Pat Howell with Spencer and Della Jerkins at CWA East Gippsland Craft Show at Mechanics Hall Lakes Entrance VictoriaBlack and white photograph taken at CWA East Gippsland Craft Show at Mechanics Hall Lakes Entrance Victoriaclubs, social history

A Mechanics Institute in Bacchus Marsh dates from sometime in the 1850s. The first Mechanics Institute Hall was erected in 1858 in Young Street.(Victorian Collections no.659.) In 1883 a new and larger Mechanics Institute Hall was built in Main Street. The new hall cost 2,000 pounds to construct. It was opened by Sir William Clarke on 21 November 1883. The Mechanics Institute Library and rooms at the front of the hall were removed when the building was renovated in 1971. The building still stands and is used as a public hall.Small black and white 'carte de viste' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the Jeremeas Family Album which contains photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by the photographers Stevenson and McNicoll. The photo is of a substantial brick building under construction. Scaffolding support poles line the front and also can be seen on the top and back of the building. On the rooftop stand three workmen, with a further seven men standing at the front. Three men lean or stand casually at the front in casual poses. Four men stand in a line in another group on the roadway, perhaps indicating that they are master craftsmen. One of these men holds a tool of his trade, resembling a bricklayer’s mortar board. Six boys can be seen, four in a rather jaunty pose. In an indication of its public significance, the four front windows and door are arched and have decorative stone work in the side panels. A picket fence marks the boundary of the adjacent block.Printed On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE. stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, mechanics institutes, halls, bacchus marsh mechanics institute

Date made June 1952Black and white small format photograph of flood waters in Mechanics Street, showing extent of inundation around Mechanics Hall on left and having housing on right of image looking towards Cunninghame Arm. Lakes Entrance VictoriaOn reverse - Flood water near Mechanics Hall June 1952. The pumps were working when this was taken.floods, halls, houses, roads and streets

Rotary Art Show wildlife artist Dawn Stubbs nearest camera Mechanics Hall Lakes Entrance VictoriaBlack and white photograph taken at the Rotary Art Show wildlife artist Dawn Stubbs nearest camera Mechanics Hall Lakes Entrance Victoriaarts, exhibition

Alyson Horne of Sarsfield Victoria spinning sheep wool at Art and Craft weekend held at the Mechanics Hall Bruthen VictoriaBlack and white photograph showing Alyson Horne of Sarsfield Victoria spinning sheep wool at Art and Craft weekend held at the Mechanics Hall Bruthen Victoriaarts and crafts, social history

22 p.; 30 cmnon-fictionA history of the Hall from 1906 to 2006. 100 yearscwa choir, iona pioneers 1892 - 1919 photo of group

Printed theatre programme for the Linton Amateur Dramatic Club. Red border, white background. Dated September 10th. (Year not given - probably 1930s). Performance of "Gussie's Little Game" (one-act play) and "Pearly Pearls" (two act play) presented at Skipton Mechanics Hall.Text: " THE / LINTON AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB / IN THE / Skipton Mechanics' Hall / Saturday, September 10 / PRESENTING / "Gussie's Little Game". "linton amateur dramatic club, rev. w.c. duffy, mrs d. mcgregor, mr h.p. bennett, mr s. morgan, reeves collins, jim collins, jack collins, mrs d. mcgregor, mrs a. shepherd, rose hayward, beryl megee, kath cunningham, clem o'beirne, mr h. kennedy

The tourist track running alongside the creek from Sassafras Mechanics’ Hall to Emerald. In the early 1900s the track started at Rostrevor Guest House.Black & White postcard P1501 from the Rose Series. Shows a log bridge along a tree fern lined section of the Tourist Track.On reverse - POST CARD A Real Photograph. Produced in Australia.rose series, sassafras, track, postcard, mechanics' hall

The tourist track running alongside the creek from Sassafras Mechanics’ Hall to Emerald. In the early 1900s the track started at Rostrevor Guest House.Black and white photograph. Rose Series P. 4825 postcard showing a footbridge along a Tourist rack surrounded by bush and tree ferns.rose series, rostrevor, mechanics' hall, sassafras, track

opening of the Geneological Group display in the Mechanics Hall showing President Jan Grant welcoming Ross Gibbs and Bronwyn Merritt from PRO. Lakes Entrance VictoriaColour photograph taken at the opening of the Geneological Group display in the Mechanics Hall showing President Jan Grant welcoming Ross Gibbs and Bronwyn Merritt from PRO. Lakes Entrance Victoriaclubs, genealogy

official opening of the Geneological Group new premises in the Mechanics Hall President Jan Grant pictured welcoming PRO Representative Michael Carmody and other guests Lakes Entrance VictoriaColour photograph taken at the official opening of the Geneological Group new premises in the Mechanics Hall President Jan Grant pictured welcoming PRO Representative Michael Carmody and other guests Lakes Entrance Victoriaclubs, genealogy

Production held at Mechanics Hallmisc., local identities

Production held at Mechanics Hallmisc., local identities

Stage production at Mechanics Hallmisc., local identities

"The Mechanics’ Institute hall (demolished) and the library played a central role in the story of Melton social life, and in the development of its learning, culture, entertainment, celebration, commemoration and many community groups. The building on the site today - with the Court House the only remaining early community or public building remaining in High Street - is a tribute to the energy and talents of the very small Melton community over many years. Its substantial size, brick materials, and the evident use of an architect in its design, sets it apart from most other simple weatherboard Mechanics’ Institutes that were built in smaller country towns in Victoria. The financing and upkeep of this building, which was community-owned until 1982, and built on land purchased by the community rather than granted by Government, itself contributed to the coming together of the Melton community in decision making and fundraising. Although the original hall is demolished, the 1983 Melton Community Hall adjacent is partly its successor, demolition of the Institute hall having been predicated on its construction. The surviving brick front portion of the Institute was opened by the Hon. J Murray, Premier of Victoria in 1910". Scottish Debutante Ball hosted by Scots Church Melton at the Mechanics Hallchurches

Production held at Mechanics Hall, Meltonmisc., local identities

Play held at Mechanics Hall, Meltonmisc., local identities

Stage production held at Mechanics Hallmisc., local identities

Mr C E Barrie was the President of the District ExhibitionSection of the exhibition held at Mechanics Hallcouncil, local identities

Stage production held at Mechanics Hall, Meltonmisc., local identities

Harris. WM. & Jane – Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Decorations in Mechanics Hall Great Western. 1932 In Great Western Families Book under Harris are similar photo'sBlack and white photo, Showing decorations in Mechanic Hall for Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Floral arrangements on stands . Ceiling swags with diamonds and Bells possibly paper. Closed off area fronted with Diamonds cut out and attached to board. Group includes Ernest Harris & Wife. Decorations in Mechanics Hall Great Western for Diamond Wedding 1932 William Harris And Jane Harris ( Nee Colley) 21 October 1932stawell

Premier Jeff KennettColour photograph of dignatories at opening of new Mechanics Hall, in Lakes Entrance, Victoria.celebrations, government

Colour photograph of Primary School choir at Volunteer Network Expo in Mechanics Hall Lakes Entrance Victoriaschools, volunteering, students, choir

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