Richard Sutcliffe played saxophone with the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Orchestra. He was the arranger for the Orchestra and would re-work popular tunes into Braille copies for the other members. He also performed on radio with his saxophone quintet.B/W image of a saxophone playerdick sutcliffe, rvib orchestra

In this scanned image, from the 1955 RVIB Annual Report, five blind saxophone players hold their instruments on a stage. L-R: Barry Palmer, Arthur Tyzack, Alan Campbell, Dick Sutcliffe (?), John Levercha. They won acclaim for their radio performances in 'Swallows Parade' and 'Floor Coverings Talent Hour,' and its recordings with the A.B.C., and performed in night clubs.B/W scan of saxophone quintetdick sutcliffe, barry palmer, arthur tyzack, alan campbell, john levercha

'The Years Between' is an oral history of RVIB 1866 - 1991. It was put together by Allan Nuske and Jamie Kelly and consists of narration and excerpts of oral histories from past staff/students. Through historical data and personal recollections, former students tell the story of how the institution developed under the changing approaches of teachers and other staff, the need to keep fundraising, being shipped to Olinda during the war, 153 MP3 audio recordings comprising a file for each section of the bookMany thanks to Alan Nuske, Betty Vinters, Jon Lock, Ross Johnstone, Simon von Saldern, Leo Hartman, Elaine Leahy, Mary Adams, Ben Quin, Kasia Graphics, Art Attack, June Treadwell, Jamie Kelly, Neville Kerr, Dorothy Hamilton, family and friends of Alan Nuske, Pam McAleese and Julie Brain.royal victorian institute for the blind, allan nuske, jamie kelly, alice mcclelland, john murphy, harry worland, dorothy hamilton, hugh jeffrey, violet arnett, ian cooper, harry finlayson, elaine leahy, joan neich, reuban ryan, neville kerr, e.e. (ted) petersen, neil westh, norman rees, charlie bradley, ethel sutcliffe, esme dunnell, margaret fialides, carol baxter, ben quin, graeme mcgowan, margaret bull, jim smith, dick sutcliffe, ray smart, george findlay, edward (ted) hanlon, david blyth, martin stewart, len stevens, oral history

Events that occurred during the year : further expansion of nursery with 3 children under the age of 3 admitted, first Aboriginal child (Alexander Marks) was admitted, children gained 23 swimming certificates, some Scouts met Lady Baden Powell, Board approved revised sketch plans for 42 acre site at Box Hill, doubling of Talking Book Library service with additional 60 machines purchased at a subsidised cost courtesy of the Nuffield Foundation, Alberta Tutton is taking a break from Auxiliary President duties with J. A. Duncan filling the temporary vacancy, thanks to Mabel Nelson for acting as accompaniste to concert artists, resignation of Alban Whitehead as a Country Concert Party manager and appointment of Denis Bandel in the position, outgoing Council member Cr. W.J. Wrens was recognised as Companion of the Order of the British Empire, and Captain Semmens and crew of 'Triaster' provided play equipment for playground. Dick Sutcliffe led the blind orchestra as it played 'There'll Always Be An England" as Queen Mother drove by the Institute and stopped when she saw the crowd of blind children and workers waiting for her, accepting a bouquet of gardenias from Margaret Oliphant.1 volume of text and illustrationsannual reports, royal victorian institute for the blind

Events that occurred during the year : through the kindness of 3KZ and Institute will participate in the proceeds of the Carols by Candlelight festival and the 3KZ Christmas Day Appeal, 5000 pounds received from the Estate of the late Mrs A.B. Potter, Country Concert Party managed by Alf Broadway and led by Dick Sutcliffe raised over 9000 pounds, Harry E Finlayson has returned has Headmaster, the Girl Guides company and Scout Troop are ably led by Alma Cockerill and John Dammon respectively, and Cubs by Emily Bombardieri, a past student has received his degree and will take up a position as a teacher in a sighted school, complete reconstruction of the pipe organ was achieved (with a brief history of past events), the Board was able to make a contribution to recent Interstate Carnival conducted by the Australian Council of Blind Cricketers, and the relatively new sport of Football, with an visit of the Victorian team to their New South Wales counterparts, Harry Lloyd is conducting carpentry classes, Mr F Nixon continues to operate the Kiosk, new pupils continue to join the piano turning courses run by Harry Andrew, the retirement of S.W. Hedger after 32 years of service and appointment of K.R. Bunn as Chief Executive Officer.1 volume of text and illustrationsannual reports, royal victorian institute for the blind