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. Love-And The Philosopher Author: Marie Corelli Publisher: Methuen & Co Date: 1923 Further Information: The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 823 COR Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Front loose end paper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Front loose end paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library.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, love-and the philosopher, marie corelli

Ill, p.200.non-fictionAnecdotal stories of life and action of the Australian army at home and overseas during the post World War Two periodaustralian army - history, australian army - anecdotes

Crushed Shells Clear Speech & Hoteliers, a McMahon family retrospective containing 46 pages with black and white & some colour photographs.genealogy, family, mcmahon family, mcmahon-bendigo-hotels

A 26 page booklet with cream cover and pages featuring 4 self drives that are recommended in the Sunbury district. There are illustrations and text throughout the bookletnon-fictionA paperback booklet featuring 4 drives explaining historic and natural sites in the Sunbury area.sunbury, self drive booklet, heritage, +

Book used in schools for reading.Hard cardboard and red linen coloured cover with black printing. 242 pages.school reader, primary school readers, victorian school readers

Yields information about the Wendouree Parade track.Set of 8 AGFA blue and white plastic mount slide of Wendouree Parade. .1 - location?? .2 - near Dowling St? .3 - looking west from the depot towards Forest St with the Jubilee Church in the view. Has a signal in the view showing a red light. .4 - Near Haddon St, showing Warning Oncoming Trams sign. .5 - Looking west from Barrett Ave towards depot loop. .6 - looking east from Barrett Ave .7 - At Haddon St, showing the shelter. .8 - at Martin Ave loop Photo from the collection of Lilian Butler. ballarat, tramways, trams, wendouree parade, haddon st, signs, dowling st, forest st, signals, depot loop, shelters, martin ave, barrett ave

BHS CollectionBendigo Weekly from Thursday, April 17, 2003. Snippets of Bendigo History, the Pall Mall story - part 5 by Edith Lund. This article concentrate mainly on the businesses that occupied Allan's walk during the years. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo, bendigo weekly

Slide. Fire Brigade Competitions. Preparing to go up the ladder.slide, bendigo, fire brigade competitions., fire brigade competitions.

1903 edition of childrens annual ''Nisters Holiday Annual'' red hard cover with gold lettering and showing children on a snow sled, contains black and white plus some colour illustrations. Inscription reads To Madge with Mr Stewarts best wishes Xmas 1900.Ernest Nister London, E.P. Dutton & Co., Printed in Bavaria.books, children's, picture annual

The St Peter chapel was furnished thanks to donations of supporters of the Mission. Some were donated for the previous temporary chapel at the Sidney Street site and some are lost. - Holy Table (altar): donated by Mrs Shuter, in Memoriam of Charles Shuter - Cross: - Vases (lost) - Stained Glass Windows: donated by Misses Edith and Ruby Forge, in Memoriam J. Leslie Forge - Altar Lectern - Alms Dish: donated by the Godfrey sisters in Memoriam of their parents - Credence Table: donated by - Sanctuary Chairs: donated by Miss Gladys Hawkey - Sanctuary Rail - Choir Stalls and Chancel Screen - Lectern (donated in 1909) - Pulpit (donated in 1907) - Prayer Desk (a plaque to Goldsmith) - Bible and Prayer Books - Font - Cover for Font - Pews - Offertory Collection Plates (lost) - Music Cupboard in Vestry (lost) The document lists all the gifts donated by generous supporters of the Mission in 1917. The chapel was built during World War 1 as. memorial to the merchant seamen lost during the war. These items are still in the chapel today.A4 document on cream colour paper, wording in black ink.gifts, chapel of st peter, flinders street, mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, gladys amy hawkey (1886-1974), reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, gifts-1917, amelia shuter nee lord, beatrice elizabeth higgins (nee shuter), charles shuter

Diggers & Mining. The Chinese on the Gold Fields. Slide: Here is part of the front page of an English-Chinese news paper published in Ballarat in 1857. Markings: 23. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Dark red with gold lettering.J.P. Sheddick7th battalion, soldiers booklet

This plaque stand has been used for the opening of new buildings or newly established plaques, and was most recently used in the opening service of the Wellbeing Centre in 2024.Large stand used for revealing new plaques. Designed like a tripod, with three legs to stabilise the backboard. Deep red curtains attached via a rod, which can be moved to reveal the plaque with a drawstring.plaque stand, ceremony

35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 25) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcessing Date Code Jun 90Mshire of eltham tip, graham road, kangaroo ground, tips

Printed as a programme and historical record of the town of Murchison at 150th celebrations in 1990. Cream coloured soft cover, brown printing, aboriginal camp and bullock team and wagon on front cover and a picture of crossing the river in 1860 on the back cover. 4 black and white photographs. 16 pages. Murchison 150th Anniversary 1840 -1990murchison, books, history, 150th celebrations of murchison

Slide. Bendigo Show. Young person riding in a dodgem car.slide, bendigo, bendigo show, bendigo show