WARRNAMBOOL 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. Through The Dark Continent Or The sources of the Nile around the great lakes of equatorial Africa and down the Livingstone River to the Atlantic Ocean Author: Henry M Stanley Publisher: Sampson Low Marston Searle and Rivington Date: 1890Label on spine cover with typed text RH 916.2 STA Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Fly paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum 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, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, through the dark continent, henry m stanley

Photograph of VX 19808 Pte William James CurtisFramed photograph of VX19808 PTE William James Curtis, 2/8 Infantry Battalion with medals, 1939/45 Star, African Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Australian Service Medal and Active Service Badge.

.2) Certain it is the military cemetery in Tobruk North Africa.1) Photo , colour,framed showing "Rats of Tobruk." Memorial window" in St Johns church forest st Bendigo. Image shows a dove of Rats of Tobruk badge with the lord under frame is wood stained with gold edge. .2) Sepia colour photo showing large military cemetery.photography, photograph, religion - christian, memorials, military history

Songs relating to Australian troops in South Africa & EuropeA red coloured book containing balladsBallards of Battle by 'Oriel' John Sands

One of three photographs of scenes and or individuals in Africa or Japan.Sepia photograph, mounted on card of a man in traditional Japanese court dress. The studio photograph includes the man's swords. "****-hashi Tycoon of Japan"japan - portrait, japan -- court costume

Medal issued by Italian Government to those who served in Ethiopia 1939-45.Round medal - a dark brown heavy medal, black and blue ribbon with bar.Front: D'ITALIA.IMP.DI.ETHIOPIA.VITT.EM.111.RE, Head Profile. Back: AFRICA ORIENTALE. MOLTI NEMICI MOLTO ONORE. Bar on Ribbon - Dagger with laurel.ww2, medal, ethiopia campaign

Catalogue of surgical and anaesthetic equipment from the 1950sRed bound book with black printed text, and green and white internal pagesTyped in black and red ink onto fly page added to book: RETURN TO: / N. PALLATT, / ALLEN & HANBURYS (AFRICA) LTD. / 1956.catalogue, surgical, anaesthetic

Items contributed by service men, for their families at home.Hard back Green Material Cover, Print mostly in Khaki Except on Front where Khaki is in Green on Khaki Rectangle. Book 3 in series of 6 published for the Australian Military Forces by The Australian War Memorial Canberra A.C.T. during WW2.Khaki and Green with the Australian Army at Home and Overseas. Relates soldiers' experiences since October 1942 Covering the African desert and Papua Campaignsstawell ww2

Fred Cordingly lived at Maiden Gully via Bendigo, Vic. Print from original painting by Lois Molina of Bendigo. Presented to BILL THOMASON for finding details of service with SAC.Coloured print of man enlisted in South African constabulary, khaki uniform, slouch hat, rifle & horse (in background) sitting on wooden log, pale yellow/white background in glass frame & gold coloured frame, 4 sided. With many thanks for your kind assistance. L Molina.prints, framed, south africa

David Thomas Andrew No 400247 enlisted in the RAAF on 21.7.40. During a bombing run by No 11 Sqd on Meiktila in central Burma on 5.4.43 two of the Sqd's Blenheim Bombers collided and subsequently crashed. Warrant Officer Andrew was killed. Out of the two crews totaling six personnel four were killed and two were taken POW. Refer 2084, 2088.Medal set, court mounted, set of (5) re D Andrew. 1. 1939-45 Star. 2. Africa Star. 3. Burma Star. 4. War Medal 1939-45. 5. Australian Service Medal."400247 D.T.Andrew"medals, military, history

Sketch Map - G. A. Pethard's second World Tour showing route and intermediate mileages and total mileage (60,00 miles). Route details for tour via india, Malaya, China, Japan, Siberia, Scandanavia, England, Soth Africa.person, individual, mayor of bendigo

Pte E.A. Middleborough was killed in action in Egypt 31st October 1942 while serving with 2/32 Australian Infantry Battalion. Buried at El Alamein War Cemetery.Framed display containing 5 WW2 Australian medals and memorial scroll. Medals are; 1939-45 Star, Africa Star complete with 8th Army clasp, Defence Medal. War Medal 1939-45 and Australian Service Medal.Details on medals; VX35798 E.A. Middleborough

Framed print showing officers of the Second Contingent of Victorian Mounted Rifles to South Africa. The officers are: Colonel Tom Price, Captain Jenkins, Lieutenant Adjutant Lilley, Lieutenants Umphelby, Norton, Bree, Sergeant, Umphelby, Anderson and Kirby, military, south africa, boer war, vmr

In 1909 His Majesty King Edward VII directed that honorary banners be presented to the Australian Infantry Regiments in commemoration of the services of their members who had volunteered for the South African War 1899-1902. (Promulgated under Military Order 132/1909). These would be similar to those presented to Australian Light Horse Regiments, Royal Australian Artillery and Australian Army Medical Corps in 1904. This Banner was presented to 1st Battalion, 11th Australian Infantry Regiment (Perth Regiment) by HE the Governor of WA Sir Gerald Strickland, KCMG, at a parade held on the Esplanade, Perth, 18 February 1911. Consecrated by the Right Reverend COL. Riley, DD, VD, Senior Chaplain of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces. This banner was subsequently inherited by successor units to the 11th Australian Infantry Regiment (Perth Regiment), including 88th (Perth) Infantry, 11th Battalion (The Perth Regiment) and 11th/16th Battalion. The banner was handed over to the Perth City Council at a special parade of the 11th/16th Battalion held in Forrest Place on 2 June 1930, and was laid up in the Council Chambers in Murray Street. Together with the other historic colours handed over at the time (see Reference items 1 and 3), this banner later went into storage when Council moved premises in the early 1960's. Perth City Council had some restoration work carried out on these colours in 1975 and later had them on display in their display room at Council House, St Georges Terrace. They were subsequently placed in storage again. Following negotiations by the Army Museum of WA Perth City Council passed on these Colours to the Museum in November 1993. Plain Union flag with red and gold fringe. Red and gold chord and tassels. Pike with Royal Crest pike head. A silver plate attached to lower portion of pike inscribed as follows: "Presented by His Most Gracious Majesty The King Emperor to 1st Battalion, 11th Australian Infantry Regiment Perth Regiment formerly 1st and 2nd Battalions Western Australian Infantry in recognition of services rendered to the Empire in South Africa 1899-1902".

Pewter drinking cup with ornate handle, Rising sun Badge with Queens Crown. Glass bottom. Tapered sides. Listing Camaigns and locations. From World War 1, World War 11,, Korea, Malaya and VietnamInscipion: The Australian Tankard WWI German New Guinea Gallipoli France Palestine Mesopotamia Flanders WWII Nth. Africa Crete Malaya SW Pacific Timor New Guinea Java Bouganville Brneo Greece Syria South Africa Korea Malaya Vietnam Presented to the Waverley RSL by Army Members April 1984tankard, mug

Alice McGREGOR Born: 1908; unknown parents. Possibly adopted by the Salter family? Electoral Roll 1936: Highland Terrace Kangaroo Flat. Alice Mary Salter and William Robert Salter living together; presumed to be sister and brother. William Robert Salter was killed in a MVA in Bendigo in 1937 aged 26. In Victoria in 1938, Alice Mary Salter married James Thomas McGregor (born Victoria 1917, died Victoria 1983, buried Fawkner Cemetery) Lived: 1968; 22 Wade Street Golden Square Alice McGregor Died: 1999 aged 91 at Anne Caudle Centre, Bendigo Buried: Kangaroo Flat Cemetery See additional research. Postcard Album of Alice McGregor contained 86 post cards.Postcard Album of Alice McGregor containing 86 post cards. See 1400 Colour photo of Dock Road and Beach, Capetown, South Africa. Boats on beach in foreground. Rail wagons in front of tall buildings. Table Mountain in background. Addressed to Miss A. Stapleton, Bendigo, Australia Sender - W. Players (?) Undated postcard, collector, alice mcgregor

Photograph of Cooper shearing plant.Photograph of Cooper shearing plant.4-stand self contained shearing plant powered by 4 H.P. Cooper petrol engine designed for use in South Africa circa 1950shearing machinery, cooper engineering company pty ltd

Aunde / Norwellan Textiles North Western Woolen Mills became Norwellan Textiles then AUNDEColour landscape photo: AUNDE Plants, countries, Flags AUNDE WorlideAunde Textile locations: Germany, Luxemburg, U.K, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, India, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, USA.industry, aunde

Tankard to commemorate conflicts in which the Australian Army has been involved since and including World War I. From the Returned Services League, Mitcham Sub-Branch, 26 McDowall Street, Mitcham, cnr Harrison Street when it closed early 2014.Australian Army Tankard with Australian rising sun badge on front. Tankard is made of pewter with a glass base. On the tankard all the conflicts that the Australian fought in are commemorated from World War I to Vietnam.The Australian Army Tankard, World War I, World War I, Mesopotamia, Flanders, German New Guinea, Gallipoli, France, Palestine, World War II, North Africa, Crete, Malaya, S.W. Pacific, Timor, New Guinea, Java, Bougainville, Borneo, Greece, Syria, Singapore, South Africa, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam.military history, army, metalcraft, pewterware

Inspected by Joanna Freslov, archaeologist 2.6,2008. Possibly African spear - unknown origin.A carved wooden spear with a long metal blade.spear weapon hunting

The silk maps were carried by Aircrew. Item in the collection re A.F. Goodall DFC RAAF, refer Cat No 543.2 for his service details.Framed black with black mounting background, silk map over in colour, scale 1: 3,000,000 showing the area of North Africa, Spain, France, Sardinia, the opposite side has mostly Southern France. Inset over is a photo of A.F. Goodall.maps, silk