To honour 15 years of service, a gold coloured medallion inset to a wooden column was awarded to individuals. On the front is a cameo of a woman wearing a pendant and an old fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Association for the Blind Ltd. Tilly Aston Medal' and below this '15 Year Honorary Service'. On the back of some awards is a printed panel: 'Tilly Aston, at the age of 21 years and herself blind, founded the Association for the Blind in 1895. Visionary, administrator, teacher and poet, Miss Aston brought together sighted and blind people in a partnership of action to improve the lives of blind people. This award recognises the continuing accord and tradition of friendship and selfless service which she initiated.'1 blonde wooden stand with gold tone inlaid medallionJohn O. Wicking, Presented 17.9.93 Mardi McCann 18.5.2000 Neil Maxwell 27.02.98 Elizabeth Maxwell Presented 16.10.92association for the blind, awards, john wicking, mardi mccann, neil maxwell, elizabeth maxwell

Wooden walking cane believed to have been owned and used by Tom Marks, one of the founding members for the Association for the Advancement of the Blind. He became President in 1900 and served again in the post from 1935 to 1937. Mr Marks's ability to network provided the Association with funds and advice for many years, and he was also fulfilled the position of Secretary for 23 years (1904-1927). This polished wooden walking stick is an example of how canes were not always painted white and could be utilised as both a navigational and support device.Wooden walking stick with black rubber tiptom marks, assistive devices

This tape is from the first telegram ever sent in Western Australia. This important event occurred on 21 June 1869. At this time the transmitted message was received on paper tape and later transcribed onto a telegram form for delivery. The original tape was presented to the Honourable Frederick Palgrave Barlee, Colonial Secretary of Western Australia, as a souvenir. "FPB" appears on an engraved shield on the lid. James Coats Fleming, the first telegraphist and later Superintendent of Telegraphs, sent the telegram. During 1875, Colonial Secretary Barlee transferred from Perth to Belize and then to Trinidad where he died in 1884. The fate of the case and spool, souvenir of that first telegram, was unknown. In July 1940, the WA Agent-General in London advised the Premier's Department in Western Australia that a Mrs EW Hillyer of Hertfordshire had the spool and case and was willing to sell it for ten guineas ($21). The Postmaster General's Department agree to the purchase and it duly arrived by registered mail. As a communications museum was planned in Melbourne, it was sent there to be included in the collection. Nothing more was heard until early 1980s when the relic arrived at the Post and Telecommunication museum in Perth. The case had been found in an old Melbourne strongroom where it had apparently been placed for safe-keeping and then forgotten. Initial attempts to decode the message on the tape were unsuccessful. Eventually, it was discovered that the Western Australian Telegraph Company, responsible for that first transmission, had devised its own code. A copy was obtained from the Battye Library and the message deciphered.This Morse tape is of historic significance as the first telegram ever sent in Western Australia. The occasion was momentous as the transition point between isolation and ease of connection for business and personal communications. The case is of aesthetic interest for the craftsmanship involved in the engraved text. Further, the tape has research potential owing to the unique information contained within this tape; that is, the code of the Western Australian Telegraph Company. This tape, may in turn be used to decode further messages sent by the Western Australian Telegraph Company. As the first telegraph message sent in Western Australia, this tape is rare. Despite a tumultuous journey from 1869 to the early 1980s, the tape's ceremonial wooden case provides provenance information which supports the tape's historic importance.Small wooden case (.1) holding a length of morse tape (.2) which was the first telegram ever sent in Western Australia . Wound onto a mother of pearl reel (.3). Accompanying signs and decoded message (.4,.5)..1 engraved on a metal shield shaped plaque on the lid: "WESTERN AUSTRALIAN / TELEGRAPHS / FPB" Inside: 'TRANSLATION OF REGISTER / TO THE CHAIRMAN OF FREMANTLE TOWN TRUST / His Excellency Colonel Bruce heartily congratulates the / inhabitants of Fremantle on this annihilation of distance / between the Port and the Capital, and he requests that this, / the first message, may be made publicly known. / GOVERNMENT HOUSE, / PERTH, June 21, 1869 / Transmitted 11 am / J.C.F."|.2: "Instrument Register / of the First / Telegraphic Message / in / Western Australia"|.3: "The first Telegraph Pole / in / WESTERN AUSTRALIA / was erected by / The Hon. Frederick P. Barlee / Colonial Secretary / on 19th Febr. 1869"telegram, commemorative item, morse inker, morse tape, morse code, code, postmaster-general's department

This telegram was sent from the Royal Netherlands Airways, Sydney, to the manager of ABC Radio Station 2CO, Corowa, New South Wales. This telegram relates to the 1934 London to Melbourne Air Race. The telegram records the Royal Netherlands Airways' thanks to ABC Radio 2CO radio staff for their efforts in broadcasting an emergency message to the residents of Albury after the Dutch airliner ‘Uiver’ became lost at night in bad weather. As requested local radio listeners drove their cars to the Albury racecourse and illuminated an emergency landing ground using their vehicle headlights. This allowed the lost airliner to land safely.This item relates to the London to Melbourne Air Race of 1934, a significant event that shaped Australia's history as it proved travelling to and from Australia could be done within a reasonable time by air, thereby making the country less isolated. Up to that time Australia was three weeks away from Europe by steam ship. The Air Race was dreamt up by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Harold Smith, to commemorate the centenary of Victoria's statehood and was sponsored by the Melbourne chocolate manufacturer Sir MacPherson Robertson. The Royal Netherlands Airways entered a Douglas DC2 plane 'Uiver' - the largest aircraft in the race, and the only one to carry passengers as well as crew, to show that a commercial passenger service to Australia was possible. But in the last leg of the race, the Uiver lost its way in an electrical storm over the Riverina town of Albury. Several communication methods were used to land the plane safely, including the signalling of the word "Albury" in Morse code using the town's street lights. Local ABC Radio station 2CO also made a call for locals to light up a makeshift landing strip for the plane at the town's racecourse. The plane landed safely and the next morning with the help of the townspeople who pulled it out of the mud, took off and finished the race in second place. The story of the Uiver points to the importance of communication in its various forms: two-way and broadcast radio, Morse, and light signals. The survival of the Uiver is a reflection of the ingenuity of Australian communications and the solutions that can be found through the sharing of ideas of information. The landing of the Uiver was an important moment in Albury's social history, as residents participated in the rescue of the plane and its passengers, helping the Uiver to continue on its journey and finish second in the Race. When the Uiver crashed in the Syrian Desert in December 1934, Albury residents contributed to a memorial which honoured those who were killed. Beige paper telegram printed with black ink and overwritten with typewriter. Telegram split into sections designating details of the telegram, details of the recipient and a space for the transmitted message. A small section of paper is missing from bottom left corner."Extend to you my warmest appreciation for your most valuable / assistance rendered to Netherlands machine by continuously keeping your / wireless organisation available during a period of extremely difficult / air navigation stop I assure you that in Holland and in Java your action / is most deeply appreciated Bakker chief representative in Australia for / Royal Netherlands airways. / 6 18pm"telegrams, telegraphic messages, communications, radio, uiver, royal netherlands airways, albury, london to melbourne air race, morse code

(1) 8 copies Plan by E.M. Gibson. (2) Report to Accompany Master Garden Plan for Burnley Gardens by E.M. Gibson 1.12.1949. Includes all areas around new Administration Building. Refers to help from C.R.T.S. students. Note: Master Garden Plan itself not found.e.m. gibson, burnley gardens, crts, students

Handwritten note on back of government form stating that plans were found in a plan press in PWDstockman's residence, plans, a.w. jessep

roof garden, ian smith, construction

Photographs taken by Julieanne Webster, Mrs. Dorothy Jessep's Great NieceThe 2 Jessep Camellia japonica flowers (1) "A.W. Jessep." Ivory white. Registered Kallista, Victoria by Dr Merrillees in 1950 from seed found under Camellia japonica "Grandiflora Alba." (2, 3) "Dorothy Jessep." Pink. Named after A. W. Jessep's wife by W. Hazelwood of Hazelwood Nursery in 1949.camellia, a.w. jessep, dorothy jessep, julieanne webster

Photograph Album purchased on e-bay by Jane Wilson on 08.05.2011 for $50. G.A. Thomas graduated 1930.Black and white and sepia photographs and newspaper cuttings (NC). Many of the photographs are found in other albums from the same period. Label inside, "Burnley Snaps, G.A. Thomas, 'Essilmont', Castlemaine." Handwritten labels.burnley snaps, g.a. thomas, essilmont, castlemaine, students, recreation, lily ponds, students working outside, frank's point, rock point, the rockery, pavilion, principal's residence, staff, allender, edna walling, e.e. pescott, dahlias

Note attached from Clive Sorrell dated 4/3/02 states that the photograph was found in the bottom of an old desk and that Barry Dimelow is kneeling bottom left.Group of students with Barry Dimelow (bottom left).tatura, 1963, students, barry dimelow, clive sorrell, vice-principal

Samuel Bolton of 244 Union Road, Surrey Hills in his 'Druid's Collar' in 1950. Samuel and his son-in-law Patrick Burns were staunch Druids. The Lodge met monthly in the Rechabite Hall in Canterbury Road. The United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD) was founded in Victoria around 1862. An account is included in Ken James' book 'Surrey Hills Friendly Societies'. This is based on Box Hill Reporter articles and material in relevant files at PROV. Summary: The Surrey Hills Lodge was established in 1890. The trustees were Ernest W Opperman (newsagent), James H Corstorphan (grocer) and Thomas White (plasterer). Opening night was 27 November 1890 and early meetings were held in Br Corstorphan's home in Canterbury Road on Tuesday evenings. By 1891 the ledge had 80 members. Samuel (1978-1951) was a butcher who came to Surrey Hills from Euroa some time between 1926-1931. His shop was at the Mon Albert terminus. After he sold it, it became part of the supermarket on the north side of Whitehorse Road. He was married in 1879 to Elizabeth Beatrice Maker (1881-1963).A black and white photograph of a man with regalia collar around his neck.(mr) samuel bolton, union road, surrey hills, druids, rechabite hall, clothing and dress, united ancient order of druids, druid's regalia, regalia, friendly societies

President's report including shortages of staff and suitable dogs, the work of the Stawell (founded in 1966) and Beeac (founded in 1970) Auxiliaries, working with Kua Cheng Hock and his dog Stacy in both Australia and Singapore, donation by Rodney Haig of his prize money for Tattersalls award, the purchase of a caravan and workshop to provide services in Queensland, and the success of the hostel and day centre programs. Articles on 'How a Seeing Eye Dog is Trained' by Kim Gration, profile of Phyllis Gration and the establishment of Lady Nell, as well as Patti Gration losing her mobility due to an accident, as well as images of various people with Seeing Eye dogs.1 volume with text and illustrationsannual reports, lady nell seeing eye dog school, harry vanderjagt, phyllis gration, patti gration

To honour the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Association for the Blind (then Association for the Advancement of the Blind), sister organisation Seimei Association for the Aged Blind sent this plaque.1 digital image of metal letter to AFB from Seimei Association for the Welfare of the Aged BlindMr John Moule President Association for the Blind In celebration of the Centenary of The Association for the Blind. A Seed of Love planted one century ago has grown to the commendable and universal Association for which I pay my hearty respect. I feel honored of our Sisterhood Agreement which marks the 10th Anniversary this year and wish this agreement of our mutual reliance will enrich advanced care and services for the blind and also to develop mutual friendships between two countries. 8th December 1995 Akio Honma President Director The Seimei Association for The Welfare of the Aged Blind, Tokyo (Japanese characters)seimei association for the welfare of aged blind inc., association for the blind

Takeo Iwahashi was the founder of the Nippon Lighhouse for the Blind in Japan. He made an enormous contribution to the lives and progress of blind people around the world, and was a great friend of Helen Keller. The annual Takeo Iwahashi Award was founded in his memory and is awarded to a "worker for the blind whose contribution to work for the blind in the fields of education, training, rehabilitation, placement, prevention and cure of blindness, administration of services for the welfare of the blind or any other program related to the welfare of the blind has been outstanding." Hugh Jeffrey won this award in 1988. This intricate and delicate presentation envelope is made from a heavy guage paper/fabric blend. It features a small addition of origami on the front, as well as Japanese calligraphy and a gold and silver knotted ribbon holding it closed. Originally the envelope unfolded to a large size with a red liner, and contained the Award certificate and cheque for the prize money.Handmade paper envelope with red edging and gold and silver ribbonshugh jeffrey, awards

Founded in 1891, the Ellams Duplicator Company produced drum and flat duplicators that copied a stenciled sheet and allowed multiple copies to be made. Considered desk top, this rather heavy machine was operated by turning the handle and could turn out 100 copies a minute. This would have been useful for donation request letters or large print newsletters.1 black case holding a black drum and metal platesEllams Rotary Duplicator Self Feeding Ellams Duplicator Co Ltd 12 King Street London E.C. Alfred Street, Brisbane, Australiaoffice equipment, ellams

"This room is dedicated to the memory of Mary Longman, founded of the University of the Third Age at Kooyong and a tireless worker for blind and vision impaired people." Underneath this is the braille transcription of the above and a U3A symbol. This room was located behind reception and used for many meetings as well as gathering of U3A.1 digital image of blue sign with white inscriptionnameplates, mary longman

Three commemorative, but also usable, spoons with 'Lady Nell' and 'Seeing Eye Dog School' on a beige background, around a blue and beige circle with a dog in harness in the middle. An orange background as the outer rim makes it resemble an eye. The bowl and handles of the three spoons vary in design. Spoon collecting was a popular hobby during the late 1970s and early 1980s amongst souvenir hunters who found it an easily portable way to track their travels and interests. 3 silver plated spoons with various bowl and handle shapesfundraising, lady nell seeing eye dog school

Business card used by Ron Black in his role as a Public Relations officer. It was found inside an album of images that he used when speaking about the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales and it's programs.1 white with burgundy print and RBS logoroyal blind society of nsw, ron black

RNIB sold a number of devices around the world, including games, clocks, brailling equipment and handicraft items. These are listed in this catalogue and some are found in this collection. 62 page booklet with black and white illustrationsroyal national institute for the blind, braille equipment, games, recreation equipment

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

The Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog School was founded at Wonga Park in April 1960. This plaque commemorates the official opening by Hon. T.W. Mitchell and reads: This plaque marks the opening of the Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog School by the Hon. T.W. Mitchell M.L.A. on the 10th April 1960. Later that year, a property at 16 Thanet Street Malvern was purchased, and the school relocated to that site.This plaque marks the opening of the Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog School by the Hon. T.W. Mitchell M.L.A. on the 10th April 1960nameplates, lady nell seeing eye dog school

The Herb Society of Victoria provided assistance with design in 1984 and Coora Cottage Herbs donated plants. Memorial birdbath and fountain donated by the Herb Society of Victoria and the family of the late Enid Carberry, founding member of the Herb Society and contemporary of Edna Walling 1913-1916. Early and later versions of the Herb Garden. (1) "Herb Garden version 1983." (2) Herb garden 1983." (3) "Herb Garden 1983." (4-8) Nick Osborne and ? In the Herb Garden later version.herb garden, the herb society of victoria, coora cottage herbs, memorial birdbath, fountain, enid carberry, nick osborne

Found in the Quad Classroom storage area. Probably staff photographs.11 photographs, 9 of a student cutting bricks outside the Landscape Centre. 1 of a student inside the Landscape Centre doing? And 1 of students learning to build stone walls. Probably staff photos.students, bricks, landscape centre, stone walls, student outside classes, landscape shed