Showing 21082 items
matching victorian
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Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, Victorian Municipal Directory, 1898
Copy of a few pages from the Victorian Municipal Directory for 1898 covering the Nunawading Shire.Copy of a few pages from the Victorian Municipal Directory for 1898 covering the Nunawading Shire.Copy of a few pages from the Victorian Municipal Directory for 1898 covering the Nunawading Shire.local government, shire of nunawading -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Clare Gervasoni, Dorothy Wickham at a Victorian Collections Training Day, Federation University, Ballarat, c2015
Colour photograph of Dorothy Wickham during a Victorian Collections training day at Federation University.dorothy wickham, federation university, victorian collections workshop, computer laboratory -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Clare Gervasoni and Dorothy Wickham with the Overall Prize for the Victorian Community History Award 2005, 2005
Clare Gervasoni and Dorothy Wickham with the Overall Prize for the Victorian Community History Award 2005clare gervasoni, dorothy wickham, victorian community history awards, eureka encyclopaedia -
Ballarat Masonic Centre - Roger Porteous Library and Robert Bell Archive
Journal, The Victorian Freemason January 10th 1884, Publication Date 10/1/1884
Vol 2 No 5 The Victorian Freemason Journal "January 10th 1884, Melbourne Victoriajournal, the victorian freemason -
Coal Creek Community Park & Museum
Book - Book, Hardcover, VICTORIAN YEAR BOOK 1910 -11, 1911
Large book, blue leather hardcover + bound. Title and author on front cover and sub-title on spine. VICTORIAN YEAR BOOK / 1910 - 1911 / A.M. LAUGHTON / GOVERNMENT STATIST. -
Victorian Harness Racing Heritage Collection at Lord's Raceway Bendigo
Badge - Membership, Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Clubs, Season 1994/95
Season 1994/95 Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Clubs Member TagPlastic Orange Tag attached to length of Black CordFront: Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Clubs / Admit One / 1994-95. Back: Admit Bearer to All Victorian Country Harness Racing Tracks / Not Transferable / 0027.harness racing, trotting, badge, membership, tag, harness racing victoria, association of victorian country harness racing clubs, 1994/95 -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Key to the System of Victorian Plants
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. Key to the System of Victorian Plants 2 Author: Baron Ferdinand Von Mueller Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1885Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 581.9945 MUE Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, key to the system of victorian plants, baron ferdinand von mueller -
Puffing Billy Railway
5A Number Plate
Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 5A Loco: 5A In service Saturday, 23rd March 1901 Scrapped Monday, 7th July 1958 Livery Black Owner VR Gauge 762 Status Scrapped Service History : Mar 1901 Colac - initial allocation of a new locomotive Mar 1901 - Feb 1902 Colac Dec 1902 - Oct 1908 UFTG. Nov 1908 - Oct 1912 Colac Nov 1912 - May 1913 Other Jun 1913 - Jun 1915 UFTG. Sep 1915 - Sep 1920 Moe Oct 1920 - Nov 1921 UFTG. Mar 1922 - Jan 1927 Colac Mar 1927 - Aug 1927 Moe Oct 1927 - Jan 1928 UFTG. Feb 1928 - Dec 1934 Colac Jan 1935 - Mar 1935 Moe Apr 1935 - Sep 1942 Colac Mar 1943 - Mar 1949 Moe Apr 1949 - Nov 1957 Colac Dec 1957 Colac - Stored. Feb 1958 - Jul 1958 Workshops - ScrappedHistoric - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 5AVictorian Railways produced 5a number plate. made of cast iron5a5a, puffing billy, victorian railways -
Federation University Historical Collection
Document, Dianne Campbell, Lawyers, Publicans & Women on the Ballarat and Central Victorian Goldfields 1851-1886, 2013
A conference paper prepared for the Victorian Association of Family History Organisations (VAFHO) Conference, Ballarat, 2013dianne campbell goldfields lawyers collection, lawyers, ballarat, legal, central victoria, maryborough, stawell, maldon, chiltern, otago, pyrenees, ararat, carisbrook, day, daylesford, court houses, pleasant creek, beaufort, creswick, golden plains, avoca, tarnagulla, alexander fraser, alan fraser, william rainy, raffaello carboni, butler cole aspinall, edward john lewis, richard ireland, richard davies ireland, charles gavin duffy, robert molesworth, edward fitzgerald, nicholas fitzgerald, maurice mcdonough, james william dunbar, robert walsh, joseph henry dunne, redmond barry, eureka stockade, michael walsh, family history, genealogy -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter, Correspondence from Victorian Railways to the Ballarat School of Mines 1899, 04/09/1899
Correspondence from A Lochhead of the Victorian Railways to F. Martell, Registrar of the Ballarat School of Mines 1899ballarat school of mines, victorian railways, r. lochhead, frederick martell -
Federation University Historical Collection
Document, Zelda Martin, Confirmation of Candidature - Central Victorian Towns - Boom or Bust, c1996
Zelda Martin was a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne. Zelda had a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Economic History and Economic Geography), an Master of Arts (in Politics) and a Diploma of Education; all from the University of Melbourne. Zelda is the author of a book titled " Australia's Relations with the Third World in the context of negotiations for a new international commodity order in the 1970's: continuity or change?" Pub. [Parkville, Victoria]: University of Melbourne, 1982.Eleven page article on Victorian goldfields town. The article was written during the author's PhD study. zelda martin, victorian goldfield towns, bendigo, castlemaine, ballarat, maldon, stawell, ararat, maryborough, creswick, avoca, heathcote, banks, bank of australasia, union bank of australia, government camp, sandhurst, water supply, tarnagulla, talbot, back creek, mountain creek, police court, carisbrook, dunolly, thompson's foundry -
Federation University Historical Collection
Receipt, Victorian Education Receipt made out to the Ballarat School of Mines, 1911, 04/2011
Two receipts for exam fees sent to the Victorian Education Department from the Ballarat School of Mines. ballarat school of mines, examinations, fees, victorian education department -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, New Victorian Counties Atlas
New Victorian Counties Atlas Produced by Hiscocks and Co Published by George Robertson Date: 1874Front loose end paper has the name Emanuel Wilde, Hawkesdale written in hand writing flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, new victorian counties atlas, hiscocks and co -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Victorian Readers Seventh Book, 1930
Used by WJ Craven at Toolamba West School. Now closed.Red cover, black lettering. Victorian Education Department logo on front cover. First editionWilliam J Craven and Jean M Craven, 8th Grade, Toolamba West S S No. 1764victorian readers, seventh book, craven w, craven j, tatura, cravan road tatura, victorian school readers -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Languages : expanding your world : plan to implement the Victorian Government's vision for languages education 2013-2025, 2013
A long term government plan to increase diversity of language learning and proficiency across Victorian schools.colour photographs, colour illustrations, tableslanguage and education, bilingualism, language revival, government school education, program certification, certificate of language proficiency, education policy -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Letter, Victorian Horticultural Society, 1848-1895
Covering letter from Melbourne Botanic Gardens, and notes on early history of Victorian Horticultural Societyvictorian horticultural society, melbourne botanic gardens -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Book, Victorian Heritage Register Addenda '97 and '98, 1997
List of additions as at 6/2/97 to the Victorian Heritage Register 1995. Locations are itemised alphabetically.information -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Book, Holzer Louis L, Victorian Municipal Directory 1955, 1955
The 83rd edition of Victorian Municipal directory Commonwealth and State Guide and Water Supply record. Indexedgovernment, public utilities -
Ballarat Heritage Services
digital photographs, Lisa Gervasoni, Victorian Museum Awards, 2017, 2017
Members of the Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History receive an award at the 2017 Victorian Museum Awards.melbourne, acmi, museums australia (victoria), awards, 2017, geoffrey kaye, geoffrey kaye museum, victorian museum awards, 2017 -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Book - Boer War, The Leader Souvenir of the departure of the Victorian Contingent to the Transvaal
Soft cover 16 pages with copies of photos of the First Victorian Contingent to the Transvaal / Boer War. -
Bendigo Trades Hall Council & Literary Institute Inc.
Book, Victorian Parliamentry Debated
BookVictorian Parliamentry Debates Session 1941 Vol 211 Pages 1-1324 -
Bendigo Trades Hall Council & Literary Institute Inc.
Book, Victorian Parliamentary Debates
BookVictorian Parliamentary Debates Session 1947 Vol 225 Pages 1-415 -
Bendigo Trades Hall Council & Literary Institute Inc.
Book, Victorian Parliamentary Debates
BookVictorian Parliamentary Debates Session 1944-45 Vol 219 Pages2917-4385 -
Albert Park-South Melbourne Rowing Club
Booklet, Dinner to welcome the Victorian crew and sculler on return from Brisbane
A black and white dinner program to welcome the representatives of the 1900 Inter-Colonial Eight-Oared Race. VICTORIAN ROWING ASSOCIATION / PRESIDENT HENRY GYLES TURNER, ESQ. / DINNER / TO WELCOME / The Victorian Crew and Sculler / ON RETURN FROM BRISBANE / MELBOURNE, / JUNE 2ND, 1900 / G. A. GRANT HON. SEC. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Key to the System of Victorian Plants
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. Key to the System of Victorian Plants 1 Author: Baron Ferdinand Von Mueller Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1887-1888Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 581.9945 MUE Pastedown end page has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, key to the system of victorian plants 1, baron ferdinand von mueller -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Victorian Readers Fifth Book
The Victorian Readers Fifth Book by Education Dept Victoria Publisher Government Printer Melbourne Date 1940flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, the victorian readers fifth book, book -
Pyrenees Shire Council
Constitution, Waubra Sub-Branch of the Victorian Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia
significant to the Pyrenees Shire and Lexton communityframed print of the constitution of the Waubra Sub-Branch of the Victorian Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Book - Reference, Gary Presland, Records of the Victorian Archeological Survey, 1977 - 1983
Purchased from Information Victoria, circa 2000Victorian Archeological Survey books by Gary Presland (editor or author). .01 - No5, 1977. Journals of George Augustus Robinson Jan -March 1840 (light orange cover 96 pages plus fold out route map) .02 - No 6 1977. Journals of George Augustus Robinson March - May 1841 (orange cover 102 pages plus fold out route map and illustrations) .03 - An archeological survey of the Melbourne Metropolitan area 1983 (yellow cover 136 pages)australian aborigines, natural environment, gary presland, george augustus robinson, archeology -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Document (item) - Invitation, Victorian Civil Ambulance Service, Official Opening of the New Headquarters Station, 1957
The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.THE PRESIDENT AND COMMITTEE / OF THE VICTORIAN CIVIL AMBULANCE SERVICE / REQUEST THE PLEASURE OF THE COMPANY OF / The Town Clerk / AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING / OF THE NEW HEADQUARTERS STATION / AT 64 LATROBE STREET, MELBOURNE / BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA / GENERAL SIR DALLAS BROOKS KCB KCMG KCVO DSO KStJ / ON WEDNESDAY, 2ND JULY 1958 AT 3 P.M. / REFRESHMENTS / RSVP 20TH JUNE TO / THE SECRETARY VCAS 64 LATROBE STREET MELBOURNE C1civic invitations -- kew (vic), victorian civil ambulance service, new headquarters station - 64 latrobe street (melb) -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Victorian Year-Book 1909-10
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. Victorian Year-Book 1909-10 Thirtieth Issue Author: A M Laughton, Government Statist Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1910 Label on spine has label with typed text PAT 319.45 VIC Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, victorian year-book 1909-10, a m laughton