WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much - loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items have become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. Papers Presented to Parliament Vol 2 Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1885 Further Information: John Ferres Government PrinterPaste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Libraryflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, papers presented to parliament vol 2

Reproduction of a photo of a East bound ESCo car- prior to 1913, (no windscreens) B&W, with Town Hall in background. Cut out of a magazine or journal- titled "The Town Hall, Ballarat." Tram appears to be fitted with destination boxes. From an original postcard at Reg Item 8412.Yields information about Sturt St and ESCo trams c1910Illustration printed on paper showing a view of Sturt St.trams, tramways, sturt st, esco, town hall, tram 5

"Bunty"Lawrence of Bendigo is credited with inventing the drip water method of time delay firing a rifle. The idea was used on the withdrawal from Gallipoli.This is a cutting from the Bendigo Advertiser - Wednesday June 18, 1986, Page 3. It has a photo of Bunty Lawrence looking at a 7Bn Association Magazine. The article surrounds the photo. Printing is in black ink. The photo is Black & White. The newspaper has browned with age.ww1, gallipoli, "drip rifle

Binder begins by discussing the history of Macquarie Textiles before expanding into explaining the operations of the company and how they produce their different finished worsted and woollen textiles. The information is dated to 1995 and makes for interesting reading into the past, especially the information in regards to computers and how they were begin to be introduced into the work place.A4 sized binder with 8 individual pages containing information on both front and back. Coloured ink with attached samples make up the contents of these pages. All pages have the same image of wool in the backgroundmacquarie textile, wool processing

In July 1909, a modest 12-page booklet was put together by members of the fledgling Old Ruytonians Association (ORA) and distributed to the Ruyton Girls' School community. It was one of their first projects, and their aim was to nurture continuing interest in the School among former and current students. They named it "The Ruytonian." At first, The Ruytonian was produced twice yearly, and always bore a plain cover with a simple name banner. Initially, it was the work of volunteer editors from the ORA, but in 1913 they handed the publication over to the first student editors, Esther Gibson and Lucy Tickell. Since that time, the style and content of The Ruytonian has continuously evolved. The biggest shifts occurred in 1942 when it transitioned to a yearly publication, and in 1969 when it moved to a larger A4 format with a cover image specifically selected for that year.The record has strong historic significance as it pertains to the fourth oldest girls' school in Victoria, Australia. Ruyton was founded in 1878 in the Bulleen Road, Kew, home of newly widowed Mrs Charlotte Anderson (now High Street South). Due to the age of the record dating back to 1951, we can infer it is one of the few remaining complete, intact and original examples of The Ruytonian from this period. Therefore, it can be considered an outstanding representation of its type, and is a reference example for research in early Victorian school history. The record's significance is further enhanced by its exceptionally well-documented provenance, having remained the property of Ruyton Girls' School since its production.Colour publication printed on papyrus coloured paper. 43 pages.Front Cover: N. Wiekhamm / THE / RUYTONIAN / RECTE ET FIDELITER / DECEMBER, 1951 / Registered at the General Post Office, Melbourne, for transmission by post as a periodical /ruyton girls' school, the ruytonian, kew, old ruytonians association, yearbook, school, publication, girls school, junior school, senior school, journal, students, teacher

Index, bib, p.160.non-fictionThis book is not only the story of Michael Collin's role in the events surrounding the Treaty, but is also the story of his differences with Eamon de Valera which were to have tragic consequences for the nation.ireland - politicians - biography, ireland - civil war 1921-1922

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items have become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Between Two Worlds Author: Upton Sinclair Publisher: T Werner Laurie Ltd Date: 1946 The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT FIC SIN Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has two stamp from Warrnambool Public Libraryflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, between two worlds, upton sinclair

Easter In Bendigo 1983, 24 page booklet containing programme of events, advertisements & history of Bendigo Easter Fair, colour photograph of Sun Loong on front cover.event, easter fair, bendigo easter fair

6 slides labelled, different types of mulch Feb 1987. 22 slides of a plant and its roots Jul 1988.mulch, roots, plant, wood chips, lucerne, compost, scoria, weed mat

Local Newspaper Coverage - Special - My War Part 6Local Newspaper reporting the World War 2 dated 3/6/940The Sun Newspaper dated 3/6/1940 - Special Coverage - My War Part 6 - DunkirkLocal Newspaper Dated 3/6/949 World War 2 - Coverage - Dunkirkworld war 2 - dunkirk

non-fictionCompiled from the Australian War Memorial Collection

1. This is a home made training booklet made from sheets of A4 paper folded. It has words "Coaches Guide" on top of front cover, 15th TPT SQN badge is in the centre. Inside are 25 pages of words and illustrations. 2. This is a single sheet of paper folded 3 ways to make it pocket size. The front cover has written "Aide Memoire" at the top with a photo of a prone rifleman. Issued by HQ 3 Division.passchendaele barracks trust, coaching, rifle shooting

non-fictionA record of the descendants of Robert and Mary Hatch who came from Ireland and settled In southern New South Wales from 1828 to the present day. The Hatch family sailed for Australia from County Down, Ireland on the 'Sarah', arriving at Tasmania on 14 October 1832. They first settled in Hobart, where Robert was a baker for around four years, On 30 July 1836 the family of six arrived in Sydney from Hobart on the barque 'Strathilsa'. Robert and Mary had another five children, and lived in a number of different places including Goulburn, Tarago, and Queanbeyan before settling on a farm at Mullengandra near Albury.hatch family australia, irish immigration, mullengandra nsw

Book

EIG School - Ralph Birrell Collection. - Construction of Latrobe Uni. C1969. Bendigo Institute of Technology, Engineering School, Applied Science. Crane at work.Kodakeducation, tertiary, latrobe university bendigo, eig school - ralph birrell collection. - construction of latrobe uni. c1969. bendigo institute of technology, engineering school, applied science. crane at work

Book. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 275 page hardcover book, Bread & Wine, of selected prose by Kenneth Slessor. Memories of Sydney, artists, poets, journalists et al. Published in 1970 by Angus & Robertson and printed by J. C. Stephens & Co., Melbourne. Catalogue sticker ''2179 SLE'' on spine. Newspaper cutting from Sydney Morning Herald 11/7/70 of a review of this book by John Douglas Pringle. SBN 207 94893 3.Kenneth Slessorbooks, collections, short stories, alec h chisholm collection, kenneth slessor, prose, short stories

It was the autumn of 1967. the Marines barricaded the Khe Sanh were surrounded by four divisions of NVA. Rockets and long-range artillery pounded them for seventy-seven days. vietnam, 1968, battle of khe sanh, u.s. marines, nva

Every Army marches to the tune of its customs and traditions. The customs and traditions of the Australian Army reflect the often glorious legacies that define the Army today/australia. army - military life, australia. army - history, soldiers - australia

Letter to the Editor of The Courier Ballarat of 23/12/1995, titled "People need to have say on trams", written by W. Hoath, Boyle St. Ballarat. Notes that people should have a say on whether trams are returned and that they will be uneconomical. Has the paper and date details taped to the bottom right hand corner area of the cutting."p28" in blue ink in the bottom right hand corner.trams, tramways, letter to the editor, ballarat city tramway, ballarat revival

Legal document52 page booklet with typed text and some additional typed text pasted in over the top of some sections.cover: [handwritten] articles 71 and 114 in this book have no / application to special resolutions cover: [printed] "THE COMPANIES ACT 1915" / Company Limited by Shares / MEMORANDUM AND / ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION / OF / GEELONG / R. S. & S. Woollen and Worsted / Co-operative Manufacturing Coy. / LIMITED / NEIL M. FREEMAN, SOLICITOR. / Geelong / J. C. BROWNHILL & SONS, PRINTERS / 1920

Rob Upson became a volunteer at the Bendigo Visitor Centre in 1998. The Staff produced a monthly newsletter called ‘The Grapevine’. Being reasonably new to Bendigo, Rob became interested in its history and began writing articles to share with the volunteers. He called them ‘Grapevine Cuttings’ under the pen name of ‘Merlot’. Rob wrote about 90 articles over a period of 12 years until ‘The Grapevine’ was finally pruned and shutdown. Rob is a valuable volunteer for the Bendigo Historical Society.Article 32 of 65 Newsletters in PDF format from the Grapevine collection. history, bendigo, grapevine cuttings, grave in maiden gully, the weekly times 1869