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Stawell Historical Society Inc
Book, Steve Painter, Descendants of Hezekiah and Elizabeth Painter of The Pines, Crowlands Road Stawell - Previously Cat No 3634, 2000's
stawell -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Book, Michael Menzies, Rails To Lubeck, Rupanyup, Marnoo, Wallaloo, Bolangum, Warranooke, Navarre, 2014
stawell transport railways -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, History of the RAF
great britain. royal air force -
Federation University Historical Collection
Booklet, Ballarat Schol of Mines Prize Night, 1974
Four page booklet with blue printingon the front. It lists prize winners. ballarat school of mines, prize night programme -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Book, W.R. Crocker, Australian Ambassador: International Relations at First Hand, 1971
Hardcover w/ Dust Jacketaustralian history, walter crocker, foreign relations, international relations, 1951-1969, walsh st library -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Booklet - Prospectus, Photocopy, School of Horticulture, c. 1899
Prospectus and Regulations -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - MCCOLL, RANKIN AND STANISTREET COLLECTION: CENTRAL WATTLE GULLY CO. N.L. CASH BOOK
Central Wattle Gully Co. N.L. Gold Mine Cash Book duration: 7 May 1937 to 1 Nov 1939 37 pages (balance of pages of the book have been removed)McColl Rankin & Stanistreet -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Pamphlet, Jim Baillie of South Melbourne Depot, "Connies", 6/04/1988 12:00:00 AM
Pamphlet, letter or notice - duplicate on a single A4 sheet - dated 6/4/1988 by Jim Baillie of South Melbourne Depot advising of his views on The Met's actions regarding Connies who had been sacked, the union's actions, stop work meeting, jobs, future of conductors and other reactions. Notes various names in the item. Recruitment of conductors. See Reg Item 602 for an actual ticket and date.trams, tramways, conductors, the met, unions, south melbourne depot -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Book - DUTY DONE, COLIN RUSSELL LEITH, 2001
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Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Book, A History of the Forest Hill Cricket Club, 1/04/1995 12:00:00 AM
A history of the Forest Hill Cricket Club celebrating 40 years: 1955 - 1995A history of the Forest Hill Cricket Club celebrating 40 years: 1955 - 1995A history of the Forest Hill Cricket Club celebrating 40 years: 1955 - 1995forest hill cricket club, 40 years -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Amusement Railways of Australia, 2015
This book surveys over 150 years of miniature railways in the Australian amusement industry ... The trains presented herein provided tactile mechanical devices onto which the passengers could project their own imaginations to create the thrills of travelling by train through their own imagined spacesIll, maps, p.224.non-fictionThis book surveys over 150 years of miniature railways in the Australian amusement industry ... The trains presented herein provided tactile mechanical devices onto which the passengers could project their own imaginations to create the thrills of travelling by train through their own imagined spacesminiature railways - australia - history, miniature railways - australia - pictorial works -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Joan Beaumont, Broken nation : Australians in the Great War, 2013
The Australian experience of war in all its complexity - from the homefront as well as the battlefront - as the men and women who experienced it chose to understand and remember it. The Great War is, for many Australians, the event that defined our nation. The larrikin diggers, trench warfare, and the landing at Gallipoli have become the stuff of the Anzac legend. But it was also a war fought by the families at home. Their resilience in the face of hardship, their stoic acceptance of enormous casualty lists and their belief that their cause was just, made the war effort possible. This book brings together all the dimensions of World War I. Combining deep scholarship with powerful storytelling, this book brings the war years to life: from the well-known battles at Gallipoli, Pozieres, Fromelles and Villers-Bretonneux, to the lesser known battles in Europe and the Middle East; from the ferocious debates over conscription to the disillusioning Paris peace conference and the devastating Spanish flu the soldiers brought home. We witness the fear and courage of tens of thousands of soldiers, grapple with the strategic nightmares confronting the commanders, and come to understand the impact on Australians at home and at the front of death on an unprecedented scale. A century after the Great War, this book brings lucid insight into the dramatic events, mass grief and political turmoil that makes the memory of this terrible war central to Australia's history.Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.628.non-fictionThe Australian experience of war in all its complexity - from the homefront as well as the battlefront - as the men and women who experienced it chose to understand and remember it. The Great War is, for many Australians, the event that defined our nation. The larrikin diggers, trench warfare, and the landing at Gallipoli have become the stuff of the Anzac legend. But it was also a war fought by the families at home. Their resilience in the face of hardship, their stoic acceptance of enormous casualty lists and their belief that their cause was just, made the war effort possible. This book brings together all the dimensions of World War I. Combining deep scholarship with powerful storytelling, this book brings the war years to life: from the well-known battles at Gallipoli, Pozieres, Fromelles and Villers-Bretonneux, to the lesser known battles in Europe and the Middle East; from the ferocious debates over conscription to the disillusioning Paris peace conference and the devastating Spanish flu the soldiers brought home. We witness the fear and courage of tens of thousands of soldiers, grapple with the strategic nightmares confronting the commanders, and come to understand the impact on Australians at home and at the front of death on an unprecedented scale. A century after the Great War, this book brings lucid insight into the dramatic events, mass grief and political turmoil that makes the memory of this terrible war central to Australia's history.world war 1914-1918- australia - history, world war 1914-1918 - social conditions -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Book, Maureen Jones, Eric Rooks Farm: the Nillumbik gift, 2022
History of the Rooks family and farm, located at 167 Allendale Road, Diamond Creek. The property was first settled in 1865 and held by four generations of the family always retaining its rural landscape. Family archives and historical newspaper reports supplemented with photographs from the collection of Nillumbik Historical Society have contributed to the telling of this family history and history of the property. Hailing from Cambridgeshire England, the Diamond Creek pioneer settler was Isaac Rooks. He, his brothers and descendants are all profiled. The story of the Maroondah Aqueduct which passed through the property is also discussed including the recent development of the Aqueduct trail. More recently managed by Eric Rooks whose story is also represented, Eric donated the property to the National Trust upon his death in 2020 with the condition that a Reserve would be established.93 pagesnon-fictionHistory of the Rooks family and farm, located at 167 Allendale Road, Diamond Creek. The property was first settled in 1865 and held by four generations of the family always retaining its rural landscape. Family archives and historical newspaper reports supplemented with photographs from the collection of Nillumbik Historical Society have contributed to the telling of this family history and history of the property. Hailing from Cambridgeshire England, the Diamond Creek pioneer settler was Isaac Rooks. He, his brothers and descendants are all profiled. The story of the Maroondah Aqueduct which passed through the property is also discussed including the recent development of the Aqueduct trail. More recently managed by Eric Rooks whose story is also represented, Eric donated the property to the National Trust upon his death in 2020 with the condition that a Reserve would be established.diamond creek, rooks family, isaac rooks, maroondah aqueduct, maroondah aqueduct trail -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Pierre Boulle, The bridge on the river Kwai, 1952
The Bridge on the River Kwai" tells the story of three POWs who endure the hell of the Japanese camps on the Burma-Siam railway - Colonel Nicholson, a man prepared to sacrifice his life but not his dignity; Major Warden, a modest hero, saboteur and deadly killer; Commander Shears, who escaped from hell but was ordered back. Ordered by the Japanese to build a bridge, the Colonel refuses, as it is against regulations for officers to work with other ranks.p.157.fictionThe Bridge on the River Kwai" tells the story of three POWs who endure the hell of the Japanese camps on the Burma-Siam railway - Colonel Nicholson, a man prepared to sacrifice his life but not his dignity; Major Warden, a modest hero, saboteur and deadly killer; Commander Shears, who escaped from hell but was ordered back. Ordered by the Japanese to build a bridge, the Colonel refuses, as it is against regulations for officers to work with other ranks. war stories - fiction, burma-siam railway - fiction -
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Banner
The letters of the completed banner were made by different churches within in the presbytery and spelled a sentence, presumably "BUILD YOUR CHURCH LORD!" Orbost was one of the churches that had the finished banner on display. One of 24 small banners with tabs at the top of each for hanging on a rod. 19 have large blue letters appliqued on them. Twenty two of the banners are roughly square and two are smaller and oblong. Three have no letters and are used as spacers in the four word sentence that the letters make. The banners are decorated with rural and coastal images. BN068.16 "L" with appliqued and fabric painted scene of a beach, hills and city smoke on the horizon "L"uniting church adult fellowship -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Maclear, Michael, Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War (Copy 3)
At 7.53 on the morning of 30 April 1975, the last helicopter took of from the United States embassy compound in Saigon, bound for a waiting aircraft-carrier in the South China Sea. After thirty years - more that ten thousand days - the Vietnam War was over.At 7.53 on the morning of 30 April 1975, the last helicopter took of from the United States embassy compound in Saigon, bound for a waiting aircraft-carrier in the South China Sea. After thirty years - more that ten thousand days - the Vietnam War was over.vietnam war, 1961-1975, vietnam - history - 1945-1975, saigon, south china sea, united states embassy -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Tents of Israel
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 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 1860s 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. 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. Tents of Israel Author: G. B. Stern Publisher: Date: Further Information: The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT FIC STE Pastedown frontend paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library flagstaff 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, tents of israel, g. b. stern -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - STRAUCH COLLECTION: HAHNDORF A BRIEF LOOK AT THE TOWN AND ITS HISTORY
Book Hahndorf A brief look at the town and its history compiled by Anni Luur Fox, 96 pages in soft cover with black and white photographs 7 illustrations.Anni Luur Foxhistory, australian, hanhdorf, history-south australia - hanhdorf- german - lutheran -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Book (Item) - Osborne and Associates 8080A/8085 Assembly Language Programming by LA Leventhal
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4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Winifred Braithwaite (Winty) Calder, Winty Calder: Heroes and Gentlemen, Colonel Tom Price and the Victorian Mounted Rifles, 1985
Hardcover book about volunteer Victorian mounted infantrymen who did much to lay the foundation of the Australian Light HorseISBN 0 9589289 0 8book, boer war, winty calder, victorian mounted rifles, colonel tom price, 8 13 vmr, book, boer war, winty calder, victorian mounted rifles, colonel tom price, 8 13 vmr -
Mont De Lancey
Book, W.T. Fernie, M.D., et al, Herbal Simples approved for Modern Use of Cure, 1914
A non fiction book on herbal simples approved for modern uses of cure in the 1900's.Green fabric covered hardcover book, Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cures, by W T Fernie, M. D., containing information on herbal cures. Title and author blind tooled on front cover, gold lettering on spine of title, author, edition and publisher.non-fictionA non fiction book on herbal simples approved for modern uses of cure in the 1900's.herbal cures, herbal medicine -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Book, BOOK: MI5 MI6 - Britain's Security and Secret Intelligence Services
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Moorabbin Air Museum
Book - AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENT CONTROLL SYSTEMS, C. A. WILLIAMS, 1963
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Melbourne Tram Museum
Book, Jack Richardson, "Destination Subiaco", 1967
1305.1 - book - 20 pages including cover, printed on semi gloss paper, centre stapled with two colour covers (light green and black) titled "Destination Subiaco", providing details of the Perth, Fremantle, Kalgoorlie and Leonora tramcars or rolling stock and the Collie, Broome, Carnarvon, Derby, Esperance, Onslow and Roebourne light tramway (non electric) systems, complete with maps. Published by Traction Publications, in 1957, edited by Jack Richardson with Associate Editors of A. Cooke and K.S. Kings. Provides details on the trams that operated in the four cities that had electric trams. Has a list of tramway and railway books on page 19. See image htd1305i1.pdf for a scan of this version. 1305.2 - Book - 48 pages + card coves, printed on gloss paper, centre stapled, with two colour covers (green and black) titled "Destination Subiaco", providing details of the Perth, Fremantle, Kalgoorlie and Leonora tramcars or rolling stock. Published by Traction Publications, in 1967, edited by Jack Richardson. Provides details on the trams that operated in the four cities. Has a list of tramway and railway books on the rear cover. See image htd1305i2.pdf for a scan of this version.trams, tramways, western australia, perth, fremantle, kalgoorlie, leonora, depot, tramcars -
The Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, William Seabrook, The white monk of Timbuctoo, 1934
Biography of Père Yakouba, a French monk who became a White Father missionary to Timbuctoo in 1895 and later left the priesthood to marry a native, remaining in the city until his death in 1945.Ill, p.270.non-fictionBiography of Père Yakouba, a French monk who became a White Father missionary to Timbuctoo in 1895 and later left the priesthood to marry a native, remaining in the city until his death in 1945.catholic church, missionaries - west africa -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - GERMAN HERITAGE SOCIETY COLLECTION: BOLDT FAMILY BIBLE
Item 17. Boldt Family Bible. Large book with dark brown/black cover with pattern and a gold cross with leaves and flowers inside the cross, HIS in the centre. Edges of the pages are gold. Book printed Stuttgart 1892. Some family history written in the back.bendigo, clubs, bendigo heritage, german heritage society collection - boldt family bible, wilhelm august boldt, mr westacott, robert leonard thompson, albert edward boldt -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Pamphlet, V/Line, "The History of the Transport Mural - 1835-1935", undated
Pamphlet - large 8 fold pamphlet, full colour, titled "The History of the Transport Mural - 1835-1935" - providing a detailed description of the Mural, its parts, making, painting, detailing its preparation by Harold Freedman, timing, his work and other details. Prepared by VLine, priced $3, c2000? Understood that Keith provided details for the mural. Imaged over 8 jpg files.trams, tramways, spencer st, mural, southern cross station -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book - Folder, Eschol Irrigation Settlement 1893 Book 2, 1985
Eschol Irrigation Settlement information including maps, business directory 1893. Book 2Black A5 plastic folder, white label, blue writing on front. 20 plastic sleeves.inside front cover: Donor Tom Flanagan Tatura 9.8.1985irrigation, documents, newspapers, eschol irrigation -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Churchman, Geoffrey B, The Story of The Wellington to Johnsonville Railway, 1988
The history of the Wellington to Johnsonville Railway in New Zealand from the time it was the Main North Island Trunk railway to a suburban branch line.ill, maps, p.24.non-fictionThe history of the Wellington to Johnsonville Railway in New Zealand from the time it was the Main North Island Trunk railway to a suburban branch line.railroad construction - new zealand, railroads - new zealand - south island - history -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, International Library of Famous Literature Vol 9
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 a 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 a 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. 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. International Library of Famous Literature Vol 9 Edited by Richard Garnett Publisher: The Standard Date: 1900 Further Information: Selections from the World's Great Writers Ancient, Mediæval, and Modern, with Biographical and Explanatory Notes and Critical Essays by Many Eminent WritersThe label on the spine cover with typed text H808.8 GAR Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service.flagstaff hil, warrnambool, 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, international library of famous literature vol 9, richard garnett