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

Articles in the annual report include: the coming opening of the Alexis Albert Hostel for Aged Blind Men in Culdees Road, a property purchased in Burwood Road for Aged Women and Couples, a list of prize winners at the Royal Easter Show for various handicrafts by people who have learned their skill from the Occupational Therapy department, continued output of mats, baskets, brooms and matting in workshops requires demand by conscious consumers, appeal to employ skilled blind people in various industries as switchboard operators, piano tuners, stenographers, etc., aim to create a Youth Hostel due demand, best known of the Society's activities the library continues to provides reading material in Braille and Moon as well as Talking Books, awareness that gramophone discs are no longer being made and investigating the alternatives including tape recorders, regular musical concerts are held in the Society's hall and some musicians compete in the blind category and open category sections in the City of Sydney Eisteddfod, the outpatients clinic continues to provide regular and continuing treatment, families of children at the Victor Maxwell House are encouraged to visit the nursery, take their children home for holidays and weekends or each night - as considered the most beneficial by the Panel, work has begun on a new centre in Newcastle, social cricket matches and usually a bi-annual trip to Brisbane keep the NSW Blind Cricket and Athletics Club in shape, the NSW Blind Bowling Club play both indoor and outdoor bowls with the Balmain Bowling Club helping to organise trips to various clubs, the William Street Womens Bowlers Club invited 4 members from each club to play on the green at Five Dock, next year they intend to organise a similar indoor competition, the Victor Maxwell Nursery benefited greatly from the 2UW Blind Appeal for Blind Babies, Helen Keller Annual Fete, Blind Artists Concert with special guest artists who volunteer their time, thank you to Nellie Sweeney for training the Waimea Singers (Helen Keller hostel choir), '1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, annual report, victor maxwell kindergarten, helen keller hostel, alexis albert hostel, employment, black and white committee, cricket, bowling, william street blind women's bowling club, goodie reeve, fundraising, blind musicians, nellie sweeney, waimea singers, justice maxwell, wilfred reed, david hornibrook, richard underwood, rotary club of burwood

Articles in the annual report include: the expenses incurred due to increased client numbers and wages rises, the need and inability to sell the Woollahra (Helen Keller hostel) site, the success of the fledging Reference Library seen as a model for other organisations, Matron Scott (Victor Maxwell nursery) received an M.B.E., plans to develop 3 more day centres to add to the five already operating, operations undertaken in the workshop, continued demand for places at Alexis Albert and Lighthouse hostels, recognition through the renaming of 2UW Blind Appeal to the 2UW Lions Blind Appeal which has been run since 1952, blind bowlers looking forward to being on the green at Enfield, Cricket club looking forward to when tip in Mitchell St is filled in so that it can be made into a home ground, and the collaborative relationship had with other blindness related organisations.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records, john l waddy, alexis albert, mary lidbury, sandy robertson kindergarten, victor maxwell kindergarten, june gollan, max nisbett, terry kenaghan, h.f. benning, gillian bunning, hugh hay, leith myerson, william street blind women's bowling club, lawrence mccredie, edward (ted) hanlon, kerrie donovan, balmain blind bowling combination, cricket

Articles in the annual report include: the awarding of an O.B.E. to Vice President H.F. Benning, presentation of a silver cigarette box to Roy Kippax for his 50th year of service, aim to move out of old William Street building by the second half of 1971, Mark IV Talking Book machine began to be circulated, first library advisory committee on book selection was convened, images of the Alexis Albert, Helen Keller and Lighthouse hostels, formation of Nepean, Lighthouse Younger Set, Ryde and Hornsby auxiliaries, the use of a swear jar by the 'Blind Club' of the Queensland Hotel (cnr Erskine & Kent St) to top up the RBS donation box, the various blind bowling and cricket clubs, the use of the Main Hall by the Boomerang Singers, and various volunteers who assist departments with their work.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, alexis albert, lady albert, sandy robertson kindergarten, australian national council of and for the blind, balmain blind bowling combination, william street blind women's bowling club, helen keller hostel, braille writers association, h.f. benning, r.w. alkin, roy kippax, victor maxwell kindergarten, w.a. davis, k. bruce, lighthouse hostel, alexis albert hostel, r wellsmore, h.c. standen, ray watson, paul cullen, ian burnet, nola dekyvere, alan wotherspoon, ron frazer, annual report, cricket

Articles in the annual report include: alterations and additions to the Victor Maxwell House Nursery to modernise and provide accommodation for up to 20 children due to the success in the 2UW Blind Babies Appeal and Hoyts Theatres Ltd Charity Drive, opening in December of the North Branch Blind Welfare Centre in Bull Street Newcastle, the need for more finance to extend the Helen Keller hostel and to build a Blind Men and Youths Hostel to satisfy demand for supportive accommodation, thanks to Butler's Air Transport in providing free travel to Stuart Kerry and C. Rae who travel around the state teaching people in their own homes, two prisoners serving life sentences continue to transcribe books - one solely for St Lucy's and the other has handled requests for text books from Sydney University, the Braille Printing Press has produced 'The Commonsense Cookery Book' in Braille as it has been in constant demand, a heartfelt thanks to Rivis Mead who has been sewing and repairing books but is unable to continue this role, however she will continue to transcribe as she also has done for almost 30 years, a donation of 4 guineas was made to the City of Sydney Eisteddfod for two trophies for Braille reading in the Children's section of the 1953 Eisteddfod, there is a pool of trained switchboard operators who have trained under Miss E. Teulan and are ready for work, Neville Neich won the Adult Braille reading contest at the City of Sydney Eisteddfod and was asked to later broadcast this over the ABC National Network, winners of the other sections were broadcast over the 'Glow Worm' sessions, Nola Dekyvere accepted her fourth Presidency for the Black and White Ball at the Trocadero, an exhibition of handicrafts organised by Goodie Reeve resulted in the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW including a special section for Blind participants in their Handicraft section of the 1954 Royal Easter Show, NSW Cricket and Athletic Club continues to play regular fixtures at suburban and country centres - winning 12, losing 4 and drawing 4, the establishment of the NSW Blind Bowling Club, and the Coronation medal has been awarded to E.T Herford (CEO), W.A. Davis (Northern Rep), C. Rae (Braille instructor) and J. Wilston (worker). 1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, annual report, victor maxwell kindergarten, helen keller hostel, stuart kerry, c rae, rivis mead, e teulan, neville neich, nola dekyvere, goodie reeve, cricket, bowling, e t herford, w.a. davis, j wilston, parramatta gaol

Articles in the annual report include: a brief history of the organisation on it's 80th anniversary, resignation of Herbert Thompson who had provided over 50 years of voluntary service in the library, Braille teacher and Council member with a plaque commemorating him in the Library, the addition of Reverend Noel McCaw on the Council as Mr Thompson's replacement and A.F. Albert's appointment as Vice President, the unexpected demolition of 'Heathfield; in Woollahra due to it's condition and a rethinking of strategy given the demand for a kindergarten in the western suburbs, intention to rebuild the lower hall in William St to accommodate studios, offices, repair and storage facilities to satisfy the growing demand for tapes, outline of the Blind Book Society and how it became an auxiliary to the Society so that the assets and goodwill of the BBS were transferred to the RBS, support for this action by Frank Clune and other authors, transcription work done by the Braille Writers Association of NSW includes Leaving Certificate exams, knitting patterns, recipes and musical compositions, references to the change in talking book machines and teachers checking transcribers work to ensure mild censorship does not occur, two examples of how the support can change the life of a blind person, the assembling of a giant flower basket (10 x 15 feet) for the Town Hall Float in the Waratah Festival which was filled with 25,000 sweet peas and a bow of 6 foot wide satin - sadly the truck carrying this would not start and the float was not seen, dropping of sales due to plastic goods and imported products, 17 First Prizes and 12 Second Prizes in various handicrafts at the Royal Easter Show, the work of Margaret Green in providing services to blind children across the state, a visit by world-famous blind pianist George Shearing, pictures of the opening of the "Light House" home for Aged Blind Women and the Alexis Albert Hostel for Aged Blind Men, renovations have occurred at the Helen Keller Hostel and drama and singing classes are held as well as the local choir Waimea Singers directed by Nellie Sweeney, cricketer Ken Curtis took a hat trick - the first in Australian blind cricket history - in the third match between NSW and Victoria at Kooyong in December 1960, three musicians (Julian Lee, Percy Roberts and George Herrmann) were in contact with pianist Percy Shearing before his television appearance, drama classes provided by Irene Alexander have been well attended with some students giving dramatic presentations on radio stations, monthly musical concerts continue to be held in the Society's hall, the continued success of the Black and White Ball, the huge success of the 2UW Blind Appeal providing much needed funds, the addition of the Silver Lighthouse to the group of Auxiliaries, the passing of E K Gordon who was a Foundation Member of the Committee as well as roles with the Newcastle branch and Nursery for Blind Babies, the ACT Liaison Group obtained free passes for bus services within the Territory, the 'Glow Worm' sessions ended in its 21st year on 2GB with Goodie Reeve now reading news excerpts and Betty Hatherley's session on 2UW have been replaced by recorded announcements.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, annual report, justice maxwell, paul cullen, h.f. benning, herbert thompson, c d darvall, ken bunn, e t herford, roy kippax, k. g hunter-kerr, phyllis bourke, w.a. davis, alexis albert, noel mccaw, buildings, talking books, blind book library, kenneth bruce, frank clune, dame mary gilmore, roy young, braille writers association of new south wales, transcription, t brockhoff, zita ainsworth, l farrell, a faulks, percy cooper, m duncan, dorothy juleff, margaret green, victor maxwell kindergarten, light house home, alexis albert hostel, helen keller hostel, waimea singers, nellie sweeney, ken curtis, cricket, julian lee, percy roberts, george herrmann, irene alexander, maurice chevalier, nola dekyvere, betty hatherley, l c haynes, fundraising, l atkins, l a maurer, j lamond, j wishart, jill hamer, w. cannington, e k gordon, j blair, b macleay, lions club of mayfield, lions club of sydney, lions club of burwood, apex, lions club of bondi, n g wilson, j v brickwood, goodie reeve, 2uw, 2gb

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, victor maxwell kindergarten, cricket, braille writers association of new south wales, a.f. toll pty ltd, roy kippax, graeme dark, sandra dark, parramatta gaol

Articles in the annual report include: death of General Manager Ian Burnet, expenditure exceeding income, need to sell Woolahra (Helen Keller hostel) property, goal of opening 20 new Day centres by the end of 1975, plans to establish Occupational Therapy Training unit, review of aging hostels and restructure workshop, growth of Mitchell Street Theatre, increase of children with more than sight loss at nursery, decision to establish reading competition in memorial to Barbara Rutherford, launching of a literary workshop by Max Nisbett, official opening of a blind bowling green at Enfield, and awarding of Churchill Fellowship to Joan Ledermann for a review of Braille production units overseas.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records, ian burnet, helen keller hostel, mitchell street theatre, alexis albert, a.e. stephen, h wakeham, roy kippax, sir roden cutler, sandy chapman, victor maxwell kindergarten, sandy robertson kindergarten, max martin, jack chamberlain, betty cuthbert, mary lidbury, mark spitz, suzy spitz, billy sinclair, john sinclair, max nisbett, balmain blind bowling combination, joan ledermann, barbara rutherford

Articles in the annual report include: the opening of the new building at Burwood (Enfield) and the facilities it provides, including a bowling green, swimming pool and rooms for specialist areas such as orientation and mobility and music braille; the need for the new building, the support of Long Bay Gaol in the fabrication of mat frames and use of shearing machine and the binding of Braille volumes through the support of Parramatta Gaol, publication of a booklet 'The Pre-School Child who is blind', the development of rehabilitation services for those who are unable to visit the new site and the introduction of Mark IV talking book machines.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, sir roden cutler, alexis albert, lady albert, john w.a. o'brien, lady cutler, kerrie donovan, joan ledermann, mary lidbury, victor maxwell kindergarten, sandy robertson kindergarten, sue dixon, richard lyle, lady austin, walter rice, margaret clark, australian national council of and for the blind, australian council for rehabilitation of disabled, balmain blind bowling combination, william street blind women's bowling club, helen keller hostel, long bay gaol, barbara giblin, braille writers association, parramatta gaol, annual report

Articles in the annual report include: the RNIB approving the use of Clarke and Smith talking book players, appointment of Margaret Green as a social worker at Victor Maxwell House, the passing of Polly Thompson who visited the Society in 1949 with Helen Keller, the election of Justice Maxwell as the Chairman and re-appointment of Ken Bunn as Secretary to the Australian National Council for the Blind, the demolishing of 'Heathfield' due to disrepair and possible use as a Youth Hostel or Adjustment Centre for people who are newly blind, the opening of the Light House as a home for Aged Blind Women by NSW Governor Sir Eric Woodward, appointment of Freida Goon as manager of the Light House, update on Alexis Albert House, continued impact on decreased sales of workshop products, high demand for musicians trained or supported by the Society, music and singing lessons with Gordon Lavers, success of monthly concerts given at the Hall by various musicians, introduction of judo lessons, the cricket team led by Barry Ward played matches against the Queensland Blind Cricket Team at Wylie Park, indoor bowling clubs enjoyed both social and competitive matches with many members also joining the Balmain Blind Bowling Combination, the prized addition of a Braille duplicator to the library, listing of Transcribers, Pupil Subscribers (Transcribers), Voluntary Braille Instructors, Voluntary Car Drivers and Library Workers, Newcastle and Hunter River chairman W.M. Cannington joining the Committee, a list of Prize Winners for the 1959 Royal Agricultural Show in the Handicrafts Section, the work undertaken by the fundraising auxiliaries including the Black and White Committee, the 2UW Blind Appeal and the 21st Birthday of the 'Glow Worm' radio show on 2GB.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, annual report, victor maxwell kindergarten, justice maxwell, helen keller hostel, library, braille writers association of new south wales, 2uw, goodie reeve, black and white committee, cricket, nsw blind cricket, nsw blind bowling club, william street blind women's bowling club, polly thompson, margaret green, ken bunn, australian national council of and for the blind, light house home, alexis albert hostel, gordon lavers, balmain blind bowling combination, w. cannington, 2gb, major general paul cullen, herbert thompson, h.f. benning, c d darvall, e t herford, phyllis burke, k. g hunter-kerr, freida goon, barry ward, sir eric woodward, hrh princess alexandra of kent, roy kippax, b button, w dunn, c j delaney, n allen, matron scott, marno parsons, charles jobson, billie sinclair, c green, john o'connor, donald debus, george herrmann, joyce herrmann, bert hussey, neville smart, john irvine, jacky myers, percy warner, frank lindburg, sir james bissett, c.r. rae, hal hennessey, w.a. davis, d ferrier, reginald camp, l maurer, joyce grenfell, googie withers, alexis albert, l hynes, phyllis shillito, bruce macleay, n kinnaird, billy matthews

Articles in the annual report include: the official opening of the Victor Maxwell nursery by the Governor General, the continued need for more accommodation at the Helen Keller hostel and one for males, texts brailled for first year students at the University of Sydney, four long term prisoners continue to transcribe books, the election of Mrs Ringland to replace Foundation President Roy Kippax, the decision to employ a fully qualified Kindergarten Teacher at the nursery, the work undertaken by the Northern Branch in Newcastle, the availability of several newly qualified switchboard operators tutored by E Teulan, inaugural section for the blind in the Handicrafts Section at the Royal Agricultural Show, monthly concerts held in the hall, another successful 2UW Blind Appeal was held on Sunday 6th June, the Black and White Ball was again the outstanding social event of the season, broadcasting of the 'Glow Worm' sessions on 2GB, appointment of a Special Representative (F.G. Garden) to publicise the work of the Society to country areas, the ability for blind citizens to attend the Royal Progress of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh upon their arrival in Sydney - including donation of equipment to broadcast a description of the event to those within the enclosure, in addition the Society were also able to erect a stand in front of the William Street premises and sold seating to the general public for the event, NSW Blind Cricket and Athletic Club continue to pay local and further afield including the Interstate Blind Cricket Carnival at Wiley Park, the establishment of two blind bowling clubs, and the passing of committee member A.W.M d'Apice who served for 14 years.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, annual report, victor maxwell kindergarten, justice maxwell, sir john northcott, helen keller hostel, library, parramatta gaol, braille writers association of new south wales, e teulan, 2uw, goodie reeve, black and white committee, f g garden, queen elizabeth ii, duke of edinburgh, cricket, nsw blind cricket, nsw blind bowling club, nsw blind women's bowling club, a w m d'apice, dorothy falkiner

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, Lighthouse, Silver Lighthouse committee, Newcastle Branch, 'Heathfield' and other Woollahra properties. 22/3/1965 it was noted to assist blind persons with the transfer to Decimal Currency an application had been made to the Commonwealth Treasurer for early release of specimen coins and notes. 24/1/1996 it was resolved that a dollar note gauge be supplied to all blind persons in N.S.W. 30/11/1966 it was noted the Management Committee had recommended to Council that the Society should transfer all its activities currently conducted at Williams Street to Mitchell Street and that the William Street be offered for sale at not less than $700,000. 1 volume of typed sheets glued to pagesroyal blind society of nsw, annual reports

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, Lighthouse, Silver Lighthouse committee, Sheltered Workshops, Newcastle and Wollongong branches, 'Heathfield' and other Woollahra properties. 25/3/1968 it was resolved that Braille services be reorganised to Library, Transcription and Braille instruction for blind persons. This plan created 2 new positions for blind persons. 20/7/1969 it was resolved that a Burwood Building Fund would be opened with the donation of $2,000 by Mr. W. G. Waterhouse. 27/10/1969 it was resolved that sheltered workshop employees who retired after 25 years service would be presented with a gold Braille watch. 19/1/1970 it was resolved that the Society agrees to accept a first mortgage on the security of the William Street property. 22/3/1971 The General Manager had reported that Burwood Council had arranged to purchase the Palatial Theatre and had agreed to lease the building to the Society for 12 months. 1 volume of sheets glued to pagesroyal blind society of nsw, annual reports

Articles in the annual report include: the reduced subsidies provided by government and the increased need for public support, success of family counselling and support programs have reduced numbers at nursery and kindergarten, plans for Low Vision Clinic, reconditioning and assembly of bicycles in workshop, retirement of Matron Scott and Mrs McCallum (heads of Victor Maxwell nursery and Sandy Robertson kindergarten respectively), continued success of Mitchell Street Theatre, and all the NSW blind participants who attended the Toronto Olympiad won medals.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records, marno parsons, june gollan, joan mackenzie, alexis albert, lions club, mitchell manufacturing, phillip taylor, graham laurence, a.e. stephen, graeme innes, a innes, mrs mccallum, matron scott, val woods, marge brown, nan tait, lady norman, josephine gale, phyl eastman, mitchell street theatre, william street blind women's bowling club