The Coat of Arms of the Shire of Orbost has been designed in the form of a cross in which five stars are set on a shield. This was typical of those used by many shires and cities throughout Victoria and the Commonwealth. A small crown above the cross indicates the loyalty of the President, Councillors and Ratepayers to the reigning King or Queen. The inner circle of the shield contains four figures, a sheaf of wheat, a factory, a cow, and a ship, which represents the activities of agriculture, fishing, industry and dairying undertaken in the district. Originally part of the Bairnsdale district, Orbost split away as part of the Shire of Tambo in 1882, and became a Shire in its own right as the Shire of Croajingolong on the 30th may 1892. The name changed to the Shire of Orbost on 17 February 1893. Orbost was divided into four ridings on 31st May 1895, they were the North, South, East and Central riding, which was represented by three elected councillors. The Shire coat of arms was on the wall on the right of the front entrance to the building and was removed from the current building when Orbost Shire Council was amalgamated into East Gippsland Shire in 1994.The current building was opened on Friday 28th February 1969 by the Premier of Victoria, The Hon. Sir Henry E. Bolte, K.C.M.G., M.P. Local governments play an important role in the lives of citizens in Australia. Local government authorities exist to provide services and amenities to local communities, and are also responsible for regulating and providing services for land and property in their district. This item is representative of a time when Orbost had its own Shire Council. A large round metal plaque with the words SHIRE OF ORBOST1892 in gold letters around a crown and shield divided into four sections to represent four industries : Shipping ; farming - maize ; dairy and mining.SHIRE OF ORBOST 1892government orbost-shire-council coat-of-arms plaque