This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was 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 lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. 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 Ralph 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. RALPH ERIC PATTISON 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 Pattison accepted a 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 area 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 during 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. 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 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent 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 has 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 1850’s to the late 1950’s 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. Baby Doll Author: Tennessee Williams Publisher: Secker & Warburg Date: 1957Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 812.5 WIL Front Loose endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, 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, great ocean road, baby doll, tennessee williams

Baby Marge Hastie seated in a wicker chair. c1920s or 1930s, maybe earlier?tatura, hastie, costume, infant, furniture, domestic

Sepia toned photograph taken of Rita Alexanders with baby at Lakes Entrance Victoriagenealogy, recreation

Carved wooden plate depicting a happy event - a baby. Father and Mother are looking at the baby in the beautifully decorated cradle, with sign IHS and flowers at the head end. In the background is a kmečka peč - a huge heart for bread making, cooking and warming up.IHSslovenian association melbourne, carved wooden plate, slovenian folk art, wooden cradle

Black and white photograph of Dorothy Penn holding baby harold on property in Orchard Grove, Blackburn South.penn, dorothy, harold, orchard grove, blackburn south

Black and white photograph of Rita (nee Wills) Alexander and baby Graeme at Stony Creek Falls Victoriagenealogy, recreation

Mounted Black and White Photograph. A mother sits on the ground suckling her baby with her hand out for money.photograph, vietnamese children, vietnamese mother

Baby scales, wicker basket with pink cushion in base sits atop metal scales and is detachable from base."Dr Harry Sinn"

This bonnet was made to be worn by Patricia Kathleen Grant. She was born in1925, the daughter of Dr Frank John Audas Grant and Kathleen Josephine Dixon. Dr Frank Grant gave many years of service to the Wodonga community both as its doctor and on several community organisations and committees. He was born in South Yarra, Victoria in 1897 and after finishing school he began Medical Studies at Melbourne University. In 1915 he enlisted in the Australian Army and was assigned to the Hospital Transport Corps and later with the 8th Field Artillery Brigade aboard HMAT Medic. He was wounded in action with gunshot wounds to the arm and back. After time in hospital in England, Frank was returned to Melbourne where he was discharged as medically unfit on 24th October 1917. During World War II Dr Frank Grant served as an Honorary Captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps. His records show that he was accidentally “Mustard Gassed” at Bandiana. Dr Frank Grant commenced practice in Wodonga in 1923, entering into a partnership with Dr Rudolph Schlink. This marked the beginning of a long career dedicated to the Wodonga community. By 11 August 1926 he held the role of Public Vaccinator with the Commission of Public Health in Wodonga. Apart from long years of dedication to health in Wodonga, Dr Grant also took on numerous roles within Wodonga. This included being a Commissioner of the Wodonga Waterworks Trust from 6 April 1932 until 29 July 1963. He was a strong advocate for the development of the Wodonga Base Hospital which opened in 1954. Doctor Grant passed away on 14 January 1964.This item is significant because it is representative of crocheted handcraftsA small hand crocheted baby's bonnet made of silk cotton thread and lined with silk. A silk ribbon is attached.crocheted items, dr frank grant, handcraft

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by Paragon and contains knitting patterns for baby bootees.Knitting pattern book, 16pp. Cover printed in black and white with photos of baby bootees. Contains photos and knitting patterns for baby bootees.PARAGON / Bootee Book / 21 PAIRS OF BABY BOOTEES / 1'6knitting handicrafts - history, paragon art needlecraft, knitting, handicrafts - history, fashion, style, wool

1939 Celluloid Baby Doll given to Dorothy Cunnington by her parents, who lived in Kooyong Road Caulfield.1939 Celluloid Baby Doll, dressed in towelling nappy and Viyella underpants and singlet. White cotton dress and matching bonnet.Bonny Baby Made in Japantheatre (use performing arts), toys, dolls

Possibly worn by Mrs Cuthbertson, nee Hooper, after her birth in 1881.Only one of its kind held in the Learmonth and District Historical Society Inc.Hand made baby's' bonnet,made of cream coloured silk, covered with cream antique lace and white tape ties.nilclothing, baby bonnet, habadashery, antique lace

Studio portrait of Edith Emma Dorey (nee Spooner), wife of Fred Dorey, with her mother and baby Fred. c1919edith dorey, edith spooner, fred dorey, olinda

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by F.W. Hughes Ltd and contains patterns for knitted baby clothes.Knitting book, 16pp. Front cover printed in pink and black with a black and white photo of a finely knitted babies layette. Contains photos and patterns for knitted baby clothes.Hughes / KNITTING BOOK 227 / FEATURING / BABY'S / DESIGNS / 6 - 18 MONTHS / TWINPRUFE BABY WOOL / PRICE: 1'9handicrafts - history knitting, f.w. hughes industries ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

Thin cardboard certificateRingwood Carnival Baby Competition 11th, 12th, 13th August 1926 THIRD PRIZE This is to certify that David Gordon Allen - Ringwood - was awarded Third Prize in the section for Babies Under 12 Months P. Whiteway, President Arthur Haywood, Medical Officer S.S. Jones, Hon. Secretary

Donated by Margaret ScarlettWhite cotton pillow slip. 'Baby' embroidered in white on left hand corner with green flowers on stem. Spoke stitched and crocheted on edges.toys, dolls' accessories

Part of S E Surman collection (album) page 18. Portrait of child and baby, child may be Victor Thorpe, baby is sibling?Sepia studio photograph of young boy with long hair wearing short trousers, top, shoes, socks and large brimmed hat, standing with left arm resting on prop behind, right hand holding toy, beside a very young child in gathered dress shoes and socks seated beside.victor thorpe, surman collection

Heavy, flat-sided baby’s feeding bowl, the design of which encourages the child to feed himself. A good example of a common household item.Round cream ceramic bowl with flat lip and straight sides which is straight on the inside and indented on the outside. “BABY’S PLATE “ written in brown on rim. Transfer of three young girls with one astride a black and white dog, in garden setting. Gold on rim.Baby’s plate.bowl, ceramic

Portrait - Baby Richard M. Goldsworthy 1872stawell

Studio Portrait of baby seated in wicker chair.stawell

Colour image featuring red brick building with darker brick features, and a cast iron bilding identification sign stating this building is the City of Moorabbin Baby Health Centre.Handwritten in pencil on reverse: cheltenham

Sister Amy Davies with baby “Boonah” Pte. Hospstawell

Studio Portrait of Baby in a Wheeled Cart drawn by a toy horse.stawell