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 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, and to 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. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance Cattle Chosen Author: E O G Shann, M.A. Publisher: Oxford University Press Date: 1926Label on spine cover with typed text R.A. 994.1 SHA Pastedown end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, warrnambool library, cattle chosen, e o g shann

Letter from R Coles, General Secretary of the Federated Municipal and Shire Employees' Union of Australia - Victoria Division to Mr. J Richmond referring to a list of Members' deductions from Bendigo. He has requested Mr Richmond to send the necessary receipts for the Members so he can send his Commission. List of employees attached. They are: Rogers A M, Christensen B E, Holahan T P, Dingfelder W H, Diss W T, Braine C G, Chinn A E, Deveraux K W, Dowsey S T, Jones R C, Mangan L J, Bush A A, Howarth D L, Brandreth G J, Lowndes L, Cocks G E, Harvey G R, Richmond J A, Kerwin E G, Webb D G, McKindley S C, Lees D A, Downing T R, Boorn M A, Jobling R L, Muir W H, Callanan L F, O'Neill S F, Rasmussen P D, Barkla P J, Donnellan M D, Wilson DL, Weaver H N, Holliday J Lenaghan P S, Taylor R J,Kane M J, Kyriakakis A, Brauman K C, Lundberg R J, Purden D, Ramage K, Barber L H, Billet W J, Jackson R J, Cutting N A, Dutton W J, Hopcott W R, Fowler W T, Clarke R D, Gray R J, Hannan D J, Hoggan V J, Homewood J N, Duimovich R J, Comer J L, Jones D W, Kelly P L, Fitzpatrick B T, Leach L R, Lonsdale J E, Lummis L H, McGuane J F, Edwards W A, Morgan K G, Penhall J T, Roberts M A, Smith I B, Spoors R S, Tannock C F, Threlfall K J, McCarthy B F,Walker A F, Cain R J, Miller P R, Dutton D B, Naylor P L, Pollard G D, Pendlebury P F, Price A G, Strahan A H, Mundy K J, Young D J, Young G J, Chaplin L I, Roberts R D, thomas G A, Binns G W, Whitfield A C, Tranter J E, Tranter N J, Lonsdale P A, Taylor C J, Barton G C, Hayes J L, Oates D J, Calentine G R, Read W G, Hearps R M, Denham P G, Burke D M, Stokes H A, Harrington P M, Tranter G S, Asher K W, Fisher S A, Bruce D W, Kingdom C J, Watts M J, Freeman E S, Winzar J O, Jones R C and Browell R E,bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - letter to mr j richmond, federated municipal and shire council employees' union of australia - victoria division, commonwealth conciliation and arbitration act, r coles, city of bendigo, rogers a m, christensen b e, holahan t p, dingfelder w h, diss w t, braine c g, chinn a e, deveraux k w, dowsey s t, jones r c, mangan l j, bush a a, howarth d l, brandreth g j, lowndes l, cocks g e, harvey g r, richmond j a, kerwin e g, webb d g, mckindley s c, lees d a, downing t r, boorn m a, jobling r l, muir w h, callanan l f, o'neill s f, rasmussen p d, barkla p j, donnellan m d, wilson dl, weaver h n, holliday j lenaghan p s, taylor r j, kane m j, kyriakakis a, brauman k c, lundberg r j, purden d, ramage k, barber l h, billet w j, jackson r j, cutting n a, dutton w j, hopcott w r, fowler w t, clarke r d, gray r j, hannan d j, hoggan v j, homewood j n, duimovich r j, comer j l, jones d w, kelly p l, fitzpatrick b t, leach l r, lonsdale j e, lummis l h, mcguane j f, edwards w a, morgan k g, penhall j t, roberts m a, smith i b, spoors r s, tannock c f, threlfall k j, mccarthy b f, walker a f, cain r j, miller p r, dutton d b, naylor p l, pollard g d, pendlebury p f, price a g, strahan a h, mundy k j, young d j, young g j, chaplin l i, roberts r d, thomas g a, binns g w, whitfield a c, tranter j e, tranter n j, lonsdale p a, taylor c j, barton g c, hayes j l, oates d j, calentine g r, read w g, hearps r m, denham p g, burke d m, stokes h a, harrington p m, tranter g s, asher k w, fisher s a, bruce d w, kingdom c j, watts m j, freeman e s, winzar j o, jones r c, browell r e

Ballarat School of Mines is a predecessor of Federation UniversityBlack and white photograph of School of Mines Magazine Committee, 1940. Names B. Martin, A. Gordon, G. Sutherland, G. Myers, A. Kersey, J. Hassell, E. Boustead, A. Janetski, G. Mounter, E. Scott, G. Downing, M. Dark, A. Ward, A. Helm, L. Griffin, A. Henderson, J. Wilkinson, J. Martin, Dr. Pound, M. Coward, M. Mein, F.G. Procter, G. Yorke, J. Evans. ballarat school of mines students' magazine committee, magazine committee, b. martin, a. gordon, g. sutherland, g. myers, a. kersey, j. hassell, e. boustead, a. janetski, g. mounter, e. scott, g. downing, m. dark, a. ward, a. helm, l. griffin, a. henderson, j. wilkinson, j. martin, dr. j. r. pound, m. coward, m. mein, f.g procter, g. yorke, j. evans, dr. pound, f.g. procter

B&W Class photo in front of Winngton Grammar School, 35 Ringwood St, Ringwood.On separate handwritten note: (Left to Right) 2nd Row: Alice Astee, Joan Miles, ? , ? , ? , Edith Blood (Gluth)

Colourised Class photo of School Group, Winnington Grammar School, 35 Ringwood St, Ringwood. Undated but donor identified as "early 1930's"Below Photograph: Margaret Barrett Ringwood On Reverse: Margaret Barrett, Surbiton, Warrandyte Rd, Ringwood, written over photographer's stamp (G.E.Hains)

Marching On - The Bendigo Regiments and Companies 1858 - 1988. From Preface: This book is a brief outline of the history of the numerous military companies and battalions from 1958 to 1988. This book should fill a gap in the military events of Bendigo.Soft cardboard cover. Black / white print on front, spine & back. Brownish yellow background colour, illustrated with black / white photos. On the front soldiers are marching with buildings in the background. On the back is a half portrait of 3 men in uniform. 194 cut, plain, white, pages. Illustrations &black / white photos.Handwritten in blue ink on title page: “W Thomason”book, bendigo, regiments, companies

4 page buff paper Annual Report. Includes Growth of the School, Activities, Parents' Association Activities, Staff, Studies, Donations and Prize ListR.S. Stiebel, Principal

Book - 112 A5 pages + cover centre stapled, titled "Current Collection for Tramway and Trolleybus Systems", written by G. E. Baddeley and E. R Oakley, published by the authors in 1975. Has a table of contents - tramway overhead systems, current collection, trolley bus overhead, collection by bos and pantographs, peculiarities, surface contact systems and slot conduit systems, bibliography. Illustrated with diagrams. trams, tramways, overhead, trolley buses

Silver spoon with easy-to-grasp handle with a loop. Silver pusher with a flat piece at right angles to the handle - to be held in left hand. It is used to push food onto the spoon. Rodd were established by George Rodd in 1919. Early name of company was G & E Rodd. Their markings had trade name Apex. When it became a public company in 1945 the marking was changed to Rodd. The business continued until 1985 - merged with Grosvenor and later Mytton.Spoon: APEX EPNS A1 Pusher: RODD EPNS A1.toddler's cutlery

Photocopy of a photo by Vincent Kelly of the Hanro Staff and Workers taken on the steps of Bendigo Post Office appros 1933. Names on the back are: Allan Crossley, G Evely,T Hall, M ?sen, M Owens, I Hutchinson, L Ash, C Tyers, L Thornton, R Dixon, I Newson, Phill Ipson, E Kent, L Comte, D Pinnell, M Thomas, C Washington, K Bowman, M Kelly, M Tussup, R Shaw, ? Henson, C Washington, E Rodgers, S Brown, P Pearce, D Thornton, L Rielly, L Truscott, R Brereton, P Taylor, Norris, D Miller, C Enderlin, D Harward, J Lockyer, D Butters, Marc Curnow, B Organ, E Lindsay, L Smart, E Ogilvie, G Crossley, M Newwand, Newmand, Truscott, C Ildae, O Richards, B Richards, C Kingsley, ?, F Mylon, Z Wallen, J Thom, P Trehair, E Crawford, F Chandler, E Hogan, G Blandthorn, J Thom, L Henson, E Stephens, J Gerrand, L Doney, M Williams, C Brauman, R Shaw, L Rushmeyer, R F Wr, L Wright, L - R, A McCormack, S Swalling, I West, J Bolger, L Swalling,B Patterson, T Williams, M Shepherd, J Aitken, A Phillips, M Smith, M Williams, S Ross, J Punch, S Dunne, P Warren, E Keck, J Pinder, W Stock, V Akers, J Neate, M Doyle, M Neate, M Marchingo, C Collard, Iris Dobie, M Irvine, D Nalder, M McPherson, Marg, Alma Rank, D Edwards, Z Excell, M McGuiness, A Christie, ? Beer, Male R. J Preston, J Mueller, F Harris, T Robertson, R Hiscock and T Lund. Names by Moreen Betts (Marchingo). Two pages are the same and one only has part of a photo on it. Written beside it is: Hanro Mills, Bendigo. Photo of Staff & Employers. Approx 1933 - 34. Picture with Allan Crossley. x On last page is Alans Sister.Vincent Kellybendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - photo hanro staff & workers approx 1933, vincent kelly, hanro mills bendigo, allan crossley, g evely, t hall, m ?sen, m owens, i hutchinson, l ash, c tyers, l thornton, r dixon, i newson, phill ipson, e kent, l comte, d pinnell, m thomas, c washington, k bowman, m kelly, m tussup, r shaw, ? henson, c washington, e rodgers, s brown, p pearce, d thornton, l rielly, l truscott, r brereton, p taylor, norris, d miller, c enderlin, d harward, j lockyer, d butters, marc curnow, b organ, e lindsay, l smart, e ogilvie, g crossley, m newwand, newmand, truscott, c ildae, o richards, b richards, c kingsley, ?, f mylon, z wallen, j thom, p trehair, e crawford, f chandler, e hogan, g blandthorn, j thom, l henson, e stephens, j gerrand, l doney, m williams, c brauman, r shaw, l rushmeyer, r f wr, l wright, l - r, a mccormack, s swalling, i west, j bolger, l swalling, b patterson, t williams, m shepherd, j aitken, a phillips, m smith, m williams, s ross, j punch, s dunne, p warren, e keck, j pinder, w stock, v akers, j neate, m doyle, m neate, m marchingo, c collard, iris dobie, m irvine, d nalder, m mcpherson, marg, alma rank, d edwards, z excell, m mcguiness, a christie, ? beer, male r. j preston, j mueller, f harris, t robertson, r hiscock, t lund, moreen betts (marchingo), bendigo post office

Handwritten copy of correspondence dated 18th January 1950. Mentioned arer: Dividends, 9 pound 6 shillings per Share, Commenced Mining operations on Deborah Line of Reef, October 1937 and worked continuously since that date, amount of gold from the ore, Pyrites Concentrates treated todate, produced gold to a nett value of 53,000 pounds. Mine Plant Machinery, Buildings and Battery Equipment at Book value 25,420 pounds. Shaft to 1,300 feet. 90 men employed at Mine and Batteries, Annual Wages Sheet 32,000 pounds. Directors: Mr E . H. Noske (Chairman), Messrs G. W. Lansell, A. E. Dowling, G. A. Pell, T. Swinburne, W. J. Donovan. Legal Manager Mr J. J. Stanistreet. General Manager Mr S. ScDonald. Albert Richardson Collection. document, gold, north deborah gold mining co n. l., north deborah gold mining co n. l., copy of correspondence north deborah gold mining co n. l., deborah line of reef, mr e h noske, g w lansell, a e dowling, g a pell, t swinburne, w j donovan, mr j j stanistreet, mr s mcdonald

School Council, Members of Staff, Editorial, Principal's Page, Magazine Committee, Obituary - Rupert P. Flower, Literary Society, Prominent Personalities, Science School, News and Notes, Prize Presentation, The Apprentices, Boys Sport, Sun Youth Travel Memoirs, The Art School, His Majesty the Late King George VI, Commercial Notes, Gleanings Here and There, Junior School, Girls Sport, Sport, House Notes, Junior Technical School Students', Roll Call - Diploma Students 1952Pale blue soft covered magazine with navy blue titles.ballarat school of mines, magazine, mr bryan, c. sanos, s. deans, j. williams, r. simpson, c. g. fairbank, d. treadwell, e. aitkens, g. birkett, g. allen, f. benjamin, s. gillespie, r. hullick, h. mccallum, h. harris, j. walton, e. walsh, j. stevens, b. clark, rupert p. flower, john bechervaise, w. keith hindson, a. james tinney, walter c. tooth, john d. bethune, vilma sansom, betty clark, travers duncan, joyce wilson, lex lockhart, jim w. beattie, joyce stevens, slim ingleton, a. eddy, john howard, douglas george dean, edgar bartrop, colin mck. henry, tom adams, max kennedy, jeff coward, o. j. nilsen, j. skuja, s. rowe, w. maddox, a. kinnane, d. fraser, a. carpenter, john james, b. flavel, j. murray, d. schmidt, g. habel, t. duncan, l. matthews, n. spiers, b. smith, a. tonnisseu, r. ingleton, j. bethune, j. mills, j. mcneil, b. schreenan, w. carlyon, d. stevens, l. j. hillman, k. hindson, r. furlong, j. beattie, b. taylor, g. heyes, l. quilliam, r. archer, a. johnson, m. gillin, t. seabrook, m. phillips, j. sawyer, c. restarick, j. saggers, g. ditchfield, j. tinney, don stewart, j. faneco, m. stevens, w. tooth, ron simpson, bill maxwell, graham searle, jim tinney, k. treloar, j. barnes, s. j. deans, lynette j. blomeley, georgina cox, heather mcgregor, janet saunders, heather harris, elizabeth mcarthur, norma coffield, pat lavery, imelda lee, gloria white, valerie westbrook, cynthia stone, janice thompson, clare mooney, glenys perry, faida lewis, betty clarke, marion volk, isla veal, valerie yates, coralie mckenzie, lorraine digby, barbara henderson, deidre wilson, margaret henderson, barbara ngip, glenys sleeth, anne duncan, l. dwyer, elaine leishman, j. jenkin, stirling gillespie, w. bridges, b. baldock, b. braybrook, e. mackie, r. braybrook, c. grose, b. mackie, c. garnham, c. schmidtke, t. lugg, j. copeman, b. tozer, g. mathews, n. sutherland, r. lambert, j. sanders, m. quick, j. collier, g. pike, r. digby, r. quayle, r. sharp, n. brogden, r. lyons, p. stevens, j. bastin, b. kay, k. duncan, b. golding, l. norman, b. murnane, k. hocking, c. sealey, b. langdon, f. weightman, m. birch, r. stevenson, r. stewart, r. haintz, k. mccoll, k. jarvis, l. hocking, d. curtain, r. lazarus, e. boak, j. fletcher, b. orchard, j. squires, n. pike, j. shrader, l. reynolds, m. ritchie, g. smith, d. parkes, g. templeton, m. wunhym, v. vincent, d. robertson, d. lang, l. horwood, d. searle, d. new, v. jolly, a. minotti, b. beaumont, m. marshall, e. bowen, j. rogers, d. cody, e. kinnane, j. cunningham, j. schrader, r. horgan, j. white, n. flood, j. matthews, h. gale, k. mitchell, v. rowse, j. mayne, a. gilbert, b. warrillow, g. gilbert, n. quick, m. hall, d. furlong, n. lyons, j. richards, j. jones, l. major, d. baldock, d. dow, g. ruddick, d. howell, j. caddy, b. singleton, b. powell, r. sharpe, c. lockhart, l. daff, c. sharpe, d. irish, l. dow, a. douglas, n. twaites, j. courtney, l. beacham, n. c. cartledege, cliff sealey, j. f. collier, e. g. mackie, m. g. quick, b. l. collinson, j. n. bastin, g. e. timmins, valerie mills, j. a. jenkin, w. cowan, i. mitaxa, n. c. leckie, r. j. austin, n. coffield, d. quilliam, r. courtney, f. m. kilfoyle, p. nunn, king george vi

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. 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. His Kid Brother Author: Isabel Maude Peacocke (Mrs G E Cluett) Publisher: Ward Lock & Co Date: 1926Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC PEA Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Children’s Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, 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, his kid brother, isabel maude peacocke, mrs g e cluett

Bendigo R.S.L. News Volume 1, Number 3 Christmas-New Year Issue. Red, blue, yellow and gold badge on the front cover. Contains advertisements from local businesses, Bendigo R.S.L. Office Bearers 1960, news, notes from Clubs, an article titled 'When the Japs Broke Out at Cowra' and a short obituary of Sir Horace Robertson.A Wicks Knott Publication, Printed by Southdown Press, 33 Rosslyn Street, West Melbourne.magazine, organization, bendigo rsl, r.s.l. bendigo collection - bendigo r.s.l. news vol. 1 no. 3, ashmans dry cleaners, h q radio service, f c straub, hampel furniture products, pierce grenfell, ron meurer, h w snell, axedale quarries, a l & k stringer, excavations, al & b g pearce, w mcculloch & co, bendigo motor co, m g taylor, fair-view upholsterers, alwyn nelson, northern terrazzo co, l fawssett & co, bendigo sub-branch r.s.s, &, a.i.l.a., col j w swatton, h a w morey, s thompson, g j baker, j k barnes, a c harridge, j harrison, t h hume, w h pinder, d e mcgregor, f e schilling, g g styles, c vaughan, j e fay, geo j baker, a v palmer, n mclaren young, e m vains & co, g e h rowell, a v & l e smith, j r palmers, graham lowe refrigeration service, a w pulfer motors, b r burns, vic palmer, golden square dry cleaners, j w carter & sons, alltyre service pty ltd, ian wills, bill nicholls jack watts, the robyn, a g power, leo a hughes, bendigo manchester house, frank wilson, hesse bros, frank bouchier, your typewriter sales and service, tom heenan, win patten, bendigo legacy, r wilson, w e p carruthers, antonian café, kairn's auto-bits, cohns, jeffreys bread, 4th armoured regt social club, g e baldwin, bendigo & district ex-p.o.w. social club, w hargreaves, d gregor, bendigo r.s.l. ladies auxiliary, mrs h morey, mrs p floyd, mrs w hocking, mrs h sims, mrs t hall, rsl women's council of victoria, mr & mrsa kersting, w coates, a bolitho, w hocking, n mcivor, perretts, martin washington, e a bennett pty ltd, john burgoyne, 38th battalion (a.i.f.) social club, j plim c findlay, ex-navelmen's club, t staley, airforce association, a stevens, t grimes, rats of tobruk association, j ferguson, catholic war veterans' association, j noonan, t coppock, dads' association, w murphy, bendigo legacy club, win patten, t h iser, t h runnalls, legacy house, 105 anti-tank regiment social club, alwyn nelson, laurie townsing, bendigo repatriation local committee, v w hosking, w rex porter, g a pethard, f t dunphy, l m porter, e h duus, lt col thomas waitson williams dso, ric coulson, r ball & son, lorraine florist, neol searle pty ltd, bendigo and district t & p i social club, e j taylor, t wellins, w phelan, g keily, l boyd, t tuddenham, e butler, g armstrong, geo j baker, easter fair society, bendigo agricultural society, 6th battalion (a.i.f.) social club, f t dunphy, w green, r c wright, bendigo showgrounds r.a.a.o.c. camp club, j j davies, e p perrett, t g heenan, w rex porter, fred coulson, harry hall, alan bath, tom hume, ted commons, geo h baker, percy floyd, stan hunter, joe wagland, railway sub-section r.s.l., g brown, don chalmer pty ltd, bendigo timber co pty ltd, g p hyett, a w comber, w nichols, maurice f noonan, allans walk delicatessen, r b webb, jack l lyons, perrow, s paints, t c sheers, provincial motors (bendigo) pty ltd, banjo paterson, will ogilvey, ben hall, joe gardiner, major bob ramsay mc, 53rd batt., major e v timms, ww1, 2nd a.i.f., f m carson, tooranie house, brian abe, p e dunstan, a lam sun, don murray, windermere hotel, bendigo disposals, frank a hill & co, fitzpatrick's, sandhurst dairies pty ltd, m williamson, george symon's dairy, w h oakley, sir horace robertson, british commonwealth occupation forces, australian light horse, state savings bank, royal military college, golden fleece service station, j w williams, tomlins simmie pty ltd, clark king & co pty ltd, mckenna's modern store, bryan mckenna, wicks knott publication, southdown press

This file contains six items pertaining to the Caulfield Central RSL: 1/A page to which is attached a black-and-white photograph (date, source and photographer unspecified) of the Caulfield Central RSL, outlying garden and Australian flag. Some writing on the rear identifies the subject. 2/A typewritten letter, (1 page) dated 1946 (no date more specific than that specified), from the Chairman & Honorary Treasurer of the Caulfield Central RSL Appeal Committee (name unspecified) to the Mayor of Caulfield (name also unspecified), imploring the latter for a donation of $20,000 dollars for purposes of constructing a Memorial Hall to eulogize servicemen killed during WWII. Some rough working notes on rear side. 3/A flyer, undated (although presumably published in 1950), printed by Peter Isaacson Pty. Ltd., advertising a concert presented by the Ugly Ugly Man (Frank M. Beard) and the Malvern Tramways’ Harmonica Band to be held at Caulfield Town Hall on 06/06/1950 to assist the Welfare Funds of the Caulfield Central RSL and the Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Mothers’ Association. Also contains an advertisement for a drapery business called Tallents. 4/The annual report of the Caulfield Central RSL, for the period 1952 – 1953. Contains announcements of the annual general meeting and annual elections, the President’s report (in which he principally discusses the club’s charity work and sporting activities), the subcommittee staff roster, the sportsmen’s honour roll, the annual accounts (e.g. balance sheet, income & expenditure statement) and the roster of nominees for office in the committee of management election. 5/A typewritten letter, (1 page) dated 26/11/1982, from Max Brian Blair, Treasurer of the Caulfield Central RSL, to Mr. R. Ballantyne, Secretary of the Caulfield Historical Society, thanking him for his donation to the RSL. 6/A photocopy of an article titled ‘RSL pays $30,000 to buy off objector’ (from the Sunday Herald, by Mary-Anne Toy, dated 16/09/1990), about the Caulfield Central RSL paying local resident Mr. Chris White to withdraw his objection to the RSL’s intention to re-allocate its clubrooms, and the consequent response of the relevant authorities.caulfield, caulfield central returned servicemen league (rsl), ex-service organisations, clubs and associations, returned servicepeople, armed forces, soldiers, aged people, senior citizens centres, mayors, city of caulfield, war memorials, blamey thomas general sir, white t. w. group capt., gullett h. b. major, beaurepaire frank sir m.l.c., kennedy j. a. m.l.c., warner a. g. m.l.c., michaelis archie m.l.a., dennett a. h. lt.-col. m.l.a., don john capt. m.l.a., reid h. squire m.l.a., brooks w. r. cr., packer j. t. cr., parton e. m. cr., prior p. l. cr., morris t. w. cr., sinclair a. j. g. cr., sims h. e. cr., smith h. c. h. cr., smith james e. cr., tyers s. w. cr., webster harold cr., yorston j. s. cr., briggs r. jas., disney j. s., donath h., llewellyn evans, goddard s. a. padre, lynch p. j., nilsen oliver j. cr., pidd padre a. t., robinson norman, reece harold j., wootton harold s., wallace gordon w., nelson harold g., halls, concerts, musical events and activities, fundraising events, bands, musical ensembles, sailors soldiers and airmen’s mothers’ association, ‘the ugly ugly man’, beard frank m., malvern tramways harmonica band the, caulfield town hall, tallents, drapers, glenhuntly road, glen huntly road, elsternwick, peter isaacson pty. ltd melbourne, annual reports, financial documents, fisher s. w., finch f., williams f., salmon j. e., mallyon v. k., woods w., mayne t. v., lanyon r. j., rowney w. p., williams j. d., pepper e., bathurst t., patterson r., nuzum e. j., phillips e. v., turner g., hawthorn road, byrne l. j., eva a. r., bunny c. l., hoy c. a., orken a., hiam s. f., rawson n. l., coleman g. h., cohen a. s., mason j., goode l. p., nelson h. g., crosbie m. r., mcsweeney t., westley g. de v., greeves c. g., festivals and celebrations, community services, social services, service clubs, ladies auxiliary, returned servicewomen’s section, blamey house, social sub-committee, sport, sporting clubs, tennis, golf, billiards, table tennis, lawn bowls, thompson peter, cricket, children’s health bureau, family welfare bureau, buley doug mr., tomlins m. i., lang a. r., kendall h. i., ford c., munro w., gordon h., rowe s., green j. h., o’brien j., ring t., anderson g. j., croft r. m., jones p. j., la cerf g., roper i., lawrence f., eustace r. c., hanley a., moore a., strachan w. d., gilbert w. f., blair m. r., scriven e. g., miller j. l., hosking b. e., cheeseman r. n., summers s., croy l. w., mclatchie s., williams stan, hattersly cliff, day alf, rawson noel, johnson alby, banham bill, kersey b., williams s., jones a., witten f., waters r., dash r., meldrum i., grant j., haggar l., nightingale n., hallett r., somers r., young g., rawson n., croft r., barton m., o’grady w., cooper p., manton j., sutcliffe a., maver a., challender d., hunt a., parrott e., leicester j., westwood a., rae alex, smith harry, forbes jimmy, johnson jack, higgins w., fink s., hall s., ross m., anderson h., fleming j., bottoms a., peek e., stark j., mathews e., gursansky l., morres r., alenson j., holland i., wallace p., craig h., lucas j., smith h., bretel l., berryman p., reid a., swann j., tully f., henderson g., fields w., johnson j., gloster p., tennat j., boyd a., butterworth k., chapman k., curran j., elkington a. b., evans w., mckenzie d. a., nicol a. b., thompson w., wanliss t. w., watson g. j., williams g., yeomans p., mcgowan h., o’connor k., atherton r., batson s. s., bull e., fletcher a., gorman s. c., hall w., jellett l., lesar h., mather r., nelson n., ratford d., rowe p., turner w. j., wehsack f., williams s. c., wilson a., carter w., forbes i., purvis l., datson r., jackson e., wolstencroft w., smith c., mitchell r., harward j., gillespie ray, hill wally, parkinson w. g., greeves colin mr., water stan mr., selleck f. p., luckins l., andrews f., young v. l., king e. j., mccutcheon j. o., grenfell d. j., hurley c., shand a. r., yeates l., hogue h., mather j., wardrop j., lyons a. m., ross a. r., bradley t., walker r. n., cox f. c., mornane j. s., fletcher a. e., mcneil j. g., rose n., lyons l. j., trevorrow g., wright d. e., walker r., maxwell j., hutchinson j. c., mclean r., caulfield historical society, ballantyne r. mr., blair max brian, toy mary-anne, ruxton bruce mr., administrative appeals tribunal, caulfield city council, white chris mr., northcote avenue, independent church of australia, marsden ian mr., mccutcheon mr

March to Ranau, Australian Servicemen at Sandakan, Borneo 1943 - 1945.Soft cardboard cover, black print front & back. Green background, front cover illustration is a line drawing of men in jungle scene by Iain Glanville. Back cover illustration certificate.Handwritten in blue ink on title page: “W E Thomason Nov 1989”booklet, pow, ranua, sandakan

The badge belonged to Mrs May BALDWIN. Two stars on the badge showed she had two sons in the 2nd A.I.F, Ted & Robert. Ted (short for Edward) is believed to be George Edward BALDWIN No VX120046. He enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 10.7.1942 age 20 years. On discharge from the Army on 2.4.1946 he was a Pte in the 29/46th Aust Infantry Battalion. Robert is believed to be Walter Robert BALDWIN No VX55835. He enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 14.5.1941 age 20 years. He was in the 2/29th Batt and is listed in their history as being in D Coy. He was taken POW and is listed as died while a POW on 27.5.1943. Refer 1895.Badge, metal, "To the Women of Australia". Centre section is round with a crown over two circular wreaths with a map of Australia Centre. Attached by 2 rings is a clasp with 2 stars. A fine chain and pin attached at the top. Rear has 2 lugs and pin."ISSUED BY THE C'WLTH GOVT A77484"numismatics - badges, metalcraft

Jack Smethurst VX28896. Refer 550.2, 557, 558.6.From the Mr J Smethurst collection. 549.1 Hat badge, dark, Rising Sun, Australian Commonwealth Military Forces. 549.2 Lapel badge, dark, Rising Sun, Australian Commonwealth Military Forces. 549.3 Lapel badge, dark, Rising Sun, Australian Commonwealth Military Forces. 549.4 Female relative badge (2nd AIF) with bar and one star.549.4 Rear of badge marked "A31532"metalcraft, badges, rising sun, female relative, royal australian artillery

Photograph belonged to the Walton family.Sepia photograph of Will Walton holding a horse named Charlie, Henry Nicholas Walton and Will Kennon (Snr) in front of building, probably blacksmiths.On back: Will Walton (holding Charlie the horse) with his father Henry Nicholas Walton and family friend Will Kennon (senior) Photo taken 1903.will walton, henry nicholas walton, will kennon (snr), ern walton

One of a collection of photographs donated by Shirley PetersonBlack & White postcard showing a wooden bridge on Lovers' Walk, Cowes."Lovers Walk, Cowes, Phillip Island"lovers' walk cowes phillip island, phillip island, shirley peterson

The sketch portrayed is by Ron Reynolds and was printed the book "Greensborough and Greenhills" in 1973. This is a Christmas greeting to Jessie Angus (nee Partington).The Rand St Swing bridge allowed easy access to Greensborough railway station and shops for those who lived on the eastern side of the Plenty River.A white greeting card made from stiffened card and folded at the left side.A personal greeting to Jessie Angus (nee Partington)written on both inside pages.ron reynolds, jessie angus, partington, rand st, swing bridge, plenty river

A vintage 1950's hardcover children's book with the title Bonzo's Annual printed at the top in green lettering on the front cover.There is a large coloured illustration of the dog Bonzo riding on a rocket above the town rooftops with a smiling full moon in the sky. It is bound on the left side with faded grey fabric tape. The back cover is plain grey coloured.The frontispiece illustration shows Bonzo on a swing attached by ropes to a giraffe's long neck with a monkey and two toucan birds looking on. The illustration is from the story 'Bonzo's Festival. The title page has the title, author, illustrator, publisher details and a coloured illustration of Bonzo as an artist at his easel. Pp. 92.fictionA vintage 1950's collection of Bonzo the dog stories for children with two tone coloured illustrations throughout the book. Bonzo has a lot of fun adventures. These Bonzo annuals were popular from 1935. They ceased publication during the war years and resumed afterwards.children's books, books, children's stories, dog stories, annuals