These items were on display in the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre).These items are examples of pre-decimal Australian currency and British coins no longer in use.Three decimal notes and nine coins. There are two $2 notes and one $1 note in a plastic sleeve. The nine coins are separate in small white cardboard frames with black print descriptive labelling. 2366.1 is an Australian $1 note with the queen's head, coat of arms and Aboriginal art. 2366.2 and .3 are $2 notes with John McArthur and sheep and William Farrer with wheat. There are seven coins dating from 1853 - 1897 with the head of Queen Victoria on them. There are two coins, 1902 and 1910 with the head of Edward V11 on them.currency bank-notes-australian-decimal coin-british

James Massey Herbert was born in 1891 and died in 1971. He was the son of Lancelot Herbert and Martha Rawling. He was married to Alma Young and his sons were Graham and Eric Herbert. ( info. from John Phillips) This certificate was a letter of introduction to be used when James Massey Herbert travelled overseas.The Herbert family is/was a prominent Orbost family. They were some of the early settlers in the district. This document reflects an era when oversea travel by Australians was just becoming more regulated and under bureaucratic control.A white paper "Certificate of Credential" for Mr James Massey Herbert. It is in black text with The coat of arms of the United Kingdom at the top. It has been signed by the premier of Victoria.Signed by the premier of Victoria, Harry Sutherland Lawson.certificate-credential herbert-james-massey

Mr Fred Lay, along with his father and brothers, owned the local carrier business with Mr Charlie Joiner as a business partner. They used a horse and cart to transport goods from the railway station into Orbost . In about 1907-08 Mr. Charles Joiner and Mr. Alf Lay came together and conducted a regular service — Mr. Lay at Lakes with a five horse team (because he had to travel the beach at Lake Tyers) and Mr. Joiner, at Orbost, with four horses. The two met half way and changed wagons. Asked why they did this it was said they met every boat and were at the jetty every day. This was why they cornered most of the inward loadings. (ref. River Trading on the Snowy, John Phillips) Later the business was sold to Mr David Williams. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of a book keeping document used by an early Orbost Business. It is a useful research item.A white receipt docket with black lines and print from Lay & Joiner, General Carriers to R. Cameron.on front - "Paid by Cash"cameron-robert-pullar lay-&-joiner-carriers transport document-receipt

James Massey Herbert was born in 1891 and died in 1971. He was the son of Lancelot Herbert and Martha Rawling. He was married to Alma Young and his sons were Graham and Eric Herbert. ( info. from John Phillips)The Herberts were early settlers in Orbost. James Massey Herbert was an Orbost Shire councillor for 1 term (1943-1945).A white paper certificate with black print. It is a Honolulu Police Department Chauffeurs Certificate , No. 9994, made out to James Massey Herbert. It cost $3.00 and is valid for six months from the date of issue. It has been signed by the deputy sheriff, city and county of Honolulu.on back - "July 20/20..."herbert-james-massey

Saunders General Store was opened in 1900, overlapping part of the Mensland and Coultons stores. It was called "The ―Melbourne Store" which referred to it being a branch of their Melbourne store.The shop was burnt down in the early 1930‘s. Arthur Scott Saunders was born in 1864 and died 3-12-1913 (49) in Orbost. He was the son of Thomas Frederick Saunders and Lucy Beard Scott. He was a Storekeeper at Orbost, a member of the early Show Committees, a Rechabite in 1893, and was a member of the Board of Guardians of the Church of England from 1894 to 1913 where he served as secretary and treasurer of the Board. He was married to Agnes Louisa Stuart Morris. She sold the business in 1919 to Mr J. H. V. Dale and left Orbost with her two daughters for East Malvern in April 1927. ( more info. on the Saunders family in In Times Gone By by Deborah Hall; Orbost & District Historical Society Newsletter by John Phillips) Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex. This item is an example of a hand-written account from an Orbost business of the early 20th century. It is a useful research tool.A white paper account with red lines, hand-written black print. There is a yellow duty stamp and a green receipt from A.S. Saunders, Drapers, Grocer and Ironmonger, to R.P. Cameron.account saunders-family cameron-r.p. book-keeping

This Elector's Right Certificate, No. 206179, is for Samuel Richardson, a sawyer, who lived at Bullarook in the Ballarat East Division. It has been signed by W. Cantwell, the registrar and by Samuel Richardson. As a resident and a male he was entitled to vote in the Ballarat East Division at Victorian State elections. 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. This item is associated with the Richardson family, early Orbost pioneers,A white paper certificate with black print and hand-written details. at the top is the British coat-of-arms. It is an elector's right certificate made out to Samuel richardson.suffrage richardson-samuel elector's-right-certificate

The Stormbird was built in Southport Tasmania in 1874 and was originally a steamer registered in Hobart. 1876. It was re-registered many times with different owners: William Fergusson & S.Reeves, reg. Port Adelaide; 1878: G.McKay, C.Heath & J.Yeo; 1883: G.S.Simmonds. It made regular voyages from Port Victoria. In 1893 on November14 Stormbird sank at her wharf, near Honey Street, after being struck by the Tenterden. It was raised (29 Nov) & repaired.In 1902. It was registered to A.Le Messurier. In 1904 it was registered to J.& A.Tainsh. This certificate is the record of registration for George Tainsh, a master mariner, Alice Thompson, a widow and John Tainsh, master mariner. 1922. The Stormbird was eventually lost on a voyage Madang to Wewak with the loss of two lives. This was after 1968. It had been changed to a sailing ship with an auxiliary engine in 1938.This certificate is a useful research tool and is a valuable source of information on maritime history.A small, blue folder containing a certificate of British Registry for the ship "Stormbird". Black text with additional hand-written details in red added in 1938. The certificate gives details of size, tonnage and engine. The owners are listed and it is dated 24th May, 1922 and signed by the Registrar of Shipping, Ernest Hall.stormbird-registration tainsh

This is a certificate of indenture, a legal agreement, between George Beattie of Forest Creek, near Castlemaine in the colony of Victoria, and Peter Christian Smith of the same place. Both were miners. Beattie was the vendor and Smith paid twenty-five pounds for a land parcel. The contract was witnessed by John Hedderwick, a law clerk in Castlemaine. There is a record in the Mount Alexander Mail, dated Wed. 22 April 1857, of George Beattie purchasing land for three pounds, sixteen and sixpence in Castlemaine and that it was withdrawn. Records also show that a Peter and Thomas Smith farmed in Sandon near Castlemaine.This item is a useful research tool as it a hand-written record of part of the history of the gold fields region of Victoria.A white paper certificate of conveyance with black print and hand-written details from George Beattie to Peter Smith. There is a wax seal on the second page.beattie-george smith-peter-christian castlemaine-certificate-conveyance

The Orbost Coach Factory was in Wolseley Street OIrbsot, opposite the police station and was owned by Thomas John McCoy. Its business was coach-building, undertaking, blacksmithing and as a farrier. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of the early 20th century book-keeping of a business in Orbost. It is a useful research tool.A white paper account from T. McCoy to Mr R. Cameron. It has black print and handwritten details. In the top left-hand corner is a black drawing of a carriage and in the top right-hand corner is a black drawing of workers shoeing a horse. a green duty stamp is attached.account-book-keeping mccoy cameron

John Russell Senior was a blacksmith, wheelwright, farmer and later chairman of the Orbost Butter Factory, makers of Sunny South Butter (today part of Murray Goulburn Co Ltd). His blacksmith business was in Nicholson Street, Orbost. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of the book-keeping of an early 20th century Orbost business and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with red lines and black print. Details are hand-written in blue ink. It is from J. Russell to R. P. Cameron.account-book-keeping russell-john blacksmith cameron-r.p.

These books were owned and used by sisters, Hilda and Elsa Wehner who were the daughters of Hermann Wehner, early Orbost blacksmith. Sir James Cantlie was a Scottish physician who was a pioneer of First Aid.These first aid guides produced by the St John Ambulance, the largest teacher of first aid in Australia, were an important addition to the home library and used regularly. Two small books on first aid. Both books are published by St John Ambulance Association. 1829.1 is First Aid to the Injured - a small book with a black cover. It is the 37th edition. 227pp. It was written by Colonel Sir James Cantlie. 1829.2 is Home Nursing - a small book with a brown cover. 272pp. It was written by Mildred Heather-Bigg. The title and spine printing is white on both books.1829.1 has Hilda Wehner written inside the front cover. 1829.2 has Elsa Wehner written inside the front cover.

A very small book with a black leather cover. It contains Methodist hymns. The book was authored by Rev. John Wesley.In front - indecipherable - date only - 1858

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 shows Mr John Scouller, the manager, on the left with His assistant, Fred ?. Mr Scouller was the manager of the Orbost Butter Factory for 30 years and was succeeded by Mr Stafford after his retirement. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st, 1892.The first shipment 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. First directors – James Nixon (chairman), James Cameron, Carl H. Grove, Harry Richardson, David Rhys Morris, Lachlan Ross. The factory opened 11th January, 1893 with John Scouller as the manager. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district.A black / white photograph of two men standing near machinery inside the Orbost Butter Factory.on back - " Orbost. m. Gilbert. J. Scouller, Fred?????. Donated by Colin Perry"orbost-butter-factory scouller-john dairying

This is a photograph of the Saunders Family at Orbost 1888-89. It is Arthur and Agnes Saunders with their children, Beatrice, Cyril, Hilda and Vera. Arthur Scott Saunders was born 1864 in Orbost and died 3.12.1913 in Orbost where he is buried. He was the son of Son of Thomas Frederick Saunders and Lucy Beard Scott. He was a storekeeper at Orbost, a member of the early Show Committees, a Rechabite in 1893, and was a member of the Board of Guardians of the Church of England from 1894 to 1913 where he served as secretary and treasurer of the Board. His wife was Agnes Louisa Stuart Morriss who was born in 1862 and died 26-11-1938 at East Malvern and is buried in . Orbost cemetery. She sold the business in 1919 to Mr J. H, V. Dale. She left Orbost with her two daughters for East Malvern in April 1927. Saunders General Store was opened in 1900, overlapping part of the present Mensland and Coultons. The ―Melbourne Store‖ refers to it being a branch of their Melbourne store. The shop was burnt down in the early 1930‘s. ( info. from Saunders Family Newsletter by John Phillips)This is a pictorial record of a prominent early Orbost family and is a useful research item.A black / white photograph of a family group with the parents seated and their children standing around them. In the background is a wooden fence. It is on a beige coloured buff card.on front - "Saunders family at Orbost" on back - " Saunders family at orbost, 1888 - 1889"saunders-orbost

James Hossack and his wife, Penuel, arrived from Scotland to Geelong on Christmas Day 1852. James and Penuel had one daughter, Penuel who married Robert Pullar Cameron at Orbost. They had two sons, James(1858) and George(1860). James Hossack farmed "Brooklands" which he bought from John Cameron The Hossack family was a prominent Orbost family with strong ties to the Presbyterian Church in Orbost. This item is a part of the Hossack family history.A black / white photograph of a family group with the mother seated on the left and the father on the right and twin girls standing between them. Three smaller children are seated in front. It is mounted on a grey buff card with the names written at the bottom.on front - "Charlotte, Jessie, Lizzie, James, Alex, Penuel & Jim Hossack"hossak-family-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) 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

This photograph was taken at the Farmers Conference held in Port Fairy (possibly June 1916). The local men in the photograph are; Archie Rodwell; Sam Lynn; Percy Nixon; Frank Nixon; John Russell; Jacob Perry; John Johnston; Keith Lynn and John Gilbert.This item is associated with agriculture which has always been a significant part of Orbost's history. The men in the photograph are prominent early settlers of the Orbost district.A large black / white photograph on a grey buff card. The photograph shows nine men, dressed in suits and overcoats standing outside a stone / brick building.on front - " Farmers Conference at Port Fairy" with a list of namesagriculture-orbost farmers-conference-port fairy

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 item. John Tynan's Victoria Agricultural Implement Factory began making ploughs in 1857. His company is also believed to be the first to have produced drilling tools suitable for use in basalt quartz-load gold mining. Tynan was the first person to manufacture swing ploughs. His ploughs won numerous prizes, including the first gold medal ever given in Victoria for a colonially made plough.This is a photograph of an early farming tool.A black / white photograph on a discoloured cream coloured card. It is of a shiny new plough on a carpet with walls and drapes in the background.on cutting arm - Tynan Bros Prize Ploughphotograph-plough-tynan

This is the annual photograph of Grades 111 and 1V for pupils of the Orbost State School. The 19th of March 1886 proved an important day in the lives of many early settlers in the Orbost area, because on this day the Orbost State School opened. The fact that the school had first operated tem­porarily in a leased building, and on a half-time basis with SS2745 Jarrahmond, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the local inhabitants as they saw their offspring commence their education under the guidance of Head Teacher Campbell Mackay. However he 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. This item is associated with the history of education in Orbost.A black / white photograph mounted on brown car. There are five rows of school children standing outside a wooden building. Some are sitting and others standing. A female teacher is seated on a chair in the second front row. A girl in the front row is holding a card - "Grades 111 & 1V Orbost".on front - "W. Stanley Vogt Bairnsdale"orbost-state-school education-primary-schools

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

There is no information with this item. It may be associated with the Guthrie family of Bendoc. ( Peter Guthrie’s Grandfather was John Charles Guthrie, (born 1880), and the photo is of his brother Charles Henry Guthrie (born 1884 at Bendoc - from Patricia and Peter Guthrie who farm sheep and cattle at Bendoc).This photograph is associated with the Guthrie family , early settlers in Bendoc.A black / white photograph on a thick cream coloured buff card. It is of two me, both seated with one of the men resting an arm along the back of the other man's chair. It appears to be a studio portrait.on front - "Charlie Guthrie" on back - "Charlie Guthrie"guthrie-charles

The lady in this photograph is probably Mrs Eveline Trevaskis who taught at the Wairewa School. Mrs. Trevaskis taught school from her early 20’s in different parts of Victoria. She gave it up to get married, has four children and 11 grand-children. Four of her grand-children are at Wairewa school. Mrs. Trevaskis went back to teaching during the wartime teacher shortage. She relieved at Buchan East State School for two years, getting up at 3.45 am to drive the 24 miles in pony and jinker. Wairewa State School, No. 3739 was built in 1923. The school closed at the end of 1973. Mrs Trevaskis was the teacher at Wairewa 1919-22 and 1945-1956. ( more information in News letter No. 123 NOVEMBER, 2015 - John Phillips)This item is associated with the history of education in East Gippsland.A black / white photograph in a small cream coloured folio. It is of an older lady seated on a chair with a young child on her lap. The child is laughing.inside cover - "Teacher at Wairewa"educatio-east-gippsland wairewa-state-school trevaskis-eveline

This photograph shows the floodwaters during the 1971 flood at Orbost. The two mahogany trees in the photograph stopped the Snowy River from changing its course. 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 pictorial record of a significant event in the history of floods in Orbost.A black / white photograph of raging floodwaters at the bottom of the Orbost township.orbost-flood-1971

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 devastating 1971 floods was eventually replaced by the current bridge in 1975. (info from Newletter 54N by John Phillips)This is a pictorial record of the flood damage in 1971 when part of the Snowy River Bridge was washed away.A black / white photograph of a bridge which has been damaged by floodwaters. It shows one end has been washed away.orbost-snowy-river-bridge-1971 floods-orbost-1971

Ian and Jean McDonald were the children of Mr and Mrs Norman McDonald of 42 Gladstone Street, Orbost. This photograph was taken in late January, 1919 on Jean's first day at school.. It was taken at the home of John Rowe, the former headmaster of Orbost Primary School. He was then living opposite the school. Norman Alexander McDonald was a book-keeper at Macarthur‟s and was very musical. He was proprietor of the Capitol Cafe, Nicholson Street, Orbost, selling the business to Mr Coad on 4th December 1947. This photograph record an important event in the life of an Orbost family in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of two young children, a boy and a girl, sitting on the verandah of a house.mcdonald-ian mcdonald-jean education-orbost

Ian and Jean McDonald are the children of Mr and Mrs Norman McDonald of 42 Gladstone Street, Orbost. This photograph was taken in late January 1919 on the occasion of Jean's first day of school at the house of John Rowe, a former headmaster, who then lived opposite the school. Norman Alexander McDonald was a book-keeper at Macarthur‟s and was very musical. He was proprietor of the Capitol Cafe, Nicholson Street, Orbost, selling the business to Mr Coad on 4th December 1947.This is a pictorial record of a significant event in the life of the McDonald family of early Orbost.A black / white photograph of two children, holding their hats , standing in front of a tree outside a school fence. on back - "Ian & Jean McDonald opposite the school"mcdonald-ian mcdonald-jean orbost-education rowe-john

According to records searched, Donald John Hatton was born born in 1899 in Perth. His father was John and mother was Annie Rebecca Perry Hendon(?) He died in Victoria, aged 78, at Box Hill. This photograph could be related to the Rev, L. W. Hatton and Mrs. Hatton formerly of Healesville Presbyterian Church. They left there in January 1947 to take over Mr. Hatton's new charge at Orbost..A black / white photograph on a cream coloured buff card with red print at the bottom. It is of a small child sitting on a chair with a large dog sitting at the child's feet. on back - "Donald John Hatton, Xmas 1899" on front - "Tesla Studios 464 Hay Street Perth"hatton-donald-john

The Orbost Bowling Club was founded in 1929, by a group of farmers and businessmen. They set about providing a sporting icon for the town. Six rinks were constructed on the current site using horse drawn scoops and drags. The "Back to Orbost” 1937 book, describes the greens as "a bit rough for the first two seasons but now compare favourably with most country greens". Funds for the construction were raised by the issue of debentures at £5 each, and subscriptions were £1/1s/0d ($2.10). ( info. Margaret Smith) Included in the photograph are: Wm Kerr; D. Robinson; Lance Herbert; Fred McCoy; Jacob Perry; Ted Eaton; Jack McKeown; Wm Cumming; Harry Cameron; Dick Pardew; Wm Cowell; John Bird; Paul Spadaro; Carl Dreverman.Lawn bowling” is an outdoor game that has been popular for centuries. Bowling clubs play a significant role in community recreation needs. This is a pictorial record of this recreational activity in the first half of the 20th century.A black / white photograph of a large group of men playing bowls on a bowling green. Some are dressed in whites and others in suits.orbost-bowling-club sport recreation lawn-bowls