Come on a journey back in time .

1. Come on a journey back in time…. Did you know Vision Australia has over 400 collective years of making a difference to the lives of Australians who are blind or vision impaired? Children touching a large tactile globe and reading braille volumes, Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, Melbourne, c1950Children touching a large tactile globe and reading braille volumes, Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, Melbourne, c1950

2. We’ve come so far.. Vision Australia formed in 2004 following the merge of Royal Blind Society (RBS), Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (RVIB) and Vision Australia Foundation (VAF) Female staff with children at the Victor Maxwell Nursery, Royal Blind Society of NSW, Chester Street, Woollahra, Sydney, 1955Female staff with children at the Victor Maxwell Nursery, Royal Blind Society of NSW, Chester Street, Woollahra, Sydney, 1955

3. What was it like to be blind in 1800? Being blind or vision impaired in the 1800s was very difficult. Many people lived in absolute poverty. Etching of a man playing accordion and wearing a sign reading “BLIND”, c1800s. Entitled “City of Melbourne” solicitor by the State Library of Victoria. Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria La Trobe Collection. Etching of a man playing accordion and wearing a sign reading “BLIND”, c1800s. Entitled “City of Melbourne” solicitor by the State Library of Victoria. Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria La Trobe Collection.

4. No vision, no vote, no way! People seated at an early meeting of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (later VAF) in a large hall, c1900sPeople seated at an early meeting of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (later VAF) in a large hall, c1900s

5. Leading Australia and the world Abolishing a discriminatory 400 pound bond to travel interstate. Previously people who were blind faced humiliating scenes at border crossings. Staff members packing braille volumes into picnic hampers for postage to library users, Braille Library, Melbourne, 1940sStaff members packing braille volumes into picnic hampers for postage to library users, Braille Library, Melbourne, 1940s

6. The first education services… It wasn’t only rights that were non-existent. Until the late 1800s Australian children who were blind had no access to education. Children seated at desks in classroom at the Asylum and School for the Blind (later RVIB), Melbourne, late 1800s Teacher Sue Coull playing keyboards whilst a male student plays a drum as part of a music therapy class at RVIB school, Melbourne, c1990s Children seated at desks in classroom at the Asylum and School for the Blind (later RVIB), Melbourne, late 1800s Teacher Sue Coull playing keyboards whilst a male student plays a drum as part of a music therapy class at RVIB school, Melbourne, c1990s

7. Getting a job Another major challenge faced by people who were blind in the 1800s was lack of employment, generating poverty and preventing independence. Male workers constructing mats at RVIB workshop, Melbourne, late 1800s Man using computer with adaptive technology, RBS, Sydney, c2004Male workers constructing mats at RVIB workshop, Melbourne, late 1800s Man using computer with adaptive technology, RBS, Sydney, c2004

8. Providing homes Times have changed. Our modern philosophy is to equip people to live independently in their own homes, while providing training and advice to nursing homes and hostels. Residents sitting on the lawns of Australia’s first nursing home for people who are blind. “Woodburn”, VAF, Brighton, Melbourne, c1920s Man assisting woman with lighting the stove as part of the services of RBS, Sydney, c1990-2000sResidents sitting on the lawns of Australia’s first nursing home for people who are blind. “Woodburn”, VAF, Brighton, Melbourne, c1920s Man assisting woman with lighting the stove as part of the services of RBS, Sydney, c1990-2000s

9. Access to books Tilly Aston (second from right) reading braille to four young girls in gardens, Melbourne, c1900s Two female volunteers or workers transcribing braille at the Braille Library, Melbourne, c1920sTilly Aston (second from right) reading braille to four young girls in gardens, Melbourne, c1900s Two female volunteers or workers transcribing braille at the Braille Library, Melbourne, c1920s

10. Moving with the times… Early braille typewriter known as “The Visible” which is part of our heritage collection Chief Librarian Minnie Crabb with the braille printing press she invented in 1934, Braille Library, Melbourne, 1930s Computer production of braille, RBS, 1980sEarly braille typewriter known as “The Visible” which is part of our heritage collection Chief Librarian Minnie Crabb with the braille printing press she invented in 1934, Braille Library, Melbourne, 1930s Computer production of braille, RBS, 1980s

11. Introducing talking books Four women and man looking at early Clark and Smith talking book machine, RVIB, 1939 Dame Mary Gilmore recording a book for the Blind Book Society, Sydney, c1950s Chief Librarian Rose Blustein of Vision Australia Library with the first Australian talking book produced on CD, Elizabeth Jolley’s “The Orchard Thieves”, 1996-7Four women and man looking at early Clark and Smith talking book machine, RVIB, 1939 Dame Mary Gilmore recording a book for the Blind Book Society, Sydney, c1950s Chief Librarian Rose Blustein of Vision Australia Library with the first Australian talking book produced on CD, Elizabeth Jolley’s “The Orchard Thieves”, 1996-7

12. Let’s play….. Today our organisation equips people who are vision impaired to pursue their recreational interests. These can range from art to mountaineering and water skiing. A man batting whilst being watched by onlookers at the first interstate blind cricket match, Kooyong, Melbourne 1928 Jayson Hanrahan water skiing, Melbourne, 2003A man batting whilst being watched by onlookers at the first interstate blind cricket match, Kooyong, Melbourne 1928 Jayson Hanrahan water skiing, Melbourne, 2003

13. A ground-breaking visit Deaf, blind and non-verbal, American Helen Keller fiercely advocated greater rights, respect and understanding for people with disabilities. Helen Keller meeting three men, who are probably RBS staff, Sydney. 1948Helen Keller meeting three men, who are probably RBS staff, Sydney. 1948

14. Rising to meet the need The first patient being assessed at Australia’s first low vision clinic, VAF, Melbourne, 1972 Hazel Hawke visiting 3RPH radio station, VAF, 1980s Two ladies reading the newspaper into microphone, studios, RVIB, Melbourne, 1980s The first patient being assessed at Australia’s first low vision clinic, VAF, Melbourne, 1972 Hazel Hawke visiting 3RPH radio station, VAF, 1980s Two ladies reading the newspaper into microphone, studios, RVIB, Melbourne, 1980s

15. Spreading out... Regional auxiliaries were formed from the 1920s to raise funds and community support for locally based services. In Geelong, world renowned cyclist Sir Hubert Opperman was a keen supporter! Brass band standing in front of RVIB, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 1897. The band was made up of students and workers from RVIB. Sir Hubert Opperman seated on an exercise bicycle (left) with two other men at the opening of a new Geelong centre, VAF, 1973 Map of NSW, ACT and Victoria showing our geographic reach. 2005Brass band standing in front of RVIB, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 1897. The band was made up of students and workers from RVIB. Sir Hubert Opperman seated on an exercise bicycle (left) with two other men at the opening of a new Geelong centre, VAF, 1973 Map of NSW, ACT and Victoria showing our geographic reach. 2005

16. Making it all possible The White Ball, later known as the Black and White Ball, has been a highlight of Sydney’s social calendar since 1937, and a fundraising success for RBS. 3 women and 3 men dressed in harlequin costumes who were part of the official Association for the Advancement of the Blind (renamed VAF) concert party, 1920s 3 women posing in ball gowns. According to the program for the Belles of the Ball photo exhibition held in 1996 to celebrate 60 years of the Black & White Committee, the women were "White Ball Flower sellers” promoting the inaugural RBS White Ball, Sydney, 1936 Female performers sashay down the aisle watched by an audience at RVIB Carols by Candlelight, Melbourne, 19623 women and 3 men dressed in harlequin costumes who were part of the official Association for the Advancement of the Blind (renamed VAF) concert party, 1920s 3 women posing in ball gowns. According to the program for the Belles of the Ball photo exhibition held in 1996 to celebrate 60 years of the Black & White Committee, the women were "White Ball Flower sellers” promoting the inaugural RBS White Ball, Sydney, 1936 Female performers sashay down the aisle watched by an audience at RVIB Carols by Candlelight, Melbourne, 1962

17. A common purpose Royal Blind Society of NSW was first called the Industrial Blind Institution. It later became the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution and the Royal Sydney Industrial Blind Institution. Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Approximately late 1800s Sydney Industrial Blind Institution, William Street, Sydney. Approximately late 1800s Home for the Blind, Association for the Advancement of the Blind, Bennett Street, Long Gully, Bendigo, c1927. This was Australia’s first regional nursing home specifically established for people who were blind or vision impaired.Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Approximately late 1800s Sydney Industrial Blind Institution, William Street, Sydney. Approximately late 1800s Home for the Blind, Association for the Advancement of the Blind, Bennett Street, Long Gully, Bendigo, c1927. This was Australia’s first regional nursing home specifically established for people who were blind or vision impaired.

18. Looking back, moving forward Throughout our long history, we have consistently worked towards greater independence and equality for people with a vision impairment. Four men on a quadricycle outside the entrance of RVIB, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 1888Four men on a quadricycle outside the entrance of RVIB, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 1888

19. Creating history today Our history of achievement continues today. Recently we have championed: Lilly and her mother, Keisa, reading a braille book, Melbourne, 2004Lilly and her mother, Keisa, reading a braille book, Melbourne, 2004

20. A brighter future Combining our skills and resources means we can make more of a difference than ever before. Angelique with her mother, Margaret. Angelique is vision impaired whilst Margaret is blind. Sydney, 2004Angelique with her mother, Margaret. Angelique is vision impaired whilst Margaret is blind. Sydney, 2004