"Artie", which began as a cartoon character in the shape of a rat, eventually became the official mascot of the Rheumatism and Arthritis Association (RAAV). In this photo, the Friends of Artie auxiliary group are depicted at their monthly coffee shop, which was held at the Hawthorn Town Hall. A cropped version of this photo appears on page 13 of the Vol 1 No 2, April 1984 issue of RAAV's quarterly newsletter, News Review. It is captioned: "Friends of Artie, from left, Margaret Cleve, Eileen Erving, Kathy Payne, Phoebe Cum-mings, Dot Mortensen and Maureen Meyers, at their monthly coffee shop." Due to the photo having been cropped, 'The Rheumatism and Arthritis Association' sign on the wall isn't visible in the published photo. According to the article accompanying the photo, the monthly coffee shop catered to the craft market and raised about $100 a month for RAAV. The article also provides a brief history of the creation of Artie, which was initially a cartoon character created by Helen Semmler, daughter of Cliff Semmler, an executive member of RAAV. The character, a research rat, became so popular that it was eventually turned into a mascot, with a costume created for RAAV member, Dot Mortensen. Dot brought the character to life with appearances as Artie at many RAAV events.B&W photo of a small group of women sitting on one side of a long table. On the table, there are some plastic containers with lids and a small tray of sandwiches, some jugs of milk and sugar bowls, a couple of cups, and two books. On the wall behind them is a small sign with the handwritten words, 'The Rheumatism and Arthritis Association of Victoria'. To one side of the sign, there is a stained glass window and, below that, a radiator with a tea towel draped across the top.[In blue ink] Maureen Meyers Dot Mortensen Kathy Payne Phobe Cummings Eileen Erving Margaret Cleve [on a yellow sticky note, in black ink] folder AFV photos 1987 & not dated - file "friends of artie”rheumatism and arthritis association of victoria, raav, artie, research rat, cartoon, mascot, costume, friends of artie, auxiliary group, margaret cleve, eileen erving, kathy payne, phoebe cummings, dot mortensen, maureen meyers coffee shop, fundraising, hawthorn town hall, helen semmler, cliff semmler, executive member, news review, 1984

On the 18th of September, 1980, the Box Hill Self-Help Group held a New Members Meeting at Action House, the headquarters of the Rheumatism and Arthritis Association of Victoria (RAAV). In this photo, a small group of people in evening dress pose for a photo with Artie, the RAAV mascot. A similar photo appears on page 5 of the Vol 19, December 1980 issue of RAAV's quarterly newsletter, News Review. The photo accompanies a brief article titled "A MEETING WITH LAUGHS!", written by A G Meyers. The article states that the Box Hill Evening Group met at Action House on the 18th of September for a New Members Meeting. RAAV President, Dr Les Koadlow, was the guest speaker. The Raffle Co-ordinator, Lorraine Binns, gave a short talk about the raffle and Eileen Ervine, President of the Op Shop, entertained everyone by presenting a fashion parade. Titled, "The Bridal Party", the models wore clothes from the RAAV op shop. According to the article, the photo was taken by Dr Elsmaree Baxter.B&W photo of a small group of people, dressed in evening wear. They are gathered around a small table. Among them is a person dressed in a rat costume. Most of the people are standing behind a small table, while a few others are seated around the table. One woman, who is sitting, has one leg up on the table. Everyone is smiling or laughing. There is a gas wall heater on the wall behind them, with two small windows on either side.[In black ink] Ken CHegwidden, Maureen Meyers, Eileen Ervine, Artie & Joan Chegwidden at Box Hill Group's party at Action House, 1980 [Date stamp] 23 OCT 1980rheumatism and arthritis association of victoria, raav, ken chegwidden, maureen meyers, eileen ervine, joan chegwidden artie, research rat, cartoon, mascot, costume, new members, meeting, op shop, bridal party, elsmaree baxter, photographer, 1980

Annual report providing overview of activities and achievements including: the addition of the Royal Blind Foundation of Queensland, opening of an office in Darwin, achieving the highest ever ratings for Carols by Candlelight and winning the National Employer of the Year award.1 volume with illustrations providing overview of organisational achievementscorporation records, vision australia, kevin murfitt, gerard menses, katerina skilros, robin sands, helen robbins, nastasia campanella, david eveleigh, ted thorburn, nick carter, brenda murray, chris edwards, joe hockey, delta goodrem, janine cullen, cathy pepper, graham dawson, stephen jolley, arthur chawner, caitlin mcmorrow, maureen davenport, jean weaver, shirley meyers, joshua green, ryan green, matthew green, carolyn moncrief, camille fong lim, dianne spalding, ron mccallum, deborah randich, michael simpson, christine harding, trish egan, greg hempenstall, tim evans, paul bunker, jennifer gibbons, owen van der wall, keith barton, paul gleeson, timothy griffiths, tony hanmer, renae johnston, jan lovie-kitchin, ross mccol, theresa smith-ruig, tony clarke