The 3 items in this display - bell, crystal vase and cake server- were presented to the Wodonga Auxiliary of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (RVIB) marking 50, 60 and 70 years of service respectively. This auxiliary was formed in March 1932 with K.D. Watson as the Inaugural President. Its purpose was to raise funds to assist blind and visually impaired people across the state of Victoria. The volunteers over 70 years spent countless hours door knocking in the annual fundraiser, and selling raffle tickets at street stalls. As the City of Wodonga expanded the areas to be door-knocked increased, creating a challenge for the mainly elderly members of the Auxiliary. Eventually it closed down in 2002 when the RVIB amalgamated with Vision Australia. The longest serving member of the Auxiliary was Mrs. Jean Burbidge.These items have local and state significance as they represent the work carried out by a local group of volunteers to support an important state wide institution.3 awards received by the RVIB Wodonga Auxiliary for recognition of their service. They include a crystal vase, a gold bell and a silver cake server. 18/10 is stamped on the reverse of the cake slicer. This relates to the percentage of chrome and nickel within the steel.On the bell: 'Presented to Wodonga R.V.I.B. Auxiliary 50th Anniversary" Around the middle of the vase: 'Presented to RVIB Wodonga Auxiliary 60th Anniversary, 1992" On the cake server: "Presented to RVIB Wodonga Auxiliary for 70 years service March 1932 to March 2002" On back of cake server:" 18/10 and initials FK inside 2 circles.royal victorian institute for the blind, rvib wodonga auxiliary

RVIB Auxiliaries raised monies for the organisation at a grassroots level, via a variety of meetings, fundraisers and events. To keep them in touch with head office and to let branches what other branches were doing across the state, regular newsletters were sent out. In the 2002 newsletters, celebrations were held for Barwon Heads (60 years), Cohuna, Wodonga, Murtoa, Yarrawonga (70 years), news from around Victoria as well as events and staffing changes at head office, and memories of those Auxiliary members who had passed in the year. Interviews with Elizabeth Davies from Sorrento Auxiliary, retiring staff member Carol O'Reilly, departing Dimboola Auxiliary members Ern and Ena Rudolph, For Sight Week, 'See the World through their eyes' corporate breakfast and High Tea at the Windsor campaigns are also mentioned.34 pages of text and imagesroyal victorian institute for the blind, auxiliaries

RVIB Auxiliaries raised monies for the organisation at a grassroots level, via a variety of meetings, fundraisers and events. To keep them in touch with head office and to let branches what other branches were doing across the state, regular newsletters were sent out. The final meeting of the Central Council of Auxiliaries at the home of Trudi Westh, and the winding down of the Leongatha, Essendon, Korumburra, Greensborough, Wodonga and Koo Wee Rup branches, the launch of the RVIB history book 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard' and an interview with RVIB client Karen Nelson about her upcoming book on her life story.20 pages of text and imagesroyal victorian institute for the blind, auxiliaries