Showing 16712 items matching "j-bell"
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City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Photograph, B&W, John Box 1841 - 1913, c1900
John Box 1841 - 1914, the 4th son of George and Mary Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex England and came to Australia in 1856 with his parents. He lived and worked on his fathers market garden in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) for several years and then rented a property in Tucker Road in 1862. John married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10children. Rebecca Anne b 1863 was in the first party from Australia to go to the China Inland Mission in 1890 and was known as 'Faith' because of her evangelical zeal. The Mission Post was invaded by the Boxers during the Rebellion 1900-01and she was moved to the safety of Shanghai by Nicholas Viloudakia, a Greek silk merchant whom she later married. Rebecca sent the bolt of hand embroidered silk material to her brother Alonzo for his marriage to Mary Closter. Mary Box nee Closter's Wedding Dress is on display at Box Cottage Museum . Martha Sheldrake died 1895 and John married Eleanor Rushall b1866 and they had 3 children. John was well respected in the community and was a Methodist lay preacher. John Box is the brother of William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Box, lived in Box Cottage . John Box was a pioneer market gardener in East Brighton now Bentleigh. He married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10 children. The eldest daughter Rebecca was a Methodist Missionary in China and Alonzo, their 9th child, served in the Army WW1 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca sent the hand embroidered Chinese silk material for the Wedding Dress worn by Mary Closter at her marriage to Alonzo Box 1918. After Martha died he married Eleanor Rushall and they had 3 children. John was well respected by the community and also a Methodist lay preacher. 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. 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 professional photograph of John Box c1880Photographed by J. Read Brennand / 83 Chapel St. Prahranbox william, box elizabeth, box george, box john, sheldrake martha, box alonzo, box mary, box rebecca, rushall eleanor, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, ormond, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, withyham sussex england, boxer rebellion 1900, methodist chinese missionary, methodist china inland mission, shanghai china, silk merchants, mary box wedding dress -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Functional Object - Film projector, 1969
Holbeck auto one hand system Bell Ko-On. Beige metal with white handle. Two empty film reels. BASF and PhilipsHolback Autofilm projector -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Ringwood High School Junior Football Team, 1960. (Left to right) - Front Row: A. Hancy, L. Smith, C. Pavey, J. McCubbin, T. Hancock, D. Baud, G. Anderson, P. Stevens, J. Reid. Middle Row: W. Pole, L. Prior, C. Healey, J. Stuchberry, T. Noy, A. Gray, G. Saines. Back Row: P. Fletcher, B. Moore, G. Sinclair
Piece of paper with photograph reads, "Ringwood High School, 1960. (Left to right) - Front Row: A. Hancy, L. Smith, C. Pavey, J. McCubbin, T. Hancock, D. Baud, G. Anderson, P. Stevens, J. Reid. Middle Row: W. Pole, L. Prior, C. Healey, J. Stuchberry, T. Noy, A. Gray, G. Saines. Back Row: P. Fletcher, B. Moore, G. Sinclair". -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, George W. Bell, Message from 'Windy' Gale, Wild Dog Creek Road, Jan. 1962, Jan 1962
"Staying at Dinsdales up the hill, Windy" Building of Pensioners Cottages at St Andrews; for those burnt out in the 1962 bushfires. A voluntary scheme of Mavis Gill through the Kangaroo Ground Relief CommitteeBlack and white photo mounted on cardMessage from resident Wild Dog Creek Road Photo Geo. W. Bell, Jan. 1962victorian bushfires - 1962, bushfires, dick (windy) gale, fire damage - buildings, george w bell, houses, st andrews, wild dog creek road, mavis gill, pensioners cottages, bill dinsdale -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Letter - Our Lady of Perpetual Succour School, Ringwood, Victoria, Guest speaker invitation to Mr. J. McCaskill on History of Ringwood , draft of acceptance response, and students' thank-you letter - 1961
Mr. J. K. McCaskill was a Mayor of Ringwood on several occasions and founder of Ringwood Historical Research Group.1.Typed letter on cream coloured paper to Mr. McCaskill from the Mother Prioress, Mother Bernard, to talk at the school on Ringwood History on 9th. August 1961 2.Hand written copy on cream coloured paper replying to the invitation with the acceptance to talk at the school on 24th. August at 1.45p.m. and signed J McCaskill. 3.Hand written letter written by Marlene Tankard to Mr. McCaskill thanking him for his talk. 4.Unused stationery with Borough of Ringwood Crest on each. -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Book, H. H. Bell, "Site for Housing Schemes - Considerations which should influence Selection", c1939
Book - light grey covers + 8 pages on off white paper, centre stapled titled "Site for Housing Schemes - Considerations which should influence Selection", written by H. H. Bell, Chairman of the MMTB c1939, as it notes the recommendation to use diesel buses on the Bourke St routes. This was done following his overseas tour of 1938. Includes comments on housing schemes and transport in the UK, USA, Melbourne, diesel buses and fares.trams, tramways, public transport, buses, housing, bourke st, overseas tours -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Bell, Schomberg 1855, Before 1855
This bell was the smaller of the two bells rescued by the crew of the Schomberg when it was wrecked in 1855. All of the crew from the Schomberg wreck survived. They carried the two ship’s bells with them as they made their way along the coast, eventually arriving at the home of settler John Manning, who lived at Hopkins Point near Warrnambool. Manning acquired the Schomberg bells, presenting them to two Warrnambool churches: the smaller one to St Joseph’s Catholic Church and the larger bell to St John’s Presbyterian church. The small bell at St Joseph’s developed a crack after about a year and could no longer be used. Thomas Manifold imported a new bell for that church, and the cracked bell was stored at his farm. The property was sold years later to John Logan, who donated the discarded bell to the Warrnambool Museum when it first opened in 1886. The Curator, Joseph Archibald, displayed the bell in the entry. In 1975, the bell was transferred from the Warrnambool Art Gallery to Flagstaff Hill. THE SAILING SHIP, SCHOMBERG: - When the Schomberg was launched in 1855, she was considered the "Noblest” ship that ever floated on the water. Schomberg's owners, the Black Ball Line, had commissioned the ship for their fleet of passenger liners. She was built by Alexander Hall of Aberdeen for £43,103 and constructed with 3 skins. One planked fore and aft and two diagonally planked, fastened together with screw-threaded trunnels (wooden rails). Her First Class accommodation was simply luxurious with velvet pile carpets, large mirrors, rosewood, birds-eye maple and mahogany timbers throughout, soft furnishings of satin damask, and an oak-lined library with a piano. Overall, she had accommodation for 1000 passengers. At the launch, the Schomberg's 34-year-old master, Captain 'Bully' Forbes, had promised to reach Melbourne in sixty days, stating, "with or without the help of God." Captain James Nicol Forbes was born in Aberdeen in 1821 and rose to fame with his record-breaking voyages on the famous Black Ball Line ships, Marco Polo and Lightning. In 1852, on the ship Marco Polo, he made the record passage from London to Melbourne in 68 days. Unfortunately, there were 53 deaths on the voyage, but the great news was of the record passage by Captain Forbes. In 1854, he took the clipper “Lightning” to Melbourne in 76 days and back in 63 days; this record was never beaten by a sailing ship. He often drove his crew and ship to breaking point to beat his previous records. He cared little for the comfort of the passengers. On this, Schomberg's maiden voyage, he was determined to break existing records. Schomberg departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 6th October 1855, flying a sign that read "Sixty Days to Melbourne". She departed with 430 passengers and 3000 tons of cargo, including iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, and 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. She also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. The ship and cargo were insured for $300,000, a fortune for the time. The winds were poor as she sailed across the equator, slowing Schomberg's journey considerably. The land was first sighted on Christmas Day, at Cape Bridgewater near Portland. Captain Forbes followed the coastline towards Melbourne. Forbes was said to be playing cards when called by the third mate, Henry Keen, who reported land about 3 miles off. Due in large part to the captain's regarding a card game as more important than his ship, it eventually ran aground on a sand spit near Curdie's Inlet (about 56 km west of Cape Otway) on 26th December 1855, 78 days after leaving Liverpool. The sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes's map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to Schomberg and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted the SS Queen at dawn and signalled the steamer. The master of the Queen approached the stranded vessel and all of Schomberg’s passengers and crew disembarked safely. The Black Ball Line's Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers' baggage from the Schomberg. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Later, one plunderer found a case of Wellington boots, but alas, all were for the left foot. Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. In 186,4, after two of the men drowned when they tried to reach Schomberg, salvage efforts were abandoned. In 1870, nearly 15 years after the wreck, parts of the Schomberg had washed ashore on the south island of New Zealand. The wreck now lies in almost 9 meters of water, and although the woodwork is mostly disintegrated, the shape of the ship can still be determined due to the remaining railway irons, girders and the ship’s frame. A variety of goods and materials can be seen scattered about nearby.The bell is particularly significant in that along with other items from the wreck helped in part to having the legislation changed to protect shipwrecks, with far tighter controls being employed to oversee the salvaging of wreck sites. This bell forms part of the Schomberg collection at Flagstaff Hill maritime museum. The collection as a whole is of historical and archaeological significance at a State level. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is also significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered Schomberg shipwreck (VHR S 612). The collection is of additional significance because of the relationship between the objects salvaged, as together they help us to interpret the story of the Schomberg. The collection as a whole is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria's maritime history and its potential to interpret social and historical themes from society at the time of the wreck. A small ship’s bell. The bell bears the ship’s name and year of construction on one side and the name and address of the ship’s builders on the other. These details are deeply engraved into the metal and formed in bold, upper-case lettering. The bell has two bell stands, a left and a right side. Both stands have an Iron pipe made into an inverted ‘Y’ shape with a hole made in the single length and feet attached to a rectangular metal plate at the other two ends. Feet are bolted into a timber base that has a hole drilled through the centre for mounting. Bell's front; “SCHOMBERG” with “1855” below. Bell's back “HALL & SONS (crack splits letter “N”) / BUILDERS (in italics) / ABERDEEN” (crack splits letter “B”).flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, schomberg, silver plated bell, mess bell, bell stands, captain ‘bully’ forbes, alexander hall and son, james baines and company, liverpool’s black ball line, bell, schomberg bell, ship's bell, small bell, st joseph's church, briggs marine, john manning, john logan, warrnambool museum -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Envelope, Bundle of handwritten notes attributed to Mr J. McCaskill c.1940's. Mayor of Ringwood, c.1940s
Bundle of handwritten notes attributed to Mr J. McCaskill, Mayor several times between 1936 & 1948. +Additional Keywords: McCaskill, J. -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Digital Image, Peter Knife, SEC 32 inbound Sebastopol Line - Bell St Loop, May 1963
Digital image of SEC 32 inbound Sebastopol Line - Bell St Loop in Skipton St. Note the pram inside the front door. The tram has a roof advert for Cinzano Vermouth drink. Photo by Peter Knife May 1963,Yields information about Ballarat's trams in 1963 and Skipton St.Digital image of a black and negative.tramways, tramcars, tram 32, ballarat, skipton st, bell st loop, cinzano -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Photograph, Phillip Hancock, Howlett, Legg, Froud, Bly, Brideson, Bull, Bell, Thompson, Wilson Families on the bank of the Tambo River Gippsland Victoria, January 1915 c
James, Maud, Eva, May, Mabel Howlett, Fred, Marion, Alf, Gladys Legg, Carrie Froud, Jessie Bly, Lena Brideson, George Bull, Will Bell, Jim Thompson, Mr Wilson on the bank of the Tambo River Gippsland VictoriaBlack and white photograph showing small launch beside river and large Aboriginal canoe tree in background and eighteen adults and two children, genealogy, families -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Wagon
Wagon, four wheeled fully sprung with tail board, railing on each side plus hand operated brake on rims of rear wheels. Wooden frame, metal turntable and single shalves. Double chain for harness attached to wooden tail piece. Metal rimmed wheels. Wagon once belonged to S.J. Bell, Wangoom"S J Bell Wangoom"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, cart, wagon, horse drawn vehicle -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, George Coop, Steam locomotives J539, J-540 and J-541 at the Ararat Locomotive Shed, c.1971
J-508 and a B Class Diesel-electric locomtive inside the workshop.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, ararat locomotive shed, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry), j-508, j-539, j-540, j-541, railway -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Sign, State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV), "Bell St Only"
Demonstrates that methods and equipment use by the SEC to give destination information to passengers and later on advertising for events that passengers could access from the trams with a walk. Yields information about an event and its location, but the date of the event is unknown at this time.Sign - painted onto a SEC (very similar to a MMTB auxiliary destination board of the type that could hang on the front of a Ballarat tram car with the words "Bell St Only" on the front and a paper advert on the rear for the Homes and Industries Fair, at the Drill Hall in Curtis St. Has another former painted advertising sign underneath. Date of use not known at the time of acquisition. To be researched. Bell St was a destination on the Ballarat Destination roll, so it may have been used on trams which were not fitted with full destination rolls and then recycled by the SEC for advertising means. Metal sign, fitted with metal hanging brackets, riveted to sign on both sides, made from about 1.5mm sheet steel. Purchased by the Museum August 2015.trams, tramways, signs, auxiliary board, events, advertisements -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Gibbons, Denis, Bell AH-1G Hueycobra
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 colour photograph of a Bell AH-1G Huey Cobra from the 1st Platoon 334th Armed Helicopter, lands at the base area of the SAS Regiment, 1st Australian Task Force Base, in Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province Vietnam. The AH-1G Huey Cobra was the most lethal gun platform operating in Vietnam.photograph, 334th armed helicopter coy, bell ah-1g helicopter, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, huey cobra, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, 1st platoon, sas regiment -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Maurie Fabbro at age 20 at Fabbro's farm in Bell Street, Eltham, 1940, 1940
The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. Maurice Joseph Fabbro (Mario) was born 19 January 1920 and passed away 19 November 20091 black and white photographfabbro's farm, maurice fabbro -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Domestic object - Matchbox, R Bell & Co, Melbourne, R Bell & Co
From Ken TURNER's pantrySmall cylindrical container of wax matches, top marked 'R. Bell & Co. Melbourne', date unknown. Simple tartan pattern, Navy and red on white.domestic life - containers -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Memorabilia, Scrapbook containing J B Teesdale material
Scrapbook containing J B Teesdale material -
Federation University Historical Collection
Document - Invoice, Ballarat school of Mines Invoice to J. Miller, 01/07/1898
Ballarat school of Mines Invoice to J. Millerballarat school of mines, invoice, j. miller -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Folder, J. Johnson, 1880s
Folder of information on J Johnson, Research, 1880sj johnson -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Folder, J. Dungate, 1863
Folder of information on J Dungate, Eltham 1863j dungate -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Phillips Publications, The 1944 Cowra Incident by Captain W. H. J. Phillips OAM Ed, 2002
Story of the Cowra incident in 1944Book by Captain W. H. J. PhillipsFrom the series Living Historycowra breakout, internment camps, japanese escape, pow;s -
Ballarat and District Irish Association
Reverend Thomas J. Canaty, c1864, 1864
Image of a man known as Thomas J. Canaty.ballarat irish, canaty, tom canaty, thomas canaty -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Functional object - Bottle, Smaller Torpedo Glass Bottle. J Maddocks
Smaller Torpedo Glass Bottle. J Maddocksstawell -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - J. Mann & Son
J. Mann and Sons was first established as a farm produce store in 1921. The range of products was extended in the 1930s and included groceries and hardware, as well as the first petrol bowser in Wodonga outside the store. After WWII, the premises were extended and the range of products continued to increase. In the 1960s the Mann Family opened a new supermarket in Wodonga, in addition to the hardware business, providing steel, plumbing and industrial supplies, and they employed over 100 people at one stage. With changes in the retail industry, the Mann Family sold the main hardware business to Bunnings and the steel and rural produce business to the Kelly brothers in 2006.This photo is representative of a highly respected local Wodonga business which operated in the CBD for 85 years.A black and white photograph mounted on heavy card. Beneath Image J. MANN & SONS - 1924 Hermann (Harry) Rudolph: Pop Zeinert: E. Mann: N. Hollister: Mr. Bray On facade of building: J. MANN & SONS ESTD. 1920 / PRODUCE MERCHANTSmann wodonga, j mann & sons, wodonga businesses -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Bottle, J S Rowley, Circa 1880
J S Rowley operated a cordial factory on the corner of Timor and Banyan Streets from the 1860’s through to the sale of the business in 1897. They produced a number of different products : cloves, kola champagne, ginger beer, lemonade, lithia water, hop beer, orange bitters to mention some. The brewery won a number of awards for its products over the years.A common item which was locally made with a strong link to a local business. 2 clear glass bottles with indented towards the top. Marble encased in neck region of bottle. Writing embossed in glass.D K marked in glass on bottom of bottle. J S Rowley Aerated Waters Warrnambool written in glass sideways on bottle. warrnambool, warrnambool history, warrnambool bottle, j s rowley brewery, brewery warrnambool, j s rowley cordial -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Book, J. K. Moir, "Australia's first electric tram", 1940
Twenty eight page book, centre stapled, plus stippled blue paper covers titled "Australia's First Electric Tram" written and published by John Kinmont Moir in 1940. Inside front cover has an inscription "With Compliments J. K Moir" in ink. Has a reproduction of the poster advertising the tramway, a map, foreword written by J.K. Moir about Mr. H. J. Hilton who operated the tramway, the birth of the tramway, the company that was formed to operate it, , a sample ticket, opening, operation, timetable, reminiscences of H. J. Hilton. Includes notes on the subsequent work of Mr. Hilton, Includes a number of photographs. See Reg Item 2058 for the second edition - 1950Inside front cover has an inscription "With Compliments J. K Moir" in ink.trams, tramways, box hill, doncaster, tramways -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Work on paper - Entrance to the Kew Cemetery, Caroline Bell, c.1892
Boroondara General Cemetery, often referred to as Kew cemetery, is one of the oldest cemeteries in Victoria, Australia, created in the tradition of the Victorian garden cemetery. The cemetery, located in Kew, a suburb of Melbourne, is listed as a heritage place on the Victorian Heritage Register. Framed pastel drawing, donated to the Kew Historical Society in 1965 of the entrance to Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery, believed to be drawn by the sister of the artist George Bell. The drawing shows one of the entrances to the Cemetery before the construction of the high brick wall in 1895. This would be consistent with the life of Caroline Bell (1872-1947). The artist's perspective is estimated to be near the west end of the cemetery, perhaps in Victoria Park.caroline ethel bell (1872-1947), boroondara general (kew) cemetery, victoria park -
Royal Brighton Yacht Club
Bell, Briggs Marine Trophy (Bell)
Briggs Marine Trophy (Bell) Donor: Geoff Adams Briggs Marine Deed of Gift: No The trophy is awarded twice each year for each of the spring and summer Twilight Pursuit Series sailed of Wednesday evenings. Extras are not allowed. First Winner: Phoenix, David Meik 1999/2000 briggs, twilight, pursuit -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, George W. Bell, 'Windy' Gale's burnt out home, Wild Dog Creek Road, Jan. 1962, Jan 1962
Building of Pensioners Cottages at St Andrews; for those burnt out in the 1962 bushfires. A voluntary scheme of Mavis Gill through the Kangaroo Ground Relief CommitteeBlack and white photo mounted on card'Windy' Gale's burnt out home, Wild Dog Creek Road Photo Geo. W. Bell, Jan. 1962victorian bushfires - 1962, bushfires, dick (windy) gale, fire damage - buildings, george w bell, houses, st andrews, wild dog creek road, mavis gill, pensioners cottages -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Plays of J. M. Barrie - Dear Brutus
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 Plays of J. M. Barrie - Dear Brutus Author: J M Barrie Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Date: 1926 Further Information: A comedy in three acts The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 822.9 BAR Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Front loose end paper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Front loose end paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library. Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library.flagstaff hil, warrnambool, 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 plays of j. m. barrie - dear brutus, j m barrie