Dr James Kerr practised medicine in Orbost from 1889 -1928. He was the first doctor to settle in Orbost. He served the Orbost community for 40 years travelling everywhere on horseback. He married Hilda Constance Temple in Orbost on November 30, 1893. On April 29th 1931, three glass windows were dedicated to "Dr James Kerr. Beloved Physician of Orbost" in St James Church of England , Orbost. ( Ref Orbost Hospital, History, Personalities and Stories by Margaret Hollands)Dr James Kerr was the first doctor to settle in Orbost. He was an integral part of the Orbost community for over 40 years. This plaque was at his house where he had his surgery. The house no longer exists. Large, brass rectangle housed in dark wooden frame. Deeply engraved and blackened writing filling almost entire plaque.Dr. KERR, / Surgeon.dr kerr, orbost surgeon, medical practioner, regional doctor, brass door plaque, 1889-1928

Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert (1796 - 1870) was born at GroB-Walditz in Silesia, Germany. He studied medicine at the University of Berlin, then the capital of Prussia. The young doctor joined the 2nd Regiment of the Prussian army, one among the allies who fought against the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. He saw active service as army surgeon under the command of General von Blücher. . Dr. Siegert relied on the herbs and plants of the region for his cures. In 1824, he began to produce the bitters product which was originally used for medicinal purposes.A dark green bottle with a long neck which possibly had a waxed cork stopper.Around shoulder and on base - JGB Siegert & Sons. DRangostura siegert-jgb bottle bitters

The Thomas splint is still used in war zones today. It was invented in the late 19th Century by pioneering surgeon Hugh Owen Thomas, often described as the father of British orthopaedics, born in Anglesey to a family of "bone setters". He created the so-called 'Thomas Splint', which would stabilise a fractured femur and prevent infection. This item was used for a child with a broken thigh bone.This item is an example of an early piece of medical equipment.Thomas splint is a leg splint consisting of two rigid rods attached to an ovoid padded ring that fits around the thigh.splint-thomas orbost-hospital medicine-nursing

This is a photograph of a group of students of the Orbost Higher Elementary School dressed in costume performing "The Poppy Song:" on a stage. In the photograph are: Dolly Broome; Mary Reynolds; Lily Perry; Hilda Guy; Rene Parker; Madge Grose; Audrey Cameron; Annie Gibbs, Zenie Irvine and Violet Gibbs. This is probably the song connected with a poem called “In Flanders Fields” written by Major John McCrae, a Canadian surgeon attached to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade and stationed at Ypres salient, Belgium, in the spring of 1915. During 1910-11 the first approaches were made to the Department for the establishment of a HES in Orbost and this became a reality in 1912. Orbost HES supplied post-primary education in the district until a high school was built in 1948. 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. This item is representative of its history.A black / white photograph with a label attached. It is of a group of students in costume on a stage. Each figure has been numbered 1 - 13.on label attached to bottom - "POPPY SONG ORBOST HES ?1915" with a list of names.education-orbost orbost-higher-elementary-school poppy-song