The Institute movement came to Melbourne in 1839 with the establishment of the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institute later known as the Melbourne Athenaeum. Adopting the principles of self help, social improvement and the recognition of the importance of useful knowledge, it maintained a library, a reading room and an art gallery, while also establishing classes and lectures in a variety of fields. Various dates have been suggested for the founding of the Cheltenham Mechanics’ Institute with the range being somewhere between 1853 and 1856. The first Institute building erected on the tip of the land where Charman Road joined Point Nepean Road was of weatherboard construction. It consisted of a small hall, a reading room and a library. Later it was realized that the building was inadequate for community functions that attracted a large number of participants; consequently additions and modifications were needed. The Shire Council in 1888 voted £10 to the building fund but stipulated that the money would only be paid when the new building was commenced. Major contributors to the fund were the temperance societies who were regular users of the Institute’s facilities. As a result of their contributions the building was named Mechanics’ Institute Free Library and Temperance Hall with this title being proudly painted on its façade in ‘gold letters shaded with blue’.Black and white image of a group of six men dressed in suits and wearing hats, standing at the front entrance of the Mechanics Institute, Free Library and Temperance Hall, Cheltenham

Mechanics Institute Bazaar? C.1909Written on back of small photograph, "Edna and Edie G?????. Left: Edith Greenwood, -- Maggie Falconer".

This is a paper back book of 24 pages. It has a white back cover and a grey/white front cover with a coloured photograph of the second Purnim Hall. The printed material is black on a white background. non-fictionBrief history of Purnim Mechanics Institute Hallpurnim, mechanics’ institutes, warrnambool

Black and white image of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute.lydiard street north, stockbrockers, ballaarat mechanics' institute, ballarat mechanics' institute

Door in a brick building known as the Bruthen Mechanics' Institute.bruthen, mechanics' institute, free library, brick, door

One of the most comprehensive studies of mechanics institute in Victoria. Beginning from 1839 to the present. Arguably Victoria's oldest and most influential surviving institution. History of approx.1,000 institutes including building status, social adult education, library history, heritage listings, plus thematic essays about the Mechanic Institute movement and development. Includes: role of woman, architecture, schools of art and design and schools of mines. This is the most comprehensive study of mechanics institute in Victoria.History of approx.1,000 institutes including building status, social adult education, library history, heritage listings, plus thematic essays about the Mechanic Institute movement and development. Includes: role of woman, architecture, schools of art and design and schools of mines. This is the most comprehensive study of mechanics institute in Victoria.Signed by co-author Ken James on title page.libraries, educational and research establishments, mechanics institutes, surrey hall, (mr) ken james, (ms) pam baragwanath

Black and white photo of Mechanics Institute in 1905, later Scout Hall, Vermontvermont scout hall, scout halls, mechanics institutes, vermont mechanics institute

Text book used by trainee flight mechanicsHardcover note book bound with cord, blue cover, 199 pagesRAAF Fitters II.E Flight Mechanics Course Notes, Engineering School, Issue 5, August 1945, The book is RAAF property and is not to be reproduced without authority.text book, note book, trainee mechanic, lac dixon, pr dixon

This hall is located at 37 Duncan Street, Murtoa, Victoria, 3390Digital colour photograph showing the double storey Murtoa Mechanics Hall in the main street.murtoa mechanics hall, murtoa, mechanics institute

Geoffrey Blainey was the inaugural Chancellor of the University of Ballarat (later Federation University)White card invitation with the University of Ballarat logo on the front. The ivitation was to an occasional address by Geoffrey Blainey to mark the University of Ballarat TAFE 140th anniverary and the 150th anniversary of the Ballarat Mechanics' Institute. The address was held in the Humffray Room at the Ballarat Mechanics' Instituteuniversity of ballarat, david battersby, ballarat mechanics institute, geoffrey blainey, ballaarat mechanics' institute, 140th anniversary, anniversary

Mr Eddie Mitchell (right) President of Tatura Mechanics Institute, with Mr Arch Wilson (centre) and Mr Bill Ponting (left), at the unveiling of the memorial plaque honouring John Dixon Love and the Love family. Plaque is situated between Mechanics Institute and Victory Hall.tatura, costume, male, buildings, historic

Scan of a receipt from the Carngham Mechanics' Institute . The receipt relates to the hire of the hall to show 'Gem Pictures'.theatre, film, entertainment, gem, rash, gem pictures, receipt

Although the organization name is not in the book, this ledger appears to have been used as a financial record for the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute from 1904 to 1911. Most of the entries are the names of those subscribing to the Mechanics' Institute Library, the finances connected to the School of Art and Design and moneys received in connection with the Mechanics' Institute billiards room. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute was one of the earliest established in Victoria, being founded in 1854. The School of Art and Design, the second of its kind in Warrnambool, was established in 1883 and continued to be administered by the Mechanics' Institute until 1908. It eventually became part of the Warrnambool Technical School, opened in 1913. A local Museum was a feature of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute for many years. A billiards room was a recreational feature of many Mechanics' Institutes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute closed in the 1960s with the library section continuing and the building was demolished in 1975 to make way for new Warrnambool Council buildings (including a new library)This ledger is of considerable interest as it is an early record of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute, one of Warrnambool's most influential organizations. The names listed in this ledger are of historical interest and provide much material for local history researchers.This is a ledger with a black cover with gold printing on the front. The pages have ruled red and blue lines and handwritten entries in black ink and blue crayon. The spine of the cover is somewhat tattered on the edges.warrnambool mechanics' institute, warrnambool school of art and design, ethel mitchell warrnambool school of art and design

During the late 1920s Edwin Rash, father of Keith Edwin Rash, toured moving pictures around central Victoria under the name 'Gem Pictures'. Two receipts from Gordon Mechanics' Institute and Free Library. Payment received from Mr E. Rashgordon mechanics' institute and free library, keith edwin rash

Copies of images showing the development of and changes to the library building.buninyong mechanics institute, buninyong library, buninyong

Scan of a receipt from the Gordon Mechanics' Institute and Free Library. The receipt relates to the hire of the hall to show 'Gem Pictures'.theatre, film, entertainment, gem, rash, gem pictures, receipt

Scan of a receipt from the Smeaton Mechanics' Institute and Free Library. The receipt relates to the hire of the hall to show 'Gem Pictures'.theatre, film, entertainment, gem, rash, gem pictures, receipt, smeaton mechanics' institute and free library

Colour photograph showing the back entry to the Mechanics Hall before demolition, room to the left of stairs occupied by Lakes Entrance Family History Group and to the right by Tambo Shire Historical Society Lakes Entrance Victorial. Also colour photograph of main entry to Mechanics Institute Hall and Library extension taken in 1998 halls, public utilities

Greeting Card with Photo of Mechanics Institute and Methodist Church, Whitehorse Rd, Ringwood c1910-1920. Handwritten name of E.Miles on inside.

Scan of a receipt from the Skipton Mechanics' Institute and Free Library Receipt. The receipt relates to the hire of the hall to show 'Gem Pictures'.theatre, film, entertainment, gem, rash, gem pictures, skipton mechanics' institute and free library, receipt