The book, awarded to Ethel Henderson in 1903, from Christ Church, Warrnambool is an example of a Sunday School prize given to children attending Sunday School at the time. Christ Church Anglican Church was one of the early churches in Warrnambool.The Puzzle Picture Book is a rare 'movable' children's book from 1900. It contains 6 chromolithic dissolving scenes (also called slats/transformations). It is unusual due to its educational content. It was published by Ernest Nister in London, E F Dutton & Co in USA and is also thought to have been published in German under the title 'Ueberraschungen Aller Art'. [source: The Little Book Store]Child's picture book with full colour cover depicting a mother dressed in long white spotted dress, white apron, white bonnett and black button-up shoes, sitting on a wooden armchair while dressing a young girl's hair with pink flowers. The girl is dressed in a pink frock with puffed sleeves and frill around the hem, and cream apron. She is looking in a brown wooden-backed hand mirror. A woven straw basket with pink roses sits on the floor. A framed silhouette picture is on the wall. The title is in a display typeface mimicking rose stems; a swag of pink roses decorates the top right hand corner. The publishers' names are printed on the bottom left and right hand corners at the bottom, and the printer in the centre. The inside cover has a book plate. The title page shows two boys arguing over the book. The verses are by Clifton Bingham, the pen and ink illustrations by Hilda K. Robinson. The story has a monochrome page with rhymes opposite a colour page with cut-out boxes showing four small pictures, each with a question. By pulling the tab at the bottom of the page the answer to the questions is revealed. There are six chromolithic 'dissolving scenes'.Book plate: Christ Church. Sunday School, Warrnambool. 1st Prize Girls Class II. Awarded to Ethel Henderson. S M George Vicar. Warrnambool, May 1903children's picture books, ethel henderson, children's picture books, puzzle books, christ church anglican church, sunday school prizes, ernest nister london, warrnambool, ethel henderson, e f dutton & co new york

Black and white photograph. Stilwell's Hardware and Furniture Store, Hargreaves Street. Two story building with verandahs, iron lace. Third storey on portion of building. This storey of a different style. Horse and vehicles at front. Bath, horse trough at CF. Inscriptions: on front - 'GP16' on top RHC and top LHC. On back - 'Bendigo Historical Society (Inc)' written in ink top RHC. About 1912? - left upper park of back. Circular stamp 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch'. In image 'F&E Stilwell, Furniture Warehouse', 'Stilwell's Ironmongers House Furnishers', 'Hardware Stilwell's Furniture'buildings, commercial, f. & e. stilwell ironmongers

Enamel, vinyl, mirror and polymer clay on canvas

List of the Seating for Supper, includes Official Party, Debutantes and their Partners, and Other Guests. Official Party consisted of: Sir George Lansell, Lt General Wells & Mrs Wells, Col J W Swatton & Mrs Swatton, Cr. Oliver & Mrs Oliver, Mr F E Jackson & Mrs Jackson, Mr R C Wright & Mrs Wright, Ladies Auxiliary, Mr A V Palmer and J. Barton. Other Guests: Miss Liddell, Col. J Lockwood & Mrs Lockwood, Col P Seymour & Mrs Seymour, Major P Kennedy & Mrs Kennedy, Ladies Carpet Bowls, War Widows Guild, S. S. & A. Mothers, Eaglehawk Sub-branch, Parma Dance Club, Harcourt Sub-branch, Mr B Wood & Mrs Wood, Mr Tout & Mrs Tout, Mrs Keck, Captain Poole,event, social, victory ball, r.s.l. bendigo collection - rsl victory ball 1951 seating for supper, sir george lansell, lt general wells & mrs wells, col j w swatton & mrs swatton, cr oliver & mrs oliver, mr f e jackson & mrs jackson, mr r c wright & mrs wright, ladies auxiliary, mr a v palmer, j barton, miss liddell, col j lockwood & mrs lockwood, col p seymour & mrs seymour, major p kennedy & mrs kennedy, ladies carpet bowls, war widows guyild, s s & a mothers, eaglehawk sub-branch, parma dance club, harcourt sub-branch, mr b wood & mrs wood, mr tout & mars tout, mrs keck, captain poole

Three copies of Bendigo Sub-branch R.S.S.A.I.L.A. Annual Victory Ball held at the Town Hall, Bendigo on August 16th, 1949. Guests of Honour were Lt.-En. S. F. Rowell, C.B., C.B.E., and Mrs Rowell. Card is cream with gold print on the front and a blue RLS badge. Other printing is blue. The inside of the trio-fold has a Dance Program of 28 dances and a space for Autographs. The other side has the Debutantes: Dorothy Ell, Joan Ell, Clarinet Bilby, Fay Webb, Aileen Harrowfield, Beryl Gillies, Wilma Sinclair, Margaret Pettit, Joyce Lucas, Gaynor Collier, Valerie Jones and Jean Bolitho. Chaperone: Mrs H A Morey. Flower Girl: Jillian Batten. Page: Elaine Guidice. Partners: Max Frayne, Roy Speechley, Les Morey, Len Kelly, Brian Walsh, Allan Scarfe, Clive Millar, Ken Sepping, Allan Holmes, Don Peterson, Ron Campbell, Jim Jeffrey and Ken Longstaff. President Bendigo Branch R.S.L. Col G V Lansell. Chairman Ball Committee: Mr F E Jackson. Hon. Sec. Ball Committee: Mr J W Swatton. Printed by James, Print, Eaglehawk.James Print, Eaglehawkevent, social, victory ball, r.s.l. bendigo collection - annual victory ball 1949, lt.-gen. s f rowell, mrs rowell, dorothy pell, joan pell, clarice wilby, fay webb, aileen harrowfield, beryl gillies, wilma sinclair, margaret pettit, joyce lucas, gaynor collier, valerie jones jean bolitho, mrs h a morey, jillian batten, elaine guidice, james, max frayne, roy speechley, les morey, len kelly, brian walsh, allan scarfe, clive millar, ken sepping, allan holmes, don peterson, ron campbell, jim jeffrey, ken longstaff, col g v lansell, mr f e jackson, mr j w swatton

One copy of Bendigo Sub-branch R.S.S.A.I.L.A. Annual Victory Ball held at the Town Hall, Bendigo on August 15th, 1950. Guests of Honour were The Hon. Sir Norman Martin and Lady Martin. Card is cream with gold print on the front and a gold RLS badge. Other printing is blue. The inside of the tri-fold has a Dance Program of 28 dances and a space for Autographs. The other side has the Debutantes: Lesley Cornwell, June Beck, Genny Allan, Thea Abe, Margaret Phillips, Patrica Hall, June Tebb, Lexie Munro, Janet Neyland, Norma Sheard, Norma Richards and Vicky McCaw. Trained by Mr & Mrs G Hudson. Chaperone: Mrs F. Jackson. Flower Girl: Barbara Abe. Partners: Des Pearse, William Thomas, Junior Allan, Alf Whitely, Norman Goodwin, Frank Richards, Max Farnell, Allan Farnell, Allan Holmes,Lachlan Neyland, Frank Metcalf, Graeme Seddon and Kevin Murphy. President Bendigo Branch R.S.L.: Col G V Lansell. Chairman Ball Committee Mr F E Jackson. Hon. Sec. Ball Committee: Mr J W Swatton. MC: Mr R Wright. Printed by Hocking & Sloan Print.Hocking & Sloan Printevent, social, victory ball, r.s.l. bendigo collection - annual victory ball 1950, the hon sir norman martin, lady martin, lesley cornwell, june beck, genny allan, thea abe, margaret phillips, patrica hall, june tebb, lexie munro, janet neyland, norma sheard, norma richards, vicky mccaw, mr & mrs g hudson, mrs f jackson, barbara abe, hocking & sloan print, des pearse, william thomas, junior allan, alf whitely, norman goodwin, frank richards, max farnell, allan farnell, allan holmes, lachlan neyland, frank metcalf, graeme seddon, kevin murphy, col g v lansell, mr f e jackson, mr j w swatton, mr r wright

One copy of the Bendigo Sub-branch R.S.S.A.I.L.A. Annual Victory Ball held at the Town Hall, Bendigo on August 12th, 1952. Guests of Honour were Air Vice-Marshall A M Charlesworth, C.B.E., A.F.C. and Mrs Charlesworth. Card is cream with gold print on the front and a gold RLS badge. Other printing is blue. The inside of the tri-fold card has a Dance Program of 28 dances and a space for Autographs. The other side has the Debutantes: Mary Bacon Jill Britnell, Ailsa Peterson, Beatrice Bacon, Lorna Johnson, Elaine Campbell, Lorraine Jobe, Norene Fox, June Thomas, Joyce Strahan, Gladys Monro, Fay Stanton, Dawn Nicholls, Dorothy Cowling Iris Baxter and Fay Swift. Trained by: Mr J Singe and Miss P Reidy. Matron of Honor: Mrs V Palmer. Partners: Bill Perdon, Bill Waddell, Neil Merton, Gerald Matheson, Ernest Johnson, Neil Wilson, Len Ermel, Royce Read, Kevin Whelan, Brian Owins, Norman Quin, Robert Nichols, Ron Nievandt, Max Cowling, John Bond, Stan Johannsen and John Kupke. President Bendigo Branch R.S.L. Col Sir George V Lansell. Chairman Ball Committee: Mr F E Jackson. Hon Sec ball Committee: Mr J W Swatton. M.C. Messrs G Hudson, W Waters. Printed by Hocking & Sloan Print.Hosking & Sloan Print, Bendigoevent, social, victory ball, r.s.l. bendigo collection - annual victory ball 1952, air vice-marshall a m charlesworth, mrs charlesworth, mary bacon jill britnell, ailsa peterson, beatrice bacon, lorna johnson, elaine campbell, lorraine jobe, norene fox, june thomas, joyce strahan, gladys monro, fay stanton, dawn nicholls, dorothy cowling iris baxter, fay swift, mr j singe miss p reidy, mrs v palmer, hocking & sloan print, bill perdon, bill waddell, neil merton, gerald matheson, ernest johnson, neil wilson, len ermel, royce read, kevin whelan, brian owins, norman quin, robert nichols, ron nievandt, max cowling, john bond, stan johannsen, john kupke, col sir george v lansell, mr f e jackson, mr j w swatton g hudson, w waters

One copy of Bendigo Sub-branch R.S.S.A.I.L.A. Annual Victory Ball held at the Town Hall, Bendigo on August 21st, 1951. Guests of Honour were Lt. Gen. H. Wells, C.B.E., D.S.O. AND Mrs Wells. Card is cream with gold print on the front and a gold RLS badge. Other printing is blue. The inside of the tri-fold has a Dance Program of 28 dances and a space for Autographs. The other side has the Debutantes: Marion White, Ivy Derby, Heather Pettersen, Cherris Collier, Joan Ryan, Margaret Hawkes, Mavis Thomas, Olive Knox, Norma Scott, Maureen McGregor, Beverley McGhie, Norma Hinton, Joyce Boyd, Dorothy Cutting, Bonnie Jobe and Shirley Jobe. Trained by Miss E. Liddell. Chaperone: Mrs J W Swatton. Page and His Lady: June Egglestone, Janette Brady. Partners: Ian Shadforth, Max Cowling, Neil Ross, Noel Evans, Len Ermel, Len Rutherford, Des McKenna, Maurice Reed, Brian Owins, Ian Stevenson, John Wild, Bill Ross, Wallie Reed, Noel Bradley, Trevor Milikins and Cliff Swatton. President Bendigo Branch R.S.L.: Col Sir George V Lansell. Chairman Ball Committee: Mr F E Jackson. Hon. Sec. Ball Committee: Mr J W Swatton. MC: Mr R Wright. Printed by Hocking & Sloan Print.Hosking & Sloan Print Bendigoevent, social, victory ball, r.s.l. bendigo collection - annual victory ball 1951, lt-gen h wells, mrs wells, marion white, ivy derby, heather pettersen, cherris collier, joan ryan, margaret hawkes, mavis thomas, olive knox, norma scott, maureen mcgregor, beverley mcghie, norma hinton, joyce boyd, dorothy cutting, bonnie jobe, shirley jobe, miss e liddell, mrs j w swatton, june egglestone, janette brady, hocking & sloan print, ian shadforth, max cowling, neil ross, noel evans, len ermel, len rutherford, des mckenna, maurice reed, brian owins, ian stevenson, john wild, bill ross, wallie reed, noel bradley, trevor milikins, cliff swatton, col sir george v lansell, mr f e jackson, mr j w swatton, mr r wright

Three copies of Bendigo Sub-branch R.S.S.A.I.L.A. Annual Victory Ball held at the Town Hall, Bendigo on August 17th, 1948. Guests of Honour were Lt.-Gen. S. G. Savige, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., E.D. AND Mrs Savige. Card is cream with gold print on the front and a blue RLS badge. Other printing is brown. The inside of the tri-fold has a Dance Program of 28 dances and a space for Autographs. The other side has the Debutantes: Clarice Johnston, Beth Brown, Hazel Somerville, Pat Fairless, Dorothy Wilson, Enid Sutherland, Enid Hilson, Pat Johnson, June Richards, Pat Griffiths, Ann Mangan, Valerie Hunt, Pat Burton, Nancy Osgood, Emily Johnson, Janette Sutherland, Edith Johnson, Elaine Stemmer, Shirley Hinton, Marjorie Peterson, Elva Munro, Helen Balsillie, Nan Fairless and Shirley March. Chaperone:Mrs L J Warner. Flower Girls: Margaret Thomas and Beverley Heeps. Partners: Jack Wright, Douglas Dickinson, Graeme Hoy, Dave Beattie, Jim McNamara, Arthur Sutherland, Ken Burgess, Norm Fath, Robert Jackson, Alec Pianto, Kenneth Maes, Neil Holden, Brian Ackland, John Clarke, Les Johnstone, Ken Johnson, Frank Holden, Keith Rollinson, Dave McDougall, Don Peterson, Les Morey, George Hunt, Geoff Meggs and Ray Fitzgerald. President Bendigo Branch R.S.L. Col G V Lansell. Chairman Ball Committee: Mr F E Jackson. Hon. Secretary Ball Committee: Mr J W Swatton. Printed by James, Print, Eaglehawk.James, Print Eaglehawkevent, social, victory ball, r.s.l. bendigo collection - annual victory ball 1948, lt-gen s g savige, mrs savige, clarice johnston, beth brown, hazel somerville, pat fairless, dorothy wilson, enid sutherland, enid hilson, pat johnson, june richards, pat griffiths, ann mangan, valerie hunt, pat burton, nancy osgood, emily johnson, janette sutherland, edith johnson, elaine stemmer, shirley hinton, marjorie peterson, elva munro, helen balsillie, nan fairless, shirley march, mrs l j warner, margaret thomas, beverley heeps, james, jack wright, douglas dickinson, graeme hoy, dave beattie, jim mcnamara, arthur sutherland, ken burgess, norm fath, robert jackson, alec pianto, kenneth maes, neil holden, brian ackland, john clarke, les johnstone, ken johnson, frank holden, keith rollinson, dave mcdougall, don peterson, les morey, george hunt, geoff meggs, ray fitzgerald, col g v lansell, mr f e jackson, mr j w swatton

E Grade Eltham U-14 Grand Final Team defeated MontmorencyDigital file only scanned by EDHS from item on loanb. chilcott, b. sinclair, c. crick, c. tuffen, d. march, d. ramsey, d. symons, eltham football club, g. scott, gary stranks, i . chesser, j. stickland, j. walker, k. lynch, m. peters, p. becker, p. kernaghan, p. smith, r. alexander, s. leech, t. walsh

Rectangular shaped photograph mounted on cardboard backingE and F Subsections No 2 Battery.ww1, artillary photograph, lara r.s.l. e and f subsections no 2 battery.

The Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria, now known as Vicdeaf, (the Victorian Deaf Society), was founded in 1884 as the Victorian Society for Promoting the Spiritual and Temporal Welfare of the Adult Deaf and Dumb. The provisional committee being Mr W Bates, Mr J M Bruce, Mr J D Gowan, Mr Edwin Newbiggin, Mr C M Officer, M. L, A., and the Rev. W. Moss. The Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission's objects were: 1. To provide the means for religious worship and instruction for the adult deaf and dumb of Victoria 2. To visit the deaf and dumb in their homes, especially when sick or in distress 3. To assist the deaf and dumb of good character in obtaining suitable employment 4. To provide technical and other education for the adult and dumb 5. To give pecuniary assistance to adult deaf and dumb who are in needThe Annual Reports of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society are historically significant providing insight into the history of the evolving Deaf Community in Victoria. They are a annual 'snapshot' of the year with references not only to the progress of the Society but also to the significant people and events within the Deaf Community.Orange Cover, Size 21.5Hx13.5W, 76 pages (Poor Condition)thomas david gibson carmichael, f. s. grimwade, e. r. peacock, harold kent, h. sumner martin, m. l. miller, h. w. h. adeney, w. a. dickens, f. e. frewin, john m. griffiths, rev j. j. halley, s. mauger, g. g. mercy, m. l. miller, j. e. muir, f. j. rose, f. tudor, henry weedon, ernest j. d. abraham, mrs e. j. d. abraham, miss i. foster, miss a. foster, mrs f. e. frewin, mrs h. sumner martin, mrs j. e. muir, mrs r. r. paterson, mrs w. a. paterson, mrs a. wilson. mrs samuel luke, w. j. craig, john cronin, alex williamson, s. moss, m. g. b mortimer, captain olden, incorporation, blackburn, messrs ward and carleton, r. l. phillips, box hill, edward newbigin, our monthly letter, mrs w. a. paterson, e. fletcher, w. w. bass, d. robertson, w. walker, w. scott, horace reynolds,

Previous owners: T. H. Smith, T. W. SmithNo. of volumes: 218 Volume range: Vol. 1-6 (1865-1875), Vol. 1-15 (1875-1890), Vol. 1891-2014 (Years with 2 parts: 1916, 1921-1922, 1967, 1969, 1983, 1990-1992, 1994-1995, 1999-2007) (2009-2014 unbound) Later title: Appeal cases Reporters: Moore, E. F. (1865-1873) MacPherson, W. (1973-1874) Cowell, H. (1874-1881) Clark, C. (1975-1881) MacQueen, J. F. (1875-1879) Wheeler, G. J. (1879-1881) Editors: Bulwer, J. F. (1881-1885) Stone, A. P. (1886-1894) Pollock, F. (1895-1936) Topham, A. F. (1936-1939) Williams, R. E. L. V. (1940) Sutton, R. (1941-1952) Colinvaux, R. P. (1953-1968) Lamb, J. F. (1969) Ellis, C. J. (1970 - 1995) Williams, R. (1996-2007) Scowen, C. (2008)law reports: digests: etc. -- great britain -- periodicals, law reports: digests: etc. -- great britain, appellate procedure -- great britain -- cases

Typed time table for the R.S.L. Victory Ball held at the Town Hall, Bendigo on Tuesday 21st August, 1951. Signed by J. W. Swatton, Hon. Secretary Ball Committee.J.W. Swatton, Secretary.event, social, victory ball, r.s.l. bendigo collection - time table for r.s.l. victory ball 1951, mr f e jackson, sir george lansell, lt general wells & mrs wells, mrs oliver, mrs j w swatton, mrs f e jackson, cr oliver, rsl ladies auxiliary, parma dance club, mr wright, mr little, mr w lamers, mr waters, mr green, mr barton, mr palmer, mr edgar, mr orchard

The Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission of Victoria, now known as Vicdeaf, (the Victorian Deaf Society), was founded in 1884 as the Victorian Society for Promoting the Spiritual and Temporal Welfare of the Adult Deaf and Dumb. The provisional committee being Mr W Bates, Mr J M Bruce, Mr J D Gowan, Mr Edwin Newbiggin, Mr C M Officer, M. L, A., and the Rev. W. Moss. The Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission's objects were: 1. To provide the means for religious worship and instruction for the adult deaf and dumb of Victoria 2. To visit the deaf and dumb in their homes, especially when sick or in distress 3. To assist the deaf and dumb of good character in obtaining suitable employment 4. To provide technical and other education for the adult and dumb 5. To give pecuniary assistance to adult deaf and dumb who are in needThe Annual Reports of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission are historically significant providing insight into the history of the evolving Deaf Community in Victoria. They are a annual 'snapshot' of the year with references not only to the progress of the Mission but also to the significant people and events within the Deaf Community.Green Cover, Size 21.5Hx13.5W, 60 pagesreginald talbot, samuel gillott, john m. griffiths, harold kent, h. sumner martin, rev. h. w. h. adeney, rev j. j. halley, rev e. h. sugden, w. a. dickens, f. e. frewin, s. mauger, m. l. miller, j. e. muir, a. c. muir, e. r. peacock, f. j. rose, f. tudor, ernest j. d. abraham, mrs e. j. d. abraham, miss i. foster, miss a. foster, mrs f. e. frewin, mrs h. sumner martin, mrs j. e. muir, mrs r. r. paterson, mrs w. a. paterson, mrs a. wilson. mrs samuel luke, alex williamson, s. moss, m. g. b mortimer, captain olden, rev. h. kelly, edward newbigin, compulsory education, j. charles, a graham

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.ON THE OCCASION OF THE CONFERRING OF THE / FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF MELBOURNE UPON HIS EXCELLENCY FIELD MARSHALL SIR WILLIAM SLIM / GCB, GCMG, GCVC, GBE, DSO, MC, KStJ, / GOVERNOR GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA / THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD MAYOR / (CR F W THOMAS) / REQUESTS THE PLEASURE OF THE COMPANY OF / Councillor F E O'Brien / AT DINNER / AT THE TOWN HALL, MELBOURNE / ON SATURDAY, 8TH NOVEMBER, 1958, AT 6.45 FOR 7 PM / EVENING DRESS - DECORATIONS / THE FAVOUR IS REQUESTED OF A REPLY BY 23RD OCTOBER, TO THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY TO THE LORD MAYOR / ON RECEIPT OF ACCEPTANCE ENTREE CARD WILL BE SENTcivic invitations -- kew (vic), city of melbourne, field marshall slim.-- governor general of australia

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 1942 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. The Cambridge Natural History Vol 3 Molluscs and Brachiopods Edited by S F Harmer & A E Shiley Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: 1895 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 595.1 HAR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free 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, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the cambridge natural history vol 3, molluscs and brachiopods, s f harmer, a e shiley