This cricket ball is made of cane wicker and was used in cricket games with visually impaired players by people who lived or were educated at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind from the 1920's through till 1972. It is a circular shape made of plaited strips of woven natural cane and is lighter than a conventional cricket ball. The hollow center of the ball contains pieces of twisted metal pieces which rattle as the ball is moved to aid players in tracking the ball's movement. The stumps also had bells attached so fielders knew when the batsman was out. Blind cricket was invented in Melbourne in 1922 when two blind factory workers started playing a game using a tin can containing rocks. The game soon gained popularity and the Victorian Blind Cricketers' Association was formed. Mr William Paterson, a volunteer worker and advocate for blind people for over 60 years, was instrumental in acquiring and developing the sports ground and clubhouse in Glenferrie Road Kooyong, Victoria on behalf of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now called Vision Australia). In 1928 play began on the world's first sports ground for blind cricketers, in the first official blind cricket match. Blind cricket is now played internationally. This particular cricket ball was awarded to William Paterson Esq in 1928 in recognition of his support in establishing the world's first blind cricket ground in Kooyong. On the front of this ball is attached a small metal crest with an inscription: 'Presented to W.H. Paterson, Esq as a token of esteem for his interest in Blind cricket being the first ball bowled on the cricket ground for Blind Kooyong 7. 4.28'.1 wicker cricket ball with metal shield attached and metal bells in the hollow centre'Presented to W.H. Paterson, Esq / as a token of esteem for his/ interest in Blind cricket/ being the first ball bowled /on the cricket /ground for Blind /Kooyong / 7. 4.28'. recreation, cricket, awards

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Sports Ground and Club House for the Blind at Kooyong for the year ending 30th September 1939 and the liabilities of the trustees (W. Paterson, B. Goold, H. Lightfoot) being advances not bearing interest.2 typewritten sheets of financial informationassociation for the advancement of the blind, william paterson, kooyong club house

Unsigned letter from a trustee of the club house and sports ground regarding possible resignation as a trustee due to health reasons, and the advice he received upon the Trust's continuity. The Trust was registered under the Successory Trust Act and would continue despite change of individual trustees. Mr Paterson's right to appoint his replacement is touched upon, as is the limited role that the trustees play. Any changes to the Trust Deed would require an application to the Courts and the approval of the Attorney General, and might instead be the subject of challenges from various sections of the community.2 typewritten pages and 1 yellow noteassociation for the advancement of the blind, kooyong club house

This letter was sent by William Henry Paterson and his wife Ethel on 24th February 1933. The agreement states that the couple have in the past made interest-free loans to the Trustees of the Sports Ground and Club House for the Blind in Kooyong. The agreement documents the intention of the Patersons that, in the event of their deaths, any past debts remaining from any of the loans will be considered expunged, and the Institution will no longer be held responsible for them. 1 typed agreement with signatures of William and Ethel Paterson and Milton Gray J.P.kooyong club house, william paterson, ethel paterson, milton gray

Photograph taken by a staff member of the rear view of the Kooyong building, facing the blind cricket ground, of hot air balloon descending one morning to the sports grounds behind. vision australia, buildings

The East Melbourne Cricket Ground was a grass oval sports venue located at the corner of Wellington Parade and Jolimont Parade, in East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. After the 1921 football season, the ground was closed and then demolished to make way for an extension of the Jolimont Yard railway sidings. In 1921, East Melbourne Cricket Club merged with the Hawthorn Cricket Club, following the loss of the former's ground, to become known as Hawthorn-East Melbourne (or the "Combine"). In 1989, after the club relocated to Glen Waverley, it dropped "East Melbourne" from its title until becoming Hawthorn-Waverley in 1994.Team photo of the Hawthorn East Melbourne Cricket Club, from the collection made by one of its players, Christopher Robinson, pictured middle row, 4th from right. The photo was probably taken at the Glenferrie Oval where the team played. The Club were First Grade Premiers in 1927-28hawthorn east melbourne cricket club, glenferrie oval, cricket, sport, christopher robinson

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