Annual reports for the SIBI in a bound volume.1 volume, illustrationssydney industrial blind institution, annual reports

This oil painting of the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution (later Royal Blind Society of New South Wales) at William Street was painted by F.R. Fowler in 1976. It was inspired by an original drawing done by Adam Stephan c1890. The building was erected between 1876 and 1879 and was designed by Edmund Blacket. It was funded through a generous bequest by John William Wood. The Institution provided the first employment training in NSW for people who were blind or vision impaired.Oil painting in wooden frame with nameplate at baseThe Sydney Industrial Blind Institution 1879f.r. fowler, sydney industrial blind institution, artwork

Annual reports for the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution, including a price list and catalogue of items manufactured by the workers.1 volume, illustrationssydney industrial blind institution

This tablet is in grateful appreciation of the generous exceptional assistance afforded the committee - The - Sydney Industrial Blind Institution - by the - Director of the Sun Newspaper in the Industrial "Blind Appeal" whereby a sum of over 18000 pounds was raised to carry on and extend the Institution's work for the amelioration of the blind.Gold coloured metal sheet with black writing mounted on woodsydney industrial blind institution, nameplates

Side view of a double-storey, sandstone builidng with lawn, most likely the original building designed by Edmund Blacket for the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution in Boomerang Street. The artist has signed and dated the right-hand corner and has written 'Deaf and Dumb'.Watercolour and goucache over pencil in gold frameM Jonesm jones, sydney industrial blind institution

To recognise the achievements of those who undertook and completed a transcription course, this certificate was awarded to "a duly qualified Braille writer and competent to transcribe Books for the Blind", by the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution. These volunteers were involved in the expansion of the library as they created Braille from the print version of texts. 20/10/1917 - Elizabeth Harris. Signed by the President Thomas Anderson Stuart illegible date (1921-1932) - Mollie Turner. Signed by the President Sir Alfred Meeks.Cream page attached to cardboard with col. illustrationsFrame with garden decorations around writing, and a white flower/waratah/blue bird/Braille board sits amongst wattle in various corners. A B/W image of the Sydney Industrial Blind Institute building in William Street sits above the main text, whilst two women reading or using Braille and a building labelled 'Library for the Blind' sit to the left and right of the frame.sydney industrial blind institution, mollie turner, elizabeth harris

In 1875 John William Wood left a legacy of 5000 pounds for a building to be erected for the benefit of people who were blind. A site near William Street was agreed upon, and building commenced of a two storey sandstone in Boomerang Street. Some months after its completion, a public meeting was held to inaugurate the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution, outline its rules and regulations and elect a board of management. To publicise it's work and gain donor support, the SIBI produced an annual report outlining the finances, facilities and programs offered.1 volume, illustrationssydney industrial blind institution

Portraits of the 14 men who comprised of the Committee of Management for the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution. The largest photograph is of a bearded man writing at a desk (Rt Hon Sir Alfred Stephen PC GCMG CB President). Directly above him (in clockwise direction), J Dawson Hon Tresr, W. Beaumont, J W Hood, J F Weller, Thos Buckland, R L Tooth, A E Tooth, John J Keep. A second row extends below this (from left to right) E O Smith, A W Weeks, E Sinclair Hon Sec, Arthur Blacket, A Consett Stephen.1 framed mounting board with 14 sepia toned portraitssydney industrial blind institution, sir alfred stephen

These minutes contain information on attendees, meeting chairs, apologies, recommendations, correspondence, subscriptions and donations and general business. Reports are also included from the Auxiliaries, Appeal funds, Auditors, Library and home teacher, the Blind Workers workshop, and the Women's Hostels located at William St and "The Haven" at Woollahra. 8/7/1937 it was acknowledged that Mr. Henry J. Hedger, the Superintendent of the Institution had passed away on the 5/7/1937 after 57 years of service. 19/7/1937 it was reported that the Library teacher, Miss E.A. Campbell who had been with Institution 30 years had met with a tram accident and died on 16/7/1937. 17/12/1937 it was proposed that the Record Talking Book machines be loaned out on a nominal rental fee of 2/-.1 volume with glued in typed pagessydney industrial blind institution, henry j. hedger

Annual reports of SIBI, including an illustrated booklet for the NSW Training Centre for Blind Soldiers. During and after the Great War, the services of the Institution were pushed to the limit by the rising numbers of blinded soldiers returning from the battle front.1 volume, illustrationsOn the inside of the cover is a signed affidavit relating to a will made in 1924. sydney industrial blind institution

Annual reports from SIBI in a single bound volume.1 volume, illustrationssydney industrial blind institution

Annual SIBI reports in a single bound volume1 volume, illustrationssydney industrial blind institution

Annual SIBI reports bound in a cloth covered volume1 volume, illustrationssydney industrial blind institution

Articles in the annual report include: the supply of building materials for a Hostel for Blind Women (courtesy of guest speaker Hon. Clive Evatt), inability to secure a holiday property has resulted in a holiday benefit fund being established to pay the costs for a blind person and their guide, the upcoming addition of an Occupational Therapist on staff, to establish an Honour Roll for outstanding services to the blind, the continuance of the 'Glow Worm' radio broadcast on 2GB, and that despite good sales, manufacturing continues to run at a loss compared to commercial factories.1 volume of text and imagescorporation records, royal sydney industrial blind institution, k l barry, j eyre, e vance

Articles in the annual report include: excitement around the acceptance of Helen Keller to visit Australia under the auspices of the Institution, establishment of an Occupational Therapy Department for crafts, additional of Rivis Mead to the Honour Roll, difficulties in securing materials and stoppages due to shortages in utilities, popularity of talking book machines, recruitment for volunteer drivers to help Home Teaching department and continuing success of 2GB 'Glow Worm' radio program.1 volume of text and imagescorporation records, royal sydney industrial blind institution, rivis mead

Articles in the annual report include: opening of the only nursery for blind babies and children at Victor Maxwell House, a new Braille shorthand class, the erection of an Occupational Therapy Department building, the development of a new switchboard operation course, a trial of long-term prisoners producing Braille has resulted in 83 being created, a profile on the late Jean Currie and appointment of Coral Cook in that position, awarding of an MBE to R.W. Kippax (who has occupied many positions at the Institution), thanks to A.F Toll for the free transport of Braille volumes and the Black and White Committee on another outstanding Ball, and the success of the NSW Blind Cricket Club and the young women at Helen Keller hostel forming the Amazons Blind Girls Sports Club.1 volume of text and imagescorporation records, royal sydney industrial blind institution, jean currie, black and white committee, nsw blind cricket, coral cook, r.w. kippax, victor maxwell kindergarten

Print of a painting inspired by the original drawing done by Adam Stephan c1890. A double story sandstone building with a bay window sits behind a metal fence. On the road, driver waits with his horse and buggy as a man and woman stand in the open door to the building. 1 art print in grey/gold frameartwork, sydney industrial blind institution

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, artwork, buildings

Annual reports produced by the SIBI, informing their subscribers and the general public of the good work undertaken by the Institute and the ongoing need for funding. Information provided included income, expenditure, fund raising, staff, services, etc. Below is a summary of other information contained in the reports. 1902 - Trades at which the blind are employed, extracts from visitors books, balance sheets, supplementary catalogue of books in library, subscription and donation lists by town, constitution of the institution and rules, sick fund rules and balance sheet. Also noted were the impending installment of a printing press for books, the development of blind distributors of tea beverages and that instead of a blind boys home, boys would instead be sent to board with suitable families. 1933 - A list of braille transcribers and the amount of braille produced, a brief report on the Floral Festival organised by the Women's Auxiliary Committee and the donation of a shop in George Street for 12 months for the selling of articles made by the Blind was provided by a SIBI committee member. 1934 - A brief report on the hostels at William Street and Woollahra, a detailed listing of all functions which raised money through the auspics of the auxiliaries, and a visit by Superintendent Hedge and Librarian Mr Thompson to the Croydon Ladies Social Club. 1938 - A radio show called the 'Glow Worm Session' on 2GB with home teacher Roy Kippax, the 150th anniversary of Sydney celebration and a 16 millimetre film that was made to publicise the Institute's work. 1939 - A record amount raised through the sale of goods made by Blind Workers, the refurbishment of "The Haven' at Woollahra and transfer of residents from William Street, and free admission by the Trocadero and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to swing concerts and 'Broadway Serenade'. 1940 - Incorporation of the Institute's Women's Magazine into Boomerang Magazine, the enlistment of two Board members Cohen and Meeks for active service, and a brief report from each of the branch auxiliaries. 1941 - The difficulty of obtaining stereotype Braille items from London and the passing of the editoress of the Women's Magazine Miss L.E. Hudson who had just completed the final edition. 1942 - Employment of 60 blind men and women in war related industries, the purchase of an air raid shelter and the small size of the report due to the shortage of paper. 1943 - Closure of the Basket department due to government regulations on cane stock, the provision of a lunch hour news service provided by visitors and individual reports from each of the Ladies Auxiliaries. 1944 - Presentation of a revolving chair to Honorary Librarian Mr H.W. Thompson for 35 years of service, the filling in of air raid trenches due to the improvement of the wartime situation and that SIBI had been supplying the Royal Australian Navy with mats, brushware and other products. 1945 - Continued placement of blind workers in outside industries, the compilation of a register of blind citizens and the election of the Hon. Justice Maxwell as President. 1946 - The successful application for Royal assent and the subsequent name change of the insitution, the intervention of Hon. Member C.R. Evatt Minister for Housing regarding the building of a new hostel for blind women and the establishment of an Honour Roll with a description of inductees Mrs K.L. Barry, Mrs J. Ayre, Mrs E. Vance . 1947 - Establishment of an occupational therapy department, the acceptance of Helen Keller to visit the society and the induction of Mrs Rivis Mead to the Honour Roll. 1951 - Passing of Librarian Miss Jean Currie and the use of prisoners to transcribe materials into Braille.Single volumes with various pagings, illustrations

In 1878 Sydney Industrial Blind Institution was built on the corner of Boomerang and William Streets in Sydney. Designed by Edmund Blacket, it was intended to be a workshop, showroom for items produced there and accomodate 10-12 people to live on the premises. The three story building (and subsequent extensions) ended up being used up until 1971, when the need for more space and the limitations of city buildings necessitated the move to Enfield. As part of this transition, and due to the demolition of the old building, a stone archway was removed in 1971 and relocated to the new RBS offices in Mitchell Street. Almost half a century later, that site was sold however the archway could not be moved to the various commercial offices that now housed staff. City of Sydney council did not have a suitable location, as the original site was now a private housing complex, NSW Dept of Heritage did not preserve parts of buildings and it was not from a building originally located within the boundaries of the Burwood Council. The developers of the site recognised that it was part of the historic fabric of Sydney however, and placed it within the landscaped front entrance to the site.10 digital images of stone archwaysydney industrial blind institution, buildings, royal blind society of nsw, edmund blacket

Formed in 1951, this register contain the minutes of the Executive Committee. The meetings were held in the premises of various blindness agencies around Australia. The Australian National Council for the Blind (ANCB) was formed in 1951. 11/11/1953 The Secretary reported that the ANCB had been admitted to full membership of the World Council for the welfare of the Blind and welcomed to being a body whereby matters appertaining to Blind welfare work throughout the world may be referred to the various organisations in Australia through this source. 1 volume of glued pagesroyal victorian institute for the blind, sydney industrial blind institution, queensland industrial institute for the blind

158 pages with illustrations on CDnon-fictionBrief history of the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution, which later became the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales, under the leadership of Henry Hedger and Sir Paul Cullen.sydney industrial blind institution, royal blind society of nsw

Helen Keller speaks with an elderly blind man via signing. Believed to have been taken during Miss Keller's visit to Australia in 1948.High quality image of two people communicating by finger spellinghelen keller, sydney industrial blind institution