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 Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs Third Edition Author: Charles Darwin Publisher: Smith, Elder & Co Date: 1889 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 563.6 DAR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Inside front loose paper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Fly page has a stamp from both the Corangamite Regional Library Service and the Warrnambool Public Museum warrnambool, 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, the structure and distribution of coral reefs, charles darwin

Samuel Pepys and the World he Lived In Auhor: Henry B. Wheatley Publisher: Swan Sonnenschein & Co Date: 1889Label on spine cover with typed text RH 920 PEP Pastedown front endpaper has sticker with the name W. P. Firebrace warrnambool, 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, samuel pepys, henry b. wheatley

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of the two masted Ketch "Truganni" Capt J B Lock 1889, beginning a voyage from Rhyll to Melbourne. local history, photography, photographs, film maritime technology, boats, ketch "truganni", black & white photograph, shipping, sailing ketches, truganni, capt j b lock, john jenner, bryant west

Francis Box was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. He was assigned to work in Beaufort and had various jobs including ‘gold miner’ at Heathcoat where he married Eliza Jane Thompson. Francis decided to return to market gardening after the death of his 1st child Francis George Box in 1875 aged 13months. The child was buried in Brighton Cemetery and Francis then rent/leased the land on the corner of Tucker Road and Elizabeth Street East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) owned by his brother Henry who with another brother John helped Francis clear the land, and establish a market garden. They had 4 children and began to prosper until in 1882 their 2year old child Lena Caroline Box was killed in a fire that destroyed their house. Francis was burned trying to rescue the child. The local community raised money to assist the family. The land boom brought prosperity again and Francis bought more land around Tucker Road which was bequeathed to his children. Francis and Eliza Jane had four more children but one died in infancy and another aged 2 years. Only 5 of their 9 children survived. Francis and Eliza Jane, who died in 1922, are also buried in Brighton Cemetery Jessie Melinda Box 1888- 1975 was born in East Brighton ( Bentleigh) the 8th child of Francis and Eliza Jane Box. She was a teacher in Eskdale, Victoria and married William Robinson d 1983, a farmer at Mitta in 1921. The family later moved to Tucker Road, Bentleigh where they ran a market garden until in 1950 they established "The Hilandale Poll Hereford Stud" at Notting Hill and Rowville. They moved to Mornington c 1960 where they continued their stud farming and enjoyed success at Melbourne, Sydney and local Shows. They had 2 children Jack Francis Robinson b1921, William James Robinson b1925. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841 . Francis Box, a brother of William Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. Francis established market gardens in Tucker Road Bentleigh. Jessie melinda Box was the 8th child of Francis Box Inscribed in Album “ The early photos in this album were found by Mr (Laurie) Lewis when he was demolishing the Old Box Cottage. He gave them to Mrs Avis Box Eldridge who in turn gave them to me. They were not identified. I believe they rightly belong in the Cottage. I have attempted to identify them and present them in a way they can be preserved as a historical record of the era.” A B Leigh A black and white photograph of Jessie Melinda Box a daughter of Francis Box and Elizabeth Jane Thompson Box c 1889YEOMAN & Co 47 Chapel Street, / Prahran* box george, box mary, box william, box elizabeth honor, box alonzo, box mary louisa, dendy henry, were j b, dendy's special survey 1841, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, mckinnon, ormond, market gardeners, dairy farms, early settlers, pioneers, tucker road, box francis , thompson eliza jane, box william henry george, box charles francis, , box mabel alma. box jessie melinda, robinson william, robinson jack francis, robinson william james, poll hereford stud farming, rowville, mornington, notting hill victoria, royal melbourne agricultural show, royal sydney agricultural show. cattle breeding,

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, 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 WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to a lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up a home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the 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 NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY 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 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. 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 Betrothed Lovers Author: Allessandro Manzoni Publisher: Ward Lock & Co Date: 1889 Further Information: Edited by G.T.BettanyThe label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 853 MAN Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, the betrothed lovers, allessandro manzoni, g.t.bettany

Receipt issued by Connelly & Tatchell, for the sum of 5/5-/- amount received from Henderson Goodson. 7th. Oct. 1889business, legal, connelly, tatchell collection:, connelly, tatchell, henderson & goodson

This is probably the rough book for Cat. No. 00005, as there is one more column of notes. Brown hard covered book with library books of the Ballarat School of Mines from 1870 to 1889. The Ballarat School of Mines library included books donated bt Redmond Barry, Robert Brough Smyth. J.F. Usher. Cosmo Newbury, James Campbell, Ferdinand Von Mueller, James Oddie, Charles C. Shoppee and Rivett Henry Bland. Inside front "School of Mines Ballarat Catalogue of Library from Inauguration 26 October 1870 tolibrary, books, ballarat school of mines library, library register, establishment

Yields information about the type of treatment and the costs given to the horses owned by the Ballaarat Tramway Company in the late 1880's.Digital image of a invoice from Mr. G. Snowball, Veterinary Surgeon, for 1888 and 1889 visits to attend horses at the tram depot for the Ballaarat Tramway Company. Dated 1st July 1889. Obtained from the Gold Museum Archives, by Alan Bradley, see email in the related documents dated 28/3/2012.trams, tramways, horse trams, accounting

Sister Mary Mackillop set up St Joseph's in Numurkah1 x Book - "Blessed Mary MacKillop" 1995 Edition (includes 1889 photo of her Numurkah building and mention of Numurkah)mary mckillop, st josephs, school, catholic church

Olive green line covered book with gold text on the cover and spine together with black, yellow, white and red illustrations. Author: The Hon James Inglis M.L.A. With 22 illustrations in chromo-lithography.non-fictionTent life in tigerland with which is incorporated sport and work on the Nepaul frontier being twelve years' sporting reminiscences of a pioneer planter in an Indian frontier district.moori, james inglis 1845-1908, nepal, india social life and customs

Reproduction of newspaper drawing of earthworks near the Harp of Erin in Kew East during construction of the Outer Circle railway.Reverse: " Sketch of blasting near Harp of Erin Hotel, East Kew about 1889

Harry George Hawker was born on 22 January 1889 at South Brighton, Melbourne. He was the son of George Hawker, blacksmith, and Mary Ann Hawker, née Anderson, both Victorian-born. He attended schools at Moorabbin, East Malvern, St Kilda and Prahran. In 1901, he left school at the age of 12 and became a trainee mechanic at the Melbourne branch of Hall & Warden bicycle depot. In 1905 he joined the Tarrant Motor and Engineering Co. as a qualified mechanic and, in about 1907 he set up his own workshop at Caramut, western Victoria. In 1911 he left for England with the intention of becoming an aviator. In June 1912, he was employed by Sopwith Aviation Co. Ltd and worked on the Sopwith-Wright biplane. He enrolled in a flying school where he was personally taught by Sir Thomas Sopwith, and obtained his licence a few months later. He went on to become a test pilot, a renowned aviator who won many competitions, and a designer who improved aircraft safety and performance. He was killed while flying a French Goshawk on a trial run near Hendon, England, on 12 July 1921. Colour photograph unmountedOn the plaque: Harry Hawker 1889-1921 Aviator & Aircraft Designer lived here 1900-1911. Plaque unveiled for City of St Kilda by Weston Bate 12 February 1989st kilda, plaques, harry hawker, hg hawker, gourlay street

In 1888 a company was formed to acquire and subdivide the land of the Mountjoy Brothers. The land totaled 197 acres and included Erskine House. The land colored red was that of the Mountjoys. The subdivision map was printed in 1889A paper map of the Mountjoy Estate Lorne , showing allotments, with their owners, and naming land use. It has four black and white line drawings , Erskine House, Mountain View’s, the Rapids, Erskine House sea view and Erskine Falls. The map is largely black and white with red and blue colouring. The map is mstuck to brown paper. lorne, subdivision map, erskine house, mountjoy brothers,

Smoker's cap c 1889. Made by Jane Tyark (Mulder), grandmother of Isobel McNamara for her stepfather John Doran to keep his head warm as "he had little hair".Smoker's cap - black velvet, embroidered, padded & lined in pink satin.Nilsmoker's cap, velvet, embroidery, jane tyark, john doran, heather mcnamara

Photograph, Sandhurst of Bendigo, Ville De Mineurs Australiens (Victoria). - Vue Generale. Dessin de Taylor, d'apres une photographie.Original drawn by F.Meaulle,Engraved by A.Slom 1889. Hand coloured 19 X 13cm Matted.Price on line 35,000EUR / $36.75 USD Already Scanned.Label on the cover states -'Foye Gallery -Hand coloured wood engraving published Circ. 1885Drawn by F.Meaulle : Engraved by A.Slom.photograph, streetscape, bendigo

3 documents pinned together, on top of documents messrs Connelly Tatchell & Dunlop 'Dr. to Cope & King', names mentioned in documents : Anders ( bankrupt ) Smith & Boyd., Colonial Bank versus Joachim, Shannon versus Haylock, dated 23rd. November, 1889. On top of folded documents, on outside, 23 Nov 1889, Cope & King.business, legal, connelly, tatchell & dunlop

Letter with receipt attached, from Irrigable Estates company receipt for fivde hundred and fifty six pounds, 23rd. September 1889. Signed Sidney Vains. Letter from Bennett, Attenborough, Wilks & Connelly ( mark in top LH corner of letter ) on top of stamp 'Henry Wrixon, Solicitor, Sandhurst : dated 23rd. September 1889.

This card was produced in 1889 to advertise the Warrnambool Museum which was shifted in April 1889 from its original site in the Mechanics Institute in Liebig Street to the old Warrnambool courthouse in Timor Street. ( This building no longer exists.) The Museum remained in Timor Street until 1912 when it went back to the Mechanics Institute until its closure in 1963. The Museum was founded in 1883 by the retired Police Inspector Joseph Archibald. The card shows that the museum was open three afternoons per week and was asking for donations. The pencil writing at the bottom of the card is Joseph Archibald's writing. This card is of considerable significance as it is an original document and an important memento of the old Warrnambool Museum, a much loved institution in Warrnambool for 80 years.A piece of light card with a decorative border and black lettering. It is torn on the edges and water stained. The base has been cut for its insertion into another folder. There is pencil writing at the bottom of the card, WARRNAMBOOL MUSEUM 1883 Edward Henty arrived at Portland in the " Thistle" schooner 68 tons 19th November 1834warrnambool museum, mechanics institute, warrnambool courthouse

Marong Municipal (Hopetoun) Brass Band. Centenary Celebration 1889 - 1989. 9th and 10th December 1989. Programme of events 9th December.entertainment, music, marong brass band

Torpedoes and Torpedo Warfare, by C. Sleeman. Containing a complete account of the progress of submarine warfare; also a detailed description of matters appertaining thereto, including the latest improvements, with 83 full-page illustrations, diagrams etc. Second Edition. 1889. Published by Griffin & Co, U.K. Price 25/- ( 25 shillings). Hard-cover, bound book, red with gold lettering. Inscription inside the cover. Hand written inscription "To Happy Sam / In memory of many pleasant 'plantings' / - - - - - / 19th Jan. 1943"warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, c. sleeman author, torpedo warfare, submarine warfare

Girls in water are in neck to knee swim suitsBlack and white photograph showing twin gable Carpenter House on dunes at New Works. Nine girls at waters edge preparing to swim, and two men and child on rocks. Picket fence across front of house. Lakes Entrance VictoriaSite 8 1916 (John Carpenter's house 1889) photo: W. Thomson, Clydebank, Sale. houses, waterways, recreation

Enlarged b & w copy 21 x 30, this photo shows twin gable roof of cottage with picket fence in front and thick scrub and bushes.Black and white photograph showing group of twenty three people outside John Carpenter house at New Works, Lakes Entrance, Victoria.Site 8. 1916. (John Carpenter House 1889). Photo W Thomson, Clydebank, Salehistoric site, people

Receipts from Messrs Connelly & Tatchells : a. 26 April 1889, 56/-/- John Lamlyn ( or Tamlyn ?) The front has a green one penny stamp b. Julia Cahill 16/- 27th April, 1889,bottom left corner is missing c 63/-/- Johnston & Wishart.The front has a green one penny stamp on the left over an elaborate design .business, legal, connelly & tatchell collection:, connelly & tatchell collection:, j. cahill, j. tamlyn, johnson & wishart

Built 1889 of steel in Port Glasgow by W. Hamilton & Co. She was rigged as a full-rigged ship carrying royals over double topgallant sails on the fore- and main masts, and a royal over a single topgallant sail on the mizzen.Photograph of "Grace Harwar" running the easting down Cape to Australia. (Photo shows a steel hulled sailing ship at dock.)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, photograph of grace hanwar, grace hanwar vessel

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. Iris Studies in Colour and Talks about Flowers Author: Franz Delitzsch Translated by Rev A Cusin Publisher: T & T Clark Date: 1889 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 291.43 DEL 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, studies in colour and talks about flowers, franz delitzsch, rev a cusin