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Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - ALBUM WW2, PHOTOGRAPH, Netherlands Indies Government Information Service, C. 1945
... Netherlands Indies Government Information Service... Netherlands Indies Government Information Service ...Collection of Frank Herbert HORN QX16945, 7th Postal Unit. Served in the Middle East & South Pacific.Blue cardboard covered photo album of 6 black / white photos.“Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten visits Makassar December 1945”photograph, album, makasser, mountbatten -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - SERVICE BADGES, 1) 1948, .2) 1940 .3) post 1940
.1) Is classed a a General Service Badge type 2. .2) Is classed as a General Service Badge type 1. Types 2 was introduced in 1946. Both badges are basically for Volunteered for active service but were retained permanently or temporarily in Australia for home service..1) Badge, metal, brass coloured, crown at top, centre has wings, rising sun and anchor. Two small scrolls have "Service Australia". Rear has 2 lugs and pin, stamped with issue no. .2) badge, brass, circular wreath with plaque shape centre, At top is a crown centre of the plaque is a large "V" under in a scroll is "volunteer". Rear has 2 lugs and pins, stamped no badge. .3) badge, brass with depiction of rising sun, wings and anchor at top is a crown, under is a scroll with "Aust Legion of". At bottom is a boomerang with "Ex Servicemen and Women". Rear has 2 lugs and pins. Badge is stamped with a number. .1) "Issued by commonwealth government A 120025". .2) "Issued by commonwealth government A 6132". .3) "V 19105".badges, service -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - SERVICE BOOK, KOREA, Australian Government, Record of Service, 1950
... goldfields documents - army records military history - service ...Book, Australian Military Forces, Record of Service, Male Member. Brown cardboard cover, printed black ink, Commonwealth of Australia crest."Army No: 5/1455 Rank: CPL Name: Tupper N"documents - army records, military history - service records, passchendaele barracks trust -
Bendigo Military Museum
Currency - CURRENCY JAPANESE, 1939-45 (estimated)
Souvenired by Keith David Livingston VX136969 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 1911P for his service history.Currency, Notes, Collection: .1) 10 Gulden, purple ink, for use in Dutch Indies, "SI" stamped on front .2) 10 Rupees, red ink, for use in India "BA" stamped on front .3) 1 cent, blue ink, "MD" stamped on front - no country.1) 10 Gulden note = "De Japansche regeering betaalt aan toonder" .2) 10 Rupee note = "The Japanese Government Ten Rupees" .3) "The Japanese Government One Cent"currency, occupation, japanese invasion -
Bendigo Military Museum
Currency - CURRENCY JAPANESE, C.1941 - 45
Souvenired by Keith David Livingston VX136969 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 1911P for his service history.Japanese Invasion Money Qty six notes: - "THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT" .1) 10 dollars - green ink - letters "MN" stamped on front (No country mentioned) .2) 50 cents - brown ink - letters "MP" stamped on front (No country mentioned) .3) 5 dollars - yellow purple ink - letters "MK" stamped on front (No country mentioned) .4) 1 dollar - pink & blue ink - letters "MD" stamped on front (No country mentioned) .5) 10 cents - green ink - letters "M" over "AJ" stamped on front (No country mentioned) .6). 5 cents - brown ink - letters "ML" stamped on front (No country mentioned) currency, japanese invasion, occupation -
Bendigo Military Museum
Currency - CURRENCY VARIOUS, 1936 - 1941
Souvenired by Keith David Livingston VX136969 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 1911P for his service history.Official Currency of: .1) Malaya One Dollar, 1 JUL 1941 .2 British North Borneo Company One Dollar, 1 JAN 1936 .3) Malaya 50 Cents, 1 JUL 1941 .4) Government of Sarawak 10 Cents, 1 AUG 1940numismatics-notes, currency -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - UNIFORM, RAN, Government clothing factory, C.1939 - 45
The sleeve patch is “Coder in Communications”. Uniform issued to Keith Edward Daniel RAN No 25700, enlisted 25.2.1942 age 19 years, discharged 13.3.19146 with the rank of Coder at HMAS Lonsdale..1) Naval Bib cotton with white & blue trim on neck .2) Tar Flap (blue/white stripe trim) .3) Pants / trousers black .4) Jacket black with service ribbons, service chevrons, right sleeve has crossed flags. .5) White lanyard, rope ..6) Back lanyard polyester .7) Navy hat white and black polyester trim with HMAS .8) .9) Pair of black boots. uniforms - navy, ran -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - POCKET BOOK, June 1967
Item issued to Wayne William Forbes No 3176337 RAE. Refer Cat No 754 for service history also 2586. Part of an extensive collection including his fathers.Pocket book, green cover, Australian Military Forces South Vietnam. This book contains the history, the War, Government, language, the people re South Vietnam, 74 pages with drawings & sketches.“7610-66-023-3281”pocket book, south vietnam -
Bendigo Military Museum
Accessory - RAILWAY TICKET, NSW Government Railway, 1942
Items in the collection re J.C.W. LEDEUX, refer cat No 2378 for his service details.Cream card printed in blue & black ink.“11670 N.S.W.G.R”military - fortnightly - ticket, railway, nswgr -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - BADGES, SERVICE, MEMBERSHIP, All post 1945
.1) badge, brass, "Returned From Active Service". Crown at top over wings. Rising Sun and Anchor. Boomerang at base with "Returned From Active Service, rear has 2 lugs and pin. Rear is stamped with a number. .2) Membership badge, metal, centre has 3 figures, crown at top with pin date 1954 membership. Front of badge "Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmans Imperial league of Australia. Numbered stamped badge on rear with 2 lugs and pin. .3) Membership badge, metal centre has 3 figures crown at top with pine date 1994 membership. Front of badge "Returned Services League Australia". Numbered stamped badge on rear with 2 lugs and pin. .4) Membership badge, metal, 5 star shape with wreath around. Centre in light blue circle "Ex POW R.A". Small pin at bottom in red with "50" denoting membership 1950. rear has 2 lugs and is stamped with number. .5) Membership badge, metal, crown at top, centre has depiction of barbwire through blue background. At bottom is a "v" then scroll with "Ex Prisoner of War Assn" in red. rear lhas 2 lugs and pin. .6) Membership badge, metal cone shape with small hole at top. Pin with "73" under denoting membership 1970. At bottom in blue "Rising Sun, Wings and Anchor surrounded by "Chelsea Returned Servicemens Club". Rear is numbered stamp..1) Issued by Commonwealth Government of Australia” .2) “Property of League V41531” .3) “Property of League V80354” .4) "593" .6) "470"”numismatics - medals /military, membership -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - PAYBOOKS, ARMY, Australian Government, 1914-1919
Frederick Campbell Moller No 2233 enlisted on 2.9.14. Embarked 22.9.14. WIA accidentally 27.7.17 GSW to chest. WIA 30.9.17 GSW to the head. To Hospital 28.7.18 with Diarrhoea . Discharged from the AIF 23.2.19. Refer 1662.3, 1663P. .1) AIF soldier's paybook for Moller, Frederick 2233, paybook no 251573. Unit 103 How Battery. .2) AIF soldier's paybook for Moller, Frederick Campbell 2233, driver 103 Bty 3 FAB, paybook no 251573. .3) Envelope to hold paybooks. Addressed to Mr FC Moller, Glengarry, Gippsland..1)& .2) Stamped on both covers "Australian Imperial Force Soldier's paybook"documents-service records, pay books, moller, -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDAL SET, BADGES, 1) Post WW11 .2) War time .3) 1940-45 .4 &.5) 2005
The items belonged Rueben John Tyrer V150812. He enlisted on 20.1.42 aged 44 year. At discharge on 5.12.45 he was a Driver in 37 Aust Field Works Coy. .1) Medal set, court mounted, set of (4) re R.J Tyrer. 1. 1939-45 Star. 2. Pacific Star. 3. War Medal 1939-45. 4. Australian Service Medal. .2) Ribbon set (2) mounted on brass strip with pin for attachment. 1. Ribbon re Pacific Star. 2. Ribbon re Australian Service Medal. .3) Badge, metal "To the Women of Australia". Circular floral wreath with crown at top, centre is a map of Australia. Under is a bar suspended by a link. The bar has one star meaning one relative serving in the Armed Forces. .4) Medal, gold colour, "60th Anniversary of the end of WW11". The front has a centre Coat of Arms, rear has a depiction of a map of Australia. .5) Black cardboard box to hold .4. The lid has an Australian Coat of Arms..1) "V150812 R.J. Tyrer". .3) "Issued by C'WLTH GOVT A221536" .4) "World War 11 Service to Australia". "World WW11 60 years 1945-2005". .5) "Australian Government Dept of Veterans Affairs. "60th Anniversary of the end of World War 11, For Service to Australia"medals, military, history -
Bendigo Military Museum
Booklet - PAY BOOK, Australian Government, 1914-1919
The pay book belonged to Thomas Robin Hilson No 2088, 38th Batt. Refer 1516P for service history also 1387P.Army pay book with brown fabric cover re. TR Hilson. Cover has printed form and sticker for soldier's details and "Australian Imperial Force" with a rising sun.on cover in white "93072"documents-army records, pay book, 38th bn -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - I.D. CARD, Government Printer, 1945 - 1946
the card was in the collection of Benjamin Thomas Roy Chadd No's 10594, VX20311, 1st and 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 2039 for service history also 2034P. Buff card with 2 vertical lines each side. Handwritten in the name of Benjamin W. Raymond CHADD. Civilian Registration of British Subjects.“CARD NUMBER V/M2/A45294 ISSUED AT ROYAL PARK”military history - identification, civilian -
Bendigo Military Museum
Accessory - NOTEBOOK, Government, c.1939-45
Benjamin Thomas Roy Chadd No's 10594, VX20311, 1st, 1st and 2nd AIF. Refer 2039 for service history also 2034P. Cotton covered brown cardboard Army book No 153. Contains numerous pencil entries of an officers orders & plans during Middle East campaigns WWII.Inside cover has signature of BTR Chadddocuments - notebooks, military history-army -
Bendigo Military Museum
Currency - CURRENCY, JAPANESE WW2, 1942 - 1945
Items souvenired by Maurice Anthony BYRNE RAAF. Refer Cat No 215.9 for his service details.Four banknotes issued by the Japanese Government for Indonesia and Timor. Notes are in Dutch, Portuguese and English. Various denominations.numismatics - notes; asian currencies, japanese, dutch -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Ephemera (Item) - Tourist brochure, Victorian Government Tourist Bureau, Marysville Victoria Australia, Unknown
A tourist brochure on Marysville and the surrounding area published by the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau for the Marysville Tourist and Progress Association.A tourist brochure on Marysville and the surrounding area published by the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau for the Marysville Tourist and Progress Association.marysville, victoria, tourist brochure, victorian government tourist bureau, cumberland valley, cumberland falls, cora-lyn falls, robart's lookout, meeting of the waters, warburton, acheron way, healesville, launching place, reefton spur, upper yarra dam, maroondah highway, black spur, maroondah dam, alexandra, mansfield, jamieson, wood's point, eildon weir, snob's creek, rubicon, lake mountain, marysville tourist and progress association, the cumberland, kerami guest house, kooringa guest house, marylands guest house, marylyn guesthouse, marysville hotel, mount kitchener house, barton brothers' store, fruit salad farm, marysville dairy, marysville caravan park, marysville garage, marysville riding school, marysville theatre, mckenzie's tourist services, potters fruit and milk bar, arosa holiday cottages, scenic motel, beauty spot walk, red hill walk, wishing well, taggerty river, mount gordon, steavenson falls, keppel's lookout, keppel's falls -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Ephemera (Item) - Tourist brochure, Victorian Government Tourist Bureau, Marysville Victoria Australia, Unknown
A tourist brochure on Marysville and the surrounding area published by the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau for the Marysville Tourist and Progress Association.A tourist brochure on Marysville and the surrounding area published by the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau for the Marysville Tourist and Progress Association.marysville, victoria, tourist brochure, victorian government tourist bureau, cumberland valley, cumberland falls, cora-lyn falls, robart's lookout, meeting of the waters, warburton, acheron way, healesville, launching place, reefton spur, upper yarra dam, maroondah highway, black spur, maroondah dam, alexandra, mansfield, jamieson, wood's point, eildon weir, snob's creek, rubicon, lake mountain, marysville tourist and progress association, the cumberland, kerami guest house, kooringa guest house, marylands guest house, marylyn guesthouse, marysville hotel, mount kitchener house, barton brothers' store, fruit salad farm, marysville dairy, marysville caravan park, marysville garage, marysville riding school, marysville theatre, mckenzie's tourist services, potters fruit and milk bar, arosa holiday cottages, scenic motel, beauty spot walk, red hill walk, wishing well, taggerty river, mount gordon, steavenson falls, keppel's lookout, keppel's falls -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Ephemera (Item) - Tourist brochure, Victorian Railways, Marysville Victoria Australia, 01-1941
A tourist information brochure that was issued by the Publicity and Tourist Services of Victorian Railways, in January, 1941, to promote Marysville and the surrounding district.A tourist information brochure that was issued by the Publicity and Tourist Services of Victorian Railways, in January, 1941, to promote Marysville and the surrounding district.marysville, victoria, cumberland valley, messmate, buxton, taggerty river, acheron way, black's spur, cement creek, keppel falls, steavenson falls, cumberland falls, narbethong, st fillan, taggerty valley, wade's lookout, mount gordon, nicholls lookout, lake mountain, victorian government tourist bureau, victorian railways -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Ephemera (Item) - Tourist brochure, Victorian Government Tourist Bureau, Marysville Victoria Australia, Unknown
A tourist brochure showing showing information for travel to Marysville from Melbourne and accommodation venues in Marysville. This brochure was published by the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau.A tourist brochure showing information for travel to Marysville from Melbourne and accommodation venues in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville hotel, the cumberland, kerami guest house, kooringa guest house, marylands guest house, mary-lyn guest house, marysville chalet guest house, marysville house guest house, mt kitchener guest house, lake mountain, mckenzie tourist services, melbourne, great dividing range, cumberland valley, white mountain ash, eildon weir, alexandra, acheron way, warburton, victorian government tourist bureau -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Ephemera (Item) - Tourist brochure, Victorian Government Tourist Bureau, Marysville Victoria Australia, Unknown
A tourist brochure showing showing information for travel to Marysville from Melbourne and accommodation venues in Marysville. This brochure was published by the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau.A tourist brochure showing information for travel to Marysville from Melbourne and accommodation venues in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville hotel, the cumberland, kerami guest house, kooringa guest house, marylands guest house, mary-lyn guest house, marysville chalet guest house, marysville house guest house, mt kitchener guest house, lake mountain, mckenzie tourist services, melbourne, great dividing range, cumberland valley, white mountain ash, eildon weir, alexandra, acheron way, warburton, victorian government tourist bureau -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book - Book - Scrapbook, Ballarat School of MInes: Scrapbook of Newspaper Cuttings, Book 41, October 1989 to December 1989
Collection of newspaper articles related to Ballarat School Of Mines.They cover activities and advertisements for staff. The papers concerned are The Courier, Ballarat, The Australian, The Age over the period of 12 October 1989 to 29 December 1989.Book with yellow cover, front, spiral bound. teaching positions advertised, pre-employment courses, courses available, enrolment for smb courses, photographs ballarat life, edan bradley, sarah bolster, special entry scheme, access program for women, anthony wonish silver medal winner, kathryn wilson first r j young scholarship, promoting opportunities at smb, ann mccaffrey, smb open day, training structure charts, women speak on small business, radiotherapy machine needed in ballarat, leesa arnott hairdressing apprentice, aim for 500 apprentices, cuts to performing arts?, smb juggles plan for cost cutting, smb advanced certificate in ceramics, david addy winner of edgar bartrop scholarship, literacy volunteer graduates, course offers youth hope of work, brickies of the future, adult literacy program cuts, advanced ceramics exhibition, students organise deb ball, government education bill, library named after jack barker, julie oldham wins computer service award, wendy caple and allan lion horticulture students, prejudice attitudes -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book - Book - Scrapbook, Ballarat School of MInes: Scrapbook of Newspaper Cuttings, Book 48, May 1991 to July 1991
Collection of newspaper articles related to Ballarat School Of Mines.They cover activities and advertisements for staff. The papers concerned are The Courier, Ballarat, The Australian, The Age over the period of 25 May 1991 to 31 July 1991.Book with yellow cover, front, spiral bound. teaching positions advertised, pre-employment courses, courses available, enrolment for smb courses, donna keys wins r j young scholarship, once a teacher - joan kirner, video-conferencing course in hairdressing, jobs illustrated computer, margot healy wins e j tippett award, home and community care course, $120000 state training board grant, workshop targets industry pollution, $33000 commonwealth grant for office/secretarial department, skills and community service, statewide industrial campaign, ftuv monica maud, smb new residential complex, hospitality teachers - chocolate work, healthy minds in healthy bodies, joan kirner supports bid for cub site, craig bennetts outstanding apprentice award, master painters'association, bradley dean apprentice joinery stairbuilding/shopfitting, government to bid for cub site, smb students' night of music, haystack up in smoke, tafe award restructuring, food and music a test of talents, smb student display, strike disrupt classes -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - UNIFORM, RAAF, 1982-1992
RAAF "All Seasons" 1972 uniform replaced the old dark navy blue Uniform belonged to Flight Sgt. D. Bending All Seasons Uniform .1) Jacket - Cotton, blue, 4 large gold metal buttons, 2 small gold metal buttons, metal crown and eagle badges on both collar lapel, service ribbons, rank insignia, "ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE", embroidered crown and 3 chevrons on upper sleeves. .2) Trousers - Cotton, blue .3) Shirt - Polyester, light blue, epaulettes with AUSTRALIA embroidered, crown and chevrons, service ribbons .4) Tie - Polyester, navy blue .5) Belt - Polyester, blackuniforms - military, airforce -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Identification Tag, Government issue
WW1 identification tags, 3 standard issue tags and 1 trench art tag made of bright tin attached to a beige coloured shoelace. These ID tags belonged to Private A.E. Wilson, service number 12435, 10th Field Ambulance, AMC, AIF., Church of England. Embarked from Melbourne on 6th June, 1916. see also 00019 and 00019.2ww1, field, identification, tag, a e wilson, 10th, ambulance -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Handbook, Air Raid Precautions Handbook No 1 Personal Protection Against Gas
Handbook for members of air raid precautions services (that is ARP Wardens). Originally issued by the UK Home Office (Air Raid Precautions Department), date of publication unknown (however presumed to be World War 2 era). This edition was published by the authority of I. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra with acknowledgement that it was reprinted with the permission of the Controller, His Majesty's Stationery Office, London. This handbook contains 100 pages of illustrated notes for Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Wardens. It is bound in a soft cover of heavy weight buff coloured paper. -
Conservation Volunteers
Gallipoli Visitor Welcome Pack 2011, Manufactured and collated for the Australian and New Zealand Governments
Annually since 2006 the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs has invited CVA to arrange a group of volunteers from Australia and New Zealand to travel to Gallipoli as part of the management of the Anzac Day Remembrance event. Announcing the 2011 visit the Commonwealth Minister, Warren Snowdon, said the contribution of volunteers on the ground at Gallipoli is highly valued. “Volunteers are very dedicated. They fund their way there and assist with a range of activities, including site preparation, crowd liaison and the distribution of visitor information packs,” he said. Volunteers appreciate this opportunity to both attend a place significant to many Australians and also to make a contribution to the safe and harmonious running of it. “I would like to thank CVA for the privileged of being involved in the Gallipoli program and would highly recommend it.” Volunteer Jennie, Newcastle NSW Since 2006 CVA group assisted at the ANZAC Day dawn service and at other remembrance The original idea was Garry Snowden's. Garry has a personal interest in WW1. On his second private trip to Gallipoli he noted there was too much litter around the commemorative sites and he had the idea of involving volunteers to play a role in providing a clean environment for visitors. The idea was raised with the Federal Govt (how was this done?). In 2005 there was bad publicity regarding behaviour of visitors and the amount of litter left and the Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) reviewed its management strategy for the event. As an integral part of the strategy CVA was engaged to recruit a group of volunteers who would attend at their own cost, assist the clean up the environs of the main sites prior to Anzac Day while doing orientation and personal sightseeing, and welcome visitors and give them an information pack including a litter bag (see photographs attached. The volunteers do NOT clean up afterwards: that is rightly the work of Turkish contractors. Gallipoli is an iconic site for many Australians and New Zealanders and CVA provides this magnificent opportunity for volunteers to contribute effectively.This is a visitor welcome pack distributed by CVA volunteers to visitors prior to the Anzac Dawn service and other commemorations. It contains three publications, a poncho in the evcent of rain, a rubbish bag and a pin.Gallipoli, Gelibolu 2007anzac, gallipoli, garry, snowden -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Brigid and The Cub
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. 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. Ethel Mary Turner Ethel Turner (25th January 1872 – 8th April 1958) was an English-born Australian novelist and children's literature writer. She was born Ethel Mary Burwell in Doncaster in England. Her father died when she was two, leaving her mother Sarah Jane Burwell with two daughters (Ethel and Lillian). A year later, Ethel’s mother married Henry Turner, who was 20 years older and had six children of his own. Sarah Jane and Henry had a daughter, Rose. Henry Turner died suddenly, leaving Sarah Jane with nine children and little income. In 1879 Sarah Jane moved to Australia with Ethel, Lillian, and Rose; within the next two years she married Charles Cope and gave birth to his son Rex. Ethel Turner was educated at Paddington, New South Wales Public School and Sydney Girls High School she was one of the school's original thirty-seven pupils. Ethel started her writing career at eighteen, founding the Parthenon, a journal for young people, with her sister Lillian. Writing as “Dame Durden”, she wrote children's columns for the Illustrated Sydney News and later for the Australian Town and Country Journal. In 1891 the family moved to Woodlands, a large house in Lindfield, now Killara, which was then out in the country. Woodlands still stands today in Werona Avenue and is where she wrote “Seven Little Australians”. In 1896 Ethel married Herbert Curlewis, a lawyer. After living in Mosman, they built their own house overlooking Middle Harbour. The house, Avenel, is where Ethel Turner spent the rest of her years. She survived her daughter Jean Curlewis, who died of tuberculosis, by 28 years. Jean was also a writer of children's books, although not as popular as her mother. Jean's works include “The Ship That Never Set Sail”, “Drowning Maze”, and “Beach Beyond (1923)”. Her son Adrian, was a Barrister, Captain in WW2 and a Changi and Thai-Burma Railway POW and later a Judge. Ethel Turner died at Mosman on 8 April 1958 at 85. She is buried at Macquarie Park Her best-known work is her first novel, Seven Little Australians (1894), which is widely considered a classic of Australian children's literature and was an instant hit both in Australia and overseas. It is about a family of seven children growing up in Australia. The book, together with its sequels “The Family at Misrule” (1895) and “Little Mother Meg” (1902) that deal with the lives of the Wolcott family, particularly with its seven mischievous children in 1880s Australia. A companion to "Seven Little Australians", “Judy and Punch” was published in 1928. Like her stepfather, the character of Captain Woollcott was a widower with six children. The book was made into a feature film in Australia in 1939 and a UK television series in 1953. A 10-episode television series was made in 1973 by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Turner published a number of other books for children, short stories and poems. “Three Little Maids” (1900) is a strongly autobiographical novel about her family's migration from England to Sydney, Australia. Turner wrote more than forty novels. Some were about the mischievous Wolcott’s. Others were serialized, like her books on "the Cub", and some were stand-alone. The children she wrote about were all adventurous and independent. They frequently got themselves into sticky situations and got themselves out of them with very little to no adult help. Turner was awarded a number of prestigious literary awards and could be considered one of Australia's best-loved authors. She is listed on The Australian Women's Register. The Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature is given annually under the auspices of the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. Ref Ethel Mary Turner, Biography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Turner 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. Brigid and The Cub Author: Ethel Turner Publisher: Ward, Lock & Co Date: 1919Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC TUR 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 Mechanics Institutewarrnambool, 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, brigid and the cub, ethel turner -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, From The Earth to The Moon
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. Jules Verne (1828–1905) Jules Verne pursued his writing career after finishing law school in 1849, during this time he was writing poetry and short stories. He began to hit his stride after meeting publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel in1862, who nurtured many of the works that would later comprise the author's 54 novels the (Voyages Extraordinaires). Often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction," Verne wrote books about a variety of innovations and technological advancements years before they were practical realities. In 1856, Verne met and fell in love with Honorine de Viane, a young widow with two daughters. They married in 1857, and in 1861, the couple's only child, Michel Jean Pierre Verne, was born. Realizing he needed a stronger financial foundation, Verne began working as a stockbroker. However, he refused to abandon his writing career, and that year he published his first book, The 1857 Salon (Le Salon de 1857). In all Verne authored more than 60 books as well as dozens of plays, short stories and librettos. He conjured hundreds of memorable characters and imagined countless innovations years before their time, including stories about submarine and space travel, terrestrial flight and deep-sea exploration. Jules Verne died in 1905, at his residence in the French city of Amiens, stricken with diabetes, on March 24, 1905. Verne had many memorable novels, his most famous being Five Weeks in a Balloon, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon, Around the World in Eighty Days, In Search of the Castaways and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea Additional works surfaced decades later. Backwards to Britain based on his many trips to the United Kingdom was finally printed in 1989, 130 years after it was written. Also Paris in the Twentieth Century, originally considered too far-fetched with its depictions of skyscrapers, gas-fuelled cars and mass transit systems, followed in 1994. Citation Information Biography.com Editors Jules Verne Biography: https://www.biography.com/writer/jules-verne 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. From The Earth to The Moon Author: Jules Verne Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 843 VER Front loose endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, 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, from the earth to the moon, jules verne -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Steam House Part 1 The Demon of Cawnpore
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. Jules Verne (1828–1905) Jules Verne pursued his writing career after finishing law school in 1849, during this time he was writing poetry and short stories. He began to hit his stride after meeting publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel in1862, who nurtured many of the works that would later comprise the author's 54 novels the (Voyages Extraordinaires). Often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction," Verne wrote books about a variety of innovations and technological advancements years before they were practical realities. In 1856, Verne met and fell in love with Honorine de Viane, a young widow with two daughters. They married in 1857, and in 1861, the couple's only child, Michel Jean Pierre Verne, was born. Realizing he needed a stronger financial foundation, Verne began working as a stockbroker. However, he refused to abandon his writing career, and that year he published his first book, The 1857 Salon (Le Salon de 1857). In all Verne authored more than 60 books as well as dozens of plays, short stories and librettos. He conjured hundreds of memorable characters and imagined countless innovations years before their time, including stories about submarine and space travel, terrestrial flight and deep-sea exploration. Jules Verne died in 1905, at his residence in the French city of Amiens, stricken with diabetes, on March 24, 1905. Verne had many memorable novels, his most famous being Five Weeks in a Balloon, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon, Around the World in Eighty Days, In Search of the Castaways and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea Additional works surfaced decades later. Backwards to Britain based on his many trips to the United Kingdom was finally printed in 1989, 130 years after it was written. Also Paris in the Twentieth Century, originally considered too far-fetched with its depictions of skyscrapers, gas-fuelled cars and mass transit systems, followed in 1994. Citation Information Biography.com Editors Jules Verne Biography: https://www.biography.com/writer/jules-verne The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Steam House Part 1 The Demon of Cawnpore Author: Jules Verne Publisher: Samson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 843 VER Front loose endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, 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, the steam house part 1 the demon of cawnpore, the demon of cawnpore, jules verne