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 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

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. Elsie Price, 1886-1897, was the daughter of David J and Mary Faithfull.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 original rectangular white paper certificate. Text is inside a border- all print is black. Details are handwritten.On back - many names. On front -"Mrs Price"award agricultural-show public-event

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

Made for the Orbost Historical Society. The first Orbost Museum was opened in 1967. It was situated in Nicholson Street, Orbost.This item is an historic record of the opening of the Orbost Museum.Six blue rectangular cards with darker blue print and a gold scalloped edge. They are unused invitations to the opening of the Orbost Museum in December, 1967.The Committee of the Orbost Historical Society invite _________ to the OPENING OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM by the Hon. Peter Nixon MP, Minister for the Interior on FRIDAY DECEMBER 1st 1967 at 3.00pmorbost-museum document-invitation

Cold storage Image of butter storage.butter storage

This book was used by the Orbost Rifle Club as a record of member's shooting handicaps.The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's. It had a substantial membership.A grey-covered book with a white cloth spine. The book has been used to record handicaps for the Orbost Rifle Club. The book is alphabetically indexed. The right hand corner has been torn off.On front cover in pen - Orbost Rifle Club Handicap Bookorbost-rifle-club documents shooting

These photographs were taken at the official opening of the Orbost - Bairnsdale Railway Line. In 3150.3 which is of a group of children and two adults those identified in the photograph are ; L - R front row Mary Gilbert; Warren; Betty Gilbert; Marion Gilbert; Mrs Shaw and son; ? Gay; and Pen Gilbert. In 3150.4 L-R front " Mary Gilbert; Bet Gilbert (sitting with glasses); Pen Gilbert(Richardson); Marion Gilbert ( middle front little girl) About 1912 work began at Newmerella on clearing the track for the railway line from Bairnsdale to Orbost. A canvas town sprang up on the higher land adjacent to the river flats. Local farmers supplied meat, milk and fresh produce to the camp, as well as gaining employment carting and labouring. The line opened in 1916, the Orbost railway station being built on the Newmerella side of the river.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. It is a pictorial record of a significant event in Orbost's history. On April 10 1916, the first scheduled train service left Orbost for Bairnsdale. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened to serve the agricultural and timber ndustry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. Four black / white postcards of people at the opening of The Orbost - Bairnsdale Railway. 3150.1 - on front - "The Ministerial Party" 3150.2 - on front - hand-written - " The Hon James Cameron" with arrow pointing to a man standing in the back row. at bottom - "The Ministerial Party X Florie Cameron" on back- "Opening the Orbost Railway" 3150.3 and 3150.4 - on back - hand-written "First train to Orbost with a list of names.orbost-bairnsdale-railway celebration-opening-of-railway east-gippsland-railway

The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's. This book was used by the club just before it folded.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.An almost new blue covered book for accounts and receipts. It has a navy blue spine and white print on the cover - "TUDOR DUPLICATE BOOK No. 37". It contains a record of ammunition. Only two pages of 100 have been used.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. The secretaries at the time of this book were D.Towers and ? Healey.arget 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 light brown covered book with a brown fabric binding. There is a white sticker label on the front - "Single Cash" in black print. It contains minutes .orbost-rifle-club minute-book

"The first Presbyterian Church service was conducted at the Orbost Station Homestead in 1885, during a visit by Sir William Clarke, who was accompanied by two ministers. The organist was resident Grace Jennings Carmichael. Services were later held in Mr J. W. Borland’s shop and the Mechanics Hall. In 1887, the land on which the church now stands was purchased from Mr James Hossack snr, for £50 ($100). The trustees were Mr John, Peter and Hugh Cameron, Mr John A Watt and Mr James Hossack Jnr. Timber from Richardson’s Tabbara Mill was used by builder Mr R. P. Cameron and at a cost of £311.3.7 ($622) the church was opened January 9th 1898." (from Newsletter 90 Margaret Smith) In 1928 the Sunday School hall was added to the church. Mr R.P. Cameron was the contractor for both the manse and the church. The first communion service was held on July 17 1892. the Presbyterian Church was commenced in Orbost in 1855 when the Reverend Chas Attwood was settled in pastoral charge.This is a pictorial record of the Presbyterian Church in Orbost as it was in the mid 20th century. It is now the Orbost Uniting Church hall, known as St Andrews Hall,A black /white postcard photograph of the Orbost Presbyterian Church, a wooden structure with a wooden picket fence at the front and trees on right and left sides. on back - " H Gap, Presbyterian Church Orbost"presbyterian-church-orbost religion

A new bridge over the Snowy River at Orbost was opened for traffic on June 20th 1922. It was a new timber and steel girder structure, a joint Country Roads Board — Victorian Railways venture and 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 ever used by road traffic. Postcards form a vital part of social and historical records for researchers. This postcard is a pictorial record of an earlier bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost.A black / white postcard photograph of a bridge over the Snowy River at Orbost.0n front - The Rose Series P1200 copyright Bridge Over Snowy River Orbost Vic.snowy-river-bridge

This is a program for the 7th Annual Timber Ball held in August 1996. It was sponsored by the Timber Industry.Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years. The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and these balls are no longer held. Community balls and dances are becoming rarer as more home entertainment is available and musical tastes have changed. This item is reminiscent of a previous social activity.A pale mauve coloured paper folded in half as a program. Print is black. Front page is framed with a graphical musical frame. Underneath print are images of two timber trucks on either side of a tree. The wording is : "Members of the Orbost Timber Ball Committee welcome you to our 7th Annual Ball Saturday 24 August 1996.' Inside are the names of committee members and sponsors. dancing recreation orbost-timber-industry

The book was collated by Debbie Hall. Orbost Fire brigade was founded in 1919. The first captain was George Hodgson, assisted by Lieutenant Reg Macalister, Secretary J.F.McCoy and fifteen members. .As there was no fire station the ree l ( a cast off fro m the Bairnsdale Brigade ) w as kep t in the shed at the back of the Council Chambers until the present Station was built in 1922 in its present location in Gladstone Street, Orbost. This book is a written record of the first one hundred years of the Orbost Fire Brigade.Two copies of a paperback book with a white cover and red print. On the cover is a photo of a fire truck in a rectangular frame. The book was produced for the 75th Anniversary of Orbost Fire Brigade 1919-1994. The book contains black and white photographs of Fire brigade activities and extracts from the "Snowy River Mail".In blue pen - "Presented to the Orbost Historical Society from Orbost Fire Brigade - November 12th 1994"book orbost-fire-brigade

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

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 two bridges on the railway viaduct, which crosses the Snowy River floodplain at Orbost, were built from local Southern Mahogany. The bridge on the Bairnsdale end (770m) is now the longest in Victoria. Despite various attempts to extend the line, the station stayed on the western side of the Snowy River. (info. Helen Martin)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 photograph / postcard of the Orbost township in the background and the railway viaduct over the flats in the foreground.photo caption - The Rose Series P.479 copywright SNOWY RIVER FLATS, ORBOST, VIC"east-gippsland-railway orbost-viaduct

Ron Peck machined the driving sprockets for Bren Gun Carriers which were sent to North Africa. The Rats of Tobruk, the Egypt and Rommell campaign used these munitions. He boarded at Orbost House while doing 12 hour day shifts.During WW11 munitions and defence equipment were manufactured by state government and private engineering firms, co-ordinated by the Commonwealth government. They worked together to meet Australia’s defence needs and create ‘mass production, on a nation-wide scale, of materials and articles of a higher degree of complexity and accuracy than had before been attempted in Australia. These sprockets were manufactured locally.Two metal sprockets for a Bren Gun carrier. One metal ring gear.munitions sprockets bren-gun-carrier peck-james-ronald orbost-motor-works

Japanese ladies from the clothing factory camp 4. Mr Murayama, the tailor, in centre of photograph.Black and white photograph of approximately 55 Japanese ladies and 4 Australian warders. The clothing factory staff. mr murayama, camp 4 clothing factory, japanese ladies at clothing factory

This photograph shows the former Orbost Police Station in Wolseley Street before it was demolished and a new larger brick building was built behind it in Lawson Lane - late 1980s.This is a pictorial record of a significant community building no longer existing.A large black / white photograph of the Orbost township police station. It is a weatherboard building surrounded by trees. A sign "POLICE" is hanging from a pole.on back - " Orbost Police Station in Wolseley Street, Donated by Debbie Hall 31/8/94"orbost-police-station

Used in the office of the Port Fairy Butter Factory which was located on Gipps Street facing the end of Bank Street.Black cast iron seal with wooden handle. Decorated with gold designPort Fairy Cheese and Butter Factory Company, Port Fairy Limitedport fairy cheese and butter factory company, port fairy dairy farming, butter, factory, gipps street, company seal