Exercise Book with advertising for Shu-tone Shoe Polish on the front cover (see photo). Lined pages inside. First page has handwriting by owner (Evelyn Rose?) on first few pages. Back cover has arithmetic tables printed on it.Evelyn Rose / Herald Streetexercise book, shu-tone advertising, shoes

Photograph of players and officials lined up during a ceremony on a tennis court. Includes Wayne Reid, and John Newcombe. Handwriting on back states: 'Opening COmmercial Union Masters December 10th-15th 1975 in Melbourne'. Materials: Paper, Photographic emulsiontennis

Colour print of Bendigo 7 at the North Bendigo terminus with two ladies, the conductor and driver standing alongside. The tram has a Castrol oil advert and has the destination of Golden Square Photograph from the Bob Lilburn Collection. Inscription in Bob's handwriting.On rear in ink "7 at Nth Bendigo 7/67"trams, tramways, north bendigo, tram 7

Part of the Coates Family Collection. Refer Cat No 9654.41 -Two page letter to Dad/Maise in black and blue handwriting on lined white pages with YMCA letter head on top. On top of page one is no. name and Unit of writer. 2. - White envelope by Air Mail and stamped. Torn open.2. Addressed to "Mr. J. Coates, 45 Philipson St. Albert Park, SCG, Melbourne, Victoria".letter, envelope, coates family 1

Wal Jack had an extensive range of correspondents throughout Australia and the world who often provided him with detailed drawings and notes on various tramway systems. This set of notes on the Invercargill tramway system, provides details of the tram system and a list of the rolling stock and track length. Based on the handwriting, prepared by Wal Jack himself. Yields information about Wal Jack's extensive recording and research work.Drawing - black, red and blue ink or colour pencil and a second sheet, both on quarto paper providing details of the Invercargill NZ tramway system.tramways, wal jack, drawings, maps, tramcars, invercargill

Wal Jack had an extensive range of correspondents throughout Australia and the world who often provided him with detailed drawings and notes on various tramway systems. This set of notes on the New Plymouth NZ tramway system provides details of the tram system and a list of the rolling stock. Based on the handwriting, prepared by Wal Jack himself. Yields information about Wal Jack's extensive recording and research work.Drawing - black, red and blue ink or colour pencil and a second sheet, both on quarto paper providing details of the New Plymouth NZ tramway system.tramways, wal jack, drawings, maps, tramcars, new plymouth nz

CEMA Art Collection Winner of Portland Artist's Society Prize 1961The painting depicts a small building set amongst tall trees and grasses. The building is situated in the centre of the work and is cream with a red roof and red awnings. In the foreground is a large area of long grass which leads into the shorter maintained grass that surrounds the building. Behind the building are numerous tall dark green trees. The work has a wide gilded frame and exposed canvas.Front: (No inscriptions) Back: Jack Freeman 1961 Landscape Dandenong (top right, black handwriting) 18 (white sticker)

Group of males in football clothing. Stawell Football Club Premiers 1938 – 1939 23.09.1939 Stawell Team Backs: L. Maddocks, L. Reeves, A. Neal Half Back: K. Robson, W. Gilchrist, A. Grainger, Centre: O. Friend, W. Earle, H. Oliver Half Forward: W. Roberts, D. Brilliant, D. McKey Forward: T. Tiddy, R. McKey, W. Pickering Ruck: L. Hughson and C. Faulkner Roving: G. Gilchrist Emergencies: E. Maddocks, P. Jamieson and R. Mason.Black and white Team photo of football players in jumpers and shorts. Older man possibly coach at center front seated.W.J. Chapman Photo Arist Stawell In handwriting Wimmera Football League Stawell Football Club Premiers 1938 and 1939stawell sport

The wooden pattern was possibly made for casting a part for Craftman Marine, makers of engines for boats and other machines. It is part of a set that is stored in a strong wooden crate. It was used at Briggs’ Brass Foundry for making sand casts. The traditional craft of sand casting is over 2000 years old. The handcrafted process produces brass and copper alloy goods that are well suited to marine use; bells, boat hooks, cowls, propellers, handles, lids, rowlocks, hooks, letters, bolts, rail holders, brackets, deck plates, flanges, rudder guides, portholes and covers. Briggs’ Bronze mixture is a copper-based alloy made from local ingots of copper, tin, zinc and lead in carefully measured quantities. The finished product is non-ferrous and can last indefinitely. The crate of patterns was donated by the Briggs family in the early years of Flagstaff Hill, along with other related items such as brassware, tools and machinery. The donated items were displayed in a simulated Brass Foundry in the Village along with other working crafts, trades and services found in a Maritime town. The items were on show from the completion of the building in 1986 until 1994 when the building was repurposed. The patterns represent the trades of foundering and metalwork, both supporting maritime industries such as shipwrights and boatbuilders. Farmers, manufacturers and other local industries also needed the castings made by foundries. The Brass Foundry included a historic Cornish chimney set up as a working model, to tell the story of smelted metal heated in furnaces then be poured into the sand moulds. This chimney was made from specially curved bricks and is now about two-thirds of its full height when originally located at the Grassmere Cheese factory. The craft of sand-casting from carved wooden patterns to create metal is an example of skills from the past that are still used today. The foundry pattern set is significant for its association with brass foundries locally and generally in coastal areas of Victoria. Marine industries such as ship and boat building rely on good quality castings for their machinery, equipment and fittings. Briggs Brass was especially formulated using non-ferrous metals to ensure their longevity. The patterns are associated with the long-running firm Briggs Brass Foundry that specialised in cast goods for the marine industry, ready to supply the needs for once-off or mass-produced items. Their products would have been fitted to sail and steam vessels along coastal Victoria including Warrnambool. Briggs Marine was also a bell-founder specialist and is also associated with the Schomberg Bell at Flagstaff Hill, having restored it to is former state as a fine example of the bell from a luxury migrant vessel from the mid-19th century. Pattern; rectangular wooden block with a corner cut diagonally. A five-sided shape has been carved into the centre, with one side curved inwards and slightly shallower than the other sides. The cut-out area is painted black. Three holes are drilled in the cut-out side to align the pattern with another piece of work. A wooden slat is fixed across the diagonal side. The back of the pattern has a handwritten inscription, possibly by two writers. The pattern is part of a set of foundry patterns from Briggs Brass Foundry and is connected to Craftman Marine.In black handwriting: "1 # H AL" Handwritten in a different hand: "CRAFTMAN MARINE" Written the the first hand: BRIGGS" (or "BRICK")flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, briggs' bronze, traditional method, trade, sand cast, cast, brass alloy, copper alloy, pattern, mould, foundry, brass foundry, metal foundry, casting, sand mould, sand casting, marine equipment, marine tools, marine fittings, copper tin zinc lead, non-ferrous, non-corrosive, brassware, metalware, foundering, metalwork, maritime, bell founders, ship chandlers, marine products, biggs, briggs family, herbert harrison briggs, h h briggs, george edward briggs, cyril falkiner mckinnon briggs, cyril briggs, briggs & son brass foundry, h h briggs & sons foundry, briggs marine, alliance casting & engineering solutions, grassmere cheese factory, cornish chimney, curved bricks, collingwood, moorabbin, collingwood foundry, moorabbin foundry, 1912, craftman marine, craftsman marine

David Miller (Dave) Mair (1879-1938) married Lily Vipond Deakin (1890-1945) in 1910. They had 5 children: Geoffrey David (1913-1970), Beryl (1916-1976), Gwynneth (1917-1997), Isabel Lillian (1921-1997) and Shirley Inez (1928-1968). Personal communication from Laurie Newton, Beryl's daughter: Dave and Lily initially lived in East Melbourne after they married. Dave walked across the gardens to work at the MCG. He never drove or owned a car. Geoffrey, Beryl and Gwynneth were born in East Melbourne. They subsequently moved to Louise Avenue, Mont Albert and Isabel may have been born while they were there. Later they purchased 20 Barton Street, Mont Albert. Shirley was born after they moved to Barton Street. Electoral roll details: 1919 1922 24 Louise Avenue, Mont Albert 1924 20 Barton Street, Mont Albert Dave Mair was a very keen sportsman. This is part of a large donation of material from the Deakin, Mair and Young families. The Deakin, Mair and Young families had many connections with Mont Albert and Surrey Hills.A sepia photo of 2 girls on the back of a pig, which is being lightly held by a man, squatting beside the animal. A cattle dog sits nearby. In the background are some straggly trees along what may be a boundary or paddock fence, apart from which the surroundings look very bare. Off to the LHS in the background is farm shedding.In black ink: "Off for a joy ride / B. Mair / 20 Barton St / SUrrey Hills / E10." - thought to be in Lily Mair's handwriting. In blue biro: " Gwen Beryl (IN FRONT in lead pencil) / Mr Jarman / Derrinallum" Thought to be Beryl Mair's handwriting. "KODAK PRINT" in black. beryl mair, gwen mair, mr jarman, farms, children, derrinallum

Wal Jack had an extensive range of correspondents throughout Australia and the world who often provided him with detailed drawings and notes on various tramway systems. This set of notes on the Wellington NZ tram system provides a list of tramcars, track layout and general notes. Dated August 1947. Based on the handwriting, prepared by Wal Jack himself. Yields information about Wal Jack's extensive recording and research work.Drawing - black, red and blue ink or colour pencil and two quarto sheets hand made.tramways, wal jack, drawings, maps, tramcars, wellington nz

Document drawn up in relation to an application for a mining lease made by Isaac Walker of Linton. Application no. PP16, Lease no. 1351. Application was made for a mining lease on land in Sussex Street, Linton, which was occupied by Sarah Dawe and family. Original document is held at PROV Ballarat. Item and series details are recorded in handwriting on the lower part of the document.Photocopy of original document, which shows a plan of Allotments 3 & 4, Section 1A, Township of Linton, Parish of Argyle.mining applications, mining leases, plans, documents, isaac walker, dawe family, sarah dawe née carpenter

This is Item 26 of 27 items in the Daisy Vickers collection of World War One memorabilia. These items were sent or given to Daisy Ogier (nee Vickers) during World War One by Corporal Arthur Anderson who enlisted from Warrnambool in 1915 at the age of 21. He served in Egypt and France and returned to Australia in 1919. Daisy Ogier (1907-1987) was a student and then a teacher at Warrnambool Technical School with her early teaching years there from 1925 to 1936 and in 1949. She became the head mistress from 1950 to 1963 and in 1968. She officially retired in 1976. Daisy Vickers was one of the best loved and dedicated teachers that the school ever had. She married the Reverend Fred Ogier and continued her association with the school after her husband's deathDaisy Vickers collection: Item 19 of 27This card is interesting because of its association with World war One and two local people Daisy Vickers and Arthur Anderson This card features an embroidered mauve, silver and yellow centred flower, buds and green leaves and yellow embroidered words. The flower lifts to reveal a pocket in which is a smaller white card with an oval coloured scene of countryside and a town in the background. There is handwriting in ink on the back . Carte Postale - Postcard France 22-6-18 Dear Daisy, Just to let you know I have not forgotten you. I am out for a spell at present. Arthur Smaller card: A Kiss from France daisy vickers, arthur anderson, warrnambool technical school, world war 1 embroidered postcard

This door plate was found at 28 Spence Street, Warrnambool by the builder Ray Hollingsworth, when he was renovating the building for the Warrnambool Presbyterian Church in June 2019. He realized that the inscription had been placed there by Leslie O'Callaghan, probably when he left the premises in 1942 after boarding there for some years. Leslie O'Callaghan (1918-2014) was born in Balmoral and left there at the age of 13 with a scholarship to study at Warrnambool Technical School. He became an industrial chemist, working at the Kraft Walker Cheese Factory in Allansford (Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory). His experimental work in cheese cultures over a 45 year period was regarded as cutting edge work in the Victorian dairying industry. Known as 'Mr History', Leslie O'Callaghan was also an important Warrnambool historian, serving as president of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society for 35 years. In later life Les wrote about his time in 28 Spence Street, noting the lay-out of the early building and other boarders at the time. He never mentioned the interesting memento of his time there that he left on the back of a door plate. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society Archives Centre is called 'Les O'Callaghan History House'This door plate with its inscription was found 77 years after the inscription was written. It is of considerable interest because the writer of the inscription was well-known in Warrnambool as a bacteriologist and an historian. He left his own personal historical message and by sheer chance it was found years later. (All the old door plates at the time of the renovation were thrown out and it was fortunate that the builder happened to see the writing on one of them and to recognize who the writer was.)This is a cream-coloured ceramic door plate. It is rectangular-shaped with curved edges at the top and bottom. It has been painted white and has two holes at the top and bottom for the insertion of screws for a5taching the plate to the door. The inside of the plate has handwriting in black pencilLeslie Alexander O'Callaghan lived here for some years 1939-1942 AD. His occupation was as assistant bacteriologist for Kraft-Walker Cheese Coy. at Allansford. Born at Balmoral, 40 miles NORTH of Hamilton, Victorialeslie o'callaghan warrnambool, kraft walker cheese company allansford, 28 spence street warrnambool

These documents concern the property in South Warrnambool, Jetty Allotment 7, Section 4. They include a search made of the title of this property in 1937 and information on later purchasers of the property. The first owner of this property was James Cust who purchased it in April 1853. James Cust (1815-1860) came from Ireland to Australia in 1841. From 1847 on he farmed first at Woodford and then moved into Warrnambool and began land speculating.. In 1856 his property was valued at £20,000 but by 1858 he was declared insolvent following the insolvency of his financial backer, William Bateman and his properties were sold. He died in 1860 following an accident at a Ballarat gold mine. Other notable Warrnambool identities who owned this property on Pertobe Road included Thomas King, Christopher Beattie, Thomas Goodall, William McMahon and Alan Lane.These documents are of interest as they detail the history of a property in Warrnambool up to the 1960s. They are also an example of the type of property once owned by James Cust, an important early land speculator in Warrnambool. These are nine loose sheets of paper concerning a legal search made of a block of land in Warrnambool and later documents on the same property The papers contain handwriting in blue and black ink and pencil and one red stamp. One of the pages is an invoice for the charge made for the search.‘Searched 25/5/37 W.D. Richardson Titles Searcher 418 Little Collins Street Melbourne C1’james cust,, history of warrnambool

Black and white photograph of Rod Laver and another male tennis player (unidentified). Handwriting on reverse states: "Rod Laver at left' and 'Laver, Phillip-Moore'. However other man does not appear to be Barry Phillips-Moore. Materials: Paper, Photographic emulsiontennis

Yields information about Geelong trams in the late 1940's and the appearance of the Radiax Truck.Black and white print of Geelong 23 at the Railway Station, showing the Radiax truck. Photo dated 29/3/1948. Based on the handwriting on btm5869i, the photo is by Leon Marshal-Wood. Negative scanned at 3200dpi 9/6/2020 9/6/2020.On the rear in ink "29/3/1948, Radiax truck under Geelong No. 23".trams, tramways, geelong, railway station, radiax trucks, trucks, tram 23

Yields information about the Wendouree Parade depot in 1960.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of a photograph of No 38 on O Road and No. 28 on 4 road in 1960. Photo by Alwyn Marshall. Possibly printed by Wal Jack as it has his handwriting on the rear. See image i2 for rear of photograph.On rear of photograph in ink "State Electricity Commission, Ballarat, No. 38 (bogie) on "0" road No. 28 (four wheeler) on 4 road, Wendouree depot. 1960 A. Marshall photo"trams, tramways, bogie trams, depot, wendouree parade, tram 38, tram 28

Cream paper, black ink, handwriting, fancy border 2 sides, letter from Ambrose Murrell to Samuel Lewers, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, Linton. Note requests that the bearer be given the Springdallah and Linton Relief Fund bank book.Text, front: " Prince of Wales Hotel / Happy Valley June 16th 1877 / Mr Samuel Lewers / Dear Sir / Please will you give/ the bearer of this note the / Springdallah and Linton Relief / Fund Bank Book / I am Sir yours truly / Ambrose Murrell / Treasurer / Happy Valley. " Text, reverse: "A. Murrell 16th June 1877. "ambrose murrell, samuel lewers, springdallah and linton relief fund, correspondence

Black and White postcard titled "Falls of Halladale on the rocks". Dark ink, script handwriting is added "Wrecked at Peterborough 14-.11-08 during my stay". Letter on reverse side dated 8.09. (SH 098-2 Ships F - H).flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, post card, postcard, falls of halladale

Issue of severance of Phillip Island from the Shire of Phillip Island and Woolamai to become Shire of Phillip Island 1925-1929. This issue had strong opinions on both sides amongst Island residents and shows the political landscape of the times. This is a snapshot of life on Phillip Island in the 1920s. Book also contains notes, poem by D.H. Robb in his handwriting.HistoricalGreen exercise book with handwritten notes, articles from newspapers, pamphlets.Cover states D.H.Robb, Cowes. Lists of absentee ratepayers and householders, objectors,d.h.robb, severance of phillip island, local government, w.d.davie, akt sambell, women's progress association, phillip island early roads, phillip island valuations, local identities, reverend rath, tourism, phillip island 1920s, farming

Receipt for hire of War Memorial Hall to hold Society meetings on March 24, April 21 and June 23 in addition for exhibition 16 April (to) 19 AprilPreprinted Eltham War Memorial Trust receipt numbered "379" from book of receipts with word 'Trust' crossed out completed in blue ink handwriting and stamped with "Eltham War Memorial Committee of Management". Two 1c Victoria Stamp Duty stamps attached.eltham war memorial hall, receipt, shire of eltham historical society, society meeting

George Stockett Gerrans No 2336 28 BN AIF. Enlist 20.7.15 RTA 23.8.19 Final rank Lieutenant The letter was writte when he was a Sgt with Postal Corps AIf.1) .2)Two page letter with envelope. The paper is lined and handwriting in blue ink. Written by George Stockett Gerrans No 2336 to his sister Lizzie. He mentions he is leaving soon to “Another place- near where mum was born” .3) Envelope On the envelope has has written “ On active service- no stamps available “ Envelope, one postage rubber stamp is marked Cairo. The other river stamp marked Abbassia, Artillery Barracks Addressed to P. Gerrans Esq. C/o G.R. Chart Esq Pyramid Hill Victoria Australia letters home, cairo, pyramid hill

Yields information about Geelong trams in the late 1940's and the appearance of tram 23.Black and white print of Geelong 23 at the Railway Station, awaiting passengers for the AETA Special. Photo dated 29/3/1948. Based on the handwriting on btm5869i, the photo is by Leon Marshal-Wood. Negative scanned at 3200dpi 9/6/2020 9/6/2020.On the rear in ink "29/3/1948, Geelong # 23" at railway station"trams, tramways, geelong, railway station, radiax trucks, trucks, aeta, tram 23

Yields information about Geelong trams in the late 1940's and the bogie trams.Black and white print of Geelong 31 at the North terminus. The tram has the destination of Belmont. Photo dated 29/3/1948. Based on the handwriting on btm5869i, the photo is by Leon Marshal-Wood. Negative scanned at 3200dpi 9/6/2020 9/6/2020.On the rear in pencil "29/3/1948, X HTT, North Terminus Geelong"trams, tramways, geelong, north, belmont, tram 31

A small faded green hardback novel, The Sketches of Boz by Charles Dickens. The front cover has no title but the spine has faded gold lettering of the title, author and publisher as well as decorative symbol. 558p.At the front is a page with an inscription in black ink handwriting and a date.fiction Charles Dickens' first published book, Sketches by Boz is a funny and touching observation, fancy and fiction showing the London he knew in all its complexity - its streets, theatres, inns, pawnshops law courts, prisons and of course the river Thames.books, fiction books, historical fiction

The book is annotated throughout with Dr Margaret Alison Mackie's notes. It was used as a reference guide during her medical studies. Dr Margaret Alison Mackie (1910-1991) was in active practice between 1936 and 1970. She was a Fellow of the College, and was appointed a Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for services to medicine in 1975. Small, leatherbound pocket reference book. The title page is inscribed with handwriting which reads 'M.A. Mackie/1933'. Title page also indicated this is the 'Twelfth Edition', and that the book was published in London by Bailliere, Tindall & Cox in 1932. The book is annotated throughout with handwritten comments.medicine

Black and white photograph of nine men wearing suits and hats, most holding a rifle. Identified in handwriting on the front of the photograph as : [Back] Dillon, S. Lewers, Jo Donavan, Bennett, Roberts, Madden; [Front] "Bank Manager" [A. C. Cork], Luscombe, W. Angus."Rifle club Linton c1900 [back] Dillon, S. Lewers, Jo Donavan, Bennett, Roberts, Madden, [front] Bank Manager, Luscombe, W. Angus".sports, linton rifle club, rifle shooting, dillon, s. lewers, jo donavan, bennett, roberts, madden, luscombe, w. angus, a. c. cork

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. Rolf Boldrewood (1826-1915) ‘Rolf Boldrewood’ is the pen-name used by Thomas Alexander Browne as a writer. Browne was the eldest child of Captain Sylvester John Brown and Elizabeth Angell nee Alexander. He was born in London on 6th August 1826 and arrived in Australia with his parents and siblings when he was 5 years old and grew up in Sydney. In the 1860’s Browne added the ‘e’ to his surname. As a 17 year old Browne took up land in the Western District of Victoria between Portland and Port Fairy on a property named “Squattlesea Mere”. He remained there until 1858, enjoying the squatters’ life on his 32,000 acre property, growing potatoes and running cattle and horses. He sold in 1858 and purchased a sheep station on the Murray River near Swan Hill. He later sold this and bought another sheep station near Narrandera until bad seasons and severe droughts eventually caused him to change his career after 25 years as a squatter. Over the next 25 years Browne held the position of Police Magistrate and as a gold commissioner in various locations. His third career as an author lasted approximately 40 years. In 1865 he wrote two articles on pastoral life while he was recovering from a riding accident. In the 1870’s his writing was bringing in the income to support his family, changing his focus to the writing of novels. A series of these was written for the Australian market and published in The Sydney Mail and the Centennial Magazine. His later novels were aimed at the overseas markets. His best known novel “Robbery Under Arms” was written from 1882 to 1883 and has been serialised on radio in Australia and Britain. The novel was filmed in 1907, 1920 and 1957, and in 1985 it was made into a television series. It is now an Australian Classic. He also wrote short stories, several nonfiction graziers’ guides, and an autobiography named “Old Melbourne Memories” in 1884. [This information has been taken from Wikipedia; Australian Authors-Perry Meddlemiss; Australian Dictionary of Biography, Browne, Thomas Alexander (1826-1915)] 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. War to The Knife Author: Rolf Bolderwood Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: First published 1899 The label on the spine cover with typed text R.A. 823.912 BOL Inside the front loose paper has pencil handwriting that is unreadable flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, war to the knife, rolf bolderwood