Articles in this annual report include: 60th anniversary, approximately 1000 blind people in Victoria, hope that Government will increase it's support which has not varied for over 30 years and comparison of costs compared to the 50th anniversary, visits by Lady Stonehaven and Lord and Lady Somers, resignation of G. Dent and appointment of J. Tanswell as head teacher, George Findlay is entering the final year of his degree and Donald Forbes is in his second year, thanks to Sir Baldwin Spencer for allowing the children to visit the National Museum and touch various items as he spoke about the various exhibits, George Findlay won the 3LO Exhibition for Pianoforte, the success of the Concert Party and the difficulty in securing halls large enough to hold concerts, placement of safety zones by the City of Melbourne and South Melbourne councils opposite the Institute, official opening of the hostel in Raleigh Street by the Lord Mayor, activities providing support for those not working at the Institute include teaching of home trades who manufactured goods will be purchased by the RVIB for sale in their shop, a wholesale tobacco and grocery store, use of the Pipe Organ, musical instruments, wireless set, study, writing, games, typewriting, showers and baths and dressing rooms for on-site use, a brief outline of the blind cricket playing ground and the boat house, the decision to provide free Wireless Sets to those who cannot afford them, H. Foster (foreman of the Mat department) again played Father Xmas at the children's Christmas party, the Orchestra and Concert Party gave their annual free concert to the Tramways Board and employees in appreciation for the free passes for the blind, formation of a Central Auxiliary with representatives from each municipality to help bring the work of the Institute more predominantly to the general public across Victoria, and the passing of workers Margaret Cates, Tom Ginniff and Peter Stevens.1 volume bound with illustrations.royal victorian institute for the blind, annual report, lord somers, lady somers, g dent, j tanswell, george findlay, donald forbes, baldwin spencer, national museum of victoria, cricket, rowing, h foster, auxiliaries, wirths brothers circus, raleigh street hostel, margaret cates, tom ginniff, peter stevens, buildings

A green paper programme for Wirth Brothers' Circus which also contains many advertisements. On the front cover is an advertisement for Clarkson Ltd., Rundle Street, Adelaide. Under the advertisement are the words ' Wirth Brothers' Circus. Official Programme. Sole Proprietors - Wirth Bros. Ltd. This Programme is subject to alteration.' Underneath is an advertisement for Conrad's Meat. Pritchard Bros., Printers, 113 Gawler Place, Adelaide. Inside the covers are pages with the program surrounded by many advertisements. C. early 1900sprogram, theatre, wirth brothers' circus, lydia chancellor, collection, program, circus, entertainment, advertisements, wirth brothers circus

Fire at the Cathedral Hotel! Southward view Firemen in their shiny brass Merryweather style helmets battle a fire in the roof of the Cathedral Hotel, Tuesday 3 March 1936. It was located on the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane and so named for its proximity to St Paul’s Cathedral, just visible at top left. The fire broke out in between the roof space and wooden ceiling of the hotel at around 4.30 pm, causing disruption to afternoon commuters – hence the banked-up trams along St Kilda Road. The hoses snaking across the roof have been dragged up through the hotel’s front door. The scene of devastation on the roof appears to be a result of both the fire and firefighting efforts. The panoramic background is dominated by the dome of Flinders Street Station, the wide, treed boulevard of St Kilda Road, and a densely built-up industrial area south of the Yarra with its elevated signage and substantial buildings. Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie. Photographer notations on slide: "Fire at Cathedral Hotel Swanston St 1936 B104" Description: This photo, taken from an adjacent building, shows 12 firemen fighting a fire on the roof of the Cathedral Hotel, Melbourne. There is evidence of considerable damage to the roof of the building as a result of the fire and fire fighting efforts. The photo gives a feeling of elevation, as the firemen are in focus, with an out of focus panoramic background, showing the dome of Flinders Street Station, and St Kilda Road down to the Shrine. Research by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie: The Age reported on 4 March 1936 that the fire broke out in rubbish between the roof space and wooden ceiling of the Cathedral Hotel at 4.30 pm. “The Eastern Hill fire brigade was notified by telephone, and an almost simultaneous call was also received at fire brigade headquarters from a street alarm.” The firemen in their dark uniforms with brass buttons, gold epaulettes and shiny brass Merryweather helmets, stand out against the broken slate tiles and dislodged timber of the damaged roofing, all of which look blackened and in disarray. Two pale water hoses snake thickly across the roof. It is a scene of some devastation and chaos. Three chimney pots by contrast sit plump and strong against the damage. The Cathedral Hotel is located on the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, so named due to its proximity to St Pauls Cathedral (just visible at far left) on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets. This intersection is a hub and focus of Melbourne activity. The backgrounded Melbourne skyline, while not in clear focus, is of interest. On the right is the impressive dome of Flinders Street Station, with the clock at 4.50 pm. Its grand frontage, and some of the façade along Flinders Street, are visible. To the left is the wide and grand-scaled St Kilda Road, leading down to the Shrine of Remembrance. There are many trams on Princes Bridge (mostly heading northward), together with some trucks and pedestrians. The pedestrian walkway along Princes Bridge is wide, and the Bridge balustrade lined with flag poles. The middle background shows a large number of trees. This was the site of Wirths Brothers Circus, an impressive complex including an octagonal circus Hippodrome (5000 seat auditorium), Pleasure Park, roller skating rink, and Dance Hall. Today it is the site of the Melbourne Arts Centre. Adjacent to the station is a large covered area, still extant today as part of the Station precinct. Floating above the horizon is sign advertising 'DUNLOP', located in the formerly industrial area which is today’s Southbank. Port Phillip Bay is faintly visible in the distance. The city seems sprawling, but uncrowded, and well punctuated by trees. Two photos were included an Age pictorial, one showing the firefighters at work, the other a crowd scene at street level (see References). These images are not part of the McKenzie Collection. References: No title (1936, March 4). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205256255 FIRE AT A CITY HOTEL. (1936, March 4). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205256231 FIRE IN ROOF OF CITY HOTEL (1936, March 4). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11018696 Hotel Roof Fire Draws Crowd (1936, March 4). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), p. 8 (DAILY). Retrieved February 5, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52000751 'Flinders Lane Melbourne 1966', Peter Andrew Barrett, Facebook, 12 June 2020, https://www.facebook.com/120943481324886/photos/a.512123662206864/3025002490918956/?type=3Photographer notations on slide: "Fire at Cathedral Hotel Swanston St 1936 B104".fires, 1930-1939, hotels