An older female and male sit either side of a desk. The lady holds a pen and a sheet of large print music in front of her, with a small pile of similar sheets to her right. The man holds a pen and looks at sheets of paper (presumably music) whilst sitting next to a box with the title 'Family Fun Box Organ course' to his left. In the background are filing racks, The Australian Hymn book and Braille volumes in various bindings. Over time, the RBS built up a considerable music collection thanks to the work of its dedicated supporters such as Dulcie Magnus.Digital image of two people working together to produce braille music Second century 24royal blind society of new south wales, braille music

Braille is a system of touch reading and writing for blind persons in which raised dots represent the letters of the alphabet Braille is read by moving the hand or hands from left to right along each line. Residents of Moorabbin Shire used these cards at social gatherings. In the early 1800s Charles Barbier, who served in Napoleon Bonaparte’s French army, developed a unique system known as “night writing” so soldiers could communicate safely - without lamps- during the night. Louis Braille, born Coupvray, France 1809 lost his sight at a very young age, 1819 he was enrolled at the National Institute of the Blind in Paris.and began to modify Charles Barbier’s “night writing” code in an effort to create an efficient written communication system for fellow blind individuals. . He spent the better part of the next nine years developing and refining the system of raised dots that has come to be known by his name, Braille. The code was now based on cells with only 6-dots instead of 12 ..Braille died in 1852 but his code spread around the world France 1854, USA 1860 , and blind individuals from all over the world benefit from Braille’s work daily. Today, braille code is transcribed in many different languages worldwide.Blind individuals from all over the world benefit from Braille’s work daily and these cards were used by residents of Moorabbin ShireCardboard pack of ordinary playing cards with braille imprints left top of each card. Pack is incompleteFront: PLAYING / CARDS / for the BLIND / To be obtained from the / NATIONAL INSTITUTE / FOR THE BLIND / Great Portland Street / LONDON W1. Hand written : O'Dean Lounge braille louis, barbier charles, visually impaired, braille playing cards, braille, library, braille sheet music, braille ketboards

"Thjs collection of Braille Music was presented to the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales by Mrs Ruby Lavers in memory of her husband Gordon Lavers L.R.S.M., A.R.C.O. Director of Music of this Society from 1917 to 1961". Braille music requires a specialised understanding of both musical scores and music Braille notation. This collection materials would have been valuable addition to the Society, where blind musicians often had to learn pieces through memory due to the lack of musical scores transcribed.1 metal plaque attached to wooden boardroyal blind society of new south wales, gordon lavers, ruby lavers

A blind woman plays the organ with one hand, whilst the other reads Braille music from a sheet in front of her, on the stage at Ormond Hall.Lantern slide of women playing organroyal victorian institute for the blind, blind musicians

A series of early twentieth century photographs were sourced and reprinted on to chipboard panels for use by the Royal Blind Society of NSW publicity department, to demonstrate the work and activities that blind people did at the Sydney Industrial Blind Institute (later RBS NSW, now Vision Australia). The source of these photographs is unattributed and the remaining panels of the set have not been located.Working Braille shorthand machine - Panel 11, Photo 13 A corner of the girls' sitting room - a lesson in Braille music (blind pupil and blind teacher) - Panel 1, Photo 2 The Industrial Blind Institution, Boomerang Street, Sydney. No.1 workshop, east side - basketmaking - Panel 2, Photo 3royal blind society of nsw, education, employment

Articles in the annual report include: the opening of the new building at Burwood (Enfield) and the facilities it provides, including a bowling green, swimming pool and rooms for specialist areas such as orientation and mobility and music braille; the need for the new building, the support of Long Bay Gaol in the fabrication of mat frames and use of shearing machine and the binding of Braille volumes through the support of Parramatta Gaol, publication of a booklet 'The Pre-School Child who is blind', the development of rehabilitation services for those who are unable to visit the new site and the introduction of Mark IV talking book machines.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records, sir roden cutler, alexis albert, lady albert, john w.a. o'brien, lady cutler, kerrie donovan, joan ledermann, mary lidbury, victor maxwell kindergarten, sandy robertson kindergarten, sue dixon, richard lyle, lady austin, walter rice, margaret clark, australian national council of and for the blind, australian council for rehabilitation of disabled, balmain blind bowling combination, william street blind women's bowling club, helen keller hostel, long bay gaol, barbara giblin, braille writers association, parramatta gaol

Annual report of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind outlined activities and events over the year, including an increase of membership to 150, the unfortunate illness of Mr Holgate, that attendance at meetings has improved due to the possible transfer of them into the city, the Secretary is now paid for their work due to the amount required, a number of goods designed for the blind have been imported by the Association from England and are being sold, some of which (the embossed music) has formed the beginning of a small music braille library, instruction in light handicrafts in the homes of the blind is continuing and now includes a knitting machine, concerts are still being undertaken with the focus on publicity for the Association and covering performing fees rather than as a fundraiser, and there are plans to create a fund scheme for sick workers.1 volume of printed material with some illustrationsassociation for the advancement of the blind, annual reports

This annual report covers both the AGM of 1962 and a special AGM held in 1961. Articles include: celebration of Alice McClelland's 40 years of service, resignation of A. Brahe and L. Dextor as Trustees and appointment of R Bigwood and E Webb to replace them, extension of membership so that blind readers could become voting members, overview of the decisions and affects of the decision to become an incorporated entity and the name from Victorian Association of Braille Writers to Braille Library of Victoria, the use of subcommittees to handle entertainments, building, publicity, library and braille textbooks, property owned at 4 Margaret Street, South Yarra was subdivided into 2 lots and sold, Braille Boat House has been redecorated and renovate and available for hire, appointment of Alan Woods to assist as a Reviser for music transcription and Ivan Molloy in the Home Teaching Service, resignation of Joyce Bolger, appointment of Doreen Ross, Mr and Mrs Hinchcliffe left as honorary caretakers and death of Mrs J Rowe, past Mayoress of Ballarat, who was a keen subscriber of the Ballarat branch.32 pages of text with drawingsbraille library of victoria, corporation records

Articles include Life Governorship bestowed upon Alice McClelland for her 41 years of service, David Palmer Music Library given to library with terms of agreement signed by Hugh Jeffries and Neil Westh (David Palmer Trust) and Captain Semmens and Dr Orr (BLV), sound system installed in and outside storage shed added to Hall, still operating at a deficit and with no reply from Free Library Service Board of Victoria on assistance, and decision to close of Ballarat branch of Braille Library and make it an Auxiliary for the Aged Blind with next year to be the final one.32 pages of text with drawingsbraille library of victoria, corporation records

Plaque commemorating D.L. Palmer, Musician to the Blind, 1882-1955. David Palmer was a music teacher and Director of Music at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (R.V.I.B.) for over 40 years and conducted the R.V.I.B. choir and orchestra. The orchestra had about twenty musicians, all of whom were vision impaired, and was popular with the public for dances and events. Mr Palmer and the other music teachers would transcribe over a thousand sheets of music every year for the orchestra into Braille. Created by sculptor Andor Mészáros (1900-1972), this plaque was located in the foyer of Ormond Hall. During an interview with Australian Women's Weekly (28/10/1959, p7), the sculpturor - Andor Meszaros - said that he worked with half-closed eyes to create the memorial. It shows a profile, with wavy lines that sweep across the eye and around the ear to represent how one sense will become more importance when another is lost. His son, Michael Meszaros, was involved in the collaboration.1 bronze plaque with raised lines depicting profileAndor Meszaros 1959awards, sculpture, royal victorian institute for the blind, david palmer, andor meszaros, michael meszaros

This device assists blind music teachers to teach music notation to the sighted, by using a braille dial. Created by Percival Mayhew in the 1920-1930's, it consists of a wooden frame with a window, behind which is a sliding list of 63 staff notations and 17 sol-fa tones. To use, the teacher sits behind the indicator (to align the Braille scale of signs) whilst the student sits in front of the window and views the printed version. Black vinyl carry case has been created for transporting device.Wooden board with window for visual display and two double-sided paper cards and black vinyl carry case'The Mayhew Music Indicator' on front.adaptive devices, music teaching

David Leslie Palmer was first a student (1892-1903) then a teacher of violin (1904-1912) before becoming musical director (1912-1944) at RVIB. Under his leadership, the RVIB orchestra grew into a popular band that travelled around Victoria and was in demand at concerts and balls.2 metal plates with dark brown background and gold edging and raised letters on one and gold edging and braille on the other.D.L. Palmer Musical Director 1912-1944 Fullness of Life Thru Musicroyal victorian institute for the blind, david palmer, nameplates

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

An overview of activities and achievements during the past financial year. Articles in annual report include: the handing over from former President Sir Alexis Albert to Paul Cullen, the implementation of Project 5000 (increasing C77 Talking Book Machines to that number as well as book titles), new fitness groups and CB clubs supported by John Simon and Norman Healey, new course that teaches Braille at home via cassette developed by Louise Long, continued success in supporting children to attend integrated kindergartens rather than an segregated one, introduction of music therapy and Father's Groups, loss of beloved reader John Dease, 3rd RBS Arts Festival at the Grace Gallery, Chatswood, sales increase for workshop products particularly bicycles, the success of the Black and White Ball (held since 1936), and the production of two films sponsored by OPSM and depicting the impact of RBS "I see, I see" and "Future Sight". It also updates on the Braille Writers Association, the RBS Literary Contest (inaugurated 6 years ago by Max Nisbett) and the successful production of some works by the Mitchell Street Theatre group, name change of William Street Blind Women's Bowling Club to Blind Society Women's Bowling Club, Enfield and Blind Sporting Association formed just over a year ago and competed in the Leeton Rowathon.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records, alexis albert, paul cullen, sir robert drew, laurel brennan, john simon, norman healey, carol lausch, margaret smallwood, louise long, sylvia manuel, loreen rosser, diana palmer, anne palfrey, john dease, mitchell manufacturing, ken martin, sueann wilson, duncan archbold, cath littlefair, gai wibberley, jack chamberlain, des lean-fore, michael simpson, ron black, john mountford, marno parsons, black and white committee, graham laurence, w. cannington, films, lee smith, matt ponsonby, ray hunter, joan ledermann, mitchell street theatre, max nisbett, vivian hargrove, australian national council of and for the blind, braille writers association of new south wales, blind sporting association, william street blind women's bowling club, balmain blind bowling combination