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Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Councilor Tom and Mrs. May Barrie, Unknown
Tom Barrie served the community in the following Shire of Melton Councilor Member for 32 years 1941–1970 Elected as Councilor for Melton South 1970–1973 Councilor for Rockbank 1943–1944 Shire President for three terms 1958–1959 ditto 1964–1965 ditto Council Representative: Bacchus Marsh High School and Western Suburbs Municipalities. Representative on delegation to prevent Melton post primary students being sent to Deer Park prior to the establishment of Melton High SchoolPossibly being presented with Shire of Melton illuminated address at the Melton Shire Officeslocal identities, council -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Melton Shire Councillors, 1924
J.T Minns was president of the Shire Council from 1923-24 Isaac Robinson was president of the Shire Council from 1924-25. The Robinson family lived in the area. The following is from 100 Years at Melton: Isaac and Henrietta Robinson. Jeanette nee Rohner Robinson 1985. Creighton Melton. The Robinsons of Wyndham William Robinson married Ann Bee in 1952, Weardale, Durham England. They arrived in Australia on the ship “Ben Nevis” in 1852. They settled in Wyndham in 1855 and began dairying and haygrowing. They bought 50 acres and rented 300 acres until buying 300 acres in 1872 – Mt Pleasant Farm. Their children were sent to school even though Ann had been a school teacher in England. The older boys had to travel 5 ½ miles to Mt Cotterell school before one was built at Tarneit, a mile from their home. The children of William and Ann: George, Thomas, William, Isaac, Mary Ann, Mary Ann , John and Thomas. Thomas moved to Melton aged 19. When Ann died in 1898 Mt Pleasant farm was let then sold about 1920. In 1872 William Snr bought more land in Melton. William, Isaac and George worked on the land until 1887 when George and Isaac bought more land in Melton Creighton. Thomas and John also bought adjoining land. Outside Shire Offices, High Streetcouncil, local identities -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Melton Shire Councillors, Unknown
Councillors standing in front of the Shire Officescouncil, local identities -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Former Kew Town Hall, Walpole Street, 1970
The Municipality of Kew was granted independence in 1860. It was declared a borough in 1863, a town in 1910 and a city in 1921. In 1994, Kew was amalgamated into the new City of Boroondara.Black and white photographic positive of the front of the (former) Kew Town Hall in Walpole Street between High Street and Malmsbury Street, on the west side where Woolworth's supermarket now stands. The photograph, from August 1970 shows the detailing of the Italianate rendered-brick facade, added in the 1880s when the hall was renovated. The earliest building on the site was the Kew Athenaeum Hall (built 1860) which was purchased by Kew Council in 1865. The Town Hall was sold to Woolworth's and subsequently demolished in 1972 when the civic offices were transferred to a new building on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road."Old Kew Town Hall / Walpole St / Aug 1970/ Gift of Stewart West 1990"kew town hall -- walpole street, local government -- kew, civic buildings -- kew (vic.), town halls -- melbourne (vic.) -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Former Kew Town Hall, Walpole Street, 1972
The Municipality of Kew was granted independence in 1860. It was declared a borough in 1863, a town in 1910 and a city in 1921. In 1994, Kew was amalgamated into the new City of Boroondara. In 1960, a new Town Hall in Cotham Road was opened. The Municipal Offices that had remained in the former Town Hall in Walpole Street until it was moved to the new Civic Centre on the corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street in 1972.This is a rare and important colour photograph of the Kew Municipal Offices (former Town Hall) taken on 11/2/1972 in the year that the building was demolished and replaced by a Safeway Supermarket.Colour photographic positive (polaroid) of the front of the (former) Kew Town Hall in Walpole Street between High Street and Malmsbury Street, on the west side where Woolworth's supermarket now stands. The photograph, taken in February 1972, shows the detailing of the Italianate rendered-brick facade, added in the 1880s when the hall was renovated. The earliest building on the site was the Kew Athenaeum Hall (built 1860) which was purchased by Kew Council in 1865. The Town Hall was sold to Woolworth's and subsequently demolished in 1972 when the civic offices were transferred to a new building on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road.kew town hall -- walpole street, local government -- kew, town halls -- melbourne (vic.) -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Construction of the Kew Civic Centre, 1972
... civic centre kew civic offices city of kew -- council chamber ...The Kew Civic Centre, as opposed to the adjacent Kew Civic Hall (see also Kew City Hall), was built to house a new Council Chamber and Council Offices in 1972. The Kew Library was to be located on the ground floor and accessed from the current carpark. This building replaced the former Town Hall in Walpole Street, Kew which had served as a town hall from 1865-1972. After the sale of the old Town Hall, the new Civic Centre was built to a design of the architects A K Lines, MacFarlane & Marshall. A fit-out of the building was still occurring when councillors and council officers moved into the building. In 1987, the Kew Library (and the Kew Historical Society) moved across the road to the reconfigured Civic Hall. The Civic Centre, pictured here, was ultimately sold to Trinity Grammar School following the amalgamation of Kew into the City of Boroondara.These four black and white photographs were taken by a photographer in the City Engineer's Department during the final construction phase. Each is dated and inscribed with a description.Laying of concrete tiles in the forecourt of the new Kew Civic Centre in 1972. The Civic Hall (now the Kew Library) is in the background. Annotated verso: "Civic Centre - Forecourt / 17.7.72"kew civic centre, kew civic offices, city of kew -- council chamber -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Construction of the Kew Civic Centre, 1972
... civic offices city of kew -- council chamber ...The Kew Civic Centre, as opposed to the adjacent Kew Civic Hall (see also Kew City Hall), was built to house a new Council Chamber and Council Offices in 1972. The Kew Library was to be located on the ground floor and accessed from the current carpark. This building replaced the former Town Hall in Walpole Street, Kew which had served as a town hall from 1865-1972. After the sale of the old Town Hall, the new Civic Centre was built to a design of the architects A K Lines, MacFarlane & Marshall. A fit-out of the building was still occurring when councillors and council officers moved into the building. In 1987, the Kew Library (and the Kew Historical Society) moved across the road to the reconfigured Civic Hall. The Civic Centre, pictured here, was ultimately sold to Trinity Grammar School following the amalgamation of Kew into the City of Boroondara.These four black and white photographs were taken by a photographer in the City Engineer's Department during the final construction phase. Each is dated and inscribed with a description.Forecourt of the new Kew Civic Centre in 1972.Annotated verso: "Civic Centre - Forecourt / 16.7.72"kew civic centre, kew civic offices, city of kew -- council chamber -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Construction of the Kew Civic Centre, 1972
... with a description. kew civic centre kew civic offices city of kew -- council ...The Kew Civic Centre, as opposed to the adjacent Kew Civic Hall (see also Kew City Hall), was built to house a new Council Chamber and Council Offices in 1972. The Kew Library was to be located on the ground floor and accessed from the current carpark. This building replaced the former Town Hall in Walpole Street, Kew which had served as a town hall from 1865-1972. After the sale of the old Town Hall, the new Civic Centre was built to a design of the architects A K Lines, MacFarlane & Marshall. A fit-out of the building was still occurring when councillors and council officers moved into the building. In 1987, the Kew Library (and the Kew Historical Society) moved across the road to the reconfigured Civic Hall. The Civic Centre, pictured here, was ultimately sold to Trinity Grammar School following the amalgamation of Kew into the City of Boroondara.These four black and white photographs were taken by a photographer in the City Engineer's Department during the final construction phase. Each is dated and inscribed with a description.Tiling the steps leading from the forecourt to the new Kew Civic Centre in 1972.Annotated verso: "Civic Centre - Forecourt / 16.7.72"kew civic centre, kew civic offices, city of kew -- council chamber -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Construction of the Kew Civic Centre, 1972
... civic offices city of kew -- council chamber ...The Kew Civic Centre, as opposed to the adjacent Kew Civic Hall (see also Kew City Hall), was built to house a new Council Chamber and Council Offices in 1972. The Kew Library was to be located on the ground floor and accessed from the current carpark. This building replaced the former Town Hall in Walpole Street, Kew which had served as a town hall from 1865-1972. After the sale of the old Town Hall, the new Civic Centre was built to a design of the architects A K Lines, MacFarlane & Marshall. A fit-out of the building was still occurring when councillors and council officers moved into the building. In 1987, the Kew Library (and the Kew Historical Society) moved across the road to the reconfigured Civic Hall. The Civic Centre, pictured here, was ultimately sold to Trinity Grammar School following the amalgamation of Kew into the City of Boroondara.These four black and white photographs were taken by a photographer in the City Engineer's Department during the final construction phase. Each is dated and inscribed with a description.Creating the forecourt to the new Kew Civic Centre in 1972.Annotated verso: "Civic Centre - Forecourt / 16.7.72"kew civic centre, kew civic offices, city of kew -- council chamber -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, We have matured, 1968
The opening of the new council chambers and offices symbolises the transition of this city from its developing youth to mature adulthood.The opening of the new council chambers and offices symbolises the transition of this city from its developing youth to mature adulthood.The opening of the new council chambers and offices symbolises the transition of this city from its developing youth to mature adulthood.city of nunawading. council chambers, block, gerd, block, renate, h.t. mcker & sons pty ltd -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, New councillors meet in comfort, 1968
... Council offices (photos) City of Nunawading McCall C.R.T. Willis ...Mayor and councillors who attended the opening of the new Council offices (photos)Mayor and councillors who attended the opening of the new Council offices (photos)Mayor and councillors who attended the opening of the new Council offices (photos)city of nunawading, mccall, c.r.t., willis, c.l., walsh, graham a., rooney, keith, telfer, brian, schubert, r.w., goldsborough, o.g., leggatt, thomas h., cox, george h., burns, frank h., peate, r.h., gawler, david -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, City of Nunawading, 1968
Invitation to official opening of council chambers and offices, Saturday 23 March 1968, entree card and memo for guests.Invitation to official opening of council chambers and offices, Saturday 23 March 1968, entree card and memo for guests.Invitation to official opening of council chambers and offices, Saturday 23 March 1968, entree card and memo for guests.city of nunawading, council chambers, mccall, c.r.t., brown, j.h. -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, City of Nunawading report on municipal offices organisation and administration, 1949
Report prepared by Cr L.J. Sutherland, the Town Clerk (A.R.Charlesworth) and the Engineer (M.C. Black) in 1949.Report prepared by Cr L.J. Sutherland, the Town Clerk (A.R.Charlesworth) and the Engineer (M.C. Black) in 1949. Include holidays, transport, formation of council committees and duties of personnel.Report prepared by Cr L.J. Sutherland, the Town Clerk (A.R.Charlesworth) and the Engineer (M.C. Black) in 1949.city of nunawading, sutherland, l.j., charlesworth, albert roy, black, m.c. -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, City of Nunawading. New Civic Offices, 1/03/1968 12:00:00 AM
Program for the official opening of the new civic offices and council chambers of the City of Nunawading by the Hon R.J. Hamer, Minister for Local Government at 3 pm on 23 March 1968.Program for the official opening of the new civic offices and council chambers of the City of Nunawading by the Hon R.J. Hamer, Minister for Local Government at 3 pm on 23 March 1968.Program for the official opening of the new civic offices and council chambers of the City of Nunawading by the Hon R.J. Hamer, Minister for Local Government at 3 pm on 23 March 1968.city of nunawading, nunawading civic centre -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, We're a young city on our way, says Hamer, 1968
Article on the opening of the Nunawading Civic Offices and Council Chamber by the Minister for Local Government Mr R.J. Hamer on 23 March, 1968.Article on the opening of the Nunawading Civic Offices and Council Chamber by the Minister for Local Government Mr R.J. Hamer on 23 March, 1968.Article on the opening of the Nunawading Civic Offices and Council Chamber by the Minister for Local Government Mr R.J. Hamer on 23 March, 1968.city of nunawading, nunawading civic centre, hamer, rupert j sir, brown, j.h. -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Council to move offices, 1995
Whitehorse Council has decided to make its Nunawading based chambers the city's permanent administrative headquarters.Whitehorse Council has decided to make its Nunawading based chambers the city's permanent administrative headquarters.Whitehorse Council has decided to make its Nunawading based chambers the city's permanent administrative headquarters.local government, city of whitehorse, municipal offices, amalgamations -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, New city makes progress, 1994
Although it may not be apparent to residents much has been happening at the council offices at Box Hill and Nunawading since the appointment of the three commissioners to the City of Whitehorse.Although it may not be apparent to residents much has been happening at the council offices at Box Hill and Nunawading since the appointment of the three commissioners to the City of Whitehorse. Australia Day Family festival is to be held 12 noon - 10 pm Thursday 26 January at the Nunawading Civic Centre grounds.Although it may not be apparent to residents much has been happening at the council offices at Box Hill and Nunawading since the appointment of the three commissioners to the City of Whitehorse. city of whitehorse, australia day, festivals and celebrations -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Division follows the axe, 1994
Mixed feelings about the axing of Nunawading Council.Mixed feelings about the axing of Nunawading Council. The article gives the views of a number of councillors and includes a photo of the Shire of Nunawading offices in the 1890's.Mixed feelings about the axing of Nunawading Council. local government, city of nunawading, shire of nunawading, municipal offices, amalgamations -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Letter - Correspondence, National Trust Classification Report, 28/05/1998 12:00:00 AM
National Trust classification and inclusion in the National Trust RegisterNational Trust classification and inclusion in the National Trust Register of the former Blackburn and Mitcham Municipal Offices at 360 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading. Includes letter to Whitehorse City Council, report and photographs,National Trust classification and inclusion in the National Trust Registermunicipal chambers, shire of blackburn and mitcham, whitehorse road, nunawading, no. 360, city of nunawading, national trust of australia (victoria), r. m. king, architect -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Pottery saved from going to pot, 1969
A valuable collection of pottery and tiles collected by Nunawading Historical Society and traced to the early history of the potters' art in Nunawading.A valuable collection of pottery and tiles collected by Nunawading Historical Society and traced to the early history of the potters' art in Nunawading. At present the collection is stored under the home of a society member who is moving. The council are debating whether to display the collection in the Council Offices foyer or whether the request should come from the Historical Society.A valuable collection of pottery and tiles collected by Nunawading Historical Society and traced to the early history of the potters' art in Nunawading. pottery, nunawading historical society, australian tesselated tile co. pty. ltd, city of nunawading, mitcham, cox, george -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Letter - Envelope, 1992
The Nunawading Council produced commemorative First Day Covers on Australia Day showing First Day of Issue stamp during the years 1981 -1992First Day cover bearing two 45 cent stamps; picture of sailing ship on each. Postmarked, 'First Day of Issue 15 Jan 1992 Nunawading Vic 3132'. At left of envelope, cartoon depiction of celebrations below name and address of city of Nunawading Municipal Offices. Below picture, 'Australia Day Family Festival, Sunday 26th January, 1992'. Envelope numbered 068Municipal Offices Nunawading Vic 3131philately, date stamps, civic mementoes, souvenirs -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Envelope, 1991
The Nunawading Council produced commemorative First Day covers showing First Day of Issue stamp during the years 1981-1992First Day Cover carrying 43 cent stamp representing Australian flag. Postmarked 'Nunawading Vic. Aust 3131 25 Jan 1991'. At upper left corner, name and address of City of Nunawading Municipal Offices. Printed at base, '1991 Australia Day Family Festival Saturday 26th January'. Envelope numbered 036Municipal Offices Nunawading Vic 3131philately, date stamps, civic mementoes, souvenirs -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Nunawading offices - cashier's counter, c 1988
... counter in the open area of the Nunawading Council offices city ...Black and white photograph of the cashier's counter in the open area of the Nunawading Council officescity of nunawading, cashier's counter -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, City of Nunawading - offices
Coloured photograph of the Municipal Offices of the City of Nunawading. This photo is of the vintage when the new Council Offices had been built and the original offices were made over to the Nunawading Library c 1991city of nunawading - offices, nunawading library -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Nunawading Council Offices - 1968, c 1968
... Coloured photograph of the Council offices of the City... - 1968 Coloured photograph of the Council offices of the City ...Coloured photograph of the Council offices of the City of Nunawading c 1968. The 'open plan' of the offices was a concept of the late 1960's. A note on the back of the photo explains the two red crosses which indicate that there is asbestos in the ceiling panels and the plantercity of nunawading - offices, open plan offices, asbestos -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Official Opening of new Nunawading Council Chambers, 1968
Black and white photo of Rev. Donald W. Johnson delivering a prayer of dedication on behalf of the Nunawading Council of Churches at the Official Opening of the new offices and Council Chambers on Saturday 23rd March 1968. L-R: Mr. J. Brown, town clerk; Mr G. Block, architect; Mr H. McKern, builder; Mrs R.J. Hamer; Hon. R.J. Hamer, Minister for Local Government; Mrs C. McCall; Cr. C. McCall, mayor; Mrs J. Brown and Rev. Donald Johnsoncity of nunawading .council chambers, brown, j.h., block, g., mccall, c.r.t., florence lilliam, hamer, rupert j. sir, april, j.h. mrs, johnston, donald, rev., mckern, h. builder -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, c1985
The photograph shows the extensions that were built on to the former Shire of Bulla offices in the mid 1980s. The building with the curved wall and glass tiles was where the Shire of Bulla held their council meetings. The Victorian state flag and the Shire of Bulla flags are hoisted on the poles and the bust of George Evans, an early European settler in the district is on the RHS of the image. The extensions completed in the 1980s to the former Shire of Bulla offices were the last major works to be undertaken on the building before Bulla Shire became part of Hume City Council in 1994.A coloured photograph of a brick paved path leading to a cream brick community building with two flags hoisted on flagpoles near the entrance . The bust of a man is visible on the RHS of the image. shire of bulla, council offices, shire of bulla council offices., george evans -
Unions Ballarat
Camp Street, Ballarat from Eureka to Federation : a guide to its history and buildings, 2001
A guide to the history of Camp Street Ballarat and its historical buildings. Camp Street has been the location of Unions Ballarat since 1887 - a chapter of the book is dedicated to Trades Hall - and was the home of the former labour newspaper, the Evening Echo. Camp Street was the site of the government camp at the time of the Eureka Stockade. Camp Street is now recognised as an Arts and Education precinct within the city of Ballarat. Headings: Gold fever The CAMPSTREET Project Titanic Bandstand Old Ballarat Free Library Complex "Point to the sky" "Perseus" Former government offices and court house Old Ballarat Court House Alfred Deakin Place Old Police Station (Ballarat Fine Art Gallery) Ballarat Fine Art Gallery Millennium Extension Bluestone Warehouse (Pratt's Warehouse) Old YMCA building Wilson House Ballarat Office Systems Ballarat Trades Hall The ANA Building Freemason's Hall Former Ballarat Trustees and Executors Agency Co. Ltd. Restaurant Former Evening Echo Building Ballarat Savings Bank (now The Ballarat Business Centre) Significant to the history of architecture and social life within the city of Ballarat. Direct relevance to Unions Ballarat building.Book; 48 pages. Cover: blue background; colour photos and maps pertinent to Ballarat; white lettering; title and compiler's name. btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, evening echo, ballarat savings bank, ballarat business centre, freemason's hall - ballarat, ana building - ballarat, ballarat - camp street, wilson house - ballarat, ballarat office systems, ymca building, pratt's warehouse - ballarat, ballarat fine art gallery, old police station - ballarat, alfred deakin place, old courthouse - ballarat, perseus, point to the sky, old ballarat free library complex, titanic bandstand, campstreet project, gold mining - ballarat, architecture - history - ballarat -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Lasseters Last Ride
About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. 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 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. Lasseters Last Ride First published in 1931 Author: Ion Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Label on spine with typed text R.A. 994.03 IDR 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, lasseters last ride, ion idriess, indigenous people -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Biography, Flynn of The Inland
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. About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. 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. Flynn of The Inland Author: Ion Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1932Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 FLY Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, 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, flynn of the inland, ion idriess