1 volume of text and illustrationsnon-fictionInformation booklet designed to create awareness of the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales and the services it provides.royal blind society of nsw, advertising

Colour photograph taken of the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales building in Enfield, as viewed from Henley Park. A red buildng with grey stairwells and window fixtures, surrounded by a concrete balcony that overlooks the park. Digital Image of Enfield building taken from parkroyal blind society of new south wales, buildings

Colour photograph taken of the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales building in Enfield, as viewed from Mitchell Street. The two storey building has a car park underneath, with a separate external car park in the front of the building and a sloping driveway and footpath up to the covered entrance. To the right of the driveway is a short term visitors park. Gum trees are planted amongst a well kept lawn. Image was taken around the later 1970s-mid 1980s. A "Royal Blind Society' sign points up the driveway.Digital Image of Enfield building taken from Mitchell Streetroyal blind society of new south wales, buildings

Collection of images taken by the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales and used by Ron Black to promote the work of the society. These include a young child finger painting, an adult walking a rope bridge, rowing, a talking book machine (TBM), a narrator in the studio, Rob McQuillan using a TBM, staff sorting mail, transcribing print into Braille and proof reading Braille, Dawn Davis with a refreshable Braille display, and daily home living skills such as cutting up food, using a CCTV to read a newspaper and Michael Simpson using a computer in the office.14 coloured photographs previously stored in albumroyal blind society of nsw, rob mcquillan, dawn davis, michael simpson

As a way of raising funds, an art exhibition and sale of paintings was held at the William Street offices of the Royal Blind Society before they moved to their new offices in Enfield. This was one of a series of events held to say goodbye to the former building and to pay for the creation of purpose built offices outside of the CBD. 6 page booklet providing a brief history and overview of current situation, including a list of auction itemsroyal blind society of nsw, fundraising

A brown plastic laminate inscribed in white writing. On the reverse of the laminate is the previous attempt by the manufacturer, with the words 'June 1976 by the President of the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales, Sir Alexis Al' with an extra line next to the A. It has been taped over but is clearly visible through the masking tape, however this plate would have been attached to the wall, and the mistake not able to be seen by the public. Manufacturers have made spelling errors or had wood or marble crack as commemoration plates were created, but it is interesting to note that with the change in medium (a plastic), there was the opportunity to re-do the job using the same materialsDigital image of laminate board with white letteringThis plaque was erected to commemorate the opening of extensions to these Royal Blind Society premises on 26th June 1976 by the President of the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales, Sir Alexis Albert, C.M.G., V.R.D., B.Ec. W. G. Cannington O.B.E. President F.A. Crighton J.P. Hon. Secretary A.S. Pickering J.P. Hon. Treasurer C.J. Roworth Manager.royal blind society of new south wales, plaques

Plaque from Royal Blind Society of New South Wales. No other information is currently known.Metal plate in brown with gold writingAmy Dawn Memorial Hallroyal blind society of new south wales, nameplates

Financial report for the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales for the financial year ending 30 June 2001.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records

Financial report for the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales for the financial year ending 30 June 2003.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records

Financial report for the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales for the financial year ending 30 June 2000.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records

To honour the commitment by its volunteers, the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales provided badges to commemorate 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service. The badge consist of the relevant number in a centre circle, with the words 'Royal Blind Society' around the outside of the circle.Metal pins in various tones with numbersRoyal Blind Society Volunteerroyal blind society of new south wales, badges

Letter paper used by staff at the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales. A cream A4 sheet with the words 'ROYAL BLIND SOCIETY' at the top of the page, and 'ROYAL BLIND SOCIETY A VISION TO SHARE' around the RBS logo as a background in the middle of the page. Around the edge are four lines (3 thin, 1 thick) which form a border with two rectangle boxes in the corners of the page.1 x A4 letterhead with RBS logoroyal blind society of new south wales, office equipment

Watercolour by Lin Ditchfield of the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales (formerly the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution) in William Street, Sydney. Built in 1880, the Edmund Blacket designed building was eventually sold in 1971. Located on the corner of William Street and Boomerang Place, the site was keenly sought by developers as the city landscape transformed into high rise office builidings, as evidenced in the background of this painting.1 water colour in beige frameLin Ditchfield 1971royal blind society of new south wales, lin ditchfield

Certificates used by staff at the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales to honour people who had made donations to the organisation. A cream A4 sheet with the words 'Royal Blind Society gratefully acknowledges the generous support of (blank) on this (blank) day of (blank) 19 (blank) (signature) Jon Isaacs, General Manager' , and 'ROYAL BLIND SOCIETY A VISION TO SHARE' around the RBS logo as a background in the middle of the page. Around the edge are multiple lines which form a border, and a smaller version of the logo in the middle at the base.1 x A4 certificate blank with RBS logoroyal blind society of new south wales, office equipment

"Thjs collection of Braille Music was presented to the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales by Mrs Ruby Lavers in memory of her husband Gordon Lavers L.R.S.M., A.R.C.O. Director of Music of this Society from 1917 to 1961". Braille music requires a specialised understanding of both musical scores and music Braille notation. This collection materials would have been valuable addition to the Society, where blind musicians often had to learn pieces through memory due to the lack of musical scores transcribed.1 metal plaque attached to wooden boardroyal blind society of new south wales, gordon lavers, ruby lavers

An annual tactile art exhibition held by the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales encouraged artists to create artworks that were meant to be touched by admirers. In 1999, more than 230 artists submitted entries, with then 66 finalists showcasing their work at Customs House. This program provides information on each of the 66 works selected for exhibition, as well as an information and advertising leaflets from Robert Mac G Design, who created the three prizes for the winning artists. Most works were available for purchase, as indicated on the 'Opening bid for silent auction' sheet, with all proceeds going towards providing services to the 15,000 clients of RBS.1 v. unpaged with list of opening bid prices and three leaftletsroyal blind society of new south wales, fundraising

The duplication of services between state based blindness and low vision agencies was not viable in the long term, with telecommunications and technology improving rapidly in the late 20th century. In 1999, a decision was made to merge the library and alternative production services of the RVIB and RBS, as a precursor to a possible larger merger in the future. Thus the National Information Library Service (NILS) was created. As part of establishing a new culture between staff who had retained their positions, a vision, mission and values statement was created under the new service name.1 digital imageNational Information Library Service Mission statement: NILS provides a recognised and specialised gateway through which people who are blind, vision impaired or who have a print disability access dynamic information and recreational reading. Vision: to enable unhindered access to knowledge, information and recreational reading for people who are blind, vision impaired or who have a print disability. Key strategic themes: Know our clients current and future needs and expectations. Explore opportunities for collaboration with other agencies, government and enterprises to source, organise and make available materials and resources of an acceptable quality. Optimise digital technology for the production and delivery of materials in an equitable, cost effective and timely way, identify opportunities for innovation by anticipating social and technological trends in the wider community. Enhance our internal capability. Establish and develop a positive and healthy NILS culture. Values: our values inform our policy, work practices, recruitment and service delivery ethic. Integrity - we are open and honest with all our stakeholders. Excellence - we strive to be superior in all we do. Innovation - we learn continuously in order to lead the way. Responsiveness - we actively listen to all our stakeholders. Equity - we focus on inclusiveness and participation for all our clients and staff. A joint venture between the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind and the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales. royal blind society of new south wales, royal victorian institute for the blind, national information library service

An honour board recording winners of the Barbara Rutherford Memorial Braille Reading competition. From 1985, the decision was made to expand the children's Braille book collection in lieu of an award. The Barbara Rutherford Memorial Braille Reading competition was created by James and Margaret Rutherford when their daughter Barbara died in 1974, in recognition of her enjoyment as a transcriber at RBS. They donated $1000 to RBS, for the purpose that it be invested and the interest used as prize money, and that it be administered by the Braille Writers Association.Wooden board with plastic letteringThe Barbara Rutherford Memorial National Braille Reading Competition Winners 1975 Merrilyn White 1977 Joan Ryan 1979 Nola Flommersfeld 1981 Katherine Brookes 1983 Katherine Brookes, Josephine Nicholson From 1985 the Memorial has become a Children's Braille Book Collectionroyal blind society of new south wales, nameplates

An honour board recording winners of the Louise Long Braille Award. From 1985, the decision was made to expand the beginner Braille book collection in lieu of an award.Wooden frame with felt inlay and plastic letteringThe Louise Long Braille Award 1978 John Blackett 1979 Mrs Imelda James 1980 Eduardo Gonzalez 1981 Mrs Heather Spooner 1982 Roy Corey 1983 To Train 1984 Kathie Newhouse This award is now used to build a collection of books for new Braille readersroyal blind society of new south wales, awards

Throughout the 1970's until the 1990's, Mitchell Manufacturing produced a popular range of bicycles for the general public and hiring companies alike. The Lighthouse bicycle was first developed, then superceded by the Mitchell bicycle. Using a combination of overseas sourced materials, these were assembled in the Royal Blind Society of NSW's headquarters in Enfield, and provided employment to range of blind and vision impaired workers. In one image, Neville Wran and Maj General Paul Cullen toast to the success of the company.16 B/W electronic images of bicyclesroyal blind society of new south wales, mitchell manufacturing, neville wran, paul cullen

In 1974, the Royal Blind Society established within it's manufacturing division a facility to build high quality tandems for blind and partially sighted members of its sports club. By the end of 1978, the manufacturing division expanded and a new series of high quality, hand built racing cycles were developed to suit the individuals needs of the cycling enthusiast. A demand in the bicycle hire industry prompted the development of a strong universal bicycle and the new 24" Mixti family cycle was born. By 1979 the Royal Blind Society was manufacturing both family bicycles and tandems for the bicycle hire industry in N.S.W., Victoria and the A.C.T. Both cycles received an enthusiastic reception, so much so, that in 1982 they were the first bicycle manufacturer to win an Australian Design Award. In these two advertising leaflets, the specifications for the Ladies, Family and Gents bicycles are supplied along with images of each bicycle.2 x A4 col. pages of advertising materialroyal blind society of new south wales, mitchell manufacturing

The vision and mission of the Royal Blind Society.1 A4 cream coloured page with maroon writingMaroon coloured frame around pageroyal blind society of new south wales, office equipment

This collection of papers provides various information on blind bowls and the charity work undertaken by the Mentone Bowls club. In 1980, Clarrie Hoppitt attended a demonstration at his local club and was so impressed, that he offered his services to help teach blind people to play lawn bowls. This enthusiasm was shared by his wife Grace and together they travelled to Perth and other places to teach as outlined in both the newspaper article and Grace's recollection in this file. Grace's involvement in the 1981 World Blind Bowls Tournament held in Leicester is demonstrated in the programme, alongside the signatures that were collected from the players, coaches and helpers. Also included is a menu from the British Airways flight taken to the tournament, which was signed by the crew, and Clarrie Hoppitt's copy of 'To Teach a Blind Person to Play Bowls'. Additionally there is a photograph of Grace in her Australian team uniform, taken outside a house. in 1959, Albert Henry established the NABA (firstly in jest in response to a unfulfilling game of bowls, then as a charity organisation). All monies were to be directed to sick children, and the Blinded Babies fund received a good proportion of this. Over time the NABA raised $34, 683 during over 20 years of operation (1963-1982) and became a definable part of the Mentone Bowls club.Various loose papers including a newspaper article, 1981 World Blind Bowls Tournament programme, British Airways flight menu signed by the crew for the Blind Bowls team, a photograph and a history of the NABAmentone bowls club, clarrie hoppitt, grace hoppitt, royal blind society of new south wales, albert henry

These minutes contain information on attendees, meeting chairs, apologies, correspondence, subscriptions, donations, legacies and general business. Reports are also included from Auxiliaries, Auditors, Library and Home teacher, Directors, The Black and White committee, Victor Maxwell House, Helen Keller Hostel, The Victor Maxwell Kindergarten, The Sandy Robertson Kindergarten, Alexis Albert House, Silver Lighthouse committee, 'Heathfield' and other Woollahra properties. 20/1/1958 it was noted that considerable developments were taking place with respect to the recording of books on discs to tape and the Society will adopt system of recording set out by R.N.I.B. 24/2/1958 an order for 100 small silver plated lighthouses had been decided on to be presented to outstanding benefactors of the Society. 15/8/1959 'Lighthouse', home for aged Blind women was opened. 5/9/1958 The President welcomed the first 6 residents to Alexis Albert House, home for aged Blind men. 6/9/1958 The Newcastle Blind Centre was opened. 23/9/1963 it was unanimously resolved that 5 Lots comprising of the estate left by the late Mrs F. I. Skovronksi were to be sold. 1 volume with sheets pasted on to pagesroyal blind society of new south wales, alexis albert hostel, victor maxwell kindergarten, sandy robertson kindergarten, helen keller hostel

Joan Johnson outside the RBS offices in Enfield, using her white cane to walk along the path.2 B/W photographsJoan Johnson uses the white cane to warn of obstacles in her path. Royal Blind Society 1989white cane day, royal blind society of new south wales, joan johnson

RBS client and worker, Michael Simpson, uses his white cane to navigate the balcony at the RBS offices in Enfield.B/W photographMichael Simpsonwhite cane day, royal blind society of new south wales, michael simpson

A man is learning to use a Hoover long cane with the assistance of a woman wearing a white coat.B/W photographMobility training - the long cane or Hoover cane Newly blind man aged 45 (light perception) learning to use correct grasp of Hoover long canewhite cane day, royal blind society of new south wales