The Snowy River Bridge, Princes Freeway, Orbost, Victoria was opened by the Hon. J A Rafferty, Minister for Transport, 25 November 1976. ‘The bridge was built at a cost of A$2.4 million and is the first of four bridges to be built as part of the 8.4 kilometre freeway bypass of Orbost. Construction of the bridges commenced in January 1975, with an expectation to open the bridge across the Snowy River as soon as possible. Less than two years later, on 25 November 1976, the bridge across the Snowy River was opened to traffic, allowing the old bridge to be demolished. The remainder of the Orbost Bypass, both the floodplain crossings and the eastern section around the township itself, was declared ‘Princes Freeway’. The newspaper article was written by David Jellie as part of the centenary celebrations of Vic Roads/Country Roads on 4.9.2013. David Jellie was the project engineer for the Snowy River Crossing Project.This book and article contain historical information and details about the construction of the bridges on the Orbost section of the Princes Freeway.2117.1 isaA thin paperbook book which contains a map, history and construction details of the Princes Freeway at Orbost. It has a program for the opening ceremony of the snowy River Bridge in 1976. 2117.2 is an article from the snowy River Mail on the history of the highway. It is dated 4.9.2013.In pencil - 20csnowy-river-bridge jellie-david princes-freeway-orbost

The photograph shows students watching the Orbost High School Golden Jubilee celebrations . Two girls in the front are Cheryl Matthews and Chris Herbert who are still local women.Orbost High School / Orbost Secondary College has played a significant part in the education of senior students in the Orbost district . It is the sole senior educational institution. This item is representative of its historyA black / white photograph of studentssitting on lawns outside the Orbost High School.on back - "Orbost H.S. Golden Jubilee 1962" on front - " Cheryl Matthews, Chris Herbert"education-orbost orbost-high-school-golden-jubilee

Cold storage Image of butter storage.butter storage

These documents were compiled by the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre) Committee.These documents are a useful reference item.A manila folder of ten documents. It contains reports of Orbost & District Tourist Association and of South East Coast Tourism Limited.tourism-orbost slab-hut

This was used by the The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd .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 paper/cardboard time sheet book. Some sheets - pp 1-33 - have been torn out at the front. Only the back page has been filled in. On each page as header - Orbost Butter & Produce Co. Ltd. TIME SHEETorbost-butter-factory agriculture farming time-book

The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.The Orbost Rifle Club existed in Orbost for over seventy years.A blue Vana exercise book used by the Social Committee of the orbost Rifle Club to record its minutes.On front cover - handwritten - Orbost Rifle Club Social Committee Minute Bookorbost-rifle-club shooting

The photograph shows the Royal Mail wagon outside Herbert's General Store in the main street of Orbost. 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 StThis is a pictorial record of transport in 19th century Orbost. It is associated with the Herbert family.A black / white photograph of a travelling salesman and his samples on the Orbost Coach outside Herbert's grocery store. Two other men are standing nearby. The photograph is on a cream buff card.on front - "Traveller's Samples on Orbost Coach"herbert's-store transport

These books were used by the Orbost Rifle Club to record correspondence. The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.Target shooting is one of the oldest organised sports in Australia. Records date back to the British Marines at Sydney Cove in 1788. The Victorian Rifle Association (VRA) was formed in 1860. One of the most important adjuncts to the militia system from 1903 to the re-organisation of 1912 was the role played by the Rifle Club movement in Australia. At the time, these clubs were seen as the reservoir of manpower for a potential guerrilla force should any invasion occur. For Australia, the invasion fear was uppermost in the minds of the population. So important were the rifle clubs for the defence of Australia that the Commonwealth provided the training staff, rifles and ammunition so the clubs could function. Members were drilled, wore uniforms and practised all the basic skills of soldiering as well as target shooting. The Orbost Rifle Club was active during this period.Four duplicate Correspondence books. All are brown with a brown cloth spine. 1359.1, 1359.2 and 1359.3 have marbled covers and 1359.4 has a dark brown soft cover with "TUDOR DUPLICATE BOOK" in paler print.

This is a photograph of the Orbost Municipal Band in 1973. The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A black / white photograph of a group of uniformed band members seated outside a building. In front is a large drum with "ORBOST MUNICIPAL BAND" around the circumference. The photograph is under glass in a white wooden frame.on front - Orbost Municipal Band with a typed list of namesmusic recreation orbost-municipal-band

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)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.1944.1 is an Orbost Agricultural Society Member's Ticket No. 484. 1944.2 is an Orbost Agricultural Society Lady's Ticket no.484. Both are white cardboard edged in gold. The tickets are joined. There is a blue cord attached through a hole. The print is blue.Orbost Agricultural Society John Lynn President Member's Ticket E.H.D. White Secretary 1959 £1orbost-agricultural-society

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

These photographs are from the Snowy River Mail newspaper, September 9, 1987. Ron Hayward's family ran a shop in Rupert Street, Orbost.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 closure of the line was a significant event in Orbost's history.Five black / white photographs related to closure of the Orbost - Bairnsdale Railway Line.3104.1 - on back - "A view from Grandview, Newmerella, of the last train to leave Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987. As the afternoon sun lengthens the shadows on the Snowy River flats, the sun also sets on an era in Far East Gippsland transport as the last train crosses the viaduct." 3104,2 - 0n back - "Ron Hayward passes over the staff during the last crew changeover for the last train to run on the Orbost line. Ron Haywood (L) who 39 years and 6 months ago drove the first diesel loco to Orbost (T366T) presents the last staff to the driver, Bill Buckley, who took the last diesel out." 3104.3 - on back -" as above - 2nd paragraph only 3104.4 - on back - " Ron Hayward who took the first diesel engine from Bairnsdale to Orbost on February 21. 1957 when he was stationed at Orbosst. Last Friday he rode on the last diesel to Orbost after obtaining a special pass from V Line , he also handed over the staff for the last change at Orbost. The last driver was Bill Buckley." 3104.5 - on back - "LAST TRAIN ROLLS INTO ORBOST B/A Friday August 28 1987 For Ron Hayward the last train journey on the Orbost rail line was a sad occasion. Mr Hayward took the first diesel engine from Bairnsdale to Orbost on February 21, 1957, whe he was stationed at Orbost. Last Friday he rode on the last diesel too Orbost after obtaining a special pass from V-Line. He also handed over the staff for the last change at Orbost. The last driver was Bill Buckley. Mr Hayward was an engine driver with nhe railways and transferred to Orbost when steam engines used the line. He left the railways in in 1957 but took up a job with them again in 1968. He said also it was a privilege to have been able to ride on the last train, the occasion was a sad one,"east-gippsland-railway railway-closure hayward-ron buckley-bill orbost-bairnsdale-railway

This item was used by Victorian Railways 1970's/1980's. It was used at Orbost Railway Station for the consignment of timber from Orbost to Westall.. Westall was a major timber-receiving depot near Dandenong, Victoria. Westall railway station is located on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines in Victoria, Australia. It serves the south-eastern Melbourne suburb of Clayton South, opening on 6 February 1951. Westall station was opened as a workers only platform on 16 October 1954. It was provided for the adjacent Martin & King railway coachbuilding factory. The station was opened to the public on 1 June 1959 when all trains on the line began stopping there. 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. Orbost Railway Station was opened on Monday 10 April 1916 as the terminus of the Orbost railway line, and closed in 1987. The station was located on the west side of the Snowy River despite the town of Orbost being on the east side of the river, in order to save on the costs of a bridge over the river, which at the time had highly variable levels. 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.An unused brown/buff coloured goods/freight consignment envelope used by Victorian Railways, this one for timber from Orbost to Westall. It is DL size.2497-78 VICTORIAN RAILWAYS G.F 63 From ORBOST to WESTALL MASS Tonnes kg Vehicle No Contents TIMBER Consignee Date orbost-bairnsdale-railway westall

Young Farmers is a network of clubs for young people aged 16 to 30. Young Farmers helps people meet new friends, improve skills, participate in their community and have fun. Activities range from weekends away to casual BBQs, field days, balls, farm tours and team events. (ref. Victorian Young Farmers Inc.) Traditionally a debutante ball was held for debutantes to formally come out into society. Debutante balls continue to have a devout following in parts of Victoria, particularly in smaller regional areas.Community dances/ balls are an important part of Orbost's social history and this item reflects that.A white/cream sheet of paper folded in half. It has black print "ORBOST YOUNG FARMERS CLUB DEBUTANTE BALL 5th OCTOBER 1973 President Mr Colin Granter Secretary Miss Helen Codey". Inside are lists of the official party, flower girls and debutantes with partners.dancing ball debutantes-ball

This album was compiled for the use of visitors to the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre).This album is a useful research tool.A photo album with a maroon cover with gold embossing. On the cover is the title Our Natural Disasters. It contains 54 pages of photos of local natural disasters - flood, fire and hail. The photos are taped in.slab-hut orbost-disasters album orbost-floods-fires-hailstorms

Orbost & East Gippsland Agricultural Society held an Autumn Show on 3rd March, 1904. First Prize in Class C Section 21 fot Best Lady Ridrer was awarded to Miss Ross. Orbost and East Gippsland Agricultural, Pastoral & Horticultural Society held their annual show in the Mechanics' Institute hall in Orrbost on November 16, 1894. First Prize in Class F Section C was awarded to Elsie Price for "six buttonholes (children under 14)". At this time C.N. Henderson was President and Lauchlan Ross was Secretary. 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 century.A rectangular, blue card certificate with yellow cord threaded through two small holes at the top centre. Text is black inside a frame. Details of the award are hand-written.On front - "Donated by her daughter Mrs Ethel Palmer"

This book was compiled by volunteers at the Orbost Visitor Information Centre(Slab Hut) as a reference for visitors.This item is a useful reference tool.A white plastic-covered 2 ring binder with title Historic Photos inside cover. It contains photos of past and present residents , businesses, streets, transport, scenery, bridges and nearby places. It also contains a newspaper - Snowy River Holiday News (1986).orbost-history slab-hut

This item is from a collection donated by descendants of John Francis Turner of Wodonga It is one of many souvenirs produced to represent landmarks in the Albury-Wodonga district. The Albury and District War Memorial was opened on Anzac Day 1925 by General Paine. Designed by the Architect Louis Harrison, the site was chosen by the town planner Charles Reade. The monument is a white ferro concrete tower, in the form of a tapered lighthouse painted stark white and surmounted by a 'torch of liberty'. This torch is 1.8 meters high and faced with 40 panes of prismatic glass. During the day sunlight plays through this glazing giving the torch the illusion it is lit.This item comes from a collection used by a prominent citizen of Wodonga. It is representative of a items produced to represent historic landmarks or features of the district.A small butter bone china butter dish with scalloped edge with gilt edge trim.It features a black and white image of the War' Memorial in Albury.Below image: "WAR MEMORIAL ALBURY"domestic items, albury souvenirs, war memorial albury

Mac's Shortbread Co dates its history back to a family bakery in Abbotsford opened in the 1860's producing bread for the goldfields. This eventually became McAlpine's Flour. This business was sold in 1960 and the family then purchased a cake shop, leading to building a biscuit factory. (This is thought to have been the Surrey Hills site). The company outgrew this and moved to Kerang. (Further research required.)This tin is material evidence of the small area of industrial activities that once existed in Surrey Hills.A round tin with a silvered interior and the outside finished in a white enamel paint with the head and shoulders of a blond girl in red jumper, tartan sash and brooch and a tartan tam o'shanter hat.1. Mac's / Petticoat Tail BUTTER SHORTBREAD 450g NET./ BAKED IN AUSTRALIA BY MAC"S SHORTBREAD CO., 1 NORFOLK ROAD, SURREY HILLS, VICTORA AUSTRALIA PHONE 8360333 INGREDIENTS WHEAT FLOUR, CHOICE BUTTER, SUGAR, EVAPORATED MILK BAKING POWDERbakeries, surrey hills, mac's shortbread, norfolk road

After the flood damage of 1934, the bridge was repaired with a new section in the middle. This bridge remained largely unchanged until its final demolition in 1975 after construction of the new concrete bridge and Orbost by-pass which exists today. This photograph is one of a collection of photographs produced by Murray Views, Gympie. It features eight scenic b/w photographic prints of Orbost and surrounding tourist areas.Photographs like these allowed tourists to send many images of their holiday destination or hometown in the one small package. Fred Murray opened Murray Studios in Gympie in 1906. The postcard and souvenir production side of the business initially covered Gympie and surrounding regions, but Murray expanded the business to include North Queensland, New South Wales and even Adelaide. It was opened under a separate name, Murray Views, in 1929. In 1945 the business was taken over by Murray’s nephews who began postcard folder production. This is a pictorial record of an early bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost.A black / white photograph / postcard of the Snowy River Bridge at Orbost.on front bottom printed - Murray Views No.4 Traffic Bridge , Snowy River, Orbost, Vic.orbost-snowy-river-bridge

Mac's Shortbread Co dates its history back to a family bakery in Abbotsford opened in the 1860's producing bread for the goldfields. This eventually became McAlpine's Flour. This business was sold in 1960 and the family then purchased a cake shop, leading to building a biscuit factory. (This is thought to have been the Surrey Hills site). The company outgrew this and moved to 5 Tate Drive, Kerang. (Further research required.) Australia adopted metric units of measurement in July 1974, so this object was manufactured after 1974.This tin is material evidence of the small area of industrial activities that once existed in Surrey Hills.A cylindrical tin with a silvered interior and the outside finished in a white enamel paint, on which there is a geometric design incorporating a butterfly.On a label incorporated in the design: "Mac's / MAC'S SHORTBREAD CO. 1 NORFOLK RD./ SURREY HILLS, VIC. AUST. 3127 - 8360333 / BUTTER / SHORTBREAD / INGREDIENTS: WHEAT FLOUR, CHOICE BUTTER, / SUGAR, EVAPORATED MILK, BAKING POWDER / 300 g NET"bakeries, surrey hills, mac's shortbread, norfolk road

The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.Target shooting is one of the oldest organised sports in Australia. Records date back to the British Marines at Sydney Cove in 1788. The Victorian Rifle Association (VRA) was formed in 1860. One of the most important adjuncts to the militia system from 1903 to the re-organisation of 1912 was the role played by the Rifle Club movement in Australia. At the time, these clubs were seen as the reservoir of manpower for a potential guerrilla force should any invasion occur. For Australia, the invasion fear was uppermost in the minds of the population. So important were the rifle clubs for the defence of Australia that the Commonwealth provided the training staff, rifles and ammunition so the clubs could function. Members were drilled, wore uniforms and practised all the basic skills of soldiering as well as target shooting. The Orbost Rifle Club was active during this period.A bright orange receipt / account book with a blue spine. On the cover in dark blue is "Tudor Recordall COUNTER BOOK" at the top and at the bottom is " No. 51 50's Duplicate flexibound"on front cover - handwritten -" Amunition (sic) 1976"orbost-rifle-club

The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.Target shooting is one of the oldest organised sports in Australia. Records date back to the British Marines at Sydney Cove in 1788. The Victorian Rifle Association (VRA) was formed in 1860. One of the most important adjuncts to the militia system from 1903 to the re-organisation of 1912 was the role played by the Rifle Club movement in Australia. At the time, these clubs were seen as the reservoir of manpower for a potential guerrilla force should any invasion occur. For Australia, the invasion fear was uppermost in the minds of the population. So important were the rifle clubs for the defence of Australia that the Commonwealth provided the training staff, rifles and ammunition so the clubs could function. Members were drilled, wore uniforms and practised all the basic skills of soldiering as well as target shooting. The Orbost Rifle Club was active during this period.A green fabric covered book with "Collins Analysis Book 81 Series" in black print on front cover. Inside the pages are lined in green and blue. It contains accounts and a trophy list at the back. There is a page on a memo to clubs re Stamp Duties Act 1967. orbost-rifle-club acounts-book trophy-list

The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.Target shooting is one of the oldest organised sports in Australia. Records date back to the British Marines at Sydney Cove in 1788. The Victorian Rifle Association (VRA) was formed in 1860. One of the most important adjuncts to the militia system from 1903 to the re-organisation of 1912 was the role played by the Rifle Club movement in Australia. At the time, these clubs were seen as the reservoir of manpower for a potential guerrilla force should any invasion occur. For Australia, the invasion fear was uppermost in the minds of the population. So important were the rifle clubs for the defence of Australia that the Commonwealth provided the training staff, rifles and ammunition so the clubs could function. Members were drilled, wore uniforms and practised all the basic skills of soldiering as well as target shooting. The Orbost Rifle Club was active during this period.A small thick light blue cocered book with whit print on front - "Tudor Cash Receipt Book No. 61". Eleven pages have been used.Inside T of Tudor is written - "Rifle Club".orbost-rifle-club accounts-receipts