Pattison Collection 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 areas 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 from 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. 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 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 House of Pride Author: Jack London Publisher: Mills & Boon Date: 1st published in 1912The label on the spine with typed text PAT FIC LON Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Serviceshipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, 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, the house of pride, jack london

Pattison Collection 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. 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. 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 areas 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 from 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. The Night-Born Author: Jack London Publisher: Mills & Boon Date: 1916 The label on the spine with typed text PAT FIC LON Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, 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, the night-born, jack london

Pattison Collection 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. 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. 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. 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 Mutiny of The Elsinore Author: Jack London Publisher: Mills & Boon Date: 1915 The label on the spine with the typed text PAT FIC LON Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, 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, the mutiny of the elsinore, jack london

Pattison Collection 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. 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 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. Turtles of Tasman Author: Jack London Publisher: Mills & Boon 1st published 1916 The label on the spine with the typed text PAT FIC LON Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, 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, turtles of tasman, jack london

This photograph shows the main road near Bellbird, East Gippsland, in 1924. This road would have been the Princes Highway, a main thoroughfare through to New South Wales. Bellbird Creek is a small rural location between Orbost and Cann River. There was no township at Cabbage Tree at this time. The Cabbage Tree Creek township was established to support the booming timber industry of the mid 20th century. Five timber mills worked full time supporting the families that were drawn to the area's wealth of natural resources. Nestled on the banks of the Cabbage Tree Creek, the township was built by those mills to house their workers. Today although the timber mills have disappeared, some of the buildings still remain. Little now remains to remind of the saw-milling history apart from photographs and some relics - a boiler and a brick furnace. There was also a thriving agricultural community farming dairy, beef, seed beans and fresh peas and beans that were sent to the Victoria Market in Melbourne. Dairy farming still plays an essential role in the township. this is a pictorial record of the Princes Highway, the main road from East Gippsland to the New South Wales border.A large black / white photograph of a very wet and boggy bush road.on front - "Main Rd near Bellbird 1924"road princes-highway bellbird-creek-1924

The article was contributed by J.K.McCaskill, JP. a mayor of Ringwood in the years between 1924-1951.The Sanders family came from England and are mentioned in the book "Ringwood a Place of Many Eagles" by Hugh AndersonObituary from The Ringwood Mail of Joseph Richard Sanders of 18, Wantirna Road, Ringwood, aged 87 years. He came from a family who were early pioneers of Ringwood. he was born in Collingwood but schooled in Ringwood, married and brought up his family in Ringwood. He lived at 18, Wantirna Road .The article was contributed by J.K.McCaskill, JP. a mayor of Ringwood in the years between 1924-1951.Transcript: "The death occurred of Joseph Richard Sanders, 18 Wantirna Rd, Ringwood, on Wednesday, 21st October 1959, in his 87th year, marks the passing of another of Ringwood’s early pioneers. He was born in Collingwood in August 1873 and came to Ringwood with his parents when 15 months old. They made their home on land on what is now known as Jubilee Park (Fuller particulars of this Park will appear in ‘The Mail’ at a later date, also reference will be made to Wantirna Rd, in the early days it was known as West Prussia Rd). Joe went to the school held in the old homestead and orchard of Mr. Mills, just through the Heatherdale Road railway gates. He remembered many of the scholars, some of the boys and girls had to walk three and four miles to school through rough scrub paddocks in all kinds of weather. During the lunch hour a few of the boys generally went to the creek to fish for eels and would be late in getting back to school, greatly to the annoyance of the teacher. One day the fishing was good, and the boys rather reluctantly returned to the school late as usual. The teacher was furious and made them stand in front of the class but before inflicting punishment she called out to one of the boys to throw out that dirty bag he was holding. The lad gave the bag a shake and out wriggled a snake. There was immediately a general stampede from the classroom, led by the teacher. The school was closed for the rest of the afternoon. Another incident related to a few tramps who after the scholars had all gone home, generally camped for the night in an old back room in the homestead. One of the boys put a little gunpowder in this old fireplace and when the tramps lit the fire to boil their billies the old chimney and part of the old wall just collapsed. Joe, after leaving school, worked around the district for some time and later left Ringwood to live in other suburbs. He at one time was employed at the Aust Glass Works, and later as a carpenter worked on building the dome of the Railway Station at Flinders St. He married a Miss E. M. Wood in 1901 at Richmond and a few years afterwards returned to Ringwood and resided at No. 18 Wantirna Rd., where he reared a family' of three girls (Alice, Ethel, Joyce) and two boys (Robert and Joe). Joe recalled many interesting events of earlier years, such as the duplication of the railway line, and the cutting back of the embankment at the Goods Shed, the earth being used to heighten up the railway bridge over Wantirna Rd. The brickworks at Ringwood East and reference to early land surveys, the using of the heavy chain links before the use of the theodolite became general, and the many neighbours and friends whom he knew. He was interested in local public affairs and was fond of fishing. He proved himself a good citizen and was highly respected and esteemed throughout the district, and so another old pioneer passes on." (Contributed by J. K. McCaskill, J.P.) RM 19 Nov 1959

Each postcard features handwritten anecdotes and letters to various people in R.H. Baron's family. Baron was a band member. Part of the "Robert H. Baron" (No. 3596) and Cooper Collections. See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.1. Coloured drawing of a Stately house with motor car, people and a horse in foreground. 2. Coloured drawing of a couple walking through an avenue of trees. 3. Black and white photograph of a church with square tower. 4. Coloured photograph of a mill building and adjacent body of water. 5. Black and white photograph of a row of buildings fronting an unsealed road. 6. Sepia toned photograph of a large stately three storey house.1. Handwritten in black ink on back: 'Letter to Doris written by R.H. Baron - dated 14 July 1918'. Picturesque, Wiltshire, Charlton House, near Malmsbury. 2. Picturesque Wiltshire Avenue, Savernake Forest. Handwritten in black ink on back: 'Letter to R.H. Baron's sisters and brothers.' 3. St. Mary's Church, Motcombe, Dorset. Handwritten in black ink on back: 'We played at a service at this church last Sunday night (1/12/18), Bob xxx' 4. Worplesdan, Rickford Mill, Handwritten in black ink on back: ' Letter to Alf from R.H. Baron.' 5. Crown Inn, etc. Hartley Row. Handwritten in black ink on back. 'Anecdote signed by Bob (R.H. Baron)'. 6. Longleat House. Handwritten in black ink on back; 'We were playing at a dance at this place a few weeks ago. We had a splendid time. It is near Bath, Bob'.robert h. baron, cooper collection, postcards, ww1

In 1869, the Warrnambool Meat Preserving Company commenced their business on the site, where it operated until 1875 when it was sold to the directors of the Warrnambool Woolen Mill Company. After being destroyed by fire in 1882 it wasn’t until 1910 that the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce was approached by Marcus Saltau and Peter McGennan to invest in a new mill. The original directors were James Dickson, P J McGennan, Robert Swinton, M Saltau, and J W Younger. In 1955 the Warrnambool Woollen Mill formed a partnership with the Wangaratta Woollen Mills. Dunlop bought the mill in 1968. From that time until its closure in 2000 it had a number of different owners, the last being the Smith Family Industries. Directors listed for this period 1956 -1965 include Mr Fletcher Jones, E.E Ladner, N. K. Morris, C. J. McIntyre, J Bennett, J Dickson.. W. S Crowe was manager and Mr E.M Dempster was secretary.The minutes record the decision- making process of one of the major industries of Warrnambool for a significant period of the Woollen Mill’s operation.Heavy black card binder held with thick cloth binding. 1557 Pages with some loose pages at the back of the folder.Kalamazoo Loose leaf Books. Size 42. warrnambool,, glenleigh fabrics pty. ltd., warrnambool woollen mill

In 1869, the Warrnambool Meat Preserving Company commenced their business on the site, where it operated until 1875 when it was sold to the directors of the Warrnambool Woolen Mill Company. After being destroyed by fire in 1882 it wasn’t until 1910 that the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce was approached by Marcus Saltau and Peter McGennan to invest in a new mill. The original directors were James Dickson, P J McGennan, Robert Swinton, M Saltau, and J W Younger. In 1955 the Warrnambool Woollen Mill formed a partnership with the Wangaratta Woollen Mills. Dunlop bought the mill in 1968. From that time until its closure in 2000 it had a number of different owners, the last being the Smith Family Industries. This register contains a list of names addresses and occupations of share holders from the period 1910 to 1944.This register provides a comprehensive listing of people who owned shares in the Warrnambool Woollen Mill in the period directly after its beginnings. It is interesting to note that the majority of share owners in the earlier days were from Warrnambool and District while entries in the later years are from further afield.Dark green cloth hard cover with tan point and spine. One red and one black label on spine with gold lettering. Pages are numbered as one number to the opened page. Entries for the most part are written in black ink. Two printed sheets from The Stock Exchange of Melbourne and National Securities are inside the front cover. W.M. Co. Share Transfer Register on labels on spine.warrnambool woollen mill, history of warrnambool, ledger warrnambool woollen mill, share register warrnambool woollen mill

This ledger relates to the original Woollen Mill which commenced trading in 1875 on the site of the Meat Preserving Company. It shows entries from July 1875 which lists the following men as shareholders: James Alexander, William Armstrong, Robert Hood, Anthony Mackenzie, William Ross, William Rutledge, Francis Tozer, Joseph Ware. It operated until 1882 when it was destroyed by fire. This ledger contains details of one of the earliest industries in Warrnambool. It provides the details of expenses as well as the names of the earliest shareholders. As such it is a significant part of Warrnambool’s history.Large tan, leather bound cover with dark brown scroll pattern around edges. Spine and front cover have maroon labels with gold writing. Paper inside front and back covers id blue and red patterned. Edges of pages are patterned in pink, blue, yellow and green. 754 pages. Apart from suspense account on last page, entries are made up to page 425.Evans Brothers, wholesale and retail Manufacturing stationers, Printers and bookbinders 44 Collins St West, Melbourne & 46 Sturt St Ballarat.warrnambool woollen mill, warrnambool woolen mill, ledger warrnambool woollen mill 1875, early warrnambool business, warrnambool history

A small booklet relating to fire insurance offered by Royal Exchange Assurance. The schedule relates to the area as outlined on the map in red. Newcombe PTY Ltd operated a timber mill in Warrnambool.A small item with a local social interest.Small yellow covered booklet. Black text. 9 pages with fold out map.Newcombe Pty Ltd on front cover. BCE Warrnambool Vic inside front cover.newcombe pty ltd, warrnambool

This is a document showing the state of the accounts in 1944-5 of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill, a significant commercial business in Warrnambool for several decades that was well-known nationally, particularly during World War Two. The Warrnambool Woollen Mill operated in South Warrnambool off McDonald Street from 1910 to 2001 and produced mainly woollen blankets and flannels. Some of the old Woollen Mill buildings today are heritage-listed. The item shows that there was a reduced turnover in 1944-5 because of fewer Government contracts but the company was still making a profit. The Federal Government was a major buyer of Warrnambool Woollen Mill products with the factory supplying blankets for the Armed Forces in World War Two.This is an important document which forms part of a larger collection of Warrnambool Woollen Mill material in the archives of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The Warrnambool Woollen Mill was a major industry in Warrnambool , employing at its peak several hundred people and it was a significant building in the city, with the social and economic ramifications connected to a major business in a regional centre. The document shows the state of the business during World War Two.This is a document of 14 pages produced for the Warrnambool Woollen Mill Company Limited by Edward V. Nixon & Partners, Chartered Accountants, Melbourne, a Report and Comparative Accounts for the years ended 30th September 1944 and 30th September 1945. The cover is grey-coloured light cardboard bound with a paper adhesive. The report covers five pages and the financial statements nine pages. The material is typed.The report is signed Edwin V. Nixon & Partners and the financial reports are initialled E.V.N. & P. warrnambool, warrnambool woollen mill, warrnambool woollen mill report 1944-45

In 1869, the Warrnambool Meat Preserving Company commenced their business on the site, where it operated until 1875 when it was sold to the directors of the Warrnambool Woolen Mill Company. After being destroyed by fire in 1882 it wasn’t until 1910 that the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce was approached by Marcus Saltau and Peter McGennan to invest in a new mill. The original directors were James Dickson, P J McGennan, Robert Swinton, M Saltau, and J W Younger. In 1955 the Warrnambool Woollen Mill formed a partnership with the Wangaratta Woollen Mills. Dunlop bought the mill in 1968. From that time until its closure in 2000 it had a number of different owners, the last being the Smith Family Industries. This report contains the financial reports for the three years from 1951-1953.This report shows records of the Woollen Mill which was one of the most important industries in Warrnambool for nearly 100 years. As such it has links to many local families and organisations.Light brown paper cover with black text underlined in red. Bound in black tape. Accountants’ name along bottom of cover in black.warrnambool, warrnambool woollen mill, warrnambool woolen mill,

Don Jenkins was the Managing Director of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill from 1971 to 1989. He was first employed at the Woollen Mill in 1935. The Warrnambool Woollen Mill in South Warrnambool was established in 1910 with the first manager, J.E. Bennett. By 1915 there were 160 employees and in 1969 there were 380 employees. In 1980 acrylic blankets and fabrics were made on the site and in 1982 there was a name change to Warrnambool Textiles. In 1995 the Smith Family took over the factory, following its ownership by several other Australian firms. It closed in 2000. This is an important photograph as the Warrnambool Woollen Mill was a prominent business in Warrnambool for 90 years. Don Jenkins was the Managing Director for 19 years and this is a good photograph of him and is very useful for display and research purposes. This is a colour photograph of Don Jenkins in a wooden and gilt edged frame with a linen insert. On back of photograph handwritten in biro – ‘Don Jenkins, Managing Director, 1970-1988?’ (Note that Mr Jenkins was the Managing Director from 1971 to 1989)warrnambool, woollen mill, don jenkins, manager warrnambool woollen mill

These cards, presumably part of a pack of cards (or two packs) are an advertising tool for Warrnambool rugs made by the Warrnambool Woollen Mill. The Warrnambool Woollen Mill in South Warrnambool was opened in 1910 with John Bennett the first manager. It produced woollen blankets and rugs and woollen products during the war years for military purposes. It closed in 2000.These cards are of interest as an advertising tool for the Warrnambool Woollen Mill which was a major industry in Warrnambool for 90 years. It shows the advertising techniques used by businesses in the 20th century.These are two regulation-size playing cards, both showing the five of clubs, with a colour advertisement for Warrnambool Rugs on the back. The advertisement features an assortment of Warrnambool woollen rugs. On back of cards – ‘Warrnambool Rugs, pure wool’warrnambool woollen mill, cards

The girls in this photograph have not been identified, though the sender of the card, ‘Emmie’, may be one and the other may be the recipient, ‘Jessie’. The identity of Jessie is known – she is Jessie Browne who later married John Bennett, the first Manager of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill and there is a Jessie L. Brown listed as a pupil of Warrnambool High School which commenced in 1907. This is an important and interesting photograph with more research needed on its subjects. This is a post card with a black and white photograph of four school girls from the late 19th or early 20th centuries on one side. Three are seated and one is standing and all are wearing skirts and fitted tops with white blouses and straw boater hats. The clothes are not identical. The hats are identical with a badge attached to each. One girl has longer curled hair. All are wearing gloves. On back of photo: ‘To dear Jessie, With all best wishes for a joyous New Year, Loving friend, Emmie’ In different writing: ‘W’bool High School’ jessie brown(e), warrnambool high school

The Warrnambool Woollen Mill was established in South Warrnambool in 1909 and was officially opened in 1910 with John Bennett as the first manager. In 1968 the mill was sold to the Dunlop company and in 1982 Dunlop sold the mill to Onkaparinga Woollen Company. In 1983 Onkaparinga was taken over by Macquarie Worsteds and traded in Warrnambool as Warrnambool Textiles. This arrangement ceased in 1994. In 2000 the mill closed after 90 years of operations.This is not a very significant item but it is interesting as it is connected to one of the major industries operating in Warrnambool for 90 years (1910-2000). It highlights also one aspect of the mill’s history- the years 1983-1994 when the mill operated as Warrnambool Textiles. This is a plastic shopping bag from the Warrnambool Woollen Mill shop. It has red printing on the front and back.‘Bargains Galore at the Woollen Mill Shop, Located at the Mill, Warrnambool Textiles, Harris Street, South Warrnambool, 3280, Phone: (055) 64 0044’warrnambool woollen mill

This is a collection of music, written by well- known composers, who were popular in the late 19th century. the music contained in this folio was popular and well known to a large number of people. It contains pieces such as “The Lesson of the Water mill” written by young English poet Sarah Doudney when she was 15 years old to “The Menuet” which was written by I.J. Paderewski who was one of the most loved Polish composers who travelled the World entertaining with his music. He came to Australia in the early 1900’s for a concert tour. Six music sheets covered with brown paper and two with newspaper towards the rear. The individual pieces of music all have a coloured cover, the first being, “The lesson of the Water Mill” by Bond Andrews. The last in the folio is Menuet by I.J. Paderewski. The pieces have been hand-stitched together with cotton. Stamps, Miss Gwen Jones Music seller 151 Liebig St Warrnambool, Deany’s Pianop, organ and Music Warehouse Liebig St Warrnambool, Rowan’s Music Store Liebig St Warrnambool. warrnambool, gwen jones music store, rowans music store, deany's music store

These shoes were worn by Mary Glass Cramond when she married James Dickson Jnr. in 1888 in the Presbyterian church in South Yarra Melbourne. Mary Cramond was the daughter of John Glass Cramond and his wife Frances. Her Scottish born father formed a partnership with James Dickson, also a Scotsman and founded the Cramond and Dickson store on the corner of Timor and Liebig streets Warrnambool which opened on 21st August 1865. The store closed in 1974. . James Dickson's parents were James and Susan. James Dickson was an original director of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill, an original guarantor and director of the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory. He also served on the committee of the Warrnambool Base Hospital for nearly fifty years and was a town councillor. The Store of Cramond and Dickson was one of the most important businesses ever to have been in Warrnambool. The marriage of the daughter and son of each of the founders was an important social and romantic event.A pair of cream satin covered lady's shoes with medium height heels. The toes are gently pointed and decorated with a bow and intricate glass,clear beading.The soles are leather. Both shoes are damaged as the satin is torn and shredded.6D small twelve pointed starshoes, cramond and dickson, warrnambool, cramond

This is the programme of a concert staged by the Warrnambool Orchestral Society, probably in 1904, in the Warrnambool Town Hall. As well as the Warrnambool Orchestra conducted by Louis Bayer, the concert featured Watkin Mills, Eduard Parlovitz and the Western District Orchestra. Louis Bayer (1857-1907) was born in Germany and came to Warrnambool in 1891. With his wife he taught piano, violin, orchestration and singing and established the Warrnambool Orchestral Society. Bayer was the Musical Director of the 1896-7 Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition, composing the Cantata for the opening ceremony and directing over 60 musical performances, including 22 operas and many concerts. Bayer was a composer and produced many operas, including one called ‘Federation’. Robert Watkin-Mills (1849-1930) was the leading English bass baritone concert performer of his time. He was successful in Britain, U.S.A. and Canada and moved to Canada in 1914. He toured Australia in 1904 and again in 1905. Eduard Parlovitz was a distinguished Polish pianist. This programme is of great significance as an example of a 1904 concert produced under the direction of Louis Bayer, one of the most important musicians in Warrnambool’s history. The concert also featured two internationally-known artists, demonstrating that in 1904 Warrnambool was a venue for the top musicians of the day. These are two sheets of paper folded to make one cover and four pages of printed material. The cover is pink with borders, some ornamental, forming the text boxes that separate the concert information from advertisements for two Warrnambool businesses. The programme details are printed on the white paper inside the cover and include two advertisements. The programme has been stapled but the metal staple has been removed. The programme is slightly torn on the cover edges. warrnambool orchestral society, louis bayer, robert watkin-mills, eduard parlovitz

The Bostock, Manifold and Aitkin families were all pioneering families in the Western District of Victoria almost from the time of settlement. They leased and owned vast tracts of land and operated businesses around the district, often associated with the farming industry. This document is dated 5th July 1865 and is an assignment of stock by way of mortgage. Augustus Bostock is the mortgagor with James William Manifold Aitkin and Ernest Bostock as mortgagees. At various times they were involved in running businesses together, in particular the Aitkin and Bostock store and flour mill. Three of the Bostock men were married to three of the Aitkin sisters. The amount in question is £2157/3/2 and surety is 8000 sheep and their increase, presently running at Coomete. The penciled in details on the document refer to Robert Brand Paterson who was later in business with Aitkin This is one of a number of documents which relate to the Bostock family who were one of the most important pioneering families of the Western District. They owned and leased various properties around Warrnambool and were involved in many aspects of social and business life. The document itself is indicative of its time and provides an insight into the details and terms of such documents at the time.Large grey coloured, lined hand written document over four pages. Folded in four with date and details on one section. Red wax seal on page 3. There are extra entries written in black lead pencil in areas relating to the money and surety of the agreement.Signed by the following George Barber Warrnambool, Thomas Sunderland Deputy Registrar General, and Augustus Bostock. Hingston & Co, Chancery Lane Melbourne hand written in top left hand corner. warrnambool, bostock,augustus bostock james william manifold aitkin,robert brand paterson, coomete,

This item has been made to package a ‘Dream Sleep’ underblanket. This item was produced by the Warrnambool Textiles factory in the 1990s. In 1910 the Warrnambool Woollen Mill was established and it produced blankets, rugs etc with a staff of over 700 in the 1940s. In 1958 the Mill became the first in Australia to manufacture electric blankets. In 1968 the business was sold to Dunlop and in 1982 Dunlop sold the Mill to Onkaparinga Woollen Company. In 1983 Onkaparinga was taken over by Macquarie Worsteds and the Warrnambool Woollen Mill then traded as Warrnambool Textiles. In 2000 the Mill closed. This packaging is of some interest as a memento of the old Warrnambool Woollen Mill which operated in Warrnambool for 90 years and was a major industry in the town/city and a major employer of local residents. It is still remembered fondly by many local people today. This is a cardboard sheet for packaging an underblanket for Warrnambool Textiles. It has white printing on a dark blue background on one side and is white and unmarked on the other. It has an image of a sheep, three symbols for ‘Pure New Wool’, a symbol for ‘Naturally Flame Resistant’ and one for ‘Moth-Resist Treated’. The sheet is designed to be folded in four places to cover an underblanket. This is a cardboard sheet for packaging an underblanket for Warrnambool Textiles. It has white printing on a dark blue background on one side and is white and unmarked on the other. It has an image of a sheep, three symbols for ‘Pure New Wool’, a symbol for ‘Naturally Flame Resistant’ and one for ‘Moth-Resist Treated’. The sheet is designed to be folded in four places to cover an underblanket. warrnambool woollen mill, warrnambool textiles, onkaparinga woollen company

This is an advertising leaflet issued by the Warrnambool Woollen Mill Co. This mill was established in South Warrnambool in 1910 with John Bennett the first Manager. The mill’s production increased during both World Wars with government contracts and wartime demands. In the 1940s the mill employed over 700 people. In 1968 the mill was sold to the multinational company Dunlop which in turn sold the business in 1982 to Onkaparinga Woollen Mill. In 1983 Onkaparinga was taken over by Macquarie Worsteds and in 1994 this group pulled out of Warrnambool. The Warrnambool Woollen Mill closed in 2000 after 90 years of operation. This leaflet is of interest as an example of the advertising mechanisms produced by the Warrnambool Woollen Mill when it was a locally run large-scale business in the city. The business was a dominant one in Warrnambool for many decades, employing many local people. The factory itself was a well-known landmark in the city. This is a sheet of buff-coloured thick paper folded in two places to make a six-page leaflet. The front page has an aerial black and white photograph of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill, two of the inside pages have 12 black and white photographs showing the processes in making woollen blankets and two other pages have advertisements for Warrnambool blankets and dress suiting material. Inside the folder is a sample piece of pink blanket with a card in red and cream colouring showing the factory’s guarantee. The sample has been glued to the paper. There is evidence of silverfish damage on both the blanket sample and the paper. ‘With the Compliments of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill Co. Ltd.’warrnambool woollen mill

Although the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme was first proposed in 1911, construction did not commence until 1938. As part of the push to cut electricity costs and diversify supply, the Victorian Government (circa 1930) initiated the conversion from primarily brown coal supply to hydro – electricity. Field investigations during the 1940’s resulted in a new proposal for a scheme that had more than double the capacity of the 1938 scheme. The Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme became the largest scheme of its kind in the State Of Victoria and the second largest scheme in Australia. The number of personnel involved in the planning and construction of the scheme increased dramatically. During the late 1940’s, most activity centred around the construction of the West Kiewa Power Station, Rocky Valley Reservoir, McKay Creek Power Station and the Bogong Creek Aqueduct.A common thread across all the larger hydro scheme constructions was the need for workers, both qualified and unqualified who came from around the world seeking a new life for themselves and their families. New accommodation and facilities were required for the army of workers engaged in construction in often remote and wild areas. The SEC had a high demand for timber, and set up the first of a number of sawmills at Bogong Creek in 1939 and set up the first hardwood logging in the headwaters of the Kiewa River. These new ‘towns’ such as Mt Beauty and Bogong, survived, serving the needs of operational personnel and their families, and expanding with growth of new industries. Mount Beauty, and to a lesser extent Bogong, are among these places. PHYSICAL: Large A3 size spiral bound display folder containing 21 pages of photocopied black and white photographs of various aspects of the early days of the Kiewa Valley Hydro-electric scheme including equipment, various work sites and photographs of workers and their families. 1-Bridge across Tailrace Channel 1946 2-New Mess building, Mt Beauty 3-Homan’s Gap Saw Mill 4- Diamond Drilling Plant – Big Hill 5-Rocky Valley Camp-Mess Building 6-Parlimentary Party at Rocky Valley 7-No.4 Headrace Tunnel 8- Allis-Chalmers Tractor School 9- SECV Heavy Machinery lined up by road 10- No. 5 Raceline – Balasting Track with improvised truck 1-1946 – Bridge across tailrace channel Page number 9 2-New mess building, Mt Beauty 6.4.46 Page number 10 3- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 10.1.47 Time: 11.40am No K2271 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works Homan’s Gap Saw Mill – Rip Saw Page number 11 4- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 5.10.47 Time: 11am No K4111 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works Diamond Drilling Plant – Big Hill Page number 12 5- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 11.2.48 Time: 3pm No K4277 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works Rocky Valley Camp-Mess Building Page number 13 6- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 15.4.48 Time: 4.30pm No K4397 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works Parlimentary Party at Rocky Valley Page number 14 7- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 22.8.48 Time: 9am No K4668 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works General view of No.4 Headrace Tunnel Page number 15 8-STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 5.9.49 Time: 10am No K5180 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works Allis-Chalmers Tractor School – HD 19, Mr I Crossthwaite at Controls Page number 16 9- No markings Page number 17 10- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 7,12.49 Time: 4pm No K5423 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works No. 5 Raceline – Balasting Track with improvised truck. Page number 18 secv; kiewa hydro electric scheme; mt beauty; bogong; construction area

John Edward Bennett was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, 1862. He was devoted to his family and his church, being a churchwarden and a verstryman of this Parish. He was a lay preacher for 40 years in the Dioceses of Melbourne and Ballarat. He was the first Manager of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill. He died on Nov 10th 1928.He was the first manager of Warrnambool Woollen Mill.Stained glass memorial lancet window, central light, west wall, north nave, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus.To the Glory of God and in loving memory of/John Edward Bennett/ sometime Churchwarden and Vestryman of this Parish, and for/40 years a Lay Reader in the Dioceses of Melbourne and/ Ballarat, born in Leeds, Yorkshire, 1862, entered into rest Nov 10th, 1928/ A devoted husband and father,/ a faithful servant of God and His Church/Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.memorial stained glass window lancet window bennett je bennett john edward bennett warrnambool woollen mill

John Wilson Younger was the proprietor of J Younger & Co Warrnambool, which was a former branch of Melbourne Cash Stores. The Youngers store operated in Liebig St Warrnambool until the 1980’s as a department store James Younger died in 1939 and the store was operated by his son in law, Carlos Gordon for many years. John Younger was involved in many areas of social and community life in Warrnambool. In 1903 he lived at Riccalton 3 Darling St, Warrnambool. He was a director of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill and was Mayor around 1910 for two terms. He purchased the property Dwarroon and divided it among his four children.A common item which provides a link to one of Warrnambool’s largest and longest running businesses.Wooden hangers with rounded corners and metal hooks. Printed names engraved and painted in black with business name.J Younger & Co Warrnamboolwarrnambool, youngers, j younger warrnambool

Warrnambool’s first Palais was established in the Hotel Mansions on the corner of Koroit and Kepler Streets and destroyed by fire in 1929. The second Palais was established at the Liberty Theatre in Lava Street. The third Palais was established in the Oddfellows Hall building in Koroit Street in 1939. Dances were held weekly and sometimes more often and attracted musical talent from the Warrnambool district and even from Melbourne with band leaders such as Tommy Davidson and Vin Mills. In 1974 the Warrnambool City Council bought the building and it was used only intermittently for entertainment purposes. Today the building is in private hands and is used for commercial and business purposes. This advertisement is of considerable significance as it comes from the Palais de Danse dance theatre which was important as a social institution in Warrnambool for over 30 years. The advertisement also reminds us of the era (1940s, 50s, 60s) when beauty pageants and Belle of the Ball competitions were popular all over Australia. This is a document in a brown plastic frame with a gold-coloured metal inside edging. The frame has a glass front. The document is a 1954 advertisement for the Palais de Danse dance floor in the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street, Warrnambool. The advertisement has black and red printing on a buff-coloured background. The advertisement has an ornamental edge around the printing and a red-coloured photograph of the dance floor. ‘Palais de Danse, Warrnambool, proclaims The Belle of the Western District, The Largest Provincial Competition, Biggest Prizes Ever Offered, The Most Beautiful Girls in the Western District’ etc etcpalais de danse, warrnambool, beauty pageants, warrnambool

This book is a technical book that was originally from the Wendouree Woollen Mills but latterly was part of a collection of books owned by the Warrnambool Woollen Mill. The Wendouree Woollen Mills in Ballarat began in 1870 as a flour mill and became the Doveton Woollen Mill in 1877. In 1918 it became the Myer Woollen Mill (Myer Emporium ownership) and in the 1920s it was a knitting mill. After Myer sold the mill it was known as Wendouree Woollen Mill but it closed in 1975. The Warrnambool Woollen Mill in Harris Street, Warrnambool was established in 1910 on the site of an earlier woollen mill destroyed by fire in 1882. It was a successful business for many years and closed in 2000 after 90 years of operations but by that time it had been bought by successive companies including the multinational company Dunlop. In 1968 the Warrnambool Woollen Mills (Dunlop era) purchased Wendouree Woollen Mills and transferred much of its operations to Warrnambool until the Ballarat mill was closed in 1975. This explains why a Wendouree Woollen Mill book was in the Warrnambool Woollen Mill building when it closed. This book is of some interest as a good example of technical books produced in the early 1920s. It would have been well-used by woollen mills workers and foremen at the time. It is also of interest as it comes from the Warrnambool Woollen Mill and so it is a memento of a most important and influential business in Warrnambool in the 20th century. A great number of local people were employed at this mill over the years and it enjoyed for many years a national reputation for quality products. This is a hard cover book with a dark blue cover and gold lettering on the front cover and the spine. The title of the book is printed in an ornate script and is underlined with two gold lines. The book has 277 pages commencing with page 273 as the book is Volume Two of this title. The book, about wool combing was written by Fred Bradbury. It has a Preface, a Contents page and fifteen chapters commencing with Chapter 21 and ending with Chapter 35, an Index and several pages of advertisements for other technical books. The book has several black and white photographs of machinery and illustrations and sketches demonstrating mechanical and technical processes. The book has some small stains on the front cover.Front Cover: ‘Worsted Preparing and Spinning (Wool Combing) by Fred Bradbury’ Spine: ‘Worsted Preparing and Spinning, Vol11- Bradbury – F.King & Sons Ld., Halifax, England’. Inside in two places: stamp of Wendouree Woollen Mills Pty Ltd wendouree woollen mills, warrnambool woollen mill, history of warrnambool

The minutes book of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill are an important record of the beginnings of one of Warrnambool's major industries for close to one hundred years. They record the struggle in the early days of 1909 and 1910 to raise the capital. Also mentioned is the support which had been given by local people of small means who were prepared to back the enterprise while those with financial means had been rather more reserved. Apart from a Mr Vidler all the initial directors were initially working in an honorary capacity. They lamented the fact that local banks held half a million pounds on fixed interest so there was no shortage of money. The first directors were appointed in March 1909 : Jas. Worland, W H Philpott, G S Mackay, E H Price, S McDonald, J C Beeching, W Rogers ,J Marfell, J Deany, Jas Duirs, Jas. Ponting, H Jessen, S Nettleton, J Blain, J Gooden, Drs. Holmes, Henderson and Powell. Mr J E Bennett was secured as first manager of the mill in 1910 Over the ten year period of this book there is much discussion on possible returns and share prices as well as decisions relating to the operation of and production from the mill. Within four years they were using more yarn than they were producing. Electricity was connected around 1914 and by 1915 shareholders were receiving eight percent return on their investment and were also contributing to the first world War effort by supplying blankets. Assets continued to accumulate and building was also continued with sandstone being quarried from the site and rain water tanks and asphalt floors installed, all contributing to savings. By 1917 The Warrnambool Woollen Mill was considered to be one of the states best investments and it continued to prosper through the years. The second minutes book likewise records similar events and circumstances for the period 1933-1945. This like wise is an interesting period, covering the period of the second World War. In 1955 the Warrnambool Woollen Mill formed a partnership with the Wangaratta Woollen Mills. Dunlop bought the mill in 1968. From that time until its closure in 2000 it had a number of different owners, the last being the Smith Family Industries. These minutes books hold an important information regarding the establishment and early operation of one of Warrnambool's major industries. The mill itself has strong connection to the Warrnambool community and many of the names mentioned as directors and shareholders have held positions within the community as businessmen and city officials. These minutes add another dimension to their contribution to Warrnambool..1Navy blue hard card cover with cloth spine. White label glued to front cover.186 pages.There are handwritten entries in black ink which are interspersed with reports from newspaper. .2 Pale grey cloth cover on early Kalamazoo filing system 612 pages of typed minutes . .1There are dates from 1910 through to 1923. Minutes have been signed by chairman of directors, M Saltau.label on front cover has blue stamp, The Warrnambool Woollen Mill Company. hand written above in black ink "opened 24th March 1909." .2 dated from May 1933 to September 1945. Signatures include M Saltau, James Disckson and Fletcher Jones.warrnambool, warrnambool woollen mill, first minutes book warrnambool woollen mill, minutes book, warrnambool woollen mill 1909, minutes book warrnambool woollen mill 1945

This is a book of 603 pages. It has a maroon-coloured cover with gold printing on the front and the spine. The pages contain printed text, black and white illustrations and advertisements.non-fictionTechnical Information on loom tuningloom tuning, warrnambool woollen mill