Black and white Olive Wykes (later Mence) with student performers and host family [?] during a fundraising concert tour of rural Victoria

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. 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 Crown of Wild Olive Four lectures on Industry and War Author: John Ruskin Publisher: George Allen Date: 1890 Fifth Edition The label on the spine with the typed text PAT 824 RUS Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, the crown of wild olive, john ruskin

"Daisy O’Neill daughter of Ivy and Frank O’Neill, Valma Poulter, next to her is her mother Olive Poulter (nee Clayton) and then Olive's sister Daisy Clayton.." - Vicki Wilson. Digital copy of colour photographclayton family, daisy o'neill, valma poulter, valma simpkins, olive clayton, daisy clayton

perennial border, andrew smith, geoff olive

Date of issue confirmed on TROVE.Black and white photographic reproduction of an illustration of the Olive Hill homestead, taken from the Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil, Thursday, 18 April 1889, page 49On back of photo: "Australasian Sketcher, [illeg.] 24, 1889"wineries, olive hills

perennial border, geoff olive, andrew smith, potato weed

Photograph of Wyn Partington (nee Leed) and Olive Dugdale.Digital copy of colour photograph.win partington, olive dugdale

Lillie and Olive Duncan are sisters. Unknown if "Father" is their father, David Hood Duncan or the photographer's father.Small black and white photograph depicting three young women sitting on the grass and an older man standing behind them. In the background a house.lillie duncan, olive duncan, david hood duncan, lillian duncan, duncan album

A short article about Nurse Olive Isabel Laycock and her service in World War 1. 1 page, text and colour images.world war 1 project, olive isabel laycock

Audio slideshow with Olive and Gordon Currie with a family photo album. Created as part of the Heart Maps project with Amy Tsilemanisapollo bay, oral history, farming

Recognition of the 50 years of service to the R.S.L. by members of the Lara Sub-Branch.Rectangular shaped glass covered Picture frame with photo.RSL 50 years A Quick H Satler L Dunsmuir H Gillett F Dyer J Morland J East C Olivecertificates, photos, lara r.s.l. 50 year continious service to the r.s.l. awards

Photograph of Ruby Olive Poulter, a descendant of William Poulter and his wife Mary, who arrived in Victoria in 1849 and settled in Greensborough in 1853. Greensborough pioneer family Digital copy of black and white photograph.ruby poulter, poulter family

A short article about Nurse Ruby Emily Olive Wilson and her service in World War 1. Ruby was born at Yan Yean.1 page, text and colour images.world war 1 project, ruby emily olive wilson

A photo of the planting of the Olive Tree of Peace in the Western Lawn of the Shrine of Remembrance in 1973. Pencil inscription on reverse says "Frank Doolan planting the commemorative olive tree for Legacy. Beside him is Geoff Handbury, Melb President and Sir Ed Herring, (?), Kem (Kemsley), Col Rex Hall, George Cowan. (2 copies) Also a photo of Frank Doolan standing by the tree he has just planted. Legatee Frank Doolan was a long serving member of Legacy and given the honour of planting the tree. The plaque reads "1923 1973 / This olive tree symbolising peace marks fifty years of Legacy service to the widows of ex-servicemen and their children." 1973 was the Golden Jubilee year of Legacy (see also item 00441).A record of events to commemorate the golden jubilee of Legacy.Black and white photo x 3 of a tree planting at the Shrine of Remembrance.00442.1 Pencil inscription, some illegible 00442.2 Stamped "This Photograph is the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge / Photo: Michael Cheshire" in black ink.golden jubilee, tree planting, frank doolan, 50th anniversary

"Olive Poulter (nee Clayton) (1899-1995), Frank O'Neill, my Grandfather and Alfred Gibson, my Dad, at our home in Preston." - Vicki Wilson. Digital copy of black and white photographclayton family, o'neill family, oneill family, olive clayton, olive poulter, frank o'neill, alfred gibson

Olive "Ollie" Philips joined Victoria Police in 1949 and served for over 35 years. In the 1950s she moved to Geelong to establish the areas first Women Police Division. In this photograph she is pictured with another policewoman "Barbara".Black and white photographpolice women, policewoman, police woman, victoria police, philips

1 small black and white photograph (undated) of 10 Olive St, Caulfield South, a brick, semi-detached House in a terrace row.houses, olive street, terrace houses, caulfield south, architectural features, architectural styles, streetscapes

The image suggests that Frank Oliver was photographed around the time his tenure was coming to a close in the late 1950s.Small black and white gloss photograph depicting Padre Frank Oliver standing at the front steps to the Mission.'Padre Oliver' is penciled on the back and the number '179' is stamped there.frank oliver, mtsv

Ernest Oliver Allan married Catherine Stratton on 6 March 1918 at St Andrew's Church in Ballarat.Black and white copy of the wedding photograph of Ernest Oliver Allan and Catherine Stratton."Ernest Oliver Allan Married 6.3.1918 Catherine Stratton St. Andrews, Ballarat".ernest oliver allan, catherine stratton, catherine allan, weddings