These were compiled for the WW1 exhibition held in Orbost in April 2015.During World War 1 letters were a welcome means of personal communication for many people. Most information came from newspapers or broadcasts. Two blue plastic folders containing copies of letters from Gallipoli. They are printed copies of letters which had ben publuished in the Snowy River Mail from 10.9.1915 - 10.10.1915.On folders -Folders Made in Chinagallipoli-correspondence ww1 soldiers-orbost

These documents were used in the WW1 exhibition held in Orbost April 2015.This item is a useful reference tool.A white ring binder with plastic sleeves containing information on the Orbost men who died during WW1, On the ront is a coloured photograph of David Young kneeling beside a gravestone.ww1 soldiers-orbost

These two albums were used at the Slab Hut - Orbost Visitor Information Centre. The Orbost Visitor Information Centre is situated in Forest Park on Nicholson Street. The centre is housed in the historic Slab Hut. The hut was an original family dwelling built in 1872, on a site approximately three kilometres upstream from the junction of the Buchan and Snowy Rivers. No nails were used in the construction; it was all wired together. After a period in storage the slab hut was opened in its present location in Orbost as the Information Centre in 1987.These albums are contemporary records of the construction and relocation of an iconic Orbost building, the Slab Hut.Two large photo albums. 2280.1 has no front cover. The back cover and spine are red. The pages are black and most photos are labelled. They are photographs of the Orbost area. 2280.2 has brown covers. It contains photographs of the construction of the gardens and buildings around the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre). On the cover in gold print is "PHOTOS".slab-hut-orbost album-photographs-orbost

This album was used at the Orbost Visitor Information Centre (the Slab Hut). The Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre) is an Orbost icon. This slab hut was built in 1872 as a family dwelling on a site about 3 km upstream from the junction of the Buchan and Snowy Rivers about 40 kms from Orbost on the Yalmy Rd. No nails were used in the construction; it was all wired together. After a period in storage the slab hut was opened in its present location in Orbost as the Information Centre in 1987.This item is a useful reference tool for the history of Orbost.A large photo album containing copies of photographs, some historical articles and b/w photos of Orbost. The covers are brown with a narrow gold frame. it has no spine and the covers are tied with tape. The pages, all different sizes, are bolted in.orbost-history album-photographs

The 1884-1885 Directory was the first year of publication for the Middleton and Manning's Gippsland Directory. It was first published by Ale Middleton and Francis Beresford Manning. Beginning with advertisements from local businesses of the time, this is followed by a short gazetteer of places around the region, as well as general information on the districts of Gippsland. The main part of the Directory consisting of about 100 pages, is the Alphabetical Directory. Listed alphabetically by surname under each region, this lists heads of household (mostly male but there are a few females mentioned), together with their occupation and address.The list includes farmers, labourers, coach painters, dairywoman, teacher, saddler, brickmaker, merchant, laundress, hotel keeper, minister of religion, dressmaker, grocer, grazier, gasfitter, seedsman, coachbuilder, engineer, auctioneer, upholsterer, fowler, journalist, surveyor, musician, traveller, watchmaker, solicitor, restaurant keeper, blacksmith and miner. It is not just "business owners" mentioned in this directory it is everyone. (ref Gen E Books)This is a useful reference tool.A 135 pp soft covered book with an orange/brown cover. On the front cover in black print is a range of advertisements or local businesses. It contains a short gazetteer of places in the region as well as general information on the districts of Gippsland. The main part of the directory is an alphabetical list of the household , with occupations and addresses. This is a reprint of the original.directory-gippsland book-middleton-manning-1884-5

Albert Jaime Grassby, AM was an Australian politician who served as Minister for Immigration in the Labor Whitlam Government. He completed reforms in immigration and human rights, and is often known as the father of Australian "multiculturalism". Prior to this Grassby worked as a journalist and information officer for the CSIRO in Griffith, New South Wales.This item is a useful reference tool on the history of Griffith in New South Wales.A 46 pp paper back book titled, " Griffith of the Four Faces". on the front cover is a coloured aerial photograph of Griffith, New South Wales. The book contains coloured photographs and a history of the area.on front cover hand-written in blue pen - "M. Gilbert"griffith-new-south-wales griffith-history

This item is probably a copy of a book produced for tourists and may have been used in the Slab Hut (Orbost visitor Information Centre). The articles contained in the booklet are dated in the 1900's.This booklet is a useful research tool.A small booklet with a laminated cover.It contains black/ white photocopies of early Orbost businesses.On front cover - handwritten "Harry Hudson"booklet-orbost-businesses

This album was a display item at the Slab Hut (Orbost Information Centre).Scrapbooks are a reflection of an individual's interests and stories and are often meant to be passed down through generations. They can be a useful research tool as they reflect contemporary interests.A rectangular shaped album / scrapbook with a dark grey /brown cardboard cover and grey pages inside. The spine is black leatherette. It contains photographs, newspaper cuttings, magazine pictures which have been pasted in.on front cover -"SNAPSHOTS"album scrapbook

This item is a useful research tool.A black cloth covered 46 pp book containing information on how to deal with banks. It contains advertisements for banks and insurance companies. It is held together with metal screws through the spine.Inside cover - hand scribbles in red and blue penbook-finance-banking

This item was made by and used in the Slab Hut (Orbost Information Centre). The book was a "Back To" souvenir.This book reflects the kinds of foods / recipes used in the 1930's. These books often had to include cheap dishes during the wars and hard times that dominated long periods of the first half of the 20th century. Recipes in this book contain common ingredients found in rural kitchens of that time.A loose leaf folder from which a book was printed. It contains recipes, advertisements from 1930's and hints. The cover has a coloured picture od two women, one older, in a kitchen cooking. Print is orange and an orange border surrounds the picture and title,:Grandma's Recipe Book".

This folder contains a record of the construction of the flood marker in Forest Park, Orbost. It depicts the six highest floods since the first recording. The construction of the marker was commenced in August 1999 and took eighteen months to be completed by nine volunteers under the tutelage of Ruth Hansen.This item is a contemporary record of the construction of an iconic marker in Orbost.A loose leaf folder containing information, records and photographs about the Historic Flood Marker in Forest Park, Orbost. Most photographs and printed text are glued in. There are twelve loose photographs.The front cover and spine are dark blue, the back is a lighter blue and has a bar code and price sticker attached.flood-marker-orbost

This item was used in the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre).This item is a useful pictorial reference tool on the history of Orbost.A 2002 stapled calendar, titled "Continuing Our Federation".On the front is a black/white photograph of the main street of Orbost. It has blue print and an ornate blue frame. It contains photographs of earl Orbost, one for each month. on front cover -"SLAB HUT COPY" in red felt tip pen.calendar-continuing -our-federation photographs-historic-orbost

These items were on display in the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre).These items are examples of pre-decimal Australian currency and British coins no longer in use.Three decimal notes and nine coins. There are two $2 notes and one $1 note in a plastic sleeve. The nine coins are separate in small white cardboard frames with black print descriptive labelling. 2366.1 is an Australian $1 note with the queen's head, coat of arms and Aboriginal art. 2366.2 and .3 are $2 notes with John McArthur and sheep and William Farrer with wheat. There are seven coins dating from 1853 - 1897 with the head of Queen Victoria on them. There are two coins, 1902 and 1910 with the head of Edward V11 on them.currency bank-notes-australian-decimal coin-british

This is a pictorial history of the Crooked River district.This is a useful reference tool on the history of gold mining in the Dargo area.A thin 56 pp paperback book titled,"Dargo Crooked River a Pictorial History". On the yellow front cover is a sepia photograph of a man standing outside a rough wooden hut. The title and author are printed in black text over this. The book contains Black / white photographs and the history of Dargo and Crooked River. The information is divided int decades. Inside there is a newspaper cutting of Victorian cattlemen on Junction Plain near Omeo.dargo-crooked-river gold-mining east-gippsland-history

This pamphlet was probably produced for use in the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre)These pamphlets are useful reference tools and reflect the tourism history of the local area.Two single page tourist brochures, printed on both sides and folded in the middle. They are white with pink and blue print. and have a map of East Gippsland and descriptions of places to visit.tourism-orbost

Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex. Peter Kerr bought the butchery from William Cumming in 1921.This is an example of a hand-written account from an early Orbost business and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with black print, red lines and handwritten pencil information. It has a yellow duty stamp and a large pink receipt sticker.cameron-robert-pullar kerr-p.c.-butcher account

This item wasdonated to the Slab Hut, the Orbost Visitor Information Centre. This item reflects the importance of tea drinking in 19th and 20th century Australia. A teapot of EPBM - electroplated britannia metal with an aluminium lid that has an electric plug connection. The lid is an Alanware, 240 volt 100 watt immersion heater with a coil suspended from it. The lid does not match the teapot.On the bottom of the teapot - EPBM James Dixon & Sons a trumpet symbol Sheffield 8578 4teapot electro-plated-britannia-metal appliances water-heating drink-food-preparation

This mincer was donated to the Slab Hut (Visitor Information Centre) as a display item.This domestic kitchen appliance is typical of the period when food processing was done at home. It would have been before the time of mass food processing factories.A cast iron food mincer with a wooden handle. It has a funnel shaped cup at the top through which the pieces of meat are pushed to come out of the side. The wooden handle is turned to help this action. It has one blade. The mincer clamps to a flat surface by a hand operated vice/screw. MODEL No 2food-preparation mincer appliance kitchen domestic

Ada Healey was for 20 years a volunteer and organizer at the Orbost Slab Hut (Orbost Information Centre). She was known for her craft skills and was a particularly fine knitter, She did own, as a child, a handheld mini sewing machine and it is possible that the item was made using this. Ada was the only child of Tom & Queenie Warne, born in Bombala/Delegate. She married Keith Healey. The Healey family were early settlers in Marlo.This hand-sewn ornament is an example of the skill and craftmanship of women in pioneer families.A hand-sewn silk tortoise. The head is padded. Four small beads are sewn to each side. It has white/brown lining. Pink beads are sewn on either side of the head for eyes.hand-made handcraft silk ornament

This machine was given to Ada Healey as a child. Ada Healey was for 20 years a volunteer and organizer at the Orbost Slab Hut (Orbost Information Centre). She was known for her craft skills and was a particularly fine knitter. Ada was the only child of Tom & Queenie Warne, born in Bombala/Delrgate. She was married to Keith Healey. The Healey family were early settlers in Marlo.This is an example of a toy given as a "teaching" toy. It was used by its owner to practise sewing before graduating to an adult type machine.A small hand-operated sewing machine. The body of the sewing machine is painted black. The top arm appears to have been painted in a white/cream colour. The machine could have been used to make small articles. There is no bobbin.On the stand- A.L.L.sewing handcraft toy toy-sewing-machine

The Volunteer Air Observers Corps was an Australian air defence organisation of World War II.It was formed on 31 December 1941 to support the Royal Australian Air Force by sighting and observing aircraft over Australia.It swiftly established observation posts across Australia and provided information to the RAAF's regional air control posts. As the threat to Australia declined its role was expanded to include coast watching, assisting air traffic control and weather reporting. The corps was staffed by civilian volunteers and reached a peak strength of 24,000 personnel and 2,656 observation posts in 1944. After the end of the war the VAOC was reduced to a cadre in December 1945 and was disbanded on 10 April 1946. The Volunteer Air Observers Corps was an Australian air defence organisation of World War II. This certificate is a record of the participation of members of the Orbost district. Anita Armistead, wife of Francis Armistead had a son, Sydney, who served as a gunner in Malaysia during WW11.A certificate of service awarded to Mrs F. Armistead for being a volunteer in the Air Observers Corps. It was awarded on 20 Sept, 1945 for one year's service.For King and Empire Presented to Mrs F. Armistead by the ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE As a record and in appreciation of patriotic response to the call of country by serving in the VOLUNTEER AIR OBSERVERS CORPS This 20th day of September 1945 signed G. Jones Air Vice Marshall Chief of Air Staff signed ? Unit Commanding Officercertificate ww11 air-observers-corps

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 Snowy Water Inquiry was commissioned in 1998 with a brief to recommend environmental water release options to the Commonwealth, Victorian, and NSW Governments so that corporatisation of the Snowy Mountains Scheme could proceed. These release options related to the Snowy River below Jindabyne, the Murray River and other rivers associated with the Scheme. The Inquiry objectives were that the recommendations would not adversely impact on water supplies to existing irrigators or the viability of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. (ref snowyhydro.com.au)This report contains information about water allocation and uses of the Snowy River.A book of 160 pp - Snowy River Inquiry Final report 23rd October 1998. Submitted to the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria / Commissioner: The Hon. Robert Webster. On the front cover are three aerial photographs of the Snowy River and Snowy Hydro Scheme. The book contains maps and photographs. snowy-river snowy-hydro snowy-mountains government-inquiry

This was published by Years 9/10 Information Technology Class at Orbost Secondary College with information provided by Mrs Lottie Johnston.A copy of a small publication of 86pp. It has a plastic cover and is titled Honour Roll. It contains the names of those from Orbost and surrounding districts who have represented Australia in battle overseas and on the homefront.military orbost-history honour-roll

This book developed from a project undertaken by the Orbost Women's Awareness Group. It began as an activity in learning how to conduct "Oral Histories". With a substantial amount of information resulting the group decided to publish the information in the form of this book. Orbost Women's Awareness Group was originally the "Orbost Women's Pulp Mill Association" created in 1989 to disseminate information about a proposed pulp mill planned for the area. When the proposal became non viable the group continued to meet as an awareness group. It continues today as the Orbost Women's Awareness Group.This book is a research tool for those interested in the timber industry of East Gippsland.A spiral bound 44pp book with a photo of the forests of East Gippsland on the cover. The title is in cursive writing in white print. it contains the personal stories and b/w photographs of both women and migrants who have been associated with the timber industry in East Gippsland. timber-industry east-gippsland orbost-women's-awareness-group

This item was found in the collection with no information recorded. On the back is a short message wishing a happy Christmas to Bessie and Jack from M.W. The photograph shows miners at Club Terrace.This item is a pictorial record of the gold mining history of East Gippsland.A yellowed black / white photograph on grey buff card. It is of men panning for gold and digging trenches.on front - " Club Terrace" on back - " To Bessie, Jack from M.W."club-terrace gold-mining gold-panning gold

There is currently no information on this item.A faded black / white photograph / postcard of a horse - drawn cart with one of the two horses rearing up. Two men are on the cart. on front - "Sherwood"transport-horse-drawn

The photograph shows men unloading goods, including a sack, from a ketch moored at Marlo. Marlo was once a very busy port. Goods needed by the early settlers were carted by sea-going vessels to Marlo. At the Marlo wharf goods were unloaded from the large vessels onto barges and towed by paddle steamers to Orbost. (information - In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall)This is a pictorial record of shipping at Marlo.A black / white photograph of men unloading goods from a ketch into small boats. on back - "ketches being loaded at Marlo"marlo-transport marlo-jetty shipping

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) The railway line was destroyed and was not expected to be opened for a fortnight. Orbost was cut off by 50 square miles of Snowy River floodwater. This train was being shunted across the viaduct when waters smashed through washing away several trucks sending the crew running for their lives.This is pictorial evidence of a significant local event. It is connected to the history of the railway in East Gippsland.A large black / white photograph of flooded railway yards with a train engine stranded on a small section of track surrounded by water and debris.on front - "1971 Flood, Railway Yards"floods-1971-orbost orbost-railway natural-disasters-orbost

There is no information associated with this photograph.This item is a pictorial record of prominent Orbost citizens.A very faded black / white photograph of seven men sitting and eight men standing behind them. All are wearing a lodge sash and apron. It is on a grey and red buff card.on front - "Regan J. Nixon Sheffield Herbert Mundy Wener Mundy J.Russell Olney GDP J Drew Dr Kerr Mundy ' front bottom - "C. Mason Photography Bairnsdale"m.i.o.o.f