Commemorative plaque for the opening of the Kent Street building in 1997.Wooden board with nameplate attachedThis plaque was unveiled by Her Excellency The Governor of Queensland Leneen Forde, AC to mark the official opening of the new premises for the Queensland Foundation for Blind People Inc Kent St, Annersley on 1st July 1997nameplates, queensland foundation for blind people

Certificate of membership of the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Queensland Foundation for Blind People Inc.1 A4 sized page for certificatequeensland foundation for blind people, awards

Plaque commemorating the opening of the Dickinson Centre, named in honour of Harold and Mercy Dickinson, both totally blind since childhood, who never let challenges stand in their way. Mercy was the first woman who was blind to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Queensland, and received her Masters Degree in the Education of Blind People with Additional Handicaps in New York, and an Honorary Doctorate for Education from the University of Queensland in 1994. Mercy and Harold established the Queensland Training and Placement Centre for the Blind, the first establishment of its kind in Queensland. Harold, who was a prolific writer, was appointed the Director and Mercy was the first volunteer at the Centre. Together they gave a lifetime of dedication and commitment ensuring that people who were blind or had low vision had the same opportunities as those with sight. The Centre later merged with other organisations and in 2006 became part of Vision Australia. The second plaque provides a background to how Harold and Mercy met, and their roles in expanding the the opportunities for everyone around them.Rectangular metal plate with inscriptionThe Dickinson Centre This refurbished centre was Officially opened on 9 November 1990 by The Hon. Ben Humphreys M.H.R. Federal Member for Griffith and Minister for Veterans Affairs and Blessed by Br. Alan Barnabas S.S.F. So named by the QLD Foundation for Blind People Inc (Est. 1956) to Honour The Contribution Made by Harold and Mercy Dickinson 1990 Committee of Management Don Cameron President Mercy Dickinson Vice President Rex Stevens Secretary Moira Solomon Treasurer Del Donaldson Bruce Miller Bob Faulconbridge Justice Bill Pincus Jenny Finch Ken Scells Garry Macdonald Kevin Standish Ian Stewart David Henderson Patron: His Excellency The Governor of QLD Sir Walter Campbell A.C. Q.C.queensland foundation for blind people, nameplates, harold dickinson, mercy dickinson

Employment is a key area that blind or vision impaired people are under-represented. These photographs were taken to demonstrate and provide examples of how blind and visually impaired workers can undertake skilled positions. A woman works at a switchboard, using an assistive device, whilst another woman sits beside her. A young man dressed in a blue coverall and goggles, uses a bandsaw to cut through an object, whilst another uses a circular saw to cut wood. A man in a workshop, with a large toolset on the wall, operates a machine.employment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Employment is a key area that blind or vision impaired people are under-represented. These photographs were taken to demonstrate and provide examples of how blind and visually impaired workers can undertake skilled positions as switchboard operators. In the first image, a man wearing a headset sits behind a small switchboard and on the desk is a sign that reads "Please buzz for attention. Our receptionist/telephonist is blind". In a second image, two people sit at a desk. The woman uses a device to locate a key on the switchboard whilst wearing a headset. Beside her a man points to the key and holds a telephone receiver to his ear. In the third image, a seated man reaches forward to find a socket in the switchboard, with an audio jack attached to his finger. Beside the switchboard a man stands and holds his wrist, possibly guiding him.employment, royal victorian institute for the blind

In 1964 the first White Cane Safety Day was proclaimed in the United States, to recognise the white cane as a method of independence for blind people and increase awareness by motorists to pay extra consideration to white cane users. Since then the recognition of White Cane Day has spread around the world including Asia, Africa and Europe. In Australia, Queensland was the first state to celebrate White Cane Day in 1978, followed by Victoria in 1979.Typewritten letter in brown frameOn the back: This proclamation of October 15, each year, as White Cane Day throughout the State of Victoria, was made by the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable R.J. Hamer as the result of a deputation by blind people from the Association for the Blind on Thursday October 12th, 1978.white cane day, sir rupert hamer, association for the blind

Sir Hubert Opperman and Arthur Wilkins riding a tandem bicycle.B/W photograph of Arthur Wilkins and Sir Hubert Opperman on a tandem bikeTesting the first tandem bicycle for blind people with Sir Hubert Opperman in the driver's seat.association for the blind, arthur wilkins, hubert opperman

Andrew walks along an external building verandah using a sonic guide and white cane.1 x B/W photograph of man walking with assistive devicesFile: Skills Training - O&M A white cane provides blind people with early warning of obstacles. (Andrew is also wearing a sonic guide in glasses.) Walking with the aid of sonic guide glasses. Technology for blind people at the Royal Blind Society. Credit: Rankin/1987royal blind society of new south wales, white cane day

An older woman with glasses uses a white cane to step off from a footpath and walk down a road in surburban Sydney.B/W photographs of a female using a white caneFile: Skills Training - O&M A white cane provides blind people with early warning of obstacles. Royal Blind Societyroyal blind society of nsw, white cane day

The Upper Kiewa Valley Lions Club sponsored a Collection Guide Dog. Money was collected regularly by Guide Dog volunteers. The funds are used for Guide dog training programs. They are trained to guide a person who has low vision, disability or illness. It began in the 1950s and by 1957 there was a guide dog organisation in each Australian state .UKV Lions club was active in the Kiewa Valley raising money for charities eg. Blind Institute. Collection dogs were used as a novel way to collect money and easily supported by businesses etc. In 2024, our society is becoming cashless creating a problem for collection dogs etc. with donations more often made by internet banking.A) Light coloured 'plastic'/'ceramic' labrador dog with a brown strap, a money slot is on the top of his head, and he is sitting on a brown stand. B) Cloth Pennant is triangular and long mostly white (dirty) with blue print and logo and a blue border. The end for attaching is of purple bias binding with two hooks for attaching to a stand. B) Pennant: 'Royal Guide Dogs Association / Mobility/ '78 / For the Blind / Community/ Service Award'guide dogs, upper kiewa valley lions club, fund raising, blind people

A mid-twenties male uses a white cane to navigate a footpath on a busy road.1 x B/W photograph of man using white caneFile: Skills Training - O&M A white cane provides blind people with early warning of obstacles. Using a white cane for mobility.royal blind society of new south wales, white cane day, orientation and mobility

Two trouser legs and soft pair of leather shoes descend steps, along with a white cane.B/W photograph of man walking down steps with white caneSkills Training - O&M A white cane provides blind people with early warning of obstacles 5A inset into Pic 5 CJ 481/C/4royald blind society of nsw, white cane day

A bearded man walks on a grassy area next to the RBS building in Enfield, having just walked past a couple holding hands.2 B/W photographs of man using white caneFile: Skills Training - O&M 88-7 A white cane provides blind people with early warning of obstacles. S-129, bottom picture of page 3 Gordon Tibbles, PR Officer RBSroyal blind society of new south wales, white cane day, orientation and mobility

Newspaper articles about blindness, visually impaired or blind people and activities.Scanned copies of newspaper articles collected by Lady Nelllady nell seeing eye dog school, royal victorian institute for the blind, association for the blind, royal institute for the blind (sa), villa maria society, queensland industrial institute for the blind, guide dogs for the blind association of victoria, australian national council of and for the blind, phyllis gration, max medlyn, christopher finnen, dawn goebel, arthur mackey, walter jacobs, kevin o'mahoney, jean smith, pam marks, white cane, assistive devices, garry stinchcombe, matey fisher, robert gordon, ruth keoden, winsome mclean, arthur wilkins, len childs, bob elliott, graham miller, jack birkett, norman pressey, don westaway, norman salmon, mark houran, yvonne simpson, irmo guglielamana, jenny ziviani, shaun oliver, peter goss, albert poelstra, ewan gouldon, uncle ben's of australia, dr henry nowik, mary martin, kathleen wenzer, donna hayes, ken campbell, barry murphy, michael riley, jack dowdle, harold gration, leah francis (nee wilson), john dingle, alex mcnish, peter richards, irene mye, jim finn, cec mcillwraith, terry carlson, keith smith, gordon stent, frank taylor, don verlander, olive moody, roslyn sackley, ross johnson, jako mikulic, jewel blanche, william mckennariey, vicki barclay, grantley dee, ray hannah

Issued to Blind People as a travel concession for tramways in the Provincial cities of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.Demonstrates the method that the SECV used to enable free or low cost travel for Blind people with an attendant.Yellow cloth backed paper ticket with white front, printed in black ink - titled "Blind Person's Pass". Has number "372" stamped on. Form number "TYE 2-221" in top left hand corner. Has space for the name of the Bearer, Branch to be written, conditions of use, and space for manager to sign with date .../.../195...." At base of ticket has "910/43". .2 - No. 375 .3 - No. 382sec tramways, ballarat, blind persons, tickets, provincial cities

"National Federation of Blind Citizens of Australia Ltd. NFBCA David Blyth Award 1994. Presented to: Hugh Jeffrey. In appreciation of his outstanding contribution through dedication, tenacity and by example, as a leader of blind people and as an advocate for the rights and responsibilities of citizenship to be accorded to blind people everywhere." Gold coloured disk with NFBCA logo is located above the citation, which is written in Braille on the back of the shield.1 wooden shield with engraved gold plateshugh jeffrey, awards

Association for Advancement of the Blind picnic on Saturday November 6, 1943 1 - Handwritten note, "Pole Number 102 - Blind association sports ground. 2 - Letter from GR Fowler, General Secretary, Association for Advancement of the Blind to Superintendent of Traffic, Malvern Depot, advising of picnic to be held at club house in Glenferrie Rd Kooyong. About 300 blind people to attend, mostly by tram.trams, tramways, instructions, events, malvern depot

Paula Haynes assists an RBS client in using a long cane along an external corridor.2 x B/W photographs of woman using white cane with instructorFile: Skills Training - O&M A white cane provides blind people with warning of obstacles. Rehab teacher, Paula Haynes (R) showing how to use the cane. Paula Haynes (r) a rehabilitation teacher with the Royal Blind Society ... giving instructions on how to use a long cane.royal blind society of nsw, white cane day, paula haynes, orientation and mobility

Articles in annual report include: list of office bearers of the institute and officers of the institute, Introduction and summary, Residence nursery and school for blind children, Programme in rehabilitation, Blind welfare - Mr W Casey retired as welfare officer in December 1964 after a 40 year association, Institute busy factory - faced by serious competition from overseas the basket shop closed, No sugar packaging done since 1963, Employment of blind people, Splendid support from auxiliary, The future, Income and expenditure, Where there's a will there's a way. Events that occurred in 1964 : HRH Duchess of Gloucester visited residential nursery and school, four hundred members of auxiliary lined driveway to greet her, helped by nationwide drive of the Apex clubs this year more blind people are reading talking books, this year a specific department staffed full time was set to demonstrate aids and equipment for blind people.1 volume of text and illustrationsannual reports, royal victorian institute for the blind

Annual report of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind outlined activities and events over the year, including the well attended picnics and the need to continue the work as outlined in the League of Nations which acknowledged the large number of blind people not yet employed.1 volume of printed material with some illustrationsassociation for the advancement of the blind, annual reports

Articles in annual report include: Interest free loans up to $3000 per person were available. In 1979-1980 360 blind people and their families benefitted under this scheme and this means that $250 000 of institute funds are kept in circulation. The aids and equipment shop, introduced Kurzweil reading machine - one of the foremost organisations in the world to provide such equipment to blind people. Some years ago Mrs Cecelia Tye left her property at Romsey, now 6 buildings are used as an educational camp and two will be used for self-contained accommodation. The new building will start and finish by end 1980 and the new holiday house at Barwon Heads was opened.1 volume of text and illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, corporation records

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

Established to help further the welfare of blind people, the Narbethong Welfare Association sought to provide suitable accommodation. Application was made for assistance under the Commonwealth Handicapped Welfare program and Lady Grey House was opened in 1984 and was still operating in 1998 providing short-term, low cost accomodation.Digital image of Lady Grey house nameplateBen Humphreys, M.P. Member for Griffith on 31st March, 1984, officially opened Lady Grey House This project was financially assisted by the Commonwealth Government under the Handicapped Persons Welfare program. Narbethong Welfare Association Fred Bromley, President Eric Searle, Secretaryroyal blind foundation of queensland, nameplates

Framed portrait of David Robertson who was the first President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, from 1895-1899. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Robertson sits with his hands resting upon a wooden cane. He is wearing dark spectacles, a gray suit and waistcoat, white shirt with starched collar and pleated front, and a red and blue striped necktie. On his left lapel is a blue and red medal. David Robertson was educated at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind and was trained as a basket maker. He was one of eight foundation members of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now Vision Australia Foundation ) which was formed in 1895 in order to encourage blind people to manage their own affairs and build their self esteem. He was appointed the inaugural president and served as such from 1895 to 1899 and again in 1913 as well as acting as vice president from 1900 to 1902 and in 1911 and 1915. Known as a level headed and wise peacemaker he was elected chairman of the first interstate conference of blind people, which took place in Melbourne in 1913. From this evolved the Federal Council of Organizations of the Blind, which undertook to consider all matters affecting blind people. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'David Robertson / Inaugural President of / Association for Advancement of the Blind'.david robertson, association for the advancement of the blind

Framed portrait of George Maxwell who was President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind 1920-1935. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Maxwell is turned slightly away from the viewer, and wears a blue suit, white high collared shirt and a blue tie. George Maxwell was President of Vision Australia from 1920 to 1935. After an early teaching career he studied law, was admitted to the Bar and became one of Victoria’s great criminal lawyers and later a Federal Member of Parliament. He took an interest the welfare of blind people from his student days. A detached retina in 1920 led to total blindness nine years later, which gave him a great empathy for those with a similar affliction. Through his contacts he was also instrumental in obtaining the first voting rights for blind Australians. Up until 1902 blind people were unable to vote if they couldn’t write with a pen. George Maxwell was working at that time at the legal firm of Strongman and Crouch one of the partners, Mr. Crouch, was elected as a member of Parliament. When the Commonwealth Electoral Bill was being drafted, Mr. Crouch has a clause added enabling blind people to vote in Federal elections, constituting a world first. But perhaps his greatest achievement was obtaining the pension for legally blind people. Until 1910 only those who met the age and means test criteria were eligible. With the help of his legal and political friends a bill was passed which granted the pension to all persons over 16 years of age who were unable to work due to physical disability or blindness. Until this time these people had to be supported by their families or go to a benevolent institution. This was a world first and gave to blind and vision impaired people a measure of independence which increased both their self reliance and self esteem. 1 art original in gold/brown frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Honourable George A Maxwell Q.C. / President 1920-1935 / Association for Advancement of the Blind'.association for the advancement of the blind, george maxwell