WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much - loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. 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 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent 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 have 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 1850s to the late 1950s 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 Imperial Dictionary English Technological and Scientific Vol 2 Author: John Ogilvie Publisher: Blackie & Son Ltd Date: 1861 Further Information: The Imperial Dictionary English Technological and Scientific Vol 1 on the Basis of Webster's English Dictionary with the addition of many thousand words and phrases, including the most generally used technical and scientific terms with their etymology and their pronunciation. The label on spine cover with typed text R.H. 423 OGI flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, 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, the imperial dictionary english technological and scientific vol 2, john ogilvie

Yellow cover with black sriting and depicting map in red of the Imperial City. Twenty-four pages illistrating points/Photograph of POI. Back cover - Advertisement for airlinePhong Du-Lich O Hue Xuat-Ban. On cover edited by the Hue Tourist Officebooklet, tourist, imperial city

Small metal members badge with claspImperial Australia League. returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen. Worn inscription on rear

The cards relate to Cyril John Johnson VX36298 died as a POW. Refer 3144 for his service history..1) Imperial Japanese Army POW card to Next of Kin. Plain cardboard. Address side has From/Sender Park-Camp at Moulmein, Burma. .2) Imperial Japanese Army POW card to Next of Kin. Plain cardboard. Address side has From/Sender Park-Camp at Moulmein, Burma. .3) Imperial Japanese Army POW card to Next of Kin. Plain cardboard. States he is interned in POW Camp Moulmein, Burma. .1) - .3) Red stamped Japanese characters & stamped passed by censor. .1) Handwritten address side: To Mrs J Johnson Laanecourie Victoria Australia Signed: C J Johnson Handwritten bottom address side: 2nd Card .2) Handwritten address side: To Mrs J Johnson Laanecourie Victoria Australia Signed: Cyril John Johnson POW No 2954 .3) Handwritten address side: To Mrs J Johnson Laanecourie via Maldonpost cards, japanese

The letter relates to the mailing of a “Memorial Plaque and Kings letter” regarding Pte W.Williams No 1442 2nd Bn AIF. Refer Cat No 4342P for his service details also Cat No 1859P for photo and medalsLetter, yellowed on Official letterhead, “Australian Imperial Force” ref No B.R.P.F.37 (a) dated 11 November 1921.Typed in black, “Mr O.W.Williams 323 Lyttleton Terrace Bendigo Vic”letters, memorial plaques, kings message

This photograph shows some members of the Imperial Camel Corps 1918.Digital copy of black and white photograph. No caption on this photo.charles marshall, world war 1

This photograph shows camel lines of the Imperial Camel Corps 1918.Digital copy of black and white photograph. "Camel lines {next word illegible]"charles marshall, world war 1

This photograph shows a cameleer with some camels, Imperial Camel Corps 1918.Digital copy of black and white photograph. No caption on this photo.charles marshall, world war 1

Black and silver accordion The names "Victoria the Good" and "Edward VII" are printed above the brand name "Kalbe's Imperial, Gold Medal Melbourne". There are pictures of Edward VII and Queen Victoria on either side of the instrument.

This photograph shows a group of Aussie cameleers seated in the desert, Imperial Camel Corps 1918.Digital copy of black and white photograph. No caption on this photo.charles marshall, world war 1

This photograph shows a group of cameleers and camels, ready to move, Imperial Camel Corps 1918.Digital copy of black and white photograph. No caption on this photo.charles marshall, world war 1

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A coloured photograph of Ceiling decorations in the receiving foyer area of the Imperial Palace at Hue, in the Northern area of South Vietnam. The Palace was heavily damaged during the Tet Offensive of January to March 1968. the richness and beauty of the palace was completely scared.photograph, imperial palace, hue, tet offensive, 1968, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons

This bottle holds one imperial pint. The manufacturer Milk Bottles Recovery Ltd began production in Melbourne in 1930 and ended production in the 1970s. Clear glass bottle, embossed inscription.Inscription: "Milk. One Pint. This bottle is the property of Milk Bottles Recovery Ltd 18 Market St Melbourne. Can only be used by written permission and cannot be sold."milk bottles, milk, glass bottles, imperial pint

The contents are mainly War news, maps, advertising and sports, rear page has photos of Women volunteers in the “WANS” Women’s Australian National Service.Newspaper, AIF news, Issued by the Australian Imperial Force Middle East, classed as 8 pages, yellowed, all print in black, illustrated with maps and photos.“The AIF News - Saturday June 7 1941”the aif news, middle east, 1941

The letter to Mr Williams relates to the burial of No 1442 Pte W. Williams 2nd Bn AIF and is burial place “Browns Dip North Beach Gallipoli 500 yards south of ANZAC Cove. Refer Cat No 4342P for his service details also Cat No 1859P for medals and photo.Australian Imperial Force Official letterhead, light cream coloured, typing in black relating to the loss of Pte W. Williams and his initial burial on ANZAC.Typed in black, “Mrs S.T.Williams 323 Littleton Terrace Bendigo Vic”letters, graves, burial, anzac cove

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a large cannon in its bay at the Imperial Palace Hue, South Vietnam. The tanks and regional force outposts surrounding the old gun emplacements appear as a anachronism in the modern conflict being raged in South Vietnam. (circa April 1966)photograph, imperial palace, hue, tet offensive, 1968, gibbons collection catalogue, cannon, denis gibbons

c1880 This tiny tape measure, in Imperial measurements, was part of a Victorian era lady's sewing basket. The case is of polished timber, and the little winder, to retract the tape, is made of brass with a small ivory handleEarly settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant producing their own food and making their farm equipment and clothing. The women of these families were skilful in all craftwork.c1880 this tiny, retractable, tape measure, in Imperial measure, is made of polished timber with a brass winder and ivory handle. Imperial ‘inch’ measurements on tape dressmaking, tape measure, sewing, craftwork, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh cheltenham

This typewriter belonged to Gordon William Toleman (1910-1975). The first known Toleman born in the Western District was born at Mortlake in 1845 and Gordon Toleman was also born in Mortlake. He lived with his family in Warrnambool for many years. He was an accountant the Nestles Factory at Dennington for over 25 years. He was actively involved in community affairs, including the Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade (life member), the Florado Festival, the Warrnambool Olympic Pool committee and the Merrivale and Terang Football Clubs (player and captain). He was also a life member of the Hampden Football League as a long-term Secretary and Treasurer and a secretary of the Warrnambool Football Club.This typewriter is of interest as one belonging to Gordon Toleman, a Warrnambool 20th century resident and a person well-known for his involvement in community activities..1 This is a metal typewriter with black and grey keys and a red and black typewriting ribbon. It has three gauges or scales. .2 These are two typewriter ribbons in red and black with circular metal covers. ‘Imperial’ ‘Geo Wraitt & Co 15 McKillop Street Repairs MU 7051’ gordon toleman, history of warrnambool

Dr.Pat, a brand of both cigarette and pipe tobacco, are produced and sold by Imperial Tobacco Australia. It is an aromatic blend of Irish and other fine cut tobaccos. Dr.Pat is sold only in New Zealand and Australia. Imperial Tobacco Australia Limited is the smallest and most recently formed of the tobacco companies operating within Australia. Imperial Tobacco Australia was established to coincide with the merger of WD & HO Wills Holdings Limited and Rothmans Holdings Limited as British American Tobacco Australia. At the time of the proposed merger, concerns were raised about the likelihood for reduction in competition in the Australian marketplace, thereby potentially causing a breach of Section 50 of the Trade Practices Act 1974. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission agreed to permit the merger to proceed, on condition that another tobacco company enter the Australian market. The UK-based Imperial Tobacco Group was invited to enter the Australian market and in September 1999, Imperial Tobacco Australia commenced operations.26, 27 As part of the agreement allowing the formation of British American Tobacco Australia, Imperial Tobacco Australia was sold a portfolio of cigarette, roll-your-own tobacco and cigarette paper trademarks previously owned by Rothmans or WD & HO Wills for the sum of $325 million. The purchase gave Imperial Tobacco Australia an opening market share of 17.1%.27 Imperial Tobacco Australia ranked third in cigarettes sales in 2009, with a volume share of 16.2%. A circular tin with screw top contained pipe tobacco 'Dr Pat ' brandLid : DELUXE / Dr PAT' / IRISH MIXTURE / PIPE TOBACCO / 50g NETimperial tobacco australia ltd, tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, dr. pat pipe tobacco, cigarette manufacturers

The letter relates to the postage of a grave photo and folder of Pte Walter Williams No 1442 2nd Bn AIF. Refer Cat No 4342P for his service details also Cat No 1859P for photo and medals..1) Letter, official, Australian Imperial Force, yellowish colour, all print in black and white. .2) Envelope, official “OHMS”, orange colour, typing in black with purple stamp..1) Letter to, “Mr O.W.Williams 323 Lyttleton Terrace Bendigo Vic” .2) in pencil on the front, “Photograph of where Walter Williams buried”letters, graves, envelopes

Australian Imperial Force SECTION ROLL BOOK for use on every parade by Section Commander. Part of the Kevin John Herdman, No. 397661, Collection. See Catalogue No. 5942P for details of his service record.Cloth covered cardboard cover with stapled pages. 40 pages with cut edges. Each page has columns ruled in red with column headings in black ink. Handwritten details in black ink, Text on front cover printed in black ink.Handwritten on front cover in black ink: “2, C, 38th Batt, SUNDRIES” Handwritten on top RH corner of front cover in black ink: “STRETCHER BEARERS”roll book, 38th battalion, stretcher bearers, kevin john herdman

for use by the kitchen staff for weighing food portion sizesitem used daily in the kitchens at The Alfred Hospitalyellow metal weighing device, fan shaped on rectangular metal base, window with imperial scale on face, regulating screw on left upper aspect of body, spring loaded metal plate to support glass dish on upper surface. Glass dish to hold item to be weighed separate to base unitDIETITIAN/Persinware/MADE IN/AUSTRALIAscales, ahnl

The Imperial Dry Plate Co., Ltd. was based in London and was founded in the early 1890s by J J Acworth (1853-1927). Kodak manufactured and distributed a wide range of photographic products to Australasia, including those made by the Imperial Dry Plate Co. A burgundy coloured cardboard box for glass photographic development plates with technical and manufacturers information printed on white paper on lid. The box is empty. photography, photograph, history of photography, dry plate photography, photographic equipment

This early 20th-century chest of drawers is unique. It was made from recycled timber kerosene boxes and metal tins. The case was made in South Australia between 1905 and 1927 by the British Imperial Oil Company Ltd, which was the first business to import bulk petroleum products into Australia. Before this, ships carried crates of kerosene as cargo. Items salvaged from the 1880 wreck of the vessel Eric the Red included kerosene boxes. Kerosene replaced plant and animal-based fuel, such as whale oil, for lighting in homes and for the lamps in lighthouses and on marine vessels. It was also used for cooking and heating and as engine fuel. The last kerosene-fueled lighthouse lamp was transferred to solar power in 1985. The chest of drawers is one-of-a-kind. The original uses for the components of the chest of drawers, the wooden box and metal tins were for containing and transporting kerosene. Kerosene was used from the late 19th century for fuel in lamps, heating, and cooling. Previously whale oil was used for the lamps in lighthouses. The company providing the kerosene was the first to import it into Australia in bulk quantities. The set of drawers is one of the many ways that inventive Australians were able to repurpose materials.Chest of drawers; wooden frame and rails, metal drawers with vertical metal handles. The frame has been constructed from the wooden panels of a vintage oil and kerosene box. The three drawers have been created from empty kerosene cans that were cut in half from top to bottom, some with the round opening closed over. Inscriptions from the original box and cams are stencilled on the top and base of the frame and impressed or painted on the metal cans. The frame has provision for a further drawer. The wooden case and metal tins were made in Australia.Top and base of frame; "THE BRITISH IMPERIAL OIL CO. LTD." "OIL ENGINE KEROSENE" "CASE ANDTINS AUSTRALIAN MADE" On tin; "POWIRIN" "BIOCO LTD" Logo [cross} with inscription on horizontal bar "CROSS" Impressed in timber drawer dividers (indecipherable text) Side of drawer, painted in orange on black; "TY -, REG U S - TIDE - "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, antique, domestic equipment, chest of drawers, tool box, furniture, storage, recycled tin, recycled box, kerosene, fossil fuel, lighthouse lamp fuel, british imperial oil company ltd.