time. The first coach was driven by Mr Alex Hall. Eventually a daily mail service was set up and many drivers included B. Sutherland, W. Middleton, Jonson Bros., J. Mitchell, F. Newport, J. Geddes, A. Coulson, Bert Cessor, H. Weekes and A. Barthile. (info. from Newletter August 2007) This photograph is one of A. Coulson’s Coach crossing the Sand Bar at Lake Tyers.This is a pictorial record of very early transport in East Gippsland.A very faded small postcard / photograph of a horse and cart crossing a beach.on front in black writing - " Crossing at Lake Tyers" on back - "A Coulson"lake-tyers transport coulson-coaches

Tonghi Creek is 66km north - west of Orbost. Prior to the sealing of the Princes Highway west of Orbost, the road surface was anything but good, even by C1917 when cars started to use the road. From Orbost the old road via Marlo to Sydenham was abandoned for the new location which traversed more rugged country via Cabbage Tree, Bell Bird and Club Terrace to Cann River, and the reason for this diversion was on account of settlements being established at Murrungowar and Club Terrace, at which latter place there was a temporary rush to obtain gold. This road was constructed by the Public Works department and a maximum grade of 1 in 19 was adopted, and as speed was not to be catered for the grade followed in and out round the spurs and gullies, resulting in a maze of turns and twists which required a good deal of skill on the part of the horse driver to negotiate." - Bairnsdale Advertiser, Friday, May 2, 1947. (More information from Newsletter February 2010)This item is a pictorial record of roads in the early 20th century in East Gippsland.A large black / white photograph of a bridge over a small creek, surrounded by bush. The photograph is mounted on a thick cream coloured card.on back - "Bridge at Tonghi Creek 1918"tonghi-creek-bridge country-roads-east-gippsland

This photograph is of the construction of the first road bridge over the Genoa River - 1915. Before today's timber truss and concrete bridge was constructed between 1926-1928 by contractor J.T. Noble Anderson, two earlier bridges crossed the Genoa River at this location. They provided crucial links in the Princes Highway route from Melbourne to Sydney. The letter on the back of the postcard was written by Gordon ? to Alex ? on 2nd October 1917. "this represents the opening of Genoa Bridge. Mrs Alexander cutting the ribbon and Mr Martin holding it at the other side. Did most of the speaking. The gent holding the roll of paper is who came to open the bridge. I can't think of his name. Hubert is standing up at the right / Gordon " This is a pictorial record associated with the history of Genoa in East Gippsland.1100 -A large black / white photograph on a cream coloured buff card. It is of an unfinished bridge with men working there. A small rowboat can be seen on the far side of the river. 1100.1 - A photograph / postcard of the opening of "Genoa Bridge 1917". There is a ribbon stretched across the timber decking road in front of a group of people. 1100.2 - A black / white photograph of a road bridge across a river.on back - "Princes Highway - the 1st bridge over the Genoa River - 1915" on back of 1100.1 is a hand-written letter.genoa-bridge princes-highway-east-gippsland