The Federation Markers project, jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and Stonnington Council, was intended to commemorate the centenary of Federation by means of a series of plaques to be erected around the municipality. Following public consultation, 50 historically significant themes were identified On the 7th April 1928 this playing field was inaugurated as the world's first permanent sports ground for blind cricketers when the first ball was bowled at a competition between the Victorian Blind Cricket Association and interstate teams. Mr William Paterson, a volunteer worker and advocate for blind people for over 60 years, was instrumental in acquiring and developing this sports ground and clubhouse on behalf of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now called Vision Australia Foundation). - text copied and edited from Stonnington History Centre record, accessed 26/5/2022.

1 plastic sign with images and wording

victorian blind cricket association, association for the blind, william paterson

The 'Blind' Orchestra on stage at Ormond Hall, surrounded by potted ferns. Instruments included drums, piano, banjos, trombone, saxophones, double bass and violins. Unfortunately no information on names at this stage. In the background, the organ is also visible.

Seventeen musicians dressed in tuxedos

rvib orchestra, ormond hall

10 students read at their desks in the classroom. Braille maps are on the walls and their are miniature wooden tanks, airplanes and a building on top of the cupboard. The walls are wood panelled to halfway up, then glassed.

1 black and white photograph of 10 pupils in the school room

rvib burwood school, education

Black and white photograph showing a young child, approximately six years old, using a Perkins Brailler. Possibly taken at the RVIB's Burwood School, where the Perkins Brailler was introduced in 1963.

1 black and white photograph of boy using a Perkins

rvib burwood school, braille equipment

Photograph of a young, red-haired woman operating what looks to be a telephone switchboard. The woman, possibly a receptionist, and possibly vision-impaired, wears headphones with a mouth piece to allow hands-free operation of the phone. With her right hand, she operates the keyboard in front of her. In the background is a bookcase with phone books stacked upon it.

1 black and white photograph of woman working in office

rehabilitation, royal victorian institute for the blind

Black and white photograph of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Crowd scene at Carols by Candlelight. Bowl is to right of shot. Light in centre, shining towards camera.

1 black and white photograph of Carols by Candlelight stage

royal victorian institute for the blind, carols by candlelight

Black and white photograph of a man wearing a suit and hat, and a young boy of approximately ten years of age, standing side by side, outdoors, and each holding a white cane.

1 black and white photograph of man and boy holding canes

royal victorian institute for the blind, orientation and mobility

Often RVIB staff went to people's homes to provide assistance such as orientation and mobility, and rehabilitation. In this image, a older man holds a white cane as he stands on the front garden step of his Victorian era home, shaking the hand of a younger female who is speaking to him.

1 black and white photograph of two people shaking hands

royal victorian institute for the blind, orientation and mobility

View of RVIB building in St Kilda Road, taken from the front lawn. Leaves are scattered across the grass and a single male figure stands outside the building.

1 black and white photograph of St Kilda Road building

royal victorian institute for the blind, buildings

Stage view of Carols by Candlelight, taken from inside the Myer Music Bowl. The orchestra and choirs watch the conductor, at a GTV camera televises the event.

1 black and white photograph of orchestra and choirs on stage

carols by candlelight, royal victorian institute for the blind

Rehabilitation covers learning how to undertake various tasks with assistive devices. In this image, a seated man presses buttons, guided by the hands of a female rehabilitation instructor. Some buttons are labelled with Braille markers.

1 black and white photograph of man and woman

rehabilitation, royal victorian institute for the blind

Parenthood often means finding ways to do things you need to. A woman washes dishes in her home, whilst keeping an eye on her toddler by placing them in a backpack. The toddler looks over the woman's shoulder, as she continues her work, with 2 washed cups already sitting in the drying rack.

1 black and white photograph of woman washing dishes

rehabilitation, child rearing

Screen magnifiers allow easier access for those with some sight, who find it difficult to fill in forms. In this example, Allan Bates writes his name and address on to a small form, and watches his placement via a Visual Tek magnifier.

1 black and white photograph of man filling in a form

assistive devices, allan bates

In this image two children are playing checkers at school. The tactile board has walls around each square and the children feel where each piece is placed. From the image, the black have a smooth top, whilst the white has a circle engraved into the top. Children are dressed in school jumpers and tops, and a white board with writing as well as small posters about the seasons, are in the background.

1 black and white photograph of children playing checkers

education, recreation

In this image a man sits and places tiles carefully on to a board, after applying adhesive. He wears floral apron, to protect his clothing, and a pot of Selley's Tile Bond (with an ice cream stick in it), rests on the board. Most likely taken during a crafting program held at a centre.

1 black and white photograph of man sticking tiles to a board

recreation, crafting

In this image two woman sit in a canoe and paddle across a waterway. There are bushes and trees in the background, with a wide clearing separating the water way from the bush. Both woman wear life jackets and hats.

1 black and white photograph of woman in a canoe

recreation, canoeing

In this image a woman weaves two different colours of plastic cording into a interconnecting X shaped pattern. Weaving has often been done as a commercial skill taught by blind institutes, however machine woven materials and goods have now turned this skill into a recreational one.

1 black and white photograph of woman weaving

recreation, weaving

Swish is a fast paced game played on a table tennis table with an upright board instead of a net. Players hold a miniature cricket bat and use an audible ball that must go under the middle board and off the table to win a point. Players must use only their bat to keep the ball on the table, and not their body, and keep the ball moving along the surface of the table. In this image, two men hold bats and attempt to return the ball back to their opponents.

1 black and white photograph of men playing swish

swish, recreation, royal victorian institute for the blind

Portrait in pen and ink with grey wash of Tilly Aston, aged seventeen, done by Fred Kneebone. She is shown with long hair tied back, wearing a high buttoned up dress with a brooch at her neck. In 'Memoirs of Tilly Aston', she recalls the portrait being done (p47) and being donated to the Austral Salon, who held a matinee performance to raise funds for her university education.

1 unframed pen and ink drawing with grey wash

Fred Kneebone Miss Tilly Aston Blind authoress philanthropist obit 1947 C.M. Dodd 1" white close up

artwork, tilly aston, fred kneebone

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: inability to merge with RVIB and ratified agreement to merge with Association for the Blind, 21st year of fundraising of the Benalla Auxiliary, low morale and productivity prior to merger, ongoing issue with staff turnover, continued delays with computer system and decision to purchase Urica system, toll free number for borrowers as well as advisory groups introduced to insure Library remains consumer focused, Rose Blustein appointed Chief Librarian, automated circulation system introduced which has decreased backlog in processing mailbags, and the Braille and Talking Book Library ceased trading 4 October 1990 due to the merge.

1 volume of text and illustrations

braille and talking book library, annual report

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: the continuing financial underfunding by government, Paul Carter joined Literary Panel of Joyce Nicholson and Barrett Reid for Braille Book of the Year shortlist, property purchased opposite library was sold as expected monies did not come through, David Scott appointed and later resigned as Treasurer, Mike Janes has taken appointment, Fred Gaze resigned, Peter Corrigan and Ron McCallum have joined the Board, appointment of Robert de Graauw to audio production, continued fundraising by Benalla Auxiliary, removal of wait list time for borrowers, and only 16 people receiving Clarke & Smith books since movement towards cassette.

1 volume of text and illustrations

braille and talking book library, annual report

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: the legacy of Mary Daly (consisting of 2 houses), launch on March 5 of LBP LTD by Minister of the Arts Ian Cathie, the death of Stephen Murray-Smith, the revaluation of land and buildings from 1918 value of 18000 pounds to $1,250,000, purchase of small property at 46 Commercial Road (opposite Library) to alleviate over-crowding, Mike Janes joins Board, Referendum materials produced for the AEC, purchase of Versabraille, acquisition of a fax machine, implementation of computer in technical services halted, new shelving purchased for the library, and Clarke & Smith books actively being phased out.

1 volume of text and illustrations

braille and talking book library, annual report

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: consultants used to streamline structure to reduce costs, take advantage of computer catalogue and resignation of Iris Whittaker and Seija Makinen, legacy from Valmai Jean Grey Bequest, Anne Barca, David Scott and Peter Walsh joined the Board, Braille Book of the Year panel (Joyce Nicholson, Stephen Murray-Smith, Barrett Reid) continue to short list titles for readers to vote on and Australia Council funds production of these titles, increased wait times to 18 months for new borrowers, introduction of computerised Profile matching for readers, full audio rights secured for six titles by LBP Ltd (Louis Braille Productions) and tone indexing introduced on to magazines at beginning of 1988.

1 volume of text and illustrations

braille and talking book library, annual report

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: CEP (Community Employment Programs) allowed for duplication of master tapes for storage off-site and development of computer catalogue records, budget estimate requires raising $600,000 in funds which has resulted in 1987 facing serious financial challenges, negotiations with RVIB broken down as print-handicapped philosophy not shared, Braille Book of the Year judges (Joyce Nicholson, Barrett Reid and Stephen Murray-Smith) shortlisted titles for readers to vote upon (John Bryson, Evil Angels) and best narrator (The Bathurst) went to Sean Myers, organisational restructure, resignation of Barbara Johnston and David Blyth, appointment of Jill Keeffe, new borrowers now waiting 11 months to receive first book due to limited staffing levels, bright orange cassette containers introduced (replacing pouches), Otari duplicating system first year in use, 'In Future' and 'Australian Geographic' began, 45 audio magazines including 1 Greek and 3 Italian now circulating, Braille Reading Marathon held, large print collection expanded due to Fitzroy Public Library discarding stock, Versapoint embosser purchased and link with Royal Society for the Blind in South Australia through Braille book catalogue.

1 volume of text and illustrations

braille and talking book library, annual report

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: naming the computer which will store the book catalogue for the library 'Tilly', RVIB declared a public library and Minister for the Arts has determined for services to rationalise with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman meeting their counterparts with meetings ongoing, first time borrowers asked to nominate their choice of winning title for Braille Book of the Year, with the literary panel of Stephen Murray-Smith, Joyce Nicholson and Barrett Reid making a short list from which borrowers voted, first time presentation held in the afternoon (with increased attendence) and inaugural Narrator's Award (The Bathurst in honour of former President Hector Bathurst) to Eirene Pappas, Hector Bathurst to receive OAM, Jan Smark Nilsson appointed to National Advisory Committee on Library Services to People with Disabilities and Australia Post approval to change cassette mailing pouches.

1 volume of text and illustrations

braille and talking book library, annual report

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: the 8% decrease in salaries until December saved $28K, first issue of Brailletter magazine, 6 month delay for new borrowers to receive service, growth in loans and books from Maxene Hewitt Children's Collection, End of Year Party not held due to financial constraints but Children's Christmas party did proceed, Jan Smark invited to overseas workshops, Employment Initiatives funding used for cassette cataloguing and talking book maintenance, resignation of E. Haynes and Hector Bathurst, and appointment of Michael Zifcak and Don Schauder.

1 volume of text and illustrations

braille and talking book library, annual report

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: embedding the new philosophy 'that all may read', VIP Tours began with tour of library and lunch at 'Onions' restaurant afterwards, increased loans but also a 5 month waiting list for new borrowers, Children's Christmas Party conducted, Barrett Reid, Joyce Nicholson and Dr Stephen Murray-Smith continue to be the literary panel for Braille Book of the Year, Annual Garden Party at Benalla, 63rd work anniversary of Alice McClelland, computerisation of card catalogue has received funds and should be completed by early 1986, and have the added benefit of eliminating wait times for new borrowers, resignation of Clare Lovegrove and Beverley Johnson and appointment of Seija Makinen and Alana McCann, first joint commission of braille books from RIDBC by Library and 8 state organisations, and purchase of an electric conveyor belt to help load the Australia Post truck with the daily 30 bags of mail received and the same outgoing.

1 volume of text and illustrations

braille and talking book library, annual report

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: the structural re-organisation, increased borrowing has required increase in staffing, the entire share portfolio has been sold however 4 staff were retrenched and remaining staff undertook an 8% pay cut for 8% less hours (with many continuing to work the same hours), decision to phase out Clarke & Smith machines in favour of cassettes, due to lower staffing a waiting list for borrowers need to be established with up to an 8 week delay to join, braille interleaved books developed to allow sighted parents of blind children (or vice versa) to enjoy a book together, establishment of LBA allows for segregation of alternative production and sales of book to other organisations, Braille Book of the Year panel of Barrett Reid, Joyce Nicholson and Lloyd O'Neil, opening of Benalla Studio on 7 December 1982, and as library declared a free public library in May 1980, library receives state government funding at 3% of the state budget.

1 volume of text and illustrations

braille and talking book library, annual report

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: a rocking chair gifted to Alice McClelland on her 60th year of involvement, retirement of Merle Griffin, 'Please Touch' exhibition at National Gallery of Victoria, creation of the Benalla Studio - funded by the Benalla Auxiliary and able to accommodate 3-4 people in a session, Margaret Ingham appointed Children's Book Specialist, renaming of existing studios to R Graeme Orr Studios (to honour former President), Library Talk commended at Public Relations Awards given by Australian Library Promotions Council, thanks for Joyce Nicholson, Barrett Reid and Dr Stephen Murray-Smith as Award Selection Panel for Braille Book of the Year, need for newer building as Commercial Road premises are expensive to heat and light and all available space is occupied, book bounty scheme available for braille and audio books, Louis Braille Productions Ltd set up as a subsidary company, book reading broadcasts by ABC shows will be donated free of charge, inaugural children's catalogue of Braille books produced, resignations of Dr Simon Haskell and David Hume, appointment of Elaine Leahy and Norm Fidge, and death of Maxene Hewitt and establishment of children's book collection known as 'The Maxene Hewett Collection for Children' in her honour.

1 volume of text and illustrations

braille and talking book library, annual report