David Robertson (1855-1953) was a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind and president 1895-1899 and 1913. For centenary celebrations of the Association, portraits were painted of past presidents and photographs gathered in preparation of this. This image was collected, however the donor is unidentified.

1 A4 page cut into two with image and notes

David Robertson 1st President at AAB & Co-founder with Miss T Aston Held Presidency 5 times until Health gave way he carried out his Carried on his own Business until 59 yrs of age died at 96 yrs His sister Janet inaugurated the Visiting of the Blind & was treasurer for 8 yrs D.R. was responsible for getting the free pass & gave the AAB its name They both lost their sight in Gov homes as orphans Their Brother (William of New Zealand was champion Sculler of New Zealand for 20 yrs) (Hearn) called after step father Kindly acknowledge Warwick Studio, Albert Park

david robertson, association for the advancement of the blind

Tom Marks (1857-1939) was a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind and president in 1900 and 1935-1937. For centenary celebrations of the Association, portraits were painted of past presidents and photographs gathered in preparation of this. This image was collected, however the donor is unidentified. He poses for this studio portrait with his adopted daughter Hilda (1888-1981).

1 portrait photograph of Tom Marks with his adopted daughter Hilda

5. Tom Marks - Daddy & Hilda

tom marks, hilda marks

A large number of people sit at tables inside a tent/marquee. The men are dressed in three piece suits with ties and the ladies have floor length dresses and most wear hats. Two men wear darkened glasses. Vines and flowers are strung around the two tent poles in the centre,, with one vine attaching both poles and holding a Christmas bell shape between them. On the tables sit cups and small plates, with larger empty plates possibly holding sandwiches or slices, suitable for a garden party event. No people have been identified, although in an associated letter, Phyl Matthews puts forth that that one man is not her grandfather.

B/W photograph of group having tea inside a tent

association for the advancement of the blind, phyllis matthews

To commemorate the two anniversaries of prominent organisations, Australia Post issued two stamps, as well as first day covers, an accompanying card set and first day postmark. One card contains a photograph of young Tilly Aston, with the AFB 100 anniversary logo, a stamp of a person with a dog in harness playing the violin. The other card is a picture of Audrie and Neil Mc Leod, who founded the Spastic Centre of NSW as part of their efforts to assist their child and others access services for those who were born with cerebral palsy. The 50th anniversary logo of the centre is featured on the card, as well as a stamp of a person in a wheelchair flying a kite. Both cards have the postage mark of a kite and it's string framing the sun, and 'First Day of Issue 13 July 1995 Brighton Beach, Vic, 3188'.

2 colour post cards released as part of set

association for the blind, tilly aston, spastic centre of nsw, stamps, audrie mcleod, neil mcleod

Edna Adams was a member of the AFB and attended the Kooyong base. She was taught by Tilly Aston when she attended the RVIB School.

2 colour photographs with negatives

Edna Adams, student of Tilly Aston at RVIB School. Photographed at Kooyong 1995

edna adams, association for the blind

Five men in suits with high collars and bow ties pose with three ladies in evening dress. To the far left are Aaron Solomon and Annie Rose Drummond. Aaron Solomon (1870-1936) was enrolled at the RVIB school in 1878, after losing his sight at 6 years of age. He first began participating in concerts in September 1884, at an exhibition of talent that was held by the Institute and the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institute, to raise awareness of their work and achievements. He then became a regular performer with the entertainment troupe and travelled around Victoria singing and playing piano, even after his discharge from the Institute in 1892. In 1894 he formed his own troop of players and toured around Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand. This consisted of two females (Tilly Aston and Maggie Mulvogue) and three males (Charles Bartlett, John Irwin and himself). In 1896, Annie Drummond, Nellie Andrew and William Snell replaced the Aston, Mulvogue and Bartlett, and W.W. Spicer was appointed as manager with his wife acting as an assistant to the ladies of the group. In 1897-1898, H Forder replaced William Snell. On a return tour to New Zealand in late 1898, Thomas Andrews - brother to Nellie - joined the troop and Fred Hunter replaced H Forder. This was the first time the troop numbered eight people, who were also present when Annie Drummond married Aaron Solomon in Hamilton, New Zealand on Feb 3, 1899. This image could have been taken in 1898 before they left as a promotional card, or in 1899 when they returned, as a memento of the happy occasion.

1 cardboard postcard size image with silver writing

A. Marks & Co Elgin Street Carlton

aaron solomon, annie rose drummond, w.w. spicer, nellie andrews, thomas andrews, fred hunter, john irwin, a. marks & co

Tilly Aston sits in this studio portrait, her outfit obscured by the oval framing of the image. Her hair has been tied back and around her crown, as per her adulthood. A collared top with long sleeves which have a band around the cuff. She looks to have rosettes on her shoulders, a pin with 'V (crown symbol) R' under her chin, and fuchsias draped around her neck. The image could have been taken around 1897, when Queen Victoria celebrated her jubilee and various ornaments were produced to symbolise the occasion.

Young adult female in studio portrait wearing collared, long sleeved dress with fuchsia necklace

tilly aston, association for the blind

Four girls surround an older girl, who is reading Braille on a park bench. Believed to be Tilly Aston, the older girl has her hair in plaits and appears to be concentrated on the Braille pages in front of her. At the end of the park bench rests a man's hat and another book of Braille. This image has been reproduced widely and in a variety of black and white or sepia tones. Possibly a publicity image used by the RVIB. On one copy, there is a note that image was made around 1918, based upon clothing, which would rule out Tilly Aston who would have been in her late 40s around then.

B/W photograph of girl sitting on park bench reading Braille surrounded by four other girls

tilly aston, royal victorian institute for the blind, braille

Oral history interview and partial transcript of Harry Finlayson, who became head teacher in 1928-1938, then returned as headmaster in 1952 until 1954, before moving to Essendon and finally Echuca. He discusses the changes brought by Mr Hedger, the establishment of the Scout troop, the first long play records from America and England, as well as the educational challenges.

1 audio recording of recollections from former RVIB teacher

royal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, harry finlayson

Oral history interview and partial transcript of Peter Cronin by Judith Buckrich, with Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years.

1 audio recording of recollections from former RVIB attendees

royal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, peter cronin

Photograph taken by a staff member of the Charlie Bradley cricket pavilion and the playing grounds beyond it, to the freeway, against a pink morning sky.

vision australia, buildings, kooyong club house

A collection of images from the 1998 Braille and Talking Book Library awards ceremony at the ANZ Pavilion in the Arts Centre. Hosted by Rod Quantock, these images were taken by attendee Robert Degraauw and include a variety of speakers and attendees on the night.

9 photographs of people at 1998 awards ceremony

braille & talking book library, robert de graauw, louis braille audio, deidre rubenstein, monica zetlin, paul karo, jeffrey hodgson, pamela morrow, stanley mcgeagh, stephanie daniel, rod quantock, john bryson, caroline lee, david tredinnick, rebecca macauley, stephen pease, glen morrow, awards

A display of Louis Braille Audio and BTBL audio books at the 1998 (?) awards ceremony at the Arts Centre. Audio books are scattered across two adjacent benches, with three felt-covered pin boards behind them. Audio book covers, some information about the Braille and Talking Book Library and Tilly Aston, as well as a tribute to 25 years of producing commercial quality talking books is attached to the boards.

Display of LBA and BTBL audio books at ceremony

braille & talking book library, robert de graauw, louis braille audio, awards

A recording session with narrator Lise Rodgers, and producer Carmel McAloon, at the studios in Commercial Road.

Lise Rodgers reads a book into a microphone whilst Carmel McAloon sits outside the booth, listening to the recording

braille & talking book library, robert de graauw, carmel mcaloon, lise rodgers