Davies Family Group outside Weatherboard house stawell

These are a pictorial documentation of the early years of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution. B&W oval photograph pasted on cardboard and cut out from original board and a negative copy. The picture is of the Hon. M. H. Davies who was on the Board in 1888. He was the MLA for St. Kilda between 1883 and 1889. deaf children australia, dca, victorian deaf & dumb institution, vddi, board member, mathew henry davies

Postcard of Zurich from Noel to Patricia and John Davies.Postcard with hotel and swans on lake in Switzerland.

Davies sisters Left to right Kate Nell and Rosannastawell portrait

Stawell Athletic Club President Ian Davies 1991stawell sport gift

Sister Amy Davies with baby “Boonah” Pte. Hospstawell

Portrait - Cr. E.P. Davies - STAWELL SHIRE COUNCILLORS 1918stawell government

Stawell Athletic Club President Ron Davies 1978 1996stawell sport gift

This book was very popular during 1945 and was written by Merva Davies and published by the National Press PTY Ltd in Melbourne. It tells the story of a half-caste indigenous child. 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. Yeytallic Author: Merva Davies Publisher: The National Press P/L Date: 1945 The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT FIC DAV Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library, with the date of April 1946 The front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library. Inside the front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free 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, yeytallic, merva davies

Thank you note for supper from Noel (and Violet) to Patricia and John Davies.

Catherine Agnes Davies proprietor of the Bolangum Inn in the Kanya Post and Telegraph Officekanya

Boonah – Private Hospital Sign. Allen Crescent Stawell. Sister Davies RVTNAstawell home hospital

Primary School 502 to R. Z. Davies Appreciation Certificate 1887 as Head Teacherstawell education

Thank you card and note for two dinners, from Graeme to Patricia and John Davies.

From the early 1950s, the Kew Repertory Players performed more substantial, if less spectacular fare in the Recreation Hall, and later in the new Kew City Hall, after the former’s demolition in 1960. Their repertoire ranged from plays by Noel Coward to J.B. Priestley. Many of their programmes, the earliest from 1953, and the last from 1965, form part of our collection.Arthur Henry Dear was an employee of the City of Kew, acting as Hall Keeper of the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, and later the new Kew City Hall in Cotham Road. The Arthur Dear Collection contains memorabilia - tickets, programmes, invitations - as well as his identification badge. Items in the collection dates from the 1940s to the 1970s. The Kew Recreation Hall (Wellington Street) and later the Kew City Hall (Cotham Road) were major locations in suburban Melbourne in the postwar period for civic and private events including theatre productions and exhibitions. The Arthur Dear Collection (in conjunction with the scrapbooks compiled by Marion Tilley) provide a comprehensive snapshot of performing arts in Kew during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. The collection includes valuable data about performances, performers, directors etc., during this period. Programme issued by The Kew Repertory Players for a performance of No Escape, a play written by Rhys Davies in collaboration with Archibald Batty. Performances took place in the Kew Recreation Hall in March 1958. The 4-page programme includes a cast list, a synopsis and advertisements for local businesses.no escape, rhys davies, archibald batty, kew repertory players, arthur dear collection, performing arts -- kew -- victoria, kew recreation hall -- wellington street, theatre memorabilia

From Lyn in Geneva to Patricia and John Davies, about their upcoming visit 28 Sept to Geneva.

Christmas postcard greetings and news, including envelope, from Joan Sutherland to Patricia and John Davies.Card in envelope, Envelope stamped "Bonynge Chalet Monet Route de Sonloup 1833 Les Avants", Switzerland

Stawell Army Drill Hall. Davies-Coop Cotton Factory Staff Sloane Street during WW2stawell industry war

Mrs Catherine Agnes Davies looking out serving window of Kanya Post Office c1950'sstawell

Artists engraving by Campbell Wilson Pty Ltd of the Harry Davies & Co store for the Ballarat Homecoming Souvenir publication.advertising, ballarat, ballarat homecoming, commerical, building

Jean Davies born c.1910 in Tatura, daughter of Hill, editor of the local newspaper. Photo taken c.2002.

From Ron in Washington DC to Patricia Davies regarding visit to Melbourne and Australian Ballet and about Watergate and US elections.Addresses and phone numbers and notes

Geoffrey Blainey sent Patricia Davies a copy of his preface for the reissue of Boyd's 'Australia's Home' and asks to be informed of any inaccuracies or injustices.Handwritten note on University of Melbourne notepaper plus a three page typewritten preface to Australia's home.The typed preface has edits in pen by the author.

A letter from A. Johnson, Public Lending Right, Australia Council to Patricia Davies (formerly Boyd), regarding a request for tracing authors or their heirs.Answered 10/9/79 in pen.

Travel Itinerary for Mr and Mrs J Davies, from 12/09/1989 to 07/10/1989 to London, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Melbourne.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church Stained Glass Windows (Colour) Dorcas and Lydia. To the glory of God and in loving memory Emily Julian Davies died May 22nd 1914.stawell religion

James Mollison, Director of Australian National Gallery notifying John Davies that Alex Maguy, Galerie de L'elysee has been notified that they would like to view the Braque.

Letter from Peter Ryan, Director of Melbourne University Press, to Patricia Davies confirms that Penguin will reprint Robin Boyd's 'Australia's Home'. The letter (item D274) was enclosed with letter.Typed on MUP letterhead

Postcard and thank you note for an evening and Hamlet from Moffat to Patricia Davies. National Gallery of Victoria postcard depicting Australian Blue Day in September 1986 painted by Lloyd Rees.

Postcard depicting the Bahai Temple in India and referred to as 'India's opera house', from Patricia’s friend Mary Newman (Bob Newman’s wife) to Patricia and John Davies. They met while at MIT and remained close friends.Bahai Temple, with Indian stamps. Difficult to read.