Oral history interview and partial transcript of Peter Cronin by Judith Buckrich, with Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 1 audio recording of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, peter cronin

Oral history interview and partial transcript of David Blyth by Judith Buckrich, with Jess Blyth and Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 4 audio recordings of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, david blyth, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, jess blyth

Aerial photo of the RVIB St Kilda Road buildings and grounds, scanned from an unknown printed source. On the image are written descriptions of buildings, including the width and length of those erected in 1920's, the isolation hospital and the segregation of boys and girls playing areas. 1 scanned image of RVIB St Kilda Road from airGirls playground School & residential buildings Boys playground Isolation hospital This building, erected in 1926 - is 200 ft long & 40 ft wide Each floor of this new two storied building erected in 1926 is 100 ft long & 40 ft wide These recently erected factories measure 20,000 sq ft Ormond Hall for socials, etc. St Kilda Road frontageroyal victorian institute for the blind, buildings

Metal badge with orange background and white text (Buy a Candy Cane), with blue and pink 'candy canes' as graphics in background. There is a stylised sketch of a person with a white cane above the letters 'RVIB'. Possibly produced as part of White Cane Week celebrations, it was most likely used to raise funds and awareness.Large badge with orange background and white writingBuy a Candy Cane RVIB badges, royal victorian institute for the blind

A wooden coaster with the Carols by Candlelight logo of two candle adult shaped figures stand beside a smaller candle child shaped figure, with the words 'RVIB Carols by Candlelight' arching over the top of the figures and 'Qantas presents' above this.1 round wooden coaster with inscriptionQantas presents RVIB Carols by Candelightcarols by candlelight, royal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising

This wooden box and other small gifts were given to performers at Carols by Candlelight as a small thank you for donating their time and talents at the concert. The Carols by Candlelight logo of two candle adult shaped figures stand beside a smaller candle child shaped figure, with the words 'Carols by Candlelight 2001' arching over the top of the figures and 'RVIB' at the base of the figures.1 dark brown wooden box with hinged lid and green lining on baseCarols by Candelight 2001 RVIBcarols by candlelight, royal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising

Coin collections have a long and varied history. Coins were often collected in churches in a box located near the entrance/exit, and later via a collection plate that was passed amongst the congregation Funds were used to repair the church or feed the poorest of the parish. The donation of coins is and was considered part of religious life and mentioned in Christian, Jewish and Islamic texts. With the need and expansion of charitable works occurring outside religious life, charity boxes began to spread into hospitals, orphanages and asylums. The need for non-fixed boxes grew with the rise in charities and their activities outside a fixed building. Collection boxes could be large (and therefore hard to move) or could be held by individuals acting as collection agents, working at a specific location, moving between dwellings or at events. These boxes were designed to be reused, with a pop out section in the base.2 x metal coin collection tins with printed sidesFront: The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind St Kilda Road The only Institute in Victoria for teaching blind adults trades & professions educating & maintaining blind children & babies (Lighthouse with words radiating out from light) Modern cottage homes Pensions - after care & sick fund Prevention of blindness lectures, etc. Free wireless radio for needy cases Boat shed & club house Professions & trades Blind babies nursery Wireless sets Social club Happiness for the blind every day & night Musical education Higher education Domestic science classes for blind women & girls A free education Maintenance of blind children The Lighthouse! As a thanksgiving for sight Please place a coin in this box and help to keep the Beacon Light flashing for the Institute's Blind Adults, Babies and Children Side: (Picture of two girls playing with dolls house) Our blind babies and pupils will probably spend 70 years in our Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind St Kilda Road As a thanksgiving for sight please help make their years very happy ones by placing a coin in this box! Reverse front: (Drawing of a man holding his hand to his eyes as a blast occurs in front of him, pushing small objects towards his body.) It might hit You or Me! Please! Will You? As a thanksgiving for the sight you and your dear ones possess, please place a coin in this box to assist the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, St Kilda Road, and its Blind Adults, Children and Babies! Reverse side: (picture of workshop at RVIB) One of our many spacious workshops provided by public subscription! The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind is faced with the problem of employing and otherwise assisting its blind workers. It gives them charitable allowances in addition to their earnings, amounting to approximately 15,000 (pounds) every year, to enable them to support their wives and families! No profits can therefore be made! This 15,000 (pounds) is distributed because the great handicap of blindness prevents blind persons from earning as much as their more fortunate sighted fellows. Please! Ask Storekeepers for our Baskets, Mats, Brooms, etc. And as a thanksgiving for Your Sight place a coin in this box for our blind adults, children and babies! Embossed on the top of the box is Royal Victorian Institute for the Blindfundraising, royal victorian institute for the blind

Wooden plaque in the shape of Victoria with the Victorian Police symbol (5 point star, surrounded by green leaves, topped with a red crown, round circle in the middle of the star containing the words 'Victorian Police' around a blue cross on a red background with 5 stars on the cross, and 'Uphold the Right' under the circle), to the left. The inscription to RVIB is on the right.Wooden plaque in shape of Victoria with police emblem on left sideTo the Staff of RVIB With Thanks Crime Department 1989royal victorian institute for the blind, nameplates

F2 - Coir matting loom is expertly handled by this blind operator. F5 - Machine cold binding of a millet broom. F7 - Final trimming of a special mat. F9 - Checking and packaging of brush ware is easy to this tradesman.4 B/W photographs of workers in the mat and brush shopsF2 - Mat Shop 1 1964 F5 - BFactory 3 F7 - Pic N123, 6846# F9 - Brush Factory 5 6846# 1964royal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Worker at the loom in the mat shop.1 B/W photographroyal victorian institute for the blind

Scanned image taken from annual report of an orchestra consisting of blind students, advertising their availability to play at social occasions for hire.Scanned page of annual report on Blind Orchestrarvib orchestra, fundraising

Badges were created to identify staff members. These consisted of a oval with a gold lighthouse on a blue background and the words 'For the Blind' in gold across the middle of the lighthouse . Around the outside, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' was written in gold against a navy blue background. 1 metal pin with gold lighthouse on blue background'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' royal victorian institute for the blind, badges

To honour the commitment of its Auxiliary, badges were awarded to commemorate 25 years of service. These consisted of a oval with a gold lighthouse on a blue background and the words 'Auxiliary' in gold across the middle of the lighthouse. Around the outside, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' was written in gold against a navy blue background, as well as the number '25' at the base of the lighthouse. 1 metal pin depicting a gold lighthouse with shining light and writing around outside'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' 'Auxiliary' '25'royal victorian institute for the blind, badges

To identify members of its Auxiliary, badges were provided. These consisted of a oval with a gold lighthouse on a light green background and the words 'For the Blind' in gold across the middle, either side of the lighthouse. Around the outside, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' was written in gold against a black background, with 'Auxiliary' across the middle of the lighthouse. 1 metal pin with gold lighthouse and shining light'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' 'Auxiliary'royal victorian institute for the blind, badges

To honour the commitment of its Auxiliary, badges were awarded to commemorate 25 years of service. These consisted of a oval with a gold lighthouse on a blue background and the words 'Auxiliary' in gold across the middle of the lighthouse and '25 years' either side of the lighthouse at the base. Around the outside, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' was written in gold against a navy blue background. 1 metal pin with gold lighthouse and shining light'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' 'Auxiliary'royal victorian institute for the blind, badges

With the growth of the Institution, demographic details needed to be recorded along with basic client information This register contains the handwritten entries of registration number, date, name in full, year of birth date classification of gender and age range (5-10 years, 10-15, 15-25, 25-35 or 35 and over), religion, birthplace, previous address, cause of blindness, terms of admission, name and address of parent or guardian. Discharges were also recorded with the registration number, date of discharge, name in full, classification (same as above) and remarks. All entries are recorded according to the date of entry and at each financial year the number of indoor pupils, outdoor pupils and journeymen would be tallied. This register covers the period 1/7/1893 to 30/6/1967. Extremely limited name searching is available for this register, due to its poor condition.1 volume of handwritten entries into columnsroyal victorian institute for the blind, rvib burwood school

A series of maintenance drawings were made or copied by an architectural firm. These plans include: 1 - St Kilda Road Property - a site map of the buildings and grounds with the names of the various areas added. 2 - St Kilda Road Central Building (copied from a RAAF drawing) showing rooms on the ground floor. 3 - St Kilda Road Central Building (copied from a RAAF drawing) showing rooms on the first floor. 4 - St Kilda Road Central Building roof plan. 5 - St Kilda Road Factories showing the layout on the ground floor. 6 - St Kilda Road Factories showing the layout on the first floor. 7 - St Kilda Road building showing all three floors of the building rented out to Alfred Hospital. 8 - St Kilda Road caretaker, factory, fundraising and rehabilitation training buildings. 9 - Raleigh Street, Prahran hostel layout for both girls and boys.9 pages of plans of buildings on St Kilda road siteVarious - see individual plansmyer house, royal victorian institute for the blind, plans, raleigh street hostel, alfred hospital

Rectangular box of matches sold at Carols by Candlelight. White box with blue lighthouse logo on one side, with the words in blue lettering 'Please Support', and on the reverse side in black lettering 'Happy Christmas to your Family' with the Coles Myer Ltd. logo in red and blue.1 box of red headed matchesPlease support Royal Victorian Institute for the Blindcarols by candlelight, fundraising

To honour the commitment of its Auxiliary, badges were awarded to commemorate 10, 20 and 25 years of service. These consisted of a circle or oval with a gold lighthouse on a blue/green background and the words 'Auxiliary' in gold across the middle of the lighthouse. Around the outside, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' was written in gold' against a navy blue background, with the relevant number of years at the base of the badge or lighthouse.Metal pin with gold lighthouse and number of years servedroyal victorian institute for the blind, badges

To honour the commitment of its staff, badges were awarded to commemorate years of service or honorary positions. These consisted of a circle with a gold lighthouse on a contrasting background. Around the outside, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' was written in gold' against various backgrounds, with '50 years' or 'Life Governor' at the base of the badge.Metal pin with gold lighthouse with shining lightRoyal Victorian Institute for the Blind 50 years Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Life Governorroyal victorian institute for the blind, badges

To identify staff members, badges were provided. These consisted of a circle with a gold lighthouse on a mid-blue background. Around the outside, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' was written in mid-blue against a gold background.Metal pin with enamel image of lighthouseRoyal Victorian Institute for the Blindroyal victorian institute for the blind, badges

To identify members of its Auxiliary, badges were provided. These consisted of a oval with a gold lighthouse on a pale blue background and the words 'For the Blind' in gold across the middle, either side of the lighthouse. Around the outside, 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' was written in gold against a royal navy blue background, with 'Auxiliary' at the base of the badge. 1 metal pin depicting a golden lighthouse'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' 'Auxiliary'royal victorian institute for the blind, badges

The 'Blind' Orchestra on stage at Ormond Hall, surrounded by potted ferns. Instruments included drums, piano, banjos, trombone, saxophones, double bass and violins. Unfortunately no information on names at this stage. In the background, the organ is also visible.Seventeen musicians dressed in tuxedosrvib orchestra, ormond hall

Two men place large paper packages on to a pallet, with another pallet load of packages to the right of the image. In the background, four workers sit - two of them working on making the paper packages.1 B/W photographroyal victorian institute for the blind

Large round sign with yellow lighthouse shining yellow lights either side on blue background. Around the outside of the circle in yellow writing is: Royal Victorian Institute (upper half) and For the Blind (lower half). The words 'Mid Western' and 'District Office' sit either side of the lighthouse.Blue and yellow large round signRoyal Victorian Institute for the Blind Mid Western District Officenameplates, royal victorian institute for the blind