Joseph Chamberlain was was an important businessman and a politician. He worked to improve education, and cities. He was a Member of Parliament from 1876 to 1914, and Colonial Secretary (controlling British colonies) from 1895 to 1903. His son Austen won the Nobel Peace Prize and another son Neville was Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940. (Wikipedia) Chamberlain was a Unitarian, a Christian who believes Christ was an example of the way to live life, but was not divine (not a part of God). Unitarians try to work to help society. There were many problems in Birmingham after the industrial revolution, and many men were not allowed to vote. In 1868 Chamberlain helped a liberal man to become the Member of Parliament for Birmingham. In 1869, he started a group working for free primary education for all children. In November 1869, he became a member of Birmingham City Council. There he worked for cheaper land prices for rural (countryside) workers, and became very popular. In 1873 he became the Mayor of Birmingham. He bought the gas companies and water companies for the city, so people were able to have clean and safe water. He made parks, roads, schools museums and built new houses for poor people. In June 1876 he became the Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham. In parliament he worked to unite radical M.P.s (MPs that wanted change) against the Whig party who were in power. His work helped William Ewart Gladstone to become Prime Minister in 1880. Chamberlain often spoke about education in parliament. (Wikipedia)Image of a man called Joseph Chamberlain.ballarat irish, chamberlain, joseph chamberlain

Image of a man known as Patrick Cronin.ballarat irish, cronin, patrick cronin

Richard Sutcliffe played saxophone with the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Orchestra. He was the arranger for the Orchestra and would re-work popular tunes into Braille copies for the other members. He also performed on radio with his saxophone quintet.B/W image of a saxophone playerdick sutcliffe, rvib orchestra

Donations for structural improvements were often acknowledged via plaques. These plaques were on the walls of Kelaston then later the Vision Australia office in Ballarat until it closed in 2021. Anna Jane Bolte was a resident of Kelaston whose son, Sir Henry Bolte became the longest serving Victorian Premier. William Buckland Trust supported safe housing for vulnerable Australians, such as the residents of Kelaston. Other generous local donors who were also acknowledged are Thomas & Cora Turnbull and the work of Mrs C.M. (Edith) Nunn, who joined the Ballarat Auxiliary in 1949 as they sought development of a home for the blind.Digital images of cast bronze plaquesThe Anna Jane Bolte Room Named in memory of the late Anna Jane Bolte, a resident of Kelaston, in recognition of the service given by her son, the Honourable Sir Henry Bolte, G.C.M.G., as Chairman of the Guiding Light Appeal 1974. 20 April, 1979 In recognition & appreciation of the financial assistance received from the William Buckland Estate, 1979. This plaque acknowledges outstanding service to the blind people of the Ballarat district from 1948 until her death in 1975 by the late Mrs C.M. (Edna) Nunn, 1979. This room commemorates the generous support to Kelaston by Thomas & Cora Turnbull.nameplates, kelaston

"RVIB is grateful for Mrs Janet Conn for her generous support of our work with children who are blind or vision impaired. Mrs Conn's donation was made in loving memory of her late husband, Mr Charles Conn. June 1999." Beneath this script is the Braille text of the above. Digital image of plaque with writing and BrailleRVIB is grateful for Mrs Janet Conn for her generous support of our work with children who are blind or vision impaired. Mrs Conn's donation was made in loving memory of her late husband, Mr Charles Conn. June 1999.royal victorian institute for the blind, janet conn, rvib burwood school

Undated cardboard sign for the RVIB. In use possibly around the 1980s or early 1990s.Digital image of RVIB sign on cardboardThe Royal Victorian Institute For The Blindroyal victorian institute for the blind, signage

Female sitting next to a Perkins Brailler reading a Braille book. In the background are Braille volumes and possibly a machine that binds loose sheet together. Most likely this room she is sitting in was used by transcribers.Digital image of female reading Braillebraille books, royal victorian institute for the blind

Female sitting at a table reading a Braille book. Behind her is a wall but nothing else in the room is featured.Digital image of woman reading Braillebraille books, royal victorian institute for the blind

A female secretary sits at a typewriter with earphones on, attached to a dictaphone. In the background are filing cabinets, a typewriter and shelves. Whilst the person is unknown, from her watch, glasses and typewriter, she could be a sighted volunteer or staff member.Digital image of woman seated at a typewriterroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

A young blond haired child in overalls moves carefully down a staircase and at the top/base of the stairs.Digital image of a young boy in overallsrvib burwood school, occupational therapy

A brown wooden award with the words 'Arthur Nothing Shield' inscribed at the top and, in white paint, 'For competition between Friendship Swish Club & Brighton Staff'. At the base is inscribed 'for Perpetual Competition'. There are 10 smaller silver plates, however only 3 of these are inscribed: Association Staff 1966, Friendship Swish Club 1967, Friendship Swish Club 1968.Image of wooden shield with metal plaquesArthur Nothling shieldassociation for the blind, recreation

Framed certificate. "This diploma is awarded to Tonkin Zulaikha Harford, client: Royal Blind Society of NSW for new Library services building, Royal Blind Society of NSW, Enfield in recognition of an architectural work of outstanding merit by the jury appointed to select buildings which most deserve this recognition among those nominated for an award in the year 1990 in the area of the New South Wales chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects." Embossed with the seal of the chapter and signed by the Chairman of the Jury and the President of the NSW chapter.Digital image of framed award for architectureroyal blind society of new south wales, award

The H. & L. Hecht Trust was established in 1970 to provide support for community development projects. One such project was the establishment of a Low Vision Aids Clinic at Kooyong, so that people with low vision had access to the devices and equipment that could assist them. The tablet reads: The establishment of this Low Vision Aids Clinic was made possible through the generosity of the trustees of the H. and L. Hecht Trust. Underneath this, on a wooden block upon which the tablet had been placed, This tablet was transferred from the original Low Vision Clinic.Digital image of metal plaque on boardassociation for the blind, h & l hecht trust

The growing need for assistive equipment and the increased demands upon the Association for the Blind, bigger premises were needed to house these services. In 1987 the Victorian Premier ceremonially layed the foundation stone for the new building that would become the Vision Resource Centre designed to meet this need. It was built using funds from the Vision Victorian Appeal and completed in 1989.2 digital images of metal plaqueAssociation for the Blind The foundation stone for the Vision Resource Centre was graciously unveiled by the Honourable John Cain, M.P., Premier of Victoria, on the 16th October, 1987. Association for the Blind The official opening of the Vision Resource Centre was performed by His Excellency, Dr. Davis McCaughey, A.C. Governor of Victoria, on the 3rd May 1989.association for the blind, john cain, dr davis mccaughey

In 1990, the Braille Library and Talking Book Library merged with the Association for the Blind, to ensure library services were maintained in Victoria. This plaque recognises the assistance provided to the new entity by the Port Phillip Rotarians.1 digital image of plaque with inscriptionRotary International (symbol) The Talking Book Library greatly appreciates the support received from the Rotary Club of Port Phillip - Melbourne March 1991association for the blind, braille and talking book library

Vision Australia Foundation RPH Print Radio Bendigo The services and facilities of RPH Print Radio Bendigo were made possible through the generous support of The John & Thirza Daly Charitable Trust Winifred & John Webster Charitable Trust The Jack Brockhoff Foundation and Collier Charitable FundDigital image of golden coloured plaquevision australia foundation, 3rph radio station

Vision Australia Foundation This plaque commemorates the official opening of Vision Australia Foundation Bendigo Community Services Centre by the Hon John Brumby MP, Minister for State and Regional Development and Minister for Innovation, 25 October 2002.Digital image of bronze coloured plaquevision australia foundation, nameplates

The Talking Book Library of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind is celebrating its 50th anniversary during 1984. This service began in 1934 with 78 rpm records. These were later superceded by 33rpm records which remained in use until 1960. The first cassettes were imported from England and weighed 7 lb. along with the player which weighed 28 lb. These 18 track cassettes usually contained one whole book. In the early 1970's a change was made to smaller cassettes containing 12 hours of recorded material on 6 tracks. The latest system currently being introduced is the Library of Congress 4 Track System utilising cassettes which play for 6 hours and machinery which is adaptable to the conventional 2 track system cassette. The Talking Book Library today provides services to 2500 readers as opposed to only 500 in 1964. The service is free of charge to anyone who is visually handicapped and includes talking books, talking book machines, mail service, servicing of machines at regular intervals and any modifications that may be required. Over 1600 cassettes are handled daily. The library currently holds over 3500 individual titles. Catalogues are available in print, audio and braille format. Once selection is made, borrowers may receive at least 3 books at any one time. Other services include current magazines, foreign language books, newspapers and magazines and regional country newspapers. Many books are recorded at the R.V.I.B. by our volunteer readers while others are bought from similar agencies in Australia and overseas. The department of the R.V.I.B. relies almost entirely on voluntary donations from the public. Other services provided by the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Community Resources Section, Aids & Equipment Shop, Tertiary Resource Service, Industrial Department, Retired Personnel Allowance, Children's Services, Social Services, Housing Loans, Vocational Development1 digital image of typewritten pageroyal victorian institute for the blind, talking books

Seven coloured photographs of Trieu Duong Tuong: Tuong playing with a pot and drum, a still from the Channel 9 news with Peter Hitchener and Feelix ambassador Sigrid Thornton, Tuong on a swing with an adult, Tuong with a ukele, a close up of Tuong's eyes, Tuong eating and Tuong in Vietname costume walking along St Kilda Road with the aid worker who helped bring him to Australia for the operation to relieve pressure caused by his undiagnosed glaucoma, Kim Thien Truong. Digital Image of framed collage of photographsThis plaque was presented to Vision Australia on October 2, 2011 by Kim's Foundation of Hope Inc. and its supporters for their outstanding dedication in improving the life of Trieu Duong Tuong. Many thanks. Kim's Foundation of Hope Inc. - Vong Tay Nhan Ai.vision australia foundation, children

Sporting trophies from various competitions staged at or between Illawarra, the AFB Geelong office, and others.3 digital images of three trophiesIllawarra Bowling Association, Mixed Pairs Championship, Runners Up - 1987/88 Jack Shearn & Anne Stewart Illawarra Bowls Club, R/Up Club Championship 89/90 Ann Stewart Illawarra Bowling Ass. 'Andy Ellis Aggregate' 1990/91 Anne Stewart Perpetual Trophy, Illawarra vs Newcomb S.C. Indoor Bowls Tournament, Nowell Plumridge Memorial Trophyassociation for the blind, awards

Framed photograph of a man looking at the camera. He has a salt and pepper mustache and wears a dark suit with white shirt and a dark thin tie. At present it is unknown which organisation he was involved with. The only clue are the words 'Robert Bruce' on the reverse of the frame.Digital image of man in suit and tierobert bruce

Donations for structural improvements were often acknowledged via plaques. In this example a sun lounge, at an unknown location, was funded through the Bennett family.Digital image of cast bronze plaqueThis sun lounge was provided through the generosity of Roy, Linda & Lorraine Bennett, November 1983.nameplates, royal victorian institute for the blind

Debra Barton was the National Volunteer Manager at Kooyong.10 digital images of Debra Bartonvision australia, debra barton

Prize awarded to Vision Australia Foundation as special prize for their success at the Whittlesea Agricultural Show. Unfortunately no records have yet been located to understand what this success involved, however handicrafts would be likely possibly.Image of paper certificate and sash awardedWhittlesea Agricultural Show Special Prize awarded to Vision Australia Foundation Exhibit: Most Successful Group 2003 Group: Sa Founded 1859 I.J. Ewert Esq., President Mrs J Sutherland J.P., Secretaryawards, vision australia foundation

This plaque recognises the assistance provided by the Westpac Banking Corporation.1 digital image of plaque with inscriptionThese services & facilities were made possible by the generous support of the Westpac Banking Corporationnameplates, westpac

On December 17,2007 the Carols by Candlelight launch was held in the City Square. With music by John Foreman, the McClymont sisters, Anthony Callea, Australia Girls Choir and others, Santa and live crosses from Channel 9 weatherman Steve Jacobs, there was much for attendees and passers by to be entertained by. At the centrepiece was the Law Family, who feature in this year's Carols by Candlelight program.166 images of attendees at the Carols launchcarols by candlelight, vision australia, gerard menses, chris chau, gavin strahan, rita townsend-booth, jayne law, kate law, nicholas law, jacob law, david law, steve jacobs, anthony callea, john foreman, mcclymonts, ryan betson, will betson, australian girls choir, marg harvey, rob mills

David Ham was an early resident of Ballarat.An image of a bearded man known as David Ham.david ham, ham

An image from a printed form. The are Channing's pupils. Printed on front "knowledge of power - get it" Some pupils of the School' Written in pen to identify one of the men 'W.R'. Written in pencil on verso: Channing's Pupils" "W.R. as marked" education, channing, pupils

Black and white image of the Ballarat Orphan Asylum.ballarat, ballarat orphan asylum, ballarat orphanage