An exploration of the flora and fauna of South-Eastern Australia.Colour photographs, b&w illustrationsvictorian southern tablelands, riverina, wimmera, gippsland plains, south australia, tasmania, grasslands, flora, fauna, ecology

The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au) These newspapers are contemporary records of a significant local event.Four newspapers relating to the floods in 1971. They contain news articles and photographs of the floods in Orbost in early 1971. 2556.1 is the Weekly Times dated 3.3.1971 and has an orange cover. 2556.2 is a Snowy River Mail dated 17.2.1971. 2556.3 is a Snowy River Mail dated 10.2.1971. 2556.4 is a Snowy River Mail dated 3.3.1971.floods-orbost-1971 snowy-river-mail weekly-times newspapers

A bobby pin (also known as a kirby grip or hair grip in the United Kingdom) is a type of hairpin, usually of metal or plastic, used in coiffure to hold hair in place. It is a small double-pronged hair pin or clip that slides into hair with the prongs open and then the flexible prongs close over the hair to hold it in place. They are typically plain and unobtrusively colored, but some are elaborately decorated or jeweled. Bobby pins became popular in the 1920s to hold the new bobbed hairstyles. (ref. Wikipedia). These items were owned by Marjorie Burton. Marjorie Burton ( nee Whiteman), born 12 June, in Birmingham, England came to Orbost in 1995. In England she did office work – typing, shorthand and secretarial work - in accountants’ offices and also trained as a comptometrist with Burroughs in London. She came from a middle-class, working, church-going family. Her mother was a milliner who mademost of Marjorie’s clothes, hats and outfits. Marjorie married in 1938 to a salesman who later became a mechanic in the R.A.F. during WW11 These items are examples of women's hair accessories commonly used in the mid 20th century.Two packets of hair clips and one unused packet of henna shampoo. 2483.51 is a a set of 17 bobby pins on paper. On the back of the card are directions for a Steiner hair style. 2483.52 is a pack of 3 Dinkie silver metal clips for hair styling on a card. 2483.53 is an unopened sachet of powdered Henna shampoo. It is white with black text and green pictures.2483.51 - Kirbigrip 6d made in England Kirby Beard & Co 2483.52 - Made in England 2483.53 - Societe Francaise de Henne, Paris "Perfect -a -wave"hair-accessories bobby-pins shampoo kirbigrips burton-marjorie

This fretsaw frame , with a blade, would have been used for intricate cutting work having tight curves. a fretsaw is capable of much tighter radii and more delicate work. than other saws because it has much shallower blades, which are usually extra-fine,This is an example of a woodworking tool used in the first half of the 20th century.A fret saw with very high frame. It has a plain, simple wooden handle.woodwork saw-fret

Starting in the 18th century, glassworks in English port towns like Bristol, London, Sunderland, and Newcastle began producing hollow glass rolling pins. They were originally produced for sailors to give to loved ones, particularly young women they were hoping to woo for marriage. Plain, clear glass rolling pins became a common kitchen item in the first half of the 20th century as they were seen to be more easily cleaned that wooden ones.This item is an example of a once commonly used kitchen item.A moulded clear glass cylinder rolling pin with glass handles at each end. It is hollow and can be filled with cold or warm water to better roll a preferred food. There is no stopper at one end. It is marked with M at one end (probably indicating size).one one end - Mdomestic kitchen glass rolling-pin,

In the early 20th century, smocking appears in women’s magazines and sewing manuals on garments, domestic textiles and children’s wear. The 1930s and 1940s were the heyday of patterns and innovative stitch development. Embroidery has always had a great appeal to women, as it needs few tools. Historically the skills were taught within the family or in primary schools. Articles to make or embroider had been available in kits since the 1850s. Fancy work, the opposite of plain sewing, enjoyed great popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries. Companies which manufactured threads often produced instruction guides and patterns. This instruction book has been well-used. A small 30pp book with no cover. It contains instructions for embroidery stitches, including smocking.book-embroidery smocking handcraft needlework

This wooden box was possibly a plain brown box which has been hand decorated with shells and pieces of glass. It might have been stored on a mantelpiece or dressing table and was used to store "bits and pieces". The Australian Natives' Association (ANA), a mutual society was founded in Melbourne, Australia in April 1871 as the Victorian Natives' Association. In 1872 it voted to extend membership to men born in the other Australian colonies and changed its name at the same time. The Association played a leading role in the movement for Australian federation in the last 20 years of the 19th century. In 1900 it had a membership of 17,000, mainly in Victoria. The ANA provided sickness, medical and funeral cover. Membership in the ANA was restricted to men born in Australia.The ANA consisted mainly of energetic middle-class men aged under 50. In 1880 the ANA committed itself to the federation of the Australian colonies, and provided much of the organisational and financial support for the Federation Leagues which led the campaign, particularly in Victoria. (ref Wikipedia)This item is an example of a small hand decorated container used to store domestic items. It might have been stored on a mantelpiece or dressing table.A wooden box with a hinged lid. The outside lid is decorated with shells and glass. There is a keyhole at the front. Inside the box is padded and lined with cream/gold decorated paper. It contains photographs, cards a 1906 calendar, postcards, postage stamps and a membership card for A.N.A. - Orbost Branch No.267container handcraft a.n.a.

The Young Workers' Patriotic Guild was formed in Victorian schools in 1916. Each child who raised one pound 'by personal productive effort' received a certificate. The money was used for the war effort. This certificate was presented to Eileen McDougall, a pupil of Lochend School, in 1917 in recognition of becoming a member of the Young Workers' Patriotic Guild.This item reflects the war efforts of Victorian children during WW1.A coloured certificate framed in dark plain wooden frame. The certificate is from the Young Workers' Patriotic Guild, and includes mythical representations of 'Justice' and 'Peace' at the top, together with a female face wearing a laurel wreath. Below the banner headline are two young girls, one shown knitting a black and red sock, and the second holding what appears to be a hammer and a block of wood. The certificate commemorates the work done by a pupil at a Victorian school as a member of the Guild. It is dated 1917, and signed by the Minister of Education, the Director of Education, and the Headmaster of Kennington school. The name of the designer appears at the bottom of the certificate; it appears to be Harold Herbert. Laurel leaves and berries, and the initials 'EVD' [Education Department Victoria] appear at the base of the certificate. (from Museum Victoria)mcdougall-eileen ww1 certificate-young-workers'-patriotic-guild education fundraising

This is a pictorial history of the Crooked River district.This is a useful reference tool on the history of gold mining in the Dargo area.A thin 56 pp paperback book titled,"Dargo Crooked River a Pictorial History". On the yellow front cover is a sepia photograph of a man standing outside a rough wooden hut. The title and author are printed in black text over this. The book contains Black / white photographs and the history of Dargo and Crooked River. The information is divided int decades. Inside there is a newspaper cutting of Victorian cattlemen on Junction Plain near Omeo.dargo-crooked-river gold-mining east-gippsland-history

This book was initiated and compiled by Leanne Appleby with assistance from Sandra Livingstone and Brian Blakeman. After hearing some of the stories of the events that took place during these fires, Leanne Appleby decided that collating and recording the stories in book form would "perhaps relieve some of the tension and stress". Brian Blakeman as Community Development Officer, East Gippsland Shire, and Sandra Livingstone of Buchan became involved in the project.This is a historic record of events that took place during the 2003 bushfires in the Victoria High Plains.A 206 pp paperback book titled Flames across the Mountains. the front cover is representative of fire and lightning. In the centre is a background of bushfire and the silhouette of two mounted bushmen. The book contains personal accounts of the Bogong, Razorback and Pinnibar fires in East Gippsland, January 2003. It has both b/w and coloured photographs.bushfires reminiscences victorian-high-country

A large lamp used used to light a room by showing light from above. Used in the Orbost district late 19th to early 20th century prior to electricity connection. Generally, lamps like this had a matching decorations on the shade and vase. It would have been almost impossible to find an exact match if the shade was broken so the next best thing was to replace it with a plain white one. The majority of the removable slip fonts were made to the same dimensions so it was not uncommon for an original font to be replaced with a different brand if it became unusable. This is an example of a domestic lighting device in use before the widespread connection of electricity to houses in Orbost.A large lamp which hangs from a bracket. It has a large white glass cover above the wick burner and below is a white bowl decorated with flowers. The hanging lamp is American and, from the design and pattern of the brass work, it was made by Edward Miller & Co. Both the shade and vase (font holder) are glass. It is most likely that the shade has been replaced at some stage. (ref. oillampantiques.com) illumination-lamp hanging-lamp kerosene-lamp

Ossie Green was a retired primary school principal living in Marlo. He wrote many historical books including Marlo The Township; The Plains The Cape. Mrs Green was a McKeown from Marlo. McKeowns had large land holdings around Marlo for farming.This item is an example of a commonly used item in the late 19th -early 20th century. It reflects a time when accounts were made of paper and retained as records by households. Black cast iron billfile. Ornate design with large spike.bill-file ornaments-metal green-ossie mckeown

Painted about 1896 by Dawson, Miss.This painting has aesthetic significance and shows the skills and craftmanship of women of early settler families.Painting of wildflowers on alabaster with plain wooden frame with nails. Flowers include orchids and grevilleas.Orbost Wildflowers - painted by Miss Dawson about 1896 - donated by Mrs Alice Slatterpainting -handcraft wildflowers

Most people don’t use handkerchiefs anymore, either for personal hygiene or as a fashion statement, but at one time they were prized possessions.Prior to making their move to the breast pockets of men’s suits and sport coats, handkerchiefs were kept in pants pockets.When two-piece suits came into fashion during the 19th century, no “gentleman” was seen without one. This item reflects that custom.Plain cream silk man's handkerchief.handkerchief costume-accessory-men's silk

This item is an example of a handcrafted bamboo piece of furniture.Small bamboo screen with plain and ribbon embroidery. Handmade.screen-bamboo handcraft furniture

A souvenir of Federation Day January 1 1901.The souvenir teaspoon commemorates the federation of the Australian colonies Small silver Federation teaspoon. plain bowl with ornate handle showing the flag and "one people,one destiny, one flag". Top is red, white and blue.On back Rd No 346138 Pictures of crown, lion, anchor and ?souvenir teaspoon federation silver memento

Made by Ruth Richardson who was the daughter of Alan Richardson.This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the first half of the 20th century.Small handmade linen doily with circular designs and plain centre.doily handcrafts needlework linen embroidery richardson-alan

English blue and white plate. Floral design border and plain centre.Back -Worcester E.F.A. & Son -Bodley & Sonplate domestic crockery china bodley

Between 1920 and 1930, moustaches progressively began to go out of fashion and hence moustache cup production gradually dwindled. This cup is an example of a common domestic item of its time.An ornate designed cup. Lower half is pink, edged all over in gold. Top is white. The moustache bridge is white. The saucer is plain white. The moustache cup is a drinking cup with a semicircular ledge inside. The ledge has a half moon-shaped opening to allow the passage of liquids and serves as a guard to keep moustaches dry. Saucer - Fine bone china, Shelley, Englandmoustache-cup domestic-items-crockery shelley

Hand sewn by Mrs Marjorie McKeown (nee Ford) who most likely also wore this garment. This item is an example of the fine needlework skills of women in the first half of the 20th century.A silk shirt front with silk collar and decorated with pearl buttons down the front. It has lace insertions on either side of the pearl buttons. The back of this garment is made of plain cotton and has narrow cotton laces which tie around the front. costume-female

Made and presumably worn by Mrs McKeown (nee Ford).A long plain cream or white silk sleeveless nightgown with a fine lace border around the neck line and around the bottom hem of the garment. The neckline is a "V" shape in front. Two white crocheted rosette decorations have been appliqued onto the top front. It has two cotton inserts under the arms. Two fine darts run downwards at the front. costume-female undergarment

This photograph was taken near the Snowy River Bridge on the the old Princes Highway in Orbost, near the caravan park. The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au)This is pictorial evidence of a significant local event. Floods have been an integral part of Orbost's history for hundreds of years.A black / white photograph of debris, fallen power lines, a tree across the highway and floodwaters across the road.on front at bottom - handwritten in upper case print - " 1971 FLOOD PRINCES HIGHWAY NEAR SNOWY BRIDGE"floods-orbost-1971

This photograph is an aerial view of the township of Orbost taken by the Bairnsdale Advertiser newspaper. It was taken from the northern end of the town. The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au)This is a pictorial record of a significant event in the history of Orbost,A black / white aerial photograph of a township with floodwaters in the background.on back - "Note main current through the lagoon 1971."orbost-floods-1971 bairnsdale-advertiser orbost-township

These photographs were taken on November 25, 1976 at the official opening of the current Snowy River road bridge. Included in the photographs are: John Duggan; Pat Hall, C.R.B. chairman, R.E.V. Donaldson (3240.7) and J.A.Rafferty, the state minister for Transport, who cut the ribbon (3240.8). Di Young and Cheryl Dusting (3240.9) distributed souvenir information pamphlets to official guests. The Snowy River road bridge is one of four built as part of the 8.4 km project spanning the Orbost flood plains. The Snowy River bridge and another over the nearby Ashbys Gulch are among the 10 longest bridges in Victoria, being the eighth and fifth longest respectively. The new bridge removed through traffic from Orbost township crossing the Snowy River 45 m downstream of the old bridge.This bridge is the fourth to provide a crossing to the township of Orbost. (info from CRB NEWS No. 34. DECEMBER, 1976) These photographs are pictorial records of a significant event in Orbost's history.Eleven black / white photographs all related to the official opening of the current Snowy River Bridge. Details are in catalogue folder.snowy-river-bridge

Construction of the roadway embankment between the bridges across the Snowy River flood plains at Orbost commenced in January 1974 and was completed in November 1976. Pearsons were the bridge contractors for the construction of the Princes Freeway and bridges across the river flood plains at Orbost. Heavy rains and floods held up progress.These photographs are of the construction of a major structure in Orbost. The opening of this Snowy River Bridge was an important development in the accessibility to the township of Orbost.Four black / white photographs of construction sites. 3241.1 is of three cranes and other machinery with six persons. 3241.2 is of workmen working on flooded site. 3241.3 is a photograph of the early stages of construction of a bridge looking towards the township. 3241.4 shows the construction of a roadway between the bridges.construction-snowy-river-bridge bridge-orbost

Before 1850, Bendoc was peopled by a few Chinese settlers. History sources reveal little of its beginnings, Cattlemen used the spot as a temporary watering place and Ben Boyd sometimes brought his cattle down from the Monaro High Plains to be docked. “Ben's Dock” then is a possible derivation of the name Bendoc. (info. Bendoc Progress Association)This is a pictorial record of Bendoc in the late 19th -early 20th century. It shows early horse-drawn transport.A black / white photograph of a horse-drawn wagon and a man on a horse outside a wooden building.on back - "stop before Bendoc Hotel"bendoc transport-horse-drawn

These photographs were taken at the Country Education Project's conference at Dinner Plain, Victoria. The Country Education Partnership (CEP) has been working in the area of rural and remote education for over three decades. It was initially established in Victoria during 1977 and in 2012 it changed its name from Country Education Project. In 3098.9 are Al Balfour (Far East Gippsland Area Coordinator CEP); John Pritchard (Orbost); and Kennie Ellis (Ministry of Education) at FEAST at Dinner Plain. In 3098.10 are: Rod Falconer (Genoa PS); Al Balfour (FEG Coordinator); Jeff Neale ( Club Terrace PS); Lorraine Wylie(Ottways?) and Naomi Ellis (Ministry of Education). They are sharing information at CEP's Dinner Plain conference. In 3098.11 are the East Gippsland representatives at the Country Education Project's Dinner Plain conference. L-R are Al Balfour (far East Gippsland Area CoordinatorCEP); Jeff Neale (Club Terrace)PS); Henrie Ellis ( Ministry of Education); John PritchardThese photographs are pictorial records associated with education in East Gippsland.Three black / white photographs associated with adult education in Orbost.. education-east-gippsland country-education-project balfour-al

The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au) The railway line was destroyed and was not expected to be opened for a fortnight. Orbost was cut off by 50 square miles of Snowy River floodwater. These photographs are pictorial records of the 1971 floods which was a significant event in the history of Orbost. They are also associated with the East Gippsland Railway.Three black / white photographs of flood debris and flood waters near a railway line. 3102.l has a pile driver 3102.2 shows a gap in the viaduct and 3102.3 shows men with a tractor cleaning up the debris,3102.1 - on back - "1971 FLOOD REPAIRS TO ORBOST RAILWAY VIADUCT - 15th February 1971. Donated by Audrey Van Den Berg VRH 3693" 3102.2 - on back - " DAMAGE TO RAILWAY VIADUCT ACCUMULATED DEBRIS" 3102.3 - on back - "DAMAGE TO RAILWAY VIADUCT AT ORBOST. CLEAN UP BEGINS"orbost-flood-1971 orbost-viaduct-flood-damage orbost-railway

Bendoc is in the far east of the State close to the border. Benduck is Aboriginal for plain, Wagra meaning `black-eyed crow' and Wagra Benduck means ‘noise in the trees'. On the 13th of December 1872 the Bendoc people had 2 roods of land reserved for a school and again on 22nd of May 1874 1 acre was also reserved. It was not until 7th of July 1876 that the Government authorised the building of the school. It was 24ft x 16ft with quarters (three rooms) for the teacher, total cost £446 1s 6d. The teacher paid £9 per year rent. School began on 11th of July 1873 which suggests that classes were held prior to the erection of the school building. The head teacher then was Frederick Jones. In 1962 the Department erected a new school of two rooms and the following year a new residence was provided. (info. from Schools East Gippsland) Bendoc Primary School closed mid 1980s.This item is associated with education in Far East Gippsland.A black / white photograph of 21 students standing outside a wooden school building.education-bendoc-state-school