WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. Through The Dark Continent Or The sources of the Nile around the great lakes of equatorial Africa and down the Livingstone River to the Atlantic Ocean Author: Henry M Stanley Publisher: Sampson Low Marston Searle and Rivington Date: 1890Label on spine cover with typed text RH 916.2 STA Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Fly paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, through the dark continent, henry m stanley

cGroup of Telecom workers who received an award for maintaining communications in Lorne during the 1983 Ash Wednesday Fires. Left to Right: S. Rayner; B. Dickinson; B. Floyd; M. Yorke; B. Weller; A. Freametelecomworkers, ash wednesday fires 1983, s.rayner, b.dickinson, b. floyd, m.yorke, b. weller, a.freame, communications, awards

Each badge made in a different year for Wattle Day fund raising and War Chest day fund raising.Box of 12 badges 10 wattle day League 1 War Chest Day 1 metal shield M on K No. 29811 on back. Various sizes each with fastening pin for lapel All in Plastic box

Black and White photograph of the sailing ship Sokoto. Has postage stamps on reverse side. Address to M. J.Doran, 32 MacArthur Square, Carlton 250 mm x 200 mm SH 269 Ships Sflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, photograph, sokoto

Condition of sale by private contract dated 14th. December, 1928 between G. J. Wilkinson and M. Berry for land at corner Creek and Haman Streets Bendigo together with 5-roomed dwelling for the price of 350 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Gray covered photo folder, includes photos of Rosalind Park, Lake Weeroona boatsheds, conservatory, Pall Mall, Queens Gardens, lookout poppet head, panorama frog m lookout tower, Bendigo.Early 1900'splace, bendigo, view of bendigo

Green printed and handwritten receipt for 100 shares in Clarence United on 22/6/1894. Bought from Mr. M. Kelly, total value of £81/17/6. Signed James Taylor per John Taylor.business, stockbroker, kelly & allsop, kelly & allsop collection - receipt for shares in clarence united, james taylor, m kelly, clarence united, john taylor, brockley

A typed copy of the 'Occasional Address Delivered by Mr. J. G. Canon, B.A., M. Ed., Chief Inspector of Primary Schools at the Bendigo Teachers' College Graduation Ceremony.' Tuesday, 11th December, 1956. 3 pages.bendigo, education, bendigo teachers' college graduatio, la trobe university bendigo collection, collection, bendigo teachers' college, bendigo teachers' college graduation ceremony, graduation ceremony, occasional address, speeches, orations, bendigo, education, mr. j. g. cannon b.a., m.ed. bendigo teachers' college students, students, teaching, teacher training, tertiary education, history

Fourteen letters dated from 176th December, 1968 to 2nd September, 1970 from the secretary of the Australian Textile Workers' Union, L.A. Chung and Miss M. Hassett of Bendigo relating to members contributions and other matters.hanro, clothing, stationary

Family Tree - Hargreaves family from James Hargreaves b. 1835; Albert Hargreaves b. 1875 Tarnagulla; Percy James Hargreaves b. 1912. Jan Maree Hargreaves m. Stuart Ross Chivers 1970.person, individual, hargreaves family, james hargreaves b. 1835; albert hargreaves b. 1875 tarnagulla; percy james hargreaves b. 1912. jan maree hargreaves m. stuart ross chivers 1970.

Printed form for guarantor. No date. Mrs. E. Doyle has signed to guarantee the due payment for C. M. Goldrick. Two borrowing rules are printed at the end of the page. Printed by J. B. Young, Printer, Sandhurst.business, legal, connelly & tatchell, connelly & tatchell collection - document, c m goldrick, mrs e doyle, j b young

Handwritten Cohn Brothers Vic Brewery share transfer from Catherine Hayes Bridge St Bendigo to Esther M Landeshut St Kilda dated 8th April 1895. One penny duty stamp affixed.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery, catherine hayes bridge st bendigo. esther m landershut st kilda.

Scale model of a Armed Personnel Carrier (APC) variant with additional headroom and aux motor to provide power when it is stationary. It carried additional radios and crew and was used for artillery and signals. M.577 colour is olive green.armoured personnel carrier, model, command post vehicle

Six pages typewritten document titled: Axedale Waterworks Trust - Duties of Secretary. The document is signed by M. Brennan (acting secretary). Date stamped "Strathfieldsaye 21 Mar 1963. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.axedale, axedale waterworks trust, secretary, 1963

The United Insurancde Company Limited House's and Householder's Policy. Bank of Australaisa and Mrs Elsie M. Tilson. Building located in Percival Street Bendigo. Expires on the 2nd April 1942 at 4 o'clockin the afternoon. Bendigo Branch.bendigo, house, mrs elsie m. tilson, the united insurance company ltd, bank of australasia, mrs elsie m. tilson, percival street bendigo, houseowner's and householder's policy. h. a. wilkinson state, insurance & commission agent.

Book. Harry Biggs Collection. Australian Goldfields by M. J. Jennings. Hill of Content Archive Series Melbourne 1966. Printed in Aust. By L & R Schaffel Prahran Victoria. Details the history of the goldfields in the Australian Colonies.organisation, union, commercial, harry biggs collection, australian goldfields

Used by Robin Da Costa in 'Blackburn - A Picturesque History'. Motor cycle was made by Bill Thompson's Clifton Cycle Works circa 1913/1914. Most likely a 3 1/2 h.p. (500cc) Clifton Motor Cycle purchased from 211 Elizabeth Street branch.Black and white photo of an adult male with a motorcycle and cane side-car with three children outside Blackburn Hall.|See page 84 of Da Costa book. Pictured are Arthur Roberts, D Collins and M Chrystieroberts, arthur, collins, d., chrystie, m., blackburn hall

Western plains of southern NSW provided good training areas for a unit practicing reconnaissance skills. Technical Support Troop provided first line repair and recovery to the reconnaissance squadron.Colour photograph of Sergeant Viv Schmidt, Technical Support Troop ( TST ) A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles standing beside a M 548 tracked load Carrier ( TLC ) on exercise near Balranald NSW.military, training, vehicle, vmr, victorian mounted rifles

Two copies of photographs: top - Easter Float, depicts White Christmas. Bottom 4 women sitting at table, small bell in front. Names on bottom. 'E. Oakes, M. Pinch, J. Fithall, H. Yanner.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s.

1996 Victorian Country Championships Bendigo Bronze Medallist 13 under, 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay Time 2:09:98 L to R: M. O'Brien, L. Iles, J. Lazzarotto, A. Ham

Plan of Front Lawn area with legend. V.C.A.H - Burnley Horticultural Engineering Surveying Exercise dated 10.09.1985. Group Members: T. Allworth, M. Appleby, B Barker (Student: Mary Appleby). Scale 1:100.vcah, lawns

Photo appeared in Lakes Post Newspaper 27 May 1992, page 11.Black and white photograph of eleven Toorloo Arm Primary School of 1992, taking part in M S Read-a-thon. Children are seated in a half circle on bean bags, with parent Karen Page. Toorloo Arm Victoriaschools, children, reading

JAMES MICHAEL HEFFERNAN WAS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN IN CLUNES FIRE BRIGADE, HE MARRIED JEAN ROBERTS IN CLUNES 14.12.1935. OCCUPATION WOOD CUTTER.BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF JAMES MICHAEL HEFFERNAN BORN COGHILLS CREEK. 31.7.1910. DIED IN GEELONG 30.10.1978. PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS J. M. HEFFERNAN WEARING CLUNES FIRE BRIGADE UNIFORM IN 1927 AGED 17 YEARS.photography, fire brigade, james michael heffernan

.1 Black and white photo of congregation outside church hall, taken in 1922 at Jubilee Celebrations. .2 Enlargement of same photograph .3 Letter from M Marshal to Bill Harris .4 Same photograph mounted.1 On back of photograph "Taken at Clunes Presbyterian Church? 1912 standing in centre of the window is my fathers Kenneth McKenzie"presbyterian church, 1912, mckenzie, bill harris

Handwritten notes on the New Chum Consolidated Mine from A. M. S. Sp Ed 1/6/1899 Page 38. Notes include gold produced, dividends, calls and depth of winze. Albert Richardson Collection. document, gold, new chum consolidated mine, new chum consolidated mine, notes on the new chum consolidated mine, gold production