This photograph was taken near the Snowy River Bridge on the the old Princes Highway in Orbost, near the caravan park. 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 pictorial evidence of a significant local event. Floods have been an integral part of Orbost's history for hundreds of years.A black / white photograph of debris, fallen power lines, a tree across the highway and floodwaters across the road.on front at bottom - handwritten in upper case print - " 1971 FLOOD PRINCES HIGHWAY NEAR SNOWY BRIDGE"floods-orbost-1971

This is a photograph of the settlement of Orbost on the banks of the Snowy River,. In the foreground in the paddock there is a water trough (Bills?) and the B Drain can be seen on the far left. D.S. Campbell had a stationery store in Nicholson Street Orbost and published several black and white postcards of Orbost.This is a pictorial record o The township of Orbost in the late 19th century.A black / white photograph / postcard. There is a river in the foreground with houses and shops in the background behind a cleared paddock.on front - Orbostorbost-19th-century snowy-river

This postcard was sent to Annie Gilbert (Mrs John Gilbert) of Tullagoota, Orbost. It was written by "Grace", probably her sister, Grace Cameron Annie Gilbert was the daughter of John Cameron who selected the first land on the Snowy River flats. This is a photograph of the original Orbost / Snowy River Bridge , a suspension bridge which opened in 1893. It has been taken when the Snowy River was in flood. It is similar to other photographs held in The State Library, Victoria. The Snowy River Mail and Tambo and Croajingolong Gazette Sat 12 Aug 1893 records the opening of this bridge as "the most important public event that has yet been commemorated in Eastern ......The Messrs McLeod, with whom the first settlement of this district is generally associated, took up their residence on the eastern bank of the Snowy River about the year 1841 or 42. The late Mr W. Roadknight and Mr T. T. Stirling took possession of the territory on the western side of the Snowy about 35 years ago. During the occupation of the country by cattle owners, very little progress was made in the way of roads and bridges, and except to the hardy and lexperienced bushman, it might have been generally regarded as inaccessible. About the year 1877, however, the late Mr James Robertson eldest son of Mr James Robertson, of Lochend farm, selected land now occupied by his father, about four miles from Orbost on the west bank of the river, Mr John Cameron visited the. district shortly after a .tour of inspection and returned later with his brothers, James and Alick Gameron, but found that during their absence Mr Ernest Watt had found his way on the scene and pegged out a selection, thus anticipating the advent of the Camerons by about 12 hours. We understand that a Mr Kidd, who selected the property now occupied by Mr W. J. Ross, at Pumpkin Point, was one of the earliest batch of settlers.........."This item is associated with Annie Gilbert (nee Cameron) reported to have been the first white girl to be born in Orbost. It is a pictorial record of the suspension bridge over the Snowy River which has since been replaced twice.A faded black / white postcard of a bridge across a river. There are cattle in the river and the banks are tree-covered.on back - a hand-written letter addressed to Mrs J. Gilbert Tullagoota Orbost.cameron-annie suspension-bridge-orbost snowy-river-orbost

Those identified in this photograph are: Grace Cameron - back row second right and Effie Wait on the left. (Smooker? Firth?)This photograph is a pictorial record of typical women's fashion in the mid 20th century when women's dresses were were modest, revealing very little skin, compared to today’s fashion. Squared shoulders, narrow hips, and skirts that ended just below the knee were the height of fashion. Tailored suits were also quite popular. Generally older women wore hats, gloves and jewellery. The women in the photograph are associated with Orbost.A black / white photograph of a group of women most wearing hats and jewelry. on back- "left Effie Wait Grace Cameron back second row right"cameron-grace wait-effie orbost-social-gathering -mid 20th

The chemist made an entry for each prescription for medicine that was given to a customer, and the date presribed. This entry was a handy reference for repeat prescriptions. Chemists who worked in Orbost included Henry Cottman; James Alfred Dubois Williams; Harry Arthur Murray; Miss P.E .Mason (Phyllis Estelle?); Miss Sybil Monica Buzza; Thomas James Frayer; Australia Shaw; James David Torley; John William Zimmer; Dalkeith William Steele; William Thomas Hollingsworth; E.E. Cohen; R.S. Anderson; Frances John Perry Faith Everard Pardew and Charles Anthony Wurf.These books have a clear association with Orbost. They provide a record of the ailments treated by the chemists over its long history, and the types of remedies used to treat them. They show the evolution of therapeutics and the development of diverse treatments The books are interesting in giving the names of the people who came to the shop and for the prevalence of diseases that were being treated. Sixteen ledgers to record prescriptions. Information details of patients' names, medications and prescriptions are hand-written. Details of individual ledgers are in catalogue folder.orbost-pharmacies medicine drugs prescription -records

This photograph is an aerial view of the township of Orbost taken by the Bairnsdale Advertiser newspaper. It was taken from the northern end of the town. 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 Orbost,A black / white aerial photograph of a township with floodwaters in the background.on back - "Note main current through the lagoon 1971."orbost-floods-1971 bairnsdale-advertiser orbost-township

This photograph shows the Hospital Creek in flood. This is a pictorial record of a bridge in East Gippsland in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph / postcard of a road bridge across a flooded creek. It is in a bush setting.in front at bottom - "Hospital Creek in flood H.D.Bulmer photo Lake Tyers"bridge-hospital-creek tostaree-bridge

This is a photograph of Dave Hawkless at Bete Bolong with a wagon load of maize from the farm of Sam Lynn. David Hawkless was married to Mary Downey in 1906. They had five children. This is a pictorial record of the transporting of maize in the Orbost district in the late 19th century. A black / white photograph of a man standing in front of a wagon loaded with sacks. There are six large horses tethered to the wagon. In the background are buildings. The wagon is standing on a gravel road.on back - "D. Hawkless M. Gilbert"hawkless-david maize-orbost transportation-agriculture wagon-horses

Marlo, fifteen kilometres from Orbost, has always been a popular fishing and boating destination for Orbost locals. This is a pictorial record of a popular recreational activity in the late 19th century in Marlo.A black / white photograph of a sailing boat with five people on board.on back, handwritten in pen - "SAILING BOAT BREAM POINT EASTER< 1899"marlo-sailing bream-point-marlo recreation

After the damage from the February 1971 floods at Orbost when the abutment to the Snowy River road bridge was washed away a Bailey bridge, portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge, was put into place to ensure town access, the C.R.B. rebuilt the approach to the bridge driving new piles and constructing the Bailey bridge. They worked late into the night under flood lights to ensure the link from the Orbost township to the Princes Freeway would be open to traffic as soon as possible.These photographs are pictorial records of a significant event in the history of Orbost.Three black / white photographs of a Bailey bridge being erected across a river. 3245.1 and 3245.2 are the same. bailey-bridge orbost-snowy-river-bridge bridge-orbost

These photographs are of the demolition of the road bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. This bridge over the Snowy River was opened on July 4 1922. It was constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.This bridge was replaced in 1976 after several major floods. These photographs are pictorial records of its demolition.Four black / white photographs of the demolition of a road bridge across a river. In them can be seen trucks, excavators and workmen. In 3246.1 there is a triangular road sign - "LOW CLEARANCE 3.9m"bridge-demolition orbost-snwoy-river-bridge

This is a series of photographs of the demolition of the 1922 bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. This bridge over the Snowy River was opened on July 4 1922. It was constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.This bridge was replaced in 1976 after several major floods. These photographs record the demolition of that bridge.Ten black / white photographs of a road bridge demolition. In the photographs are cranes, one on a barge, and workmenon back - Orbost Snowy River Bridge demolition 1977

These photographs are of the 1922 road bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. This bridge over the Snowy River was opened on July 4 1922. It was constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.This bridge was replaced in 1976 after several major floods. These photographs are pictorial records of the 1922 brige.Two small black / white photographs of a road bridge across a river. 3248.1 is a close-up of wooden pylons.on label on back - "Snowy River Bridge at Orbost 1922 Bridge"bridge-orbost snowy-river-bridge

These photographs are of the bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost which was replaced in 1976. This bridge over the Snowy River was opened on July 4 1922. It was constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.This bridge was replaced in 1976 after several major floods. This is a pictorial record of that bridge.Three black / white photographs of a truss bridge across a river.bridge-snowy-river orbost-bridge-1937

From The Argus (Melbourne) on January 10 1934 "Damage estimated at £500,000 has been caused by the floods in the Orbost district. No loss of life occurred, largely owing to the heroic efforts of rescue parties. Many families spent Monday night on the roofs of houses or in trees, surrounded by deep, rushing flood waters." This 1934 flood was devastating, destroying a section of the 1922 Orbost bridge - the centre span was washed away -. wrecking fences, bridges and roads, dumping silt and debris on the rich river flats and drowning cattle. This is a pictorial record of the 1934 flood, a significant event in the history of Orbost.A black / white photograph of floodwaters. In the middle of the water can be see debris including a large spoked wheel. In the background are houses and fences.on back - "near Hilyer's garage at foot of hill Main Street Caravan Park on right" on front at bottom left - "1934"orbost-flood-1934 flood-orbost

3254.1 shows aTculvert over the gully at the foot of Burn’s Hill cutting at Newmerella and has been taken looking up tpward Burn's Cutting at Newmerella .Photograph 3254.2 has been taken from below the cutting. More information in Newsletter, November 2010.These photographs are pictorial records of Burn's Cutting and the old coach road in a time before the establishment of the Orbost to Bairnsdale railway line.Two black / white photographs of a gravel road on the side of a cutting. Both have a coach on the road. burn-road-newmerella cutting-newmerella coach-road-newmerella

These four photographs show the construction of the Princes Freeway on the eastern edge near the cemetery. of the Orbost township. The road is from the eastern entrance to the cemetery.These photographs are pictorial records of the construction of roads in Orbost.Four black / white photographs of road construction machinery.road-construction-orbost roadwork-orbost-cemetery

This photograph has been taken looking down Nicholson Street, Orbost. Temple's Store is on the left and the Club Hotel on the right. The township began to take shape about 1885. (More information from Newsletter August, 2004 Pauline Wilkinson)This is a very early pictorial record of early Orbost township.Three copies of a black / white photograph of a main road, unsealed with wooden buildings on both sides.The building on the right side of the photograph has a verandah with several people standing under the awning, There seems to be two or three young children further down on the edge of the road.on front at bottom - Orbost Main Street

This book is a social history collected orally and from the private records of residents of the Wairewa Valley, Victoria, Australia. It includes a brief history of the old primary school. Appended is a performance piece 'Waltz for Wairewa", a dialogue with poems and songs. It was sponsored by the Hospital Creek Bush Band and Dance Group. The book was partly the result of two song writing courses, one run on-line for six weeksby Sheffield University, U.K., and another year-long course at U3A in Lakes Entrance, East Gippsland. The bridge pictured on the front cover is O'Grady's railway bridge which was severely damaged in the bushfires of January 2020.This item is a useful reference on the history of the Wairewa Valley, East Gippsland.A soft covered book, titled "Stories From Wairewa". On the front cover is a tall wooden rail bridge. the book contains stories, photographs, scanned documents, shet music, drawings and poetry. book-wairewa blakeman-elizabeth school-wairewa

These photographs are pictorial record of Orbost in 1961.They enable us o observe the objects in their spatial context and in detail. They are useful for reference.Four black / white aerial photographs. there are spare copies of each. 3276.1 is an aerial photograph of the Orbost Show with Lochiel Park in the foreground. 3276.2 is an aerial photograph taken over a township. 3276.3 shows the Orbost High School on the left. 3276,4 shows the high school in the foreground.on the back of each is "March 10th 1961 Aerial of Orbost"photographs-aerial-orbost-1961 orbost-1961 lochiel-park

These photographs are pictorial records of the signs at the Orbost town entry points.Three black / white photographs. 3277.1 is a sign on stone pillars at the top of a hill - "WELCOME TO SNOWY RIVER COUNTRY ORBOST TURN LEFT". 3277.2 shows a road leading into a town. There is a sign on the left - "ORBOST" and a service station on the right. 3277.3 shows a row of newly planted trees between a road and a school.3277.1 on back - "WELCOME TO SNOWY RIVER COUNTRY - ORBOST sign - Princes Highway - Newmerella" 3277.2 on back - "East Gippsland Shire Sign on eastern approach to ORBOST., in Salisbury Street, near Orbost Secondary College" 3277.3 on back - "Tree planting in Salisbury St, Orbost in front of Orbost High School looking west towards Orbost township"photographs-orbost orbost-township-entry salisbury-street-trees town-entry road-signs-orbost

These photographs were taken in the main street of Orbost looking south along Nicholson Street. Nicholson Street was remade in 1984 with new kerb alignments, the introduction of red brick paving and the planting of oak trees. This has since been changed.These photographs are pictorial records of construction in the main street of Orbost.Two black / white photographs of roadworks. 3278.1 is of two tip trucks on a newly sealed road. The commonwealth Bank is on the left and in the background is a sign to "COIN LAUNDRY'. 3278.2 is of three men at the edge of the road, backs to the camera.3278.1 - on back - "Resealing of Nicholson Street, Orbost, 1984" 3278.2 - on back - "Peter Dreverman in middle"orbost-nicholson-street construction-nicholson-street roadworks streetscape

3287.1 has been taken in front of the Orbost Swimming Pool. 3287.2 has been taken in Wolseley Street, Orbost and 3287.3 was photographed in Boundart Road, Orbost,These photographs are pictorial records of incidents occurring in Orbost C1970s.Three black / white photographs of tree damage in town streets. 3287.1 shows trees which been vandalised, 3287.2 and 3287 3 are photographs of storm trees which have been damaged.

3288.1 has been taken in Lawson Lane, Orbost, looking west from the rear of the Shire Offices. 3288.2 has been taken in Lawson Lane, Orbost, looking east from the rear of the Shire Offices.These photographs are pictorial records of the Orbost township C 1970s.Two black / white photographs showing cars parked on an unsealed road with buildings in the background.lawson-lane-orbost streets-orbost-1970s

3289.1 has been taken in the main street of Orbost - Nicholson Street. 3289.2 has been taken on the outskirts of Orbost and indicates that the town population at the time was 2800.These photographs are pictorial record of Orbost C1960s - 1970s.3289.1 is a black / white photograph of a main street with cars parked on both sides of the road and buildings on the left hand side. 3289.2 is a black / white photograph of town entry sign - "ORBOST POP. 2800".orbost-nicholson-street main-street-orbost entry-sign-orbost orbost-1960s-1970s

3290.1 is an aerial photograph of the township of Orbost looking south along Nicholson Street. The tennis courts and recreation reserve are on the left. The War Memorial, Commonwealth Hotel at the Saisbury Street intersection is in the centre of the photograph. 3290.2 is an aerial view of the Orbost township looking north, showing the bridge across the Snowy River in the foreground,These photographs are detailed pictorial records of the Orbost township C 1960s - 1970s.Two photographs which are aerial views of a township showing streets, buildings and vehicles. 3290.1 is a black / white photograph. 3290.2 is a coloured photograph.orbost-township-c1960s-1970s aerial-photograph-orbost