This is the fourth edition (2025) of a well respected collection of stories of the early Orbost district. The 1st edition was produced in 1972 (stories collected by Mary Gilbert). This updated fourth edition builds on the previous 3 editions by adding photographs and obituaries and where possible corrections have been made. This item is significant because it tells the stories of early Orbost settlements, families and personalities from 1870's c.1940'sBook with light brown covered card board with two black and white photos, one oval and the other rectangle which has an inscription, Nicholson Street Orbost-approximately 1890. 202 pagesFourth Edition 2025. Orbost and District Society PO Box 284 Orbost Vic. 3888orbost, mary gilbert, early orbost history, book

This folder was compiled in October 2015 from documents, magazines. papers and photographs donated by David Jellie, engineer in charge 1974 - 1976. In early 1974, as an Engineer with the Country Roads Board, David came to Orbost as the Supervising Engineer for the construction of the new bridges which were part of an 8.4km Orbost bypass road design. This was a major project involving not only a new bridge over the Snowy River (including Lochiel Lagoon), but other bridges over Ashby’s Gulch and Watt’s Gulch. These new bridges were opened in November 1976 with the unveiling of a plaque on the eastern end of the $2.4M Snowy River Bridge. (ref. May Leatch)This item is a useful reference tool on the construction history of the Snowy River Road bridges.A white plastic folder - Orbost Bridges - Snowy River Road Bridges. it contains newspaper articles, booklets, photographs and documents relating to the construction of the Snowy River Road Bridge in 1974 -1976.on front cover - 1974 - 76 ORBOST / SNOWY RIVER ROAD BRIDGES * construction * photos * articles * plans Donated by David Jellie Oct 2015snowy-river-bridges jellie-david

This book was written by Ian Winchester, the grandson of James Winchester, early settler in Marlo, who worked with Alan Richardson. The book is dedicated to those who colonised the Snowy River. James Winchester was born in Geelong in 1856. He first sailed into Marlo, aged 15 and returned in the 1870's. he worked on the snagging punt on the Snowy River and also on the Paddle Steamer Curlip which towed the barges to collect the maize grown along the Snowy River.This book is a useful reference on the history of the Paddle Steamer Curlip.A thin, 22 pp, stapled paperback book, titled "P.S. Curlip & The Snowy River". It has a cream cover with a b/w photo of the Paddle Steamer Curlip in the centre. Print is black. It contains a history of the Curlip built by Samuel Richardson and is written in verse. There are b/w photographs and sketches.On front page -stamped "Orbost & District Historical Society"winchester curlip snowy-river

This book was used by Orbost Shire Council at the "Back to Orbost" celebrations in 1937 and again in 1963. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum. The book was presented to the president, Jacob Perry, as a token of esteem and in appreciation of his interest and services to the movement. Jacob Perry was an Orbost farmer. Born 1874. Died 1950. He was a Boer War veteran , 4th Victorian Imperial Bushmen. He was a shire councillor and worker for school affairs. The book was used again on Friday, 8th March to Saturday, 16th March 1963.This item is a record of an early Orbost celebration and a useful reference tool.A green covered hard back visitors' book with a red spine and gold lettering on the front cover. It contains names and addresses and comments from those who attended the "Back to Orbost" celebrations in 1937 and in 1963. Entries have been hand-written in ink (1937) and biro (1963).On front in gold framed rectangle - "BACK TO ORBOST 27th FEBRUARY TO 6th MARCH 1937"visitors'-book back-to-orbost-celebrations perry-jacob

A Mechanics’ Institute hall was constructed in 1885 and opened as Orbost's first library. It was situated in Browning Street, Orbost. The hall is still in use today as a community venue. Mechanics' Institutes are the forerunners of public libraries and adult education in Australia. The origin of mechanics' institutes is attributed to Dr George Birkbeck, who in 1799 gave a series of free lectures for the working men of Glasgow. At the time, 'mechanic' meant artisan, tradesman or working man. The movement spread quickly throughout the British Empire. The first Victorian Mechanics' Institute was the Melbourne Mechanics' Institute established in 1839. From the 1850s, Mechanics' Institutes quickly spread throughout Victoria wherever a hall or library, or a school was needed. This ledger was used by the Orbost Mechanics' Institute from 1884 until 1926. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum.The Mechanics' Institute was a very early feature of the Orbost community. The building became a community facility used for a variety of essential civic needs in particular a library. It also provided a suitable venue for community social requirements and functions.A heavy minute book with faded black covers and brown binding. The edges of the pages are marbled as are the end covers. Pages inside are blue with hand-written black ink records. It contains minutes from the Orbost Mechanics Institute.on spine on red leather in gold lettering: "MINUTE BOOK"minute-book orbost-mechanics'-institute

The Richardson family was one of the very early settler families to establish themselves in the Orbost district. Samuel Richardson was builder of the Paddle Steamer Curlip.The Richardson family was one of the very early settler families to establish themselves in the Orbost district. Samuel Richardson was builder of the Paddle Steamer Curlip. This is a useful reference tool.A C.D. of the Richardson Collection of diaries and ledgers dated 1878-1935. It contains information of the Richardson families in Orbost and the Ballarat district in Victoria. On the front is a photograph of a seated Samuel Richardson with a paper in hand. The disc is in a clear orange plastic case.richardson-samuel orbost-history p.s.curlip

This disc was a project supported by the Festival of the Dreaming, a festival leading up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.This disc is a significant research tool as it contains contemporary film of the early indigenous people of Australia.A video disc titled, The Dreaming Reels. it is a compilation of scenes from the Hadden expedition to the Torres Strait in 1898, Lake Tyers settlement, Northwest Scientific Exploration in the Kimberleys, the aboriginal camp at Orbost in 1921, the Douglas Wylie Expedition in 1926, Princess Charlotte Bay 1926-1927 and McRobertson's Expedition. It also contains footage from several Australian films depicting Aborigines. aboriginal-history dreaming

The new Post and ·Telegraph Office at Orbost was completed in 1898 This clock was presented by Mr A Cooper to the Postal Dept.in 1899 for erection outside the local post office. The clock arrived in Orbost on Monday 5th June 1899 in the charge of Captain Mortimer of the schooner Orbost. Before the clock could be placed in position permission had to be obtained from the postal department headquarters, and Mr Cooper nominated the appointment of Messrs W. Gluth Snr, J. Watt and H. James as a committee to take charge of the clock on behalf of the people of Orbost. In a letter to Mr Gluth at that time, Mr Cooper said, " If the people of Orbost receive this clock in the same goodwill in which it is given I shall be exceedingly pleased." Mr Alfred Cooper built the Orbost Club Hotel in the early 1890's. Captain Mortimer skippered the Schooner Orbost between Marlo and Melbourne until it was wrecked in 1904This clock is a significant part of Orbost's history.A metal clock from the Orbost Post Office. It is circular with black Roman numerals. It is open with no cover.orbost-post-office cooper-alfred schooner-orbost clock-orbost-post-office

This poster was made for the sale of the 1,440 acres of Orbost Station after the death of Sir William Clarke. It was sold by Edward Trenchard & Co. which was the oldest Stock and Station agent in Victoria assisted by Desailly, Macarthur & Co were livestock experts. Sir William Clarke had taken over the Orbost run from the McLeods in 1870. When Sir William died the property was owned by his son, Rupert who offered the land for sale at 4 pounds per acre. No sale resulted and the property was leased for a few years until in 1898 it was subdivided and sold to many of Orbost's first families. (info. from In Times Gone By- Deborah Hall)This is an important reminder of the very early history of the settlement of Orbost.A rectangular paper poster for the sale of the Orbost Estate on Forest Road, Orbost. It is dated "Thursday Dec 1898" and was made for the sale of the 1,440 acres of Orbost Station after the death of Sir William Clarke. The poster gives written details of the sale and a plan of the property.orbost-station clarke-sir-william orbost-estate

Sotheby's is a British multinational corporation headquartered in New York City. It is one of the world's largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewelry, real estate, and collectibles. The catalogue was prepared for a Sotheby's auction in Paris. On page 36 of this catalogue is a description, photograph and detailed provenance of the Morton mask sold by Orbost & District Historical society in 2008. (details in the Newsletter, July 2008) NEWSLETTER JULY, 2008This item reflects a significant event in the history of the Orbost Historical Society.A thick glossy catalogue. The front cover has a glossy black backround with the title " Important Art d'Afrique et d'Oceanie" in white print at the top. Under this is "Paris 11 Juin 2008'. There is a large coloured photograph of an early wooden tribal mask and "Sotheby's" beneath that. The catalogue contains photographs, descriptions and provenance of artwork for sale by Sotheby's.morton-mask sotheby's-catalogue

This is a souvenir edition - a reproduction of a section of an old three volume geographic encyclopaedia of Australia and New Zealand published in 1885.This book is a useful reference tool for the early history of Victory.A reproduction of a book first published in 1885. The soft cover is brown, a paler brown background and gold coloured text - Victorian Souvenir Edition Our First 50 Years. 1835 1885 is inside 50. There is a sketch of the "Lady Nelson" entering Port Phillip. It has 162 pp which are sepia toned in double columns with illustrations and maps throughout the book .history-victory book

The East Gippsland Historical Society has produced an annual calendar 'Old Views of Gippsland' since 2003. This item is a useful reference for the history of Gippsland.A 2001 stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of Gippsland".On the front is a black/white photograph of the main street of Lindenow. It contains early photographs of East Gippsland, one for each month. December has a photograph of Nicholson street in Orbost and October has a photograph of the construction of the East Gippsland railway at the Newmerella cutting. calendar photographs-gippsland

Roma CAMERON was the daughter of Harry Purchase CAMERON and Lilian Gladys (nee HARDING). She was the youngest of three siblings: Jean (Mrs John Gavin (Jack) RALSTON) and James (Jim) (m. Joan HOSSACK). , Harry's father, James Cameron, came to Bellagoogan on Majors Creek in 1882. Bellagoogan was on Majors Creek near Orbost and was the site of the first race course. Like many others at the time, the Camerons bred race horses.Harry died in 1964 aged 75. Roma married Ronald Richard SMITH in 1944.Orbost High School / Orbost Secondary College has played a significant role in the education of senior students in the district. It is the sole institution for secondary education. This item is representative of its history. The Cameron families were early settlers in the Orbost area.A school report on card/paper for Roma Cameron, Form F at Orbost Elementary High School. It is dated 1936. Typewritten with handwritten entries.education orbost-elementary-high-school school-report cameron-roma

The Committee of Management held monthly meetings and "the members were conscientious in their attendance". 1938/1939 were busy years for the Orbost Hospital as there was a serious outbreak of poliomyelitis and some cases had to be sent on to Sale. There was also pressure from Dr Nettleton to begin a garbage collection in the town to clean up the town As the polio epidemic abated, diptheria took over and Dr Nettleton urged the shire to fund a further free immunisation campaign. In February, 1939t here were major bush fires in the district and the fire came within 300 yards of the Orbost Hospital. (info. from Orbost Hospital History, Personalities and Stories by Margaret Hollands)The Orbost Hospital was completed by the end of October 1929 after more than twenty years of agitation and preparation. Orbost is an isolated town and the importance of the medical service in the community is immense. This report is a reminder of its early history.A small book - 9th annual report of the Management Committee of Orbost & District Hospital, incorporated 1930. In black print inside rectangular border is title plus "For the Year Ended 30th June, 1939."orbost-hospital report-orbost-hospital-committee-of-management

Wagon wheels were required equipment in Australia early days. They were used for transporting goods, commodities, agricultural materials, supplies, and sometimes people. Horse-drawn wagons are an important part of Orbost’s agricultural history. A large wagon wheel with 14 wooden spokes and hub. There are steel bands around the hub.wagon transport agriculture wheel

This book was purchased new by Orbost & District Historical Society. Written by Buchan historian, Rhonda Coates, the book was commissioned by Tubbut Neighbourhood House following a commemoration event in 2002 when many people gathered for a special day organised by Sister Helen Barnes and the Tubbut community. (ref. Bombala Times)This book is a useful research item.A paper back book, titled McKillops Bridge, written by Rhonda Coates. On the front cover is a photograph tractors crossing the bridge during the Great Snowy River Tractor Stampede ( The Snowy River Tractor Strampede, a 560-kilometre journey, is organised by the Bega and District Historical Machinery Club every January - the first being held in 2009.) this photograph is inset over an earlier phpotograph by Howard Bulmer c 1936. The book contains the history of the bridge, photographs of the bridge and times before its construction.On front fly-Orbost &District Historical Society Incmckillops-bridge

This item was used at The Men's Club Orbost in Livingstone Street, Orbost.This item is representative of the leisure activities of people during the nineteenth century and early 20th century. The Orbost Men's Club no longer exists. It is also significant as being associated with the history of Australia's leading manufacturer of billiard tables, Alcock of Melbourne who were established in 1854 and are still in business today.Billiard table iron; a heavy iron of cast metal. This has a large, rectangular face with attached, cast metal handle. This was used for pressing the cloth of a billiards table. Engraved/embossed on handle is ALCOCK THOMSON & TAYLOR PTY LTDrecreation billiards billiards-table-iron men's-club-orbost

The 1Tambo & Orbost Times was published between 1887 and 1903. It later became the Bruthen and Tambo Times. This item is a useful reference for the early history of East Gippsland.A double spread folded newspaper. Tambo & Orbost Times. It is dated November 10 1888. This newspaper has been laminated.newspaper-tambo-orbost-times

This is the second edition of "Personalities and Stories of Early Orbost which was collected and compiled by Mary Isabelle Gilbert. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert, and had seven sisters and one brother. Four siblings died at a young age. .She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community.This is a useful research tool on the history of Orbost.Two copies of a 141 pp soft covered book titled "Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District". It has a light brown cover and is stapled. On the front cover below the title is a sketch of the Orbost Bean Factory in dark brown print. It contains personal reminiscences of early Orbost. There are also some b/w photographs and sketches.2267.1 - "Len and Mary Best Wishes Mary Gilbert" hand-written in blue pen. 2267.2 - in pencil on front cover "Ron Cameron".history-orbost gilbert-mary book-personalities-and-stories-of-early-orbost

This is the third edition of "Personalities and Stories of Early Orbost which was collected and compiled by Mary Isabelle Gilbert. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert. She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community This edition was organised by the Orbost & District Tourist Association. Extra photographs in this edition were supplied by the Orbost Historical Society and the Orbost Shire lent money towards the project.This is a significant reference book on the history of the Orbost district.A 141 pp soft-covered bound book with a pale blue cover. On the cover is a b/w photograph of the main street of Orbost, Nicholson Street, in approximately 1890 below the title, "Personalities and Stories of the Orbost District". This is inside a black line frame. On the back cover is a photograph of Mary Isabelle Gilbert (1905-1989). It contains obituaries, newspaper reports, sketches and b/w photographs.orbost-history gilbert-mary

The Department of Crown Lands and Survey was originally established in 1857 as part of the Board of Land and Works. In 1964 it ceased to be controlled by the Board. The Department functioned for almost twenty more years before being combined with other Ministries to form the Department of Conservation, Forests and Land. It was responsible for the management of the State's Crown land and pastoral estates. This map was used by Don Mehlert after 1928. The VERMIN AND NOXIOUS WEEDS ACT 1928 was an Act to consolidate the Law relating relating to Vermin and Noxious Weeds. E. J. E. G. Pemberton who published this poster was Superintendent of Field Staff, Dept. of Lands and Survey. This map and posters are significant records of early settlement history in Murrangower, between Cabbage Tree and Orbost,A paper map of Murrangower showing settlement subdivisions. This is glued onto the back of four overlapping cloth poster of "Notices of Vermin Destruction". All print is black."DON MEHLERT" in black pen. Pike's block shaded in blue. School site marked in blue pencil. on poster "MURRANGOWAR" along side.map-murrangower poster-vermin-and-noxious-weeds murrangower-settlement

This book is a history of Diamond Creek from earliest records of white visitors (1836) to the 1970s. John Ryan was born in Diamond Creek and lived there all of his life. (ref. Greensborough Hist. Society)This item is a useful research tool on the history of the Diamond Creek area, Melbourne, and its early pioneers.A thin soft cover book of 55 pp with a light brown cover with the title "Before You Came" in black print. Beneath this is a b?w copy of an early drawing of Diamond Creek. On the back cover is a photo of the same area in 1972. It contains a brief history and anecdote of the early days of Diamond Creek, Victoria.diamond-creek-history ryan-john-l.

This notebook was owned by Penuel Richardson (nee Gilbert). Entries were made by the treasurer of the Orbost High School Sports Club, P. Gluth.This item is a contemporary record for a community organisation. The group no longer exists. Orbost High School / Orbost Secondary College has played a significant part in the education of senior students in the Orbost district . It is the sole senior educational institution. The Gluth family was a prominent family of Marlo/Orbost in its early history.A small red covered stapled notebook used to record expenses of the Orbost High School Sports Club. Entries are hand-written. A small window has bee cut into the ront cover to reveal "P Gluth Tres."inside back cover hand-written in pen -"Pen Richardson".orbost-high-school-sports-club

This book was used by Orbost Cemetery Trust to record letters written especially to provide a running account of the trust's activities. Although the cemetery was officially gazetted in November, 1891, it seemed certain that burials had taken place before that time. The early trusts were diligent in their record keeping and visionary in their planning.The original Trust members approved by the Public Health Department included C. N. Henderson, E. Watt (Ernest), D. Munro (Donald), M. R. Coote (Massy) and James Cameron (recorded at the first meeting of the Trust dated 29th May 1891. The first mention of a Mr. C. Richardson wasn’t until 25th February 1916 whilst the cemetery was under the control of the Orbost Shire Council with select councillors on the committee. Orbost Cemetery is an important part of Orbost's history. Its records are essential in research of local history.A grey covered letter book used by the Orbost Cemetery Trust to record letters written between 1894 and 1907.On spine-Letter Bookorbost-cemetery letter-book

This ledger was used initially by H. James & Co., Shipping and General Commission agents in Orbost in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It was then used by James and Bird, Auctioneers and Estate Agents.Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district. He was a stock agent and auctioneer who helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost. He was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF. John Bird was an auctioneer and estate agent,A large handwritten ledger with blue/green cloth covers. It has brown suede corner pieces and a suede spine. The end pages are marbled as are the page edges.james-henry orbost-history bird-john

This magazine was published as a souvenir to commemorate the centenary of European settlement in Victoria, 1934A 104 page soft covered magazine relating to Melbourne's first 100 years. It contains stories about the settlement of early Melbourne, businesses, land purchases and advertisements. The front cover has a brown background and a colour reproduction of a painting titled Pioneers by W. B. McInnes.tourism recreation history melbourne magazine table-talk

Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874-1956), teacher, writer and historian, was born on 10 May 1874 at Ballarat, Victoria. as well as his stories he published a number of Books about the history of Ballarat. Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874–1956) was a teacher, writer and historian. As a country schoolteacher, he traveled widely in the eastern Australian outback and also made a journey to London. Spielvogel gained distinction as one of the only Australian Jewish writers of his time. Many of his early books were best-sellers. A paper back book with 146 pp.written by Nathan Spielvogel. On the front cover is a drawing of a farm-house in a green paddock. The book is about school life and farming at Sale, Stawell, and the Wimmera district. the-cocky-farmer spielvogel-nathan literature

Author, Mary Mitchell was the daughter of Charles Wellings early resident of Eden. Charles took many of the early photos of Eden while his brother, Henry, did the research on the Imlay Bros (very early settlers of Orbost) and early Twofold Bay settlers. Mary Wellings married Roy Mitchell of Lower Towamba. In Eden there are streets and a park named for both families.These books record the history of the whaling industry on the south coast of New South Wales.Two copies of a small thin ten page booklet with blue laminated covers. It has black print and a black photo of a whale tail on the front cover.It was written by Mary Mitchell. The book relates the history of whaling at Twofold Bay on the south coast of New South Wales.2116.1 - has a library sticker on the front cove - bottom left hand cornertwofold-bay whaling mitchell-mary welliings

This guidebook shares the personal stories of the individuals honoured in 250 of Victoria's key war memorials. It covers metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, providing a unique insight into wartime history and the local heroes who fought overseas. Garrie Hutchinson has authored and edited over 30 books, In the early 1970s Hutchinson was heavily involved in anti-war activism and alternative journalism. From the late 1970s Hutchinson moved away from writing poetry and towards a journalistic career.This is a significant research tool.A 308 pp hard cover book with a dust jacket titled Remember Them, A guide to Victoria's Wartime Heritage. The author is Garrie Hutchinson. On the front cover is a photograph of a close-up image of a sculpture of a soldier. The text is dark grey.It is arranged geographically, with accompanying maps and photographs,military-history memorials-victoria

Jim Henderson has written several books about the Wareiwa and Hospital Creek area.This is a useful reference item.A 40 pp book titled Crossing The Bar , Stories,Songs, Poetry. On the front cover is an early photograph of two coaches and horses on the sand bar at Lakes Entrance at the Gippsland Lakes. In the top right corner is a photograph of part of the memorial plaque erected by the Jonson family of Tostaree in 1993. " In memory of the coach drivers Cunninghame-Orbost 1886-1916." The book was compiled by Jim I. Henderson.Jim Henderson 31/10/1993wairewa nowa-nowa hospital-creek waygara transport-history-east-gippsland