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Bendigo Tramways (managed by the Bendigo Heritage Attractions)
Tram Rail, Assembly (circa 1990) using Tramways Rail (circa 1890)
Made at the Bendigo Tramways, to mark the one hundred year celebration of the Battery powered trams in BendigoSmall specimen of tram rail painted gold fixed to wooden base with brass plaque.THE BENDIGO TRAMWAYS 1890-1980 ORIGINAL 1890 BATTERY TRAM TRACK No 49 -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph
Crew of armoured fighting vehicles were required to undertake a range of mechanical repairs and maintenanceBlack and white photograph of two soldiers beside a M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier making repairs.Track adjustment on a M113 Carrier. Trooper Len Bergin, Trooper Alan McKechnie " -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Propaganda
Safe Conduct Pass dropped on Kokoda track and in Pacific Islandsdocuments, ww2 -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Field Glasses
Found on the Kokoda Track by Lindsay (Clem) Barnes (Signals) in 1943equipment, 1943 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - VAL DENSWORTH COLLECTION: BENDIGO EASTER FAIR, 1967
Slide. Bendigo Easter Fair. Cyclists racing around the track.slide, bendigo, bendigo easter fair., bendigo easter fair. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - VAL DENSWORTH COLLECTION: BENDIGO 2000, 1969
Slide. Bendigo 2000. Long distance runners around the track.slide, bendigo, bendigo 2000., bendigo 2000. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - BENDIGO- TRAIN IN TOWN, Feb 1970
Slide. Bendigo- Train in Town. A crane lifting sections of track.slide, bendigo, bendigo- train in town., bendigo- train in town. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - BENDIGO TRAIN IN TOWN, Feb 1970
Slide. Bendigo Train in Town. Rolling the sand in preparation for the track.slide, bendigo, bendigo train in town., bendigo train in town. -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Der Letzte Zug, 2004
Book written by Eric Eckstein, 2004, published in Duesseldorf, GermanySoft covered book with photos of train tracks front and back.books, autobiography -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Slide, Ian McCann, Children Playing
Boys playing on the ovel inside running track at North Park. -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Railway Cutting Stawell 1874, 1874
State Library NSW 63789 Hill Street CuttingThree workers on Rail tracks in cutting and two on top of Cuttingtransport, railways -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Slide, North Park Athletics Track
North Park Athletic ComplexView of North Park with running track in foreground and people on ovalNorth Park -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Dot Browne
Dot Browne was President of the Doncaster Womens Athletic Club for 11 years. She represented Australia in the 1982 World Veteran Ocean Games in Fiji, winning 4 Gold Medals and in the 1987 World Veterans Games in Melbourne winning 3 silver Medals.In 1952 Dot was presented with the Order of Australia for her contribution to athletics.Black & White photo of Dot Browne running on an athletics track.browne dot, doncaster women's athletic club -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Jubilee Open Cut Wonga Company Cyanide Gold Recovery 1899
B/W photo Jubilee Open Cut - Wonga Cyanide Gold Recovery Company 1899.Open Cut with light rail tracks and ore truck in foreground.stawell mining -
Canterbury History Group
Photograph - New Overpass, 1968
Photocopy of a train crossing on the up track of the Canterbury Road overpasscanterbury, canterbury road, canterbury station, trains, railway crossings -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Coombe's property next to 'Quambee', North Ringwood, 1912
Sepia photograph showing track through bushland on Coombe's property. -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Book, Steavenson Falls-Cumberland Valley Beauty Spot Scenic Reserve Committee of Management, The Big Culvert, 1992
A history of the Big Culvert in the Cumberland Reserve and its link to the Yarra TrackPaperback. Front cover has an old photograph of the big culvert.Marysville, Vic. 3779./ January, 1992. Dear Reader,/ I hope you'll enjoy sharing with me an account of some of the excitement and/ drama of events through history on the old Yarra Track. This Reserve is, of course,/ in the heart of one of the world's great hardwood forests, where generations of my/ family have lived and worked./ Some levels of elevation top the 4000 ft. mark, as it is part of the Great Dividing/Range in Victoria. I have collected just a few aspects of early times and would like/ to say thanks for the encouragement I have received, to write about one of my/ favourite subjects./ Ann Thomas With Best Wishes / Ann Thomas / 12.7.92 Stamp of Marysville & District / Historical Society Inc / P.O. Box 22 / Marysville 3779big culvert, cumberland reserve, yarra track, victoria, history -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, 1980
Black and White photograph of a view from the cab of W3 No. 661, looking outside the BTPS/BTM depot towards Wendouree Parade. Shows Nos 4 and 5 roads under construction. Photo used on the front cover of the 1979 - 1980 BTPS Annual Report. Photo has the caption "Waiting to Roll. W3 661 looks out onto the track it will so roll over to enter service." Photographer details not known at time of cataloguing. Assumed taken June/July 1980 for Annual report. On the rear has caption in pencil and other printing instructions including cropping remarks. See 1979 - 1980 Annual ReportsOn the back has the caption "Waiting to Roll. W3 661 looks out onto the track it will so roll over to enter service.", "Front Cover (A) in pencil, cropping marks and letters "S/S" and "Crop" in ink.tramways, trams, btm, depot, trackwork, btps, tram 661 -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Cato Lake looking from Sloane Street -- Coloured
Cato Lake view from Sloane Street. This photo is one of three showing Stawell Council Works deepening Cato Lake in February c 2002. Tracks from a tractor can be seen all round the lake. Willows branches hang either side of the view with trees along the horizon. The Presbyterian Church tower, Senior Citizen room and Anglican Church can be seen amongst the trees in the background.Coloured photograph of Cato Lake. The view is from Sloane Street and the lake was in the process of being lowered for the deepening of the lake by Shire Council Works. Tractor tracks can be seen all round the lake. Willows hang either side of the view with trees along the horizon. The Presbyterian Church tower in the background near the Senior Citizen room and Anglican Church to the right.Date on back of photo in biro 12.2.2002.stawell -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - BASIL WATSON COLLECTION: RACETRACK BROOKLANDS, WEYBRIDGE
black and white postcard. On top 'The Hill, Brooklands, Weybridge' Image shows racetrack, two cars - one on track, one outside fence line. Men standing on edge of track in foreground.Valentines's Seriesevent, sports, vehicle race track -
Otway Districts Historical Society
Photograph, Beech Forest Railway Station: Laurie McCabe in charge, 1920s
Laurie McCabe was in charge of Beech Forest Station until October 1929. When the timber industry went into decline because of poor markets and the crippling effects of the 1929 strike, and when road haulage signalled the beginning of a new transport era it was the beginning of the end. As a result staffing levels were severely cut over the period 1927/29 with the two station masters at Beech Forest and Gellibrand replaced by caretakers in October 1929. The line was then supervised by travelling station masters of whom Laurie McCabe was one of two.B/W. Laurie McCabe in charge of Beech Forest Railway Station in the 1920s, pictured on track one just down from the station buildings. Note the slight snow covering on the tracks.beech forest; railways; laurie mccabe; -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Photograph, Nyerimilang Jetty, Reeves channel Gippsland Lakes Victoria, Easter 1928
Sepia photograph of track to Nyerimilang Jetty soon after opening showing track down side of cliff to jetty and boat shed adjacent to shore, Reeves channel Gippsland Lakes Victoria waterways, boats and boating -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document - Report, Electric Supply Co. of Vic (ESCo), "Mileages Ballarat", "Fare Distances", c1920?
Yields information about track mileages and horse tram track and information used in calculating fares.Report or chart - set of two documents pinned together in the top left hand corner giving information of system miles for both track and fares. .1 - Blue print - Mileages Ballarat - giving route including Sebastopol Horse car and one leg of a loop. Provides single track miles, double track miles, Total track, Total Single track miles, miles for car mileages. .2 - "Fares Distances" dated 7-3-01 - all routes. Has been prepared on the rear of a 1921 calendar, Brown, Win? of 30 Armstrong St Ballarat.trams, tramways, mileage, horse trams, esco, fares, crossing loop -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Pamphlet - Metro Tunnel - Anzac Station tram corridor works, Rail Projects Victoria, 11/2022
Provides information about the works planned to realign tram tracks at the Metro Tunnel Anzac station, following the completion of the surface works. Gives timing, tram routes affected, plans of the proposals, contact details. All St Kilda Road routes would be affected from 27/11/2022 to 17/12/2022, tram stops would be closed, bus replacement services. includes works to remove the Glenhuntly Road level crossing at Glenhuntly Station. Yields information about the trackworks for the future Anzac Station interchange and St Kilda Road services.Set of two documents issued by Rail Projects Victoria (Metro Tunnel) and Yarra Trams with regard to the reallignment of tram tracks at Anzac Station Nov. 2022 1 - Metro Tunnel - Works proposed, maps - 6 A4 pages 2 - Yarra Trams - Service Changes St Kilda Road works - 4 A4 pages.anzac station, metro tunnel, tramways, st kilda road, domain road, domain interchange, park street, track work, tram tracks, glenhuntly road, glenhuntly station, level crossings -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - BASIL WATSON COLLECTION: BROOKLANDS MOTOR TRACK AND FLYING GROUND
The postcard shows three planes flying above the Brooklands motor track with 'Brooklands Motor Track and Flying Ground'. To the right is a large two story brick building and on the left of the building is a long open covered vehicle stall. To the back are work sheds, further to the left are spectators cars and in the distance is open space with trees. Spectators line the race track both sides watching a racing car. In the foreground is a hill with fencing down to the track and spectators along the fence.Valentine Seriesaviation, civilian, brooklands motor track -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Digital image, Peter Bruce, "No. 26 and track cleaner", 1970s
Yields information about track maintenance and the Hospital Junction area.Digital image, black and white, of a track cleaner in white clothing sweeping out the track at Hospital corner with No. 26 approaching along Sturt St. Has the hospital in the background. Photo taken by Peter Bruce 1970's and 1971, prior to the closure of the Ballarat tramway system. Peter's Title of image: "No. 26 and track cleaner"trams, tramways, hospital corner, track, trackwork, tram 26 -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Book, David Keenan, "Melbourne's Tramways in 1974", 1974
Book titled "Melbourne's Tramways in 1974" written by David R. Keenan. Details the operation of the Melbourne Tramway system prior to the introduction of the then new Z class trams, in the final decade of the MMTB, its operations, track, training, management, power supplies, tickets and other operational systems. Includes notes on services, tramcar fleet allocation, depots, fare sections and running times. Has introduction by author looking at Melbourne compared to other tramway systems around the world at the time and acknowledgements. Two copies held. Yields information about Melbourne Tramways in 1974.Forty Eight page book stapled with a fold out track map at rear contained within a glued light card cover. Printed on gloss paper with many black and white photos. Book titled "Melbourne's Tramways in 1974" written by David R. Keenan. Details the operation of the Melbourne Tramway system prior to the introduction of the then new Z class trams, in the final decade of the MMTB, its operations, track, training, management, power supplies, tickets and other operational systems. Includes notes on services, tramcar fleet allocation, depots, fare sections and running times. Has introduction by author looking at Melbourne compared to other tramway systems around the world at the time and acknowledgements. Two copies held. On the front cover in black ink "Ex ARHS Archives". Copy 2 has a price sticker "2.25" in top right hand corner.trams, tramways, melbourne, mmtb, tramways, tramcars -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPH, FRAMED, Post 2000
Framed colour with details re Tracker dog D7N06 Milo Vietnamtracker dogs, vietnam -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, On The Track
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 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. WARRNAMBOOL'S MECHANICS' INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. 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. On The Track Author: Henry Lawson Publisher: Angus and Robertson Date: 1900 Label on spine has typed text 819.93 LAW Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Fly leaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute The top of the Block has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool public library, on the track, henry lawson -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, On The Track
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 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. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. SIGNIFICANCE The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, and to reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. On The Track Author: Henry Lawson Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1923Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC LAW Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, 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, great ocean road, on the track, henry lawson