Tilly Aston was the founder of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, which became the Association for the Blind, Vision Foundation and later Vision Australia. Her work in expanding the options available to blind and vision impaired Victorians triggered the push for similar conditions inter-state, and she was a pioneer force in challenging perceptions of both the sighted and less-sighted communities. This bust of Tilly Aston was donated by Malcolm and Beverley Daubney and unveiled at the 1997 Annual General Meeting for the Association for the Blind (now Vision Australia) on the 19th September 1997.Bronze relief of Tilly AstonMatilda (Tilly) Aston 1873-1947 Founder of the Association for the Blind Generously donated by Malcolm & Beverley Daubney September 1997tilly aston, association for the blind, malcolm daubney

Matilda (Tilly Aston), was a blind Australian writer and teacher, who founded the Victorian Association of Braille Writers, and later went on to establish the Association for the Advancement of the Blind. Born in Carisbrook, Victoria in 1873, she was the youngest of eight children born to bootmaker Edward Aston, and his wife, Ann. Tillu was vision-impaired from birth, and totally blind by the age of 7. The memorial was built by the Midlands Historical Society in 1970.Colour photograph of a Memorial to Tilly Aston.carisbrook, church, tilly aston, matilda aston

A tie clasp and badge remembering Tilly Aston, the founder of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, was created. It has a cameo of Tilly Aston in gold, against a roughened gold background. A circle surrounds the head and above this "Tilly Aston" and below it, "Association for the Blind" in gold lettering. Metal tie clasp and metal pinTilly Aston Association for the Blindtilly aston, association for the blind, badges

Badge of Tilly Aston replicated from a photograph of her during her teenager/early adulthood. Rectangle in shape with a bronze background. 1 plastic badge with image of Tilly Astonassociation for the blind, badges, tilly aston

Tilly Aston as a young woman in her 20s. She is wearing a cream blouse with a star badge and a rose corsage. Her hair is up and has flowers arranged in it. Pioneering activist Tilly was the first Australian woman who was blind to attend university, but due to the lack of braille texts she had to abandon her studies. 1 photograph in various tones of Tilly Astontilly aston, association for the blind

Tilly Aston playing a reed organ, often referred to as a harmonium. An unidentified woman sits next to the organ. In this informal shot a middle-aged Tilly is wearing a checked jacket with white collared blouse and long skirt. The organ has a number of photographs upon it and appears to be in someone's lounge room.B/W photograph of Tilly Aston playing organtilly aston, association for the blind

Photo of Tilly Aston as a young girl of 16 sitting in a chair with a handbag in her lap. She wears a high necked dress and her hair is pulled back behind her in a ponytail. Image has been produced in a sepia and black and white. Black and white copy has 'about 1920' on back, however this date is incorrect as Tilly would have been almost 50 that year.1 photograph in various tones of Tilly Aston aged 16tilly aston, royal victorian institute for the blind

Tilly Aston wearing both of the Coronation Medals for Distinguished Citizenry that she was awarded in 1935 and 1937. This photograph was used for her portrait by John Balmain. She sits with one arm resting upon a table, looking to her right hand side.B/W photograph and negative in various tones of Tilly Aston wearing her medalstilly aston, medals

As well as being an activist, Tilly Aston was also a published author and wrote several books during her lifetime. In this scanned image, from The Weekly Times newspaper, she holds her hand to her face and wears a flounced blouse with a multi-strand pearl choker and a heavy bangle which appears from underneath a decorated cuff. Her hair is swept up in a top knot and a large black bow, turned sideways, rests upon her left side. The photograph was printed as part of an article on the 'Principle Prize Winners of Prahran Competitions'.Black and white scanned newspaper imageMiss Tilly Aston (1st original story)tilly aston, weekly times newspaper

Information on the Tilly Aston Heritage Collection held at Vision Australia Foundation, with some brief information about Tilly Aston (whom the collection was named after) and the resources held in the archive, and the ability of VAF to provide educational resources, accessibility advice and services to museums.1 white sheet with blue, black and green writingPhotograph of an older girl reading Braille to younger ones on a park bench (previously attributed to Tilly Aston, however there are facial discrepancies)vision australia foundation, fundraising

Portrait in pen and ink with grey wash of Tilly Aston, aged seventeen, done by Fred Kneebone. She is shown with long hair tied back, wearing a high buttoned up dress with a brooch at her neck. In 'Memoirs of Tilly Aston', she recalls the portrait being done (p47) and being donated to the Austral Salon, who held a matinee performance to raise funds for her university education.1 unframed pen and ink drawing with grey washFred Kneebone Miss Tilly Aston Blind authoress philanthropist obit 1947 C.M. Dodd 1" white close upartwork, tilly aston, fred kneebone

Tilly Aston was a writer, educator and social reformist for blind and visually impaired people. Her desire to overcome the limitations in her own life, and that of others, led to the establishment of the Victorian Braille Writers Association (later the Braille Library of Victoria) and the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (later Association for the Blind). When the Kooyong site of the AFB required redevelopment due to the success of activities at Paterson Hall, a new building was constructed and named the H.M. Lightfoot Centre. As part of their contribution to acknowledging the work of Miss Aston, as well as two of the men who later worked with her, this plaque was struck and presented by the Blind Members' Council of the AFB.Brown metal plaque with gold writing"All noble things we do and dare, Must be fruitful, sometime, somewhere" Tilly Aston 11.12.1873 to 1.11.1947 Founder of The Association for the Blind Ltd. A gift to the H.M. Lightfoot Centre from The Blind Members' Council November 1991association for the blind, tilly aston, h.m. lightfoot

The Tilly Aston Award was presented for 15 years of service. This signboard commemorates recipients of the this award and was displayed at the Kooyong centre until it's refurbishment. The list of names is as follows: 1987 Betty Dainton, 1990 Beryl Smout, 1990 Vi Wilkinson, May Wallace, 1991 Bill Arthur, 1992 Peg Lucas, 1993 Nell Gibbons, Ilma Jewell, Charles Parker, 1994 Margaret Collins, Coral Matheson, 1997 Louise Doddrell, Alma Davey, Janice Cowan, Elaine Coe, Peg O'Dea, 1998 Mary Burgess, Val Doyle, May Edwards, Margaret Ford, Mais Opie, Moira Proustie, Dorothy Shipston, Moira Spencer. (Second board:) 1998 Yvonne Taylor, Vera Watkins, Elaine McMullan, 1999 Gwen Dick, Ron Matheson, Penny Ford, Joyce Oxenbury, 2000 Jean Hocking, Nilma Henson, Eileen Burke, 2001 Lorna Britton, 2002 Joan Feldtman, Elwyn Gayfer, Beryl Alexander.Boards with grey wash and vinyl gold letteringTilly Aston Award 15 years Service (thereafter follows a list of names that extends across to a second board)association for the blind, volunteers, nameplates

Image of two men in the Ballarat School of Mines Chemistry Laboratory. Morrell Aston. is on the left and Professor A.S. Buchanan (Melbourne University) is on the right. ballarat school of mine, chemistry, morell aston, a.s. buchanan

Tilly Aston is one of the most interesting and significant historic characters associated with the Maryborough district.Grey hardcover book describing the life of the author, written by Tilly (Matilda Ann) Aston (1873-1947) a year before her death.Names of previous owners (three).

Framed portrait of Tilly Aston who began the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, a forerunner to the Association for the Blind. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Tilly sits with one hand resting against a table, and the other in her lap. She is wearing a black collared dress with a white lace neck ruff held with an opal pin. Two medals (the Jubilee medal and Coronation medal) are pinned to the chest, each consisting of a red and white bowtie with a brass medallion. Tilly Aston was born in Carisbrook, Victoria, in 1873. When she was very young her parents noticed she was having problems with her vision. They took her to a doctor who diagnosed her with no sight in her right eye and the prognosis of loss of vision in the left eye. As a result of this she was totally blind by the age of 7. Despite this her parents endeavoured to give Tilly as many of life’s advantages that their limited means could supply. From an early age she was taught singing, music, poetry, arithmetic, encouraged to read and observe the natural world around her and be independent. At the age of 8 she was sent to the Asylum and School for the Blind (later called the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind). She excelled in a wide range of subjects and matriculated in 1889. With the help of a public fund was able to attend Melbourne University, being the first blind Australian to do so. Unfortunately the lack of Braille text books made it impossible for Tilly to continue her studies and she left in second year. Tilly was determined that other blind people would not have the same negative experience she had had. In 1894 she organised a meeting to form the Victorian Association of Braille Writers with the aim of producing and supplying Braille to blind Victorians. Braille was produced by trained volunteers with ? recruited in the first six month. Other rights and services for blind people remained very limited. In 1895 Tilly organised a meeting, which formed the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now Vision Australia). The Association was instrumental in obtaining many benefits for blind people including a blind pension, voting rights and transport concessions. It also established the first nursing homes for blind people, at a time when many blind people were homeless and destitute. Tilly went on to be Australia’s first blind teacher. She was also a very talented musician, author of seven books and was very gifted at arts and crafts. She knew Esperanto and corresponded with people all around the world including Helen Keller. Tilly passed away on November 1st 1947. Her legacy continues through the work Vision Australia which provides services for thousands of blind Australians. A memorial bell dedicated to her is also situated in the King Domain Gardens. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Miss Matilda (Tilly) A. Aston / President 1904, 1910, 1943 to 1947/ Association for Advancement of the Blind'. association for the advancement of the blind, association for the blind, tilly aston

Members of the Aston family in front of Tilly’s father’s boot making business in Carisbrook, where Tilly was born in 1873. From left: Sophie Aston (Tilly’s sister), William Aston (Tilly’s brother), Ann Aston (Tilly’s mother) and Edward Aston (Tilly’s father) and dog. The female figure on the far left of the image is unidentified. This image is a copy of a copy, and not the original.1 x b/w photograph of four people outside a shoptilly aston, edward aston, ann aston, william aston, sophie aston

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders on the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. VIOSH had its first intake of students in 1979. At that time the Institution was known as the Ballarat College of Advanced Education. In 1990 it became known as Ballarat University College, then in 1994 as University of Ballarat. It was 2014 that it became Federation University. VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree - on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge. Letters written between Dennis Else and Mike Breckin. They relate to the assistance available to students from countries such as India, East Africa and Fiji to train / attend courses out of their country. Australia has the Australian International Development Bureau (AIDAB) that provides financial assistance for this purpose. See Photograph 26735 shows a group attending a three month short course at Ballarat College of Advanced Education in 1984, assisted by AIDAB. See Also Document 26686 Three A4 pages - typed. .1 on very thin aerogram paper.Letterhead for The University of Aston in Birmingham and for Ballarat College of Advanced Education. Signature for Dennis Else and Mike Breckinviosh, victorian institute of occupational safety and health, dennis else, mike breckin, australian international development assistance bureau, aidab, financial assistance, short course, university of aston birmingham, ballarat college of advanced education

artist, john withers collection, walter herbert withers, aston, warwickshire

Information on the Tilly Aston Heritage Collection held at Vision Australia Foundation, with some brief information about the formation of the collection, Tilly Aston Council, the collection strengths, volunteers, donations and outside exhibitions, achievements and future goals for the archive.1 white sheet with blue, black and green writingvision australia foundation, advertising

Tilly Aston and her live-in companion Miss Lawson. The two stand in a garden, probably in a backyard, and appear relaxed. Miss Lawson wears a patterned jacket with a white high collar blouse, whilst Miss Aston wears a high white collar under-blouse over a dark jacket with a pin on the front.B/W photograph in various shades of two older woman standing in a gardentilly aston, miss lawson

To honour 25 years of service provided, a silver coloured medallion inset to a wooden column was awarded to individuals. On the front is a cameo of a woman (Tilly Aston) wearing a pendant and an old-fashioned ruffled blouse. Around the outside is written 'Vision Australia Foundation Tilly Aston Award' and below this '25 Year Award'.1 maroon wooden stand with silver tone inlaid medallion, with illustrations25 Years Awardvision australia foundation, awards

To acknowledge the work of the Tilly Aston Council, the name of the chairman was inscribed on a signboard which hung at the Kooyong centre. At the top of the signboard is written 'Vision Australia Foundation' with the VAF eye logo located in the top left-hand corner. Underneath this are listed the names of the people who chaired the Tilly Aston Council: 1970-1988 Bryan Sitlington, 1989-1990 John Bland, 1990-1992 Jean Ross, 1992-1995 Eve Lustig, 1995-1997 Don Draffin, 1997-1999 John Perry, 1999-2002 Graeme Jones, 2002-2005 Valerie Thomas. At the base of the board is written: 1989-2005 Shirley Admans, Manager, Tilly Aston Council.Brown rectangular board with gold letteringvision australia foundation, bryan sitlington, john bland, jean ross, eve lustig, don draffin, john perry, graeme jones, valerie thomas, shirley admans

To honour 15 years of service provided, a bronze 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 'Vision Australia Foundation Tilly Aston Award' and below this '15 Year Award'. 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 maroon wooden stand with bronze tone inlaid medallion, with illustrations15 Years Awardvision australia foundation, awards, john wicking

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

Tilly Aston moved to 42 Raleigh Street in 1913, after her mother had died and her brother married. She died there of cancer on 1 November 1947 and was buried in St Kilda cemetery; her estate was valued for probate at £1149. Her headstone is inscribed: headstone ‘Tilly Aston, Blind Poetess and Philanthropist, Died 1st Nov 1947, Aged 74, Resurgam.’2 x col. photographs of grave and headstonetilly aston, association for the blind