Royal Princess Theatre Eight First Birthday Souvenir Programme, 31st August, 1955. 1874 - 1955. Manager: Don Vincent. Price - Sixpence. Proceeds: Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund. The Royal Princess Theatre. In May, 1874, the late John Crowley, at a cost of 12,000 pounds the Royal Princess Theatre. It was opened on 31st August, 1874, on which occasion the 'Grand Duchess of Gerolstein' was performed. It was in January, 1904, that the Theatre was closed until April, 1905, for re-construction at a cost of 5,000 pounds. Further alterations were made I 1936 when the old circle and the gallery was converted into the present circle and loge, the cost on this occasion was 14,000 pounds. At the Royal Princess has been seen every form of entertainment known in the world. Operas, including Gilbert and Sullivan, Shakespearean plays, Minstrels, Pantomime, Circus (Wirth's making their first appearance in1887), Drama, Revues, Magicians, and the latest medium of entertainment Ice Revue. Of the many shows presented on stage of the theatre, I feel none has survived as long, or as well, as 'Charley's Aunt.' The companies to present their performances have been many and varied, but among an imposing list, the names of Charles Holloway, The Royal English Opera Company, J. C. Williamson Co., and Royal Comic Opera Coy., will long be remembered. The line of notable personalities who have appeared on the stage is long also, and includes such names as John McCormack, Clara Butt, Harry Lauder, Peter Dawson and more recently Jessie Mathews and John Calvert. But of all these and many others, I am sure none can ever compare with the wonderful performances by the late Dame Nellie Melba, who gave her farewell performance in September, 1921. It is interesting to note that Dame Nellie Melba, gave two farewell performances. The first was in February, 1886, when she made a last appearance as Mrs Armstrong, to later become Madame Melba. The first competition of the Austral Society was held in the Theatre in May, 1897, and the first living pictures were seen in August, 1899. The London Bioscope Co. presented 'Struck Oil,' with Maggie Moore, in February, 1901 (Maggie Moore had appeared in the stage play or the same name many times earlier). However, it was not until 1910 that the Royal Princess was mainly used for pictures, and of course, since that year, that has been the principle form of entertainment presented. It was Easter, 1930, that the first talkie, 'The Desert Song,' was screened and then followed coloured films, and now in 1955 the latest in film development - Cinemascope has been installed. This installation caused, for the first time in many years, alterations to the back stage to enable the large 30ft. Screen to be quickly removed ready for any 'live' performances. In 1937 the Royal Princess came under the Management of Northern Amusements Pty. Ltd., a unit of the Woodrow Corporation Ltd., whose policy it is to bring in entertainment to Bendigo, and I, as their representative will carry on the traditions of the past, and make the Royal Princess truly a Home of Entertainment. Don Vincent, Manager. Wednesday, 31st August, 1955 on the stage. Eagelhawk Brass Band. Official cutting of the Bithday Cake and its presentation to the Matron of the Benoevolent Home by His Worship the Mayor of Bendigo (The cake kindly donated by Friedrich & Bassemir). Presentation of the Travel Voucher for a 10 day Luxury Coach Tour on behalf of Pioneer Coaches Ltd., to the licky couple winning the recent 25th Wedding Anniversary Contest, by His Worship the Mayor of Eaglehawk. 'Progress of Fashion by Bendigo Fashion House including A Tableaux of 7 Bridal Ensembles. Miss 1874 Gertrude Perry, Misses 1955 Rosemary Lorenz, Lorraine Foley, Joan Pinder, Pauline Kim, Shirley Morgan, Pat Ferrari, Wilma Breerton. Make - up by Helen Lang Beauty Salon. 81st Birthday Performance on the screen. Newsreels, Cartoons, Shorts, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Photograph: The Staff of the Royal Princess, under the Management of Mr Don Vincent, who are at your service. Hearing Aids are now installed in all parts of the Theatre, Doctors or Nurses on call may leave their names at the pay-box. Advertisements for Bendigo businesses: Radio Taxis, Kings Dry Cleaners, John V. Schenck Art Florist, Morley Johnsons everything for the home, Ron Meurer fridges, The Melody Bar, music. Program comprises of two sheets of paper.program, theatre, royal princess theatre, royal princess theatre eight first birthday souvenir programme, 31st august, 1955. 1874 - 1955. manager: don vincent. price - sixpence. proceeds: cinematograph trade benevolent fund. the royal princess theatre. in may, 1874, the late john crowley, at a cost of 12, 000 pounds the royal princess theatre. opened on 31st august, 1874, 'grand duchess of gerolstein' was performed. 1904, the theatre was closed until 1905, for re-construction. further alterations 1936 when the old circle and the gallery was converted into the present circle and loge, 14, 000 pounds. seen every form of entertainment known in the world. operas, including gilbert and sullivan, shakespearean plays, minstrels, pantomime, circus (wirth's making their first appearance in1887), drama, revues, magicians, and the latest medium of entertainment ice revue. 'charley's aunt.' the companies have been many and varied, charles holloway, the royal english opera company, j. c. williamson co., and royal comic opera coy., john mccormack, clara butt, harry lauder, peter dawson and more recently jessie mathews and john calvert. dame nellie melba, who gave her farewell performance in september, 1921. it is interesting to note that dame nellie melba, gave two farewell performances. the first was in february, 1886, when she made a last appearance as mrs armstrong, to later become madame melba. the first competition of the austral society was held in the theatre in may, 1897, the first living pictures in august, 1899. the london bioscope co. presented 'struck oil, ' with maggie moore, in february, 1901 (maggie moore had appeared in the stage play or the same name many times earlier). by1910 that the royal princess was mainly used for pictures, has been the principle form of entertainment presented. it was easter, 1930, that the first talkie, 'the desert song, ' was screened and then coloured films, now 1955 the latest in film development - cinemascope has been installed, alterations to the back stage to enable the large 30ft. screen to be quickly removed 'live' performances. in 1937 the management of northern amusements pty. ltd., a unit of the woodrow corporation ltd., 1955. eagelhawk brass band. official cutting of the bithday cake and its presentation to the matron of the benoevolent home by his worship the mayor of bendigo (the cake kindly donated by friedrich & bassemir). presentation of the travel voucher for a 10 day luxury coach tour on behalf of pioneer coaches ltd., to the licky couple winning the recent 25th wedding anniversary contest, by his worship the mayor of eaglehawk. 'progress of fashion by bendigo fashion house including a tableaux of 7 bridal ensembles. miss 1874 gertrude perry, misses 1955 rosemary lorenz, lorraine foley, joan pinder, pauline kim, shirley morgan, pat ferrari, wilma breerton. make - up by helen lang beauty salon. 81st birthday performance on the screen. newsreels, cartoons, shorts, seven brides for seven brothers. photograph: the staff of the royal princess, under the management of mr don vincent, who are at your service. hearing aids are now installed in all parts of the theatre, doctors or nurses on call may leave their names at the pay-box. advertisements for bendigo businesses: radio taxis, kings dry cleaners, john v. schenck art florist, morley johnsons everything for the home, ron meurer fridges, the melody bar, music. royal princess theatre eight first birthday souvenir programme, 31st august, 1955. 1874 - 1955. manager: don vincent. price - sixpence. proceeds: cinematograph trade benevolent fund. the royal princess theatre. in may, 1874, the late john crowley, at a cost of 12, 000 pounds the royal princess theatre. opened on 31st august, 1874, 'grand duchess of gerolstein' was performed. 1904, the theatre was closed until 1905, for re-construction. further alterations 1936 when the old circle and the gallery was converted into the present circle and loge, 14, 000 pounds. seen every form of entertainment known in the world. operas, including gilbert and sullivan, shakespearean plays, minstrels, pantomime, circus (wirth's making their first appearance in1887), drama, revues, magicians, and the latest medium of entertainment ice revue. 'charley's aunt.' the companies have been many and varied, charles holloway, the royal english opera company, j. c. williamson co., and royal comic opera coy., john mccormack, clara butt, harry lauder, peter dawson and more recently jessie mathews and john calvert. dame nellie melba, who gave her farewell performance in september, 1921. it is interesting to note that dame nellie melba, gave two farewell performances. the first was in february, 1886, when she made a last appearance as mrs armstrong, to later become madame melba. the first competition of the austral society was held in the theatre in may, 1897, the first living pictures in august, 1899. the london bioscope co. presented 'struck oil, ' with maggie moore, in february, 1901 (maggie moore had appeared in the stage play or the same name many times earlier). by1910 that the royal princess was mainly used for pictures, has been the principle form of entertainment presented. it was easter, 1930, that the first talkie, 'the desert song, ' was screened and then coloured films, now 1955 the latest in film development - cinemascope has been installed, alterations to the back stage to enable the large 30ft. screen to be quickly removed 'live' performances. in 1937 the management of northern amusements pty. ltd., a unit of the woodrow corporation ltd., 1955. eagelhawk brass band. official cutting of the bithday cake and its presentation to the matron of the benoevolent home by his worship the mayor of bendigo (the cake kindly donated by friedrich & bassemir). presentation of the travel voucher for a 10 day luxury coach tour on behalf of pioneer coaches ltd., to the licky couple winning the recent 25th wedding anniversary contest, by his worship the mayor of eaglehawk. 'progress of fashion by bendigo fashion house including a tableaux of 7 bridal ensembles. miss 1874 gertrude perry, misses 1955 rosemary lorenz, lorraine foley, joan pinder, pauline kim, shirley morgan, pat ferrari, wilma breerton. make - up by helen lang beauty salon. 81st birthday performance on the screen. newsreels, cartoons, shorts, seven brides for seven brothers. photograph: the staff of the royal princess, under the management of mr don vincent, who are at your service. hearing aids are now installed in all parts of the theatre, doctors or nurses on call may leave their names at the pay-box. advertisements for bendigo businesses: radio taxis, kings dry cleaners, john v. schenck art florist, morley johnsons everything for the home, ron meurer fridges, the melody bar, music.

Various movies made by the RVIB and transferred on to digital media. These were created for raising awareness of the RVIB and to appeal for donations from the general public. Most are assumed to be from the 1940s. 1. Brief image of children at RVIB. Various girls knitting in the grounds of St Kilda road, with a quick cutaway to two babies in prams. In the middle of the girls is a globe with a rainbow style surround that reads "The sun will never set on our Empire / Because we have the will to win!" The Australia flag and Union Jack flutter above the words and in the middle is the AIF rising sun badge. There is a brief shot of uniformed girls holding up a rug. 2. Two men stand beside a Clarke and Smith talking book player. One man guides the other to the cartridge and to open the cartridge mailing container. 3. "The work and play of the babies and children give our supporters never ending interest and enthusiasm!" A boy weaving cane on to a timber frame, a girl reads her piano music as she plays, whilst another writes in Braille. 4. "This girl is studying for her leaving Certificate to enter the University for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts!" Phyllis Lawson at a typewriter, a classroom of students and a girl reading a book. 5. "Arithmetic and algebra sums are worked out by steel pins placed in octagonal holes." Students using a Taylor's Slate. 6. "Born into a world of darkness. They depend upon for the LIGHT! Through education, training, recreation." A teacher helps a girl read a raised map, a boy finds the South American landmass on the globe, and a boy feels his way around a toy galleon. 7. "You can quite understand why the School Inspector said the manual training and work of our pupils would do credit to a normal School!" A boy adjusts the rear wheels of a wooden model biplane and spins the propeller when done. 8. "Little fingers which are frequently stiff and clumsy through lack of training are guided into confidence and self help." Various children are shown weaving canework baskets or stringing beads, and a younger child creates plasticine models. 9. "Out of the Shadows of ignorance into the Sunshine" of Happy, useful Citizenship. With your help!" Two children make a bed in a dormitory, a girl brushes her teeth and washes and dries her hands in a dormitory bathroom, children eat with napkins tucked under their chins at tables covered in cloth and with flower centrepieces in a dining room, and girls in various costumes dance in the garden. 10. "They afford an object lesson on how to tackle and vanquish misfortune!" Four children row an adult on Albert Park Lake, children play on a swing carousel next to a building on which is painted 'Blind Babies Nursery', a boy winds up a train and places in on the track, and two children play with blocks. 11. "And now we come to our blind toddlers! Our Nursery School is the only one in the Southern Hemisphere!" Children play with dolls, a playhouse and a rocker swing. 12. "Only for your support their lives might have been pitiful tragedies!" Children cuddle or play with soft toys, rocker swing and playhouse whilst a younger child sits in a chair. 13. "All that sight means stimulates our minds to express the sympathy of our heart to them." Three girls sing their dolls to sleep as they cradle and rock them. 14. Outside of St Kilda Road building from various views. 15. "Our hostels for young blind." Raleigh Street hostel. 16. "The Lighthouse is the symbol of the Institute's activities. It spreads light through education and training into the lives of all eligible blind babies, children and adults of Victoria! A peep into our factories!" View of factory building, workers making millet brooms, weaving mats and basket weaving. 17. "Although our income totals 40,000 pounds annually the hand made articles of our sightless workers have to be sold at a heavy loss to compete with machine made goods! This loss, and the 10,000 pounds given annually in compassionate allowances to the adult blind to help them to support their wives and families can only be maintained by donations from Citizens!" Various workers making a range of brooms in the factory. 18. "All our blind adults live in their own homes. They receive 36,000 pounds annually, including nearly 10,000 pounds in compassionate allowances! We can NEVER THEREFORE BE SELF SUPPORTING." The range of goods produced by RVIB (baskets, mats, brooms and brushes) is shown hanging from the swing carousel in the children's playground. "Our blind workers can support their wives and families by constant employment only if Citizens ask Storekeepers for "BLIND INSTITUTE" goods. 19. A man adjusts the dampeners on a piano. "Please engage our expert blind piano tuners and repairers. They attend to more than 1000 pianos and pianolas every year!" A man puts in a row of dampeners and then tunes the piano. 20. "Our gymnasium, social, dancing, cricket and other forms of recreation give the sightless endless pleasure!" Male on a stationary bike, using a skipping rope, weightlifting and Greco-Roman wrestling in the gym, men playing cricket, people playing cards, a tile game, dominoes, checkers and a pinball game. 21. A girl using a wireless set. "For many years now we have given and maintained FREE wireless sets to all needy applicants throughout Victoria!" Girl puts on headphones and adjusts the dials. 22. " "TALKING BOOKS" have now been invented for the education and entertainment of the sightless. Literature of all kinds is thereby read to them by means of special records." A boy puts on headphones to listening to a recording. 23. Couples dance as the RVIB Orchestra plays on stage. Plates of cakes are passed around a table amongst tired dancers. The camera pans across the four piece orchestra (piano, saxophone, drummer and double bass). 24. "To lighten their darkness is a work of mercy! Please help us to give them The courage of usefulness, The privilege of work, The happiness of comradeship". 25. Various people at a meeting, one with a dog guide at his feet and some with dark glasses. Three men stand near a Clarke & Smith cartridge player talking. Two of them appeared earlier. 26. Women working in a room. A man gives dictation to a women, who is using possibly a Stainsby-Wayne embossed shorthand typewriter, a telephone operator connects calls, a man takes notes on a Stainsby-Wayne crab writer, a room full of people working, a metal device moves between two springs and two men work with timber. 27. RVIB sign, outside front of RVIB building and a group of adults sit on benches under the giant central trees, children have running races, children cheer and one receives a ribbon for her sash that is over her school uniform, a woman writes down the results, a man uses a device, various shots of children, games such as ball tossing, winding up string race, younger children have a running race holding hands with nursing staff. 28. "Melbourne, Blind Childrens' Annual Sports". Outside of RVIB building and sign, children compete in a variety of games as adults watch on. 29. "Melbourne, Swimming Under Handicap". Children walking along a street, past a Holden, to enter the City Baths. Inside they swim, learn to swim, jump and dive into the pool under the watchful gaze of a group of women. This portion of the film then is repeated in segments.1 colour video recordings with no soundroyal victorian institute for the blind, phyllis gration, rvib nursery, rvib school, rvib orchestra, braille equipment, braille music, recreation, fundraising, education, employment, buildings, raleigh street hostel, audio books