Five men in suits with high collars and bow ties pose with three ladies in evening dress. To the far left are Aaron Solomon and Annie Rose Drummond, and to the far right is John Irwin. Aaron Solomon (1870-1936) was enrolled at the RVIB school in 1878, after losing his sight at 6 years of age. He first began participating in concerts in September 1884, at an exhibition of talent that was held by the Institute and the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institute, to raise awareness of their work and achievements. He then became a regular performer with the entertainment troupe and travelled around Victoria singing and playing piano, even after his discharge from the Institute in 1892. In 1894 he formed his own troop of players and toured around Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand. This consisted of two females (Tilly Aston and Maggie Mulvogue) and three males (Charles Bartlett, John Irwin and himself). In 1896, Annie Drummond, Nellie Andrew and William Snell replaced the Aston, Mulvogue and Bartlett, and W.W. Spicer was appointed as manager with his wife acting as an assistant to the ladies of the group. In 1897-1898, H Forder replaced William Snell. On a return tour to New Zealand in late 1898, Thomas Andrews - brother to Nellie - joined the troop and Fred Hunter replaced H Forder. This was the first time the troop numbered eight people, who were also present when Annie Drummond married Aaron Solomon in Hamilton, New Zealand on Feb 3, 1899. This image could have been taken in 1898 before they left as a promotional card, or in 1899 when they returned, as a memento of the happy occasion.1 cardboard postcard size image with silver writingA. Marks & Co Elgin Street Carltonaaron solomon, annie rose drummond, w.w. spicer, nellie andrews, thomas andrews, fred hunter, john irwin, a. marks & co

Musicianship was a pursuit encouraged by the RVIB, who then established orchestras as a way of raising funds for the organisation. To this end, tours were often given around the state, so that the general populace could appreciate both wonderful musical talent and the work of the institution. In these images, various ensemble members and their instruments are displayed. Digital files of blind orchestra membersroyal victorian institute for the blind, blind musicians, rvib orchestra, aaron solomon, annie rose drummond

In this undated image, a group of approximately 26 people (mostly female) sit or stand in front of the RVIB building in St Kilda Road. Dressed uniformly but in a variety of poses and expressions, the group pose for the photographer.Lantern slide of a group of blind workersroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment, annie rose drummond, aaron solomon

This selection of images was shortlisted for inclusion in the book 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard' by Judith Buckrich. They include items from the State Library of Victoria collection, as well as those in the archives. The final edition of the book did not include all of them, but those that were have indications in the individual description page for each image. 59 scanned photographs of RVIB, blind people and buildingsroyal victorian institute for the blind, buildings, leal house, employment, tilly aston, aaron solomon, annie rose drummond, j.t. hogarth, neil westh, trudi westh, augusta tutton, jeremy king, robert toseland, mary pipczak, anita sun, maria robinson, george dyer, malcolm brodie, trevor anderson, david blyth, don draffin, bruce allen, kevin murfitt, peter ward, eileen ayre, rosanne cunningham, reverend william moss, david palmer, george findlay, ormond hall, blind soldiers