Poster heading - 'Gold' - 'In the whole world, only 47 nuggets weighing over 30lbs Troy have been recorded. Of these 40 are from Australia. The region from Ballarat around to Bendigo yielded 32 of these large nuggets. This monument erected in 1897 by the Mines Department, is the only one ever erected to honour the discovery of a gold nugget. The 'Welcome Stranger' nugget was unearthed on 5th February, 1869, weighing 2316 ounces and it was sold for 9.553 pounds'. Poster includes a map of Victoria depicting the main gold mining areas, also mention of gypsum, and tin in northern Victoria. A photo of the monument to the discovery of the 'Welcome Stranger' nugget found 1 1/4 miles from Moliagul in the bottom corner.document, gold

Four months after the discovery of the Roentgen tube the Ballarat School of Mines were conducting pioneer X-ray demonstrations in Ballarat. This photograph is thought to be taken at that time, and is framed along with some of the x-rays taken at that time. Digital copy of two men sit in front of x-ray equipment at the Ballarat School of Mines. The man in the foreground is John McKenzie Sutherland. The copy is from the original framed 1896 X-Rays (Cat. No. 1243)ballarat school of mines, x-ray, xray, scientific instruments, john sutherland, sutherland, photography, foto, roentgen tube, john m. sutherland, john sutherland

Publisher Walter Graham Blackie (1816-1906) began as a letterpress operator, printer and publisher. He married Marion Brodie 16/4/1846. In 185, his successful business in Glasgow, employed 60 men and 40 boys.The Imperial Atlas of Modern Geography published in London by Blackie and Son, Warwick Square, E.C.; Glasgow and Edinburgh in 1860 MDCCCLX. The atlas includes an extensive series of maps embracing the most recent discoveries and the latest political divisions of territory in all parts of the world compiled and engraved from the most authentic sources. world maps, index

BHS CollectionDiggers & Mining. The Gold Era. Men from Victoria flocked to the goldfields, so a reward was offered tor the discovery of gold within 200 miles of Melbourne. It is impossible to say who was actually the first to discover gold in Victoria, - - - Markings 1 994.031GO4:5. Used as a teaching aid. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a Gunner at the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, sorts 105mm shell casings returned from Fire Support Base Discovery. The casings were then re-packed into their relevant types and returned to Australia, as scrap metal. (Circa November 1969)photograph, 105mm cartridge, gunner, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, fire support base discovery, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner, photographer, vietnam war, denis gibbons, 1st australian field regiment, fsb discovery, 101 battery

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a Gunner at the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, throws a 105mm shell casing, returned from Fire Support Base Discovery into its correct pile. The casings were then packed into their relevant types and returned to Australia. (Circa November 1969)photograph, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, 105mm cartridge, fire support base discovery, gunner, gibbons collection catalogue, photographer, vietnam war, denis gibbons, 105mm howitzer, 1st australian field regiment, raa, fsb discovery

Bethanga was established as a result of the discovery of gold. Gold was first reported in the Bethanga area in 1852. Before 1876 gold mining in the Bethanga district occurred to the north of the town and was known as the 'Talgarno diggings'. Reports of alluvial gold date back to 1852. Early gold fields were worked at Ruby Creek, Gold Creek and Jarvis Creek. The opening of the Bethanga goldfields began with the discovery of a gold-bearing quartz reef on New Year’s Day 1876. The 'Gift' mine site is located southeast of Kurrajong Gap lookout to the west of Bethanga township. The Great Eastern Copper Smelting Works was opened in 1878. Due to the nature of the gold-bearing quartz reef, the gold was difficult to extract, and the discovery of copper led to a change in focus. It was not until the early 1890s that an efficient technique for extracting the gold from the ore was discovered, and once again gold became the focus, with copper as a by-product. Bethanga was removed from the official list of goldfields in 1912, however some mining activity has taken place since.This image reflects an important time in the development of Bethanga and Northeast Victoria.A large mounted and framed image of horse teams and their owners hauling a large boiler to the gold mine near Bethanga, Victoria. On label beneath image: "North-eastern "Gold Days"/ Combined teams hauling a boiler to Bethanga Mines, 1900. Teamsters - Mr. G. Pearce, W. Chapple, G, Bannon." Donated by Ron Saunders and Barbara Cadman"bethanga, gold mining northeast victoria, gold mining bethanga, bethanga history

Produced by St Andrews Primary School, covering the area's history from early settlement, discovery of gold, the Caledonia Diggings, social and community history, fruitgrowing and development through the latter half of the 1900's into and covering the 20th century.A concise history of the origins of St Andrews, Victoria, Australia from gold mining to the diverse community it is todaySoftcover book with orange brown tones and black and white lettering and highlights, with historic photographs on front and back cover and 149 pages.#gold, #goldmining, #caledoniadiggings

Foolscap map showing the streets of Ballarat with sites of large gold nuggets found in the 1850s indicated in red. The gold nuggets are the Nil Desperandum Nugget, the Lady Don Nugget, the Welcome Nugget, the Lady Barkly Nugget, the Sarah Sands Nugget (or Lady Hotham Nugget), and the Canadian Nugget, and their weight and date of discovery are gballarat, gold nuggets, nil desperandum nugget, lady don nugget, welcome nugget, lady barkly nugget, sarah sands nugget, lady hotham nugget, canadian nugget, cgt

City of Bendigo information, area, population, dwellings, property valuations, municipal revenue, gold yields. Historical information, first gold discovery, first church, Bendigo Hospital, first streets, railway opened, Coliban water supply opened, change of name from Sandhurst. 24 pages in a spring bound folder.bendigo, history, city history

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Monday, April 5, 2004. On track: from left: Dave Grey, Charlie Apps, David Styles, Neville Kairns, Percy Mayer, Bill Scrivener and Lee Naughton at the goods sheds of the Bendigo railway station. The sheds are now home to Bendigo's Discovery Centre.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

BHS Collection52-page soft cover lime coloured booklet. Australian Gold Fields their Discovery, Progress and Prospects, Edited by George Mackaness and printed January 31, 1956 by D.S.Ford , Printers, Sydney. Illustration by R.S.Anderson of the Mount Alexander Gold Diggings. Includes a section 'Advice to Emigrants'. Australian Historical Monographs Volume VIIgold, australia

Buninyong owes its existence to the Learmonth brothers and surrounding stations. Timber for fencing and building was followed by a number of industries including the discovery of the famous Ballarat goldfields. Buninyong people have fostered and maintained a range of social, sporting and philanthropic activites.An illustrated history of Buninyong. M.W. Thorpe. Mary Akers. Buninyong (Vic); Buninyong & District Historical Society; 1982. 64 p.; illus, maps. Soft cover. ISBN 0 959 3044 0 1buninyong; m.w. thorpe; mary akers; history; mount buninyong; gold; settlers;

The sequence of naming was a chronological representative of land discovery and settlement. Starting from the native population to the explorers, the squatters and settlers and surveyors during the gold rush. The term 'places' refers to physical features of the coast and land as well as districts, towns and cities.Hard Cover book written by Les Blake and first published in 1977. The jacket has a photograph of Mount Beauty and the Kiewa Valley from the Tawonga Gap.place names of victoria

WARRNAMBOOL'S 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 November1884 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 fund raising 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 court house 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 historic 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 Historic 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 art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent 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 has 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 1850’s to the late 1950’s 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 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, and to 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. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. Discoveries in Australia Vol 1 With an account of the Coasts and Rivers. Explored and Surveyed during the voyage of HMS Beagle. In the years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. A Narrative of Captain Owen Stanley's visits to the Islands in the Arafura Sea. Author: J Lort Stokes Publisher: T & W Boone Date: 1846 Label on spine cover with typed text 919.4 AUS Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Inside Fly paper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, discoveries in australia vol 1, captain owen stanley, j lort stokes, hms beagle

WARRNAMBOOL'S 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 November1884 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 fund raising 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 court house 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 historic 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 Historic 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 art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent 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 has 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 1850’s to the late 1950’s 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 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, and to 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. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. Discoveries in Australia Vol 2 With an account of the Coasts and Rivers. Explored and Surveyed during the voyage of HMS Beagle. In the years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. A Narrative of Captain Owen Stanley's visits to the Islands in the Arafura Sea. Author: J Lort Stokes Publisher: T & W Boone Date: 1846Label on spine cover with typed text 919.4 AUS Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Inside Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institutewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, discoveries in australia vol 2, j lort stokes

Article from a collection of newspaper clippings from October 1968 to July 1971Article about the 100yrs celebrations at Phillip Island in November 1968. Account of Back to Phillip Island 100yrs after first sub division of land at Phillip Island. Account of History of Phillip Island from discovery by Surgeon George Bass on January 5, 1979 to 1922. Account of Historical Display in the Cowes Parish Hall.phillip island, back to phillip island celebrations, surgeon george bass

Diggers & Mining. The Chinese on the Gold Fields. Slide reads: Discovery by ''overlanding'' Chinese of the rich canteen load near Ararat led to a great rush to that field (1857). An anti-Chinese riot followed. Slide shows route that the Chinese would have walked. . . . Whence overlanded into Victoria. Markings: 25. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Rev. Richard Fletcher (1800 - 1861), born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was agent of the Colonial Missionary Society and came to Australia with his wife and five children after the discovery of gold in Australia. The original of this engraving is in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery (Print Room).Black and white portrait print of engraving of the head and shoulders of Rev. Richard Fletcher with an inscription. He is wearing Regency clothing, looking to his left and is holding a paper. The print appears to be taken from a book and tipped onto a piece of brown paper."Revd. Richard Fletcher Manchester"colonial missionary society, rev richard fletcher independent minister

Sepia photograph: Diggings Myers Creek. Slab huts on left side. Man standing in front of hut, barrels and timber outside hut. Carriage with two horses, on right buck board and one horse, horse and cart on left. Discovery of gold at Myers Creek 1867, vic. Australia. Letter from Kerry Carroll included.Batchelderplace, land, mining, kerry carroll (for dolly carroll), 9 brooke street, eaglemont vic 3084

History of Bendigo. Has a panorama included of Pall Mall Bendigo in 1891. General history of Bendigo from gold discovery to the present day, (1891). Mining development, Politics, and matters municipal. Other chapters contain information in relation to Water Supply, Journalism, Public Institutions, the Churches, Amusements, Agriculture, and Viticulture, and lastly Local Industries.George Mackaybendigo, history, city history, mining, politics, municipal, water supply, journalism, public institutions, churches, amusements, agriculture, viticulture, and local industries.

Includes: Eltham Festival 1992, Eltham Discovery Walks: 3 walks with short descriptions. "Kangaroo Ground Historical Notes" with points of interest highlighted for a walk or drive and map titled "Tour maps, Christmas Hills, 1992" with points of interest highlighted - and cover sheet 7 pages. Photocopiestour, walk, christmas hills, kangaroo ground, little eltham, eltham festival, armstrong, barr, bell, donaldson, harkness, harry gilham collection, jardine, johnson, mess, rogerson, ross, stevenson, thompson, walters, weller, whipple

Printed with colourful pyramids, palm trees and camels, this parasol tells a story of the changing society of the 1920s, the growth of the Art Deco movement and a wave of Egyptomania sparked by the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Parasols such as this one were used by holidaymakers on Brighton Beach, by this time a popular seaside destination.Parasol with a cotton canopy printed with an Egyptian-inspired design of the Sphinx, camels, palm trees and water carriers. Painted handle with plaited cotton tassel with pink wooden bead.parasol, 1920s, egyptomania