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Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MALONE COLLECTION: POEM
Coloured illustration of man & woman in period costume with Cupid above. A poem printed in black on cream paper. Miss Hannah Taylor handwritten on back.Pub. By A. Park. Londoncottage, miners, malone collection, poem -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - JAMES TAYLOR COLLECTION:TAYLOR LYRICS POEMS QUOTES
Taylor collection - Four handwritten sheets of song lyrics, poems and quotations including 'The Pilgrims Song' written in black ink on buff coloured paper.document, memo, taylor -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - JAMES TAYLOR COLLECTION: TAYLOR POEM, 1868
Taylor collection - Poem written in 1868 titled ' A Farewell ' written by James Taylor in memory of his deceased wife Jane, handwritten on blue paper.James Taylorperson, individual, female -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Document, Poetry
No Unknown Soldier Here, Poem by Sam Summerwolfe telling the Story of POW and MIA's soldiers : typed on foolscap paper with watermark depicting soldier a gun.Copyright 1995 by Sam Summerwolfedocument, poetry -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, The Soldier Dream NZ
Poem written by Peter M Anderson W3 Coy RNZIR 1969-70. Black background with images of helicopter, tree and soldier with white writing.new zealand, photograph, rnzir -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Postcard, 1917
From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. Colour postcard featuring a poem, a map of Australia, a currawong or magpie, a swastika, an aboriginal man holding a boomerang or throwing stick. Handwritten message on back.Front: "A message to the absent one"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, australian flag, boomerang, throwing stick, magpie, currawong, swastika -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - RANDALL COLLECTION: FIVE, DORIS LEADBETTER, LLEW LLEWELLEN, RIC NORRIS, DOROTHY OWEN,ESTELLE RANDALL, POEMS
Book, Peter Randall Collection, Poems by Five Bendigo Writers, Doris Leadbetter, Llew Llewellen, Ric Norris, Dorothy Owen, Estelle Randall.book, bendigo, estelle randall -
Orbost & District Historical Society
two books, The Bronze Swagman Book Of Bush Verse, 1979 ; 1980
The Winton Tourist Promotion Association (W.T.P.A.) was formed in October 1967, and because of the connection to Banjo Paterson and Waltzing Matilda, it wanted to encourage the writing of traditional Australian verse that was made so popular by A.B. "Banjo" Paterson, Henry Lawson etc. which is so much a part of our Australian heritage. The Bronze Swagman award was the result. (ref Bronze Swagman web-site). For 40 years the group has been publishing the verse of winning entries.Two paperback books of verse. 1832.1 has a green cover. As well as the book title it has 1979 Award Winning Poem The New Farm. 1832.2 has a yellow cover. It has 1980 Award Winning Poem Condamine Bell. Both have black print titles with a silhouette of the swagman trophy awarded to the annual winner of The Swagman Award for bush poetry.bronze-swagman literature australian-bush-poetry winton -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Lays of The Scottish Cavaliers
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. 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. 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. Lays of The Scottish Cavaliers And Other Poems Author: William Edmondstoune Aytoun Publisher: William Blackwood and Sons Date: 1875 Edition: Twenty-Fifth EditionThe label on spine cover with typed text R.H. 821 AYT Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Inside of the front endpaper has stamps from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, lays of the scottish cavaliers, william edmondstoune aytoun, lays of the scottish cavaliers and other poems -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - CHILDREN'S STORIES AND POEMS: BY LUCY HILL
''Children's Stories and Poems'' by Lucy Hill (or 'Aunt Evelyn' - pen-name of Lucy Hill). These are presumably cuttings published in the Bendigo Advertiser (ca. 1922, 1923)Bendigo Advertiserperson, individual, lucy hill, journalist, advertiser, aunt evelyn, the centenary song, gravel hill state school, in the spot light, an unexpected achievement, bendigo. -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Book, Port Stories, Jul 2000
The book was launched at the Liardet Community Centre in July 2000'Port Stories', a plastic bound, 84pp book of taped and written stories, poems and artwork produced by participants in programs at the Port Melbourne Neighbourhood House in 2000.arts and entertainment - community arts -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Document, Poetry, "Hanging in There"
Laminated. Eighteen stanza Poem in black print on mustard coloured paper. Orange sticker in middle with Map of Vietnam, Australian Flag, Anzac badge and aircraft.A Vets Wife KJP' 87document, poetry -
Greensborough Historical Society
Document - Poem, Leigh Hay, The Christmas mouse: a poem by Leigh Hay, 02/10/2000
Christmas poem written by Leigh Hay, a local author2+1 p. black and white typescript, including covering letterpoetry, christmas poetry, leigh hay -
City of Ballarat
Sculpture - Public Artwork, John Undy, Robert Burns Memorial Statue by John Udny, 22 April 1887
This is Australia’s first monument to the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns and his dog. It was carved from marble in Italy by sculptor John Udny and is inscribed with quotes from the writer himself and features beautiful patterned tiles at its base. This sculpture tells us much of Ballarat’s Scottish history by placing their most revered poet and ballardier of Auld Lang Syne at the corner of Lydiard and Sturt Streets. The local design was carried out by artist John Undy in Carrara marble and placed with this scene. The proud figure of Burns faces west and is accompanied by his collie dog with a book purposely hanging in his hand and a pencil in the other as his constant companions. Burns is mounted on a plinth engraved with some beautiful Burn’s poetry and surrounded by art deco styled tiling and a cast iron palisade. The statue is of aesthetic and historical significance to the people of BallaratCarved marble statue of Scottish poet Robert Burns and his dogIncludes panels with poems and writings by Robert Burns. Plaque reads - Designed by Thomas Thompson Ballarat Sculptured by John Undy, Carrara, Italy.robert burns, scottish poet -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Book - English Reader, Victorian Readers Sixth Book, 1940
This book is a sixth grade reader which all Victorian students would have read during the 1940's. The book is made up of poems and stories, some which are still known and told today. Some pages have drawings that relate to the story of poems. This is historically significant due to showing what children read during the 1940's in schools across Victoria. Also it is a good comparison to what grade six children read now. Therefore it has good interpretation value and would be good in local school exhibitions. The names on the book indicate that this book came from a local famil, the Johnson and was read to two children of that family which gives this good social history. Some of the pages have had their pictured colored in by the student and words that have been underlined. These could have been harder words for the students to learn and seem advanced for grade six children to read. Book has a blue coverVICTORIAN READERS SIXTH BOOK, second edition, Victorian education stamp on front cover, SIXTH BOOK and EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA ON SPIN. Inside cover has the names, Lorraine Margaret Johnson, Allan Johnson and Alice Payork? but that name has been crossed out and John with the son crossed out. All these names hand written in ink pen. book, school, reader, grade 6, department of education. children, stories, poems. -
Orbost & District Historical Society
memorial card, 1912
This memorial card follows a style that was commonly used in the 1890s. The size of the card make it useful for presentation and handing out. There was a remarkably large production of memorial and funeral cards in Australia during the latter 19th and early 20th centuries and the style did not change (and many of the styles are still in effect today). Many of the card companies, in this case ‘The Memorial Card Co.,’ located at 143 King St, Sydney, published standardised plates which had areas for customisation. The card has the area for name, photograph, date of death and age. Poetry was often standardised, but could be requested at the behest of the person who commissioned the card Isabella Battley (nee Goad) was born in 1867, in Smythesdale, Victoria, Australia. She was married to James E. Battley when she died aged 45. James E. Battley was a director of the butter Factory in Orbost in 1915. Their son Ernest Albert Battley enlisted in the AIF from Orbost in 1916. His father is listed as Next of Kin and his mother as deceased. James was remarried to Eda May Battley (born Sargent) in 1914. He passed away in 1925, at age 57 Memorial cards are often treasured for a long time, and often become part of family history. The Battley family was an earlyn Orbost family.A black memorial card printed in memory of Isabella Battley. It has gold printed writing, a gold etched border and wreath. There is a photo of Isabella Battley and a memorial poem.memorial battley mourning -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper Clipping
Article from a collection of newspaper clippings from October 1968 to July 1971Article about novel signs in the form of a poem to be placed on the Cowes foreshore by the shire of Phillip Island to encourage people to keep the picnic areas free from litter.phillip island, cowes foreshore -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Book - Book - Marmion, SIR WALTER SCOTT, c. 1918
Poem 'Marmion' in six cantos, by Sir walter Scott, limp cloth cover, brown, black print and decoration. Black and white image of Scott, first page -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MALONE COLLECTION: GREETING CARDS
Document. Greeting Cards. Small, single oval shaped card with gold edging and edges cut along scrollwork. Inside the border is a poem: ' Oh! Write to Me.person, individual, greeting card, malone collection, greeting cards -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Folder, Japanese Civilians Interned, 1991
Compiled and collected by Major Jim Sullivan. Lists of 498 Japanese civilians interned. The bond of friendship of the internees and officers, NCO's and particularly Lieutenant Jim Sullivan who loaded an Army truck with young internees for a trip to Rushworth and Peters ice cream. Old Lady Punshon was also fondly remembered.Olive green cardboard folder with white self adhesive sticker with inscription as below. Contains information in regard to Japanese civilians interned. Drawings, poems, letters, etc.Documents, Camp 4 Rushworth Japanese internees and Garrison. major jim sullivan, japanese internees, old lady punshon, camp 4, camp 4 japanese internees -
Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens History Group
Work on paper - Lucas Booklet, 1921. Souvenir, Ballarat Arch of Victory and Avenue of Honour, 7/2009
Details are given of the establishment of the Avenue of Honour and the Arch of Victory, the opening of these by H.R.H. Prince of Wales 2/6/1920 and the making of a pair of yellow silk pyjamas, by the Lucas girls for the Prince, latterly, Duke of Windsor. The Arch of Victory and Avenue of Honour are important landmarks in Ballarat of which citizens of Ballarat are justly proud.2 pages of typed notes. p.1, quotations from 2 references are cited at the bottom of p.1 and on p.2, there is a poem entitled "The Royal Pyjamas."None.john garner, doctor john garner, lucas girls, arch of victory, avenue of honour, h.r.h. prince of wales, duke of windsor., r.selkirk, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Poem 'The Oak', 12th February 1922
Donald Clark Collection. A poem typed onto a sheet of paper. Titled 'The Oak'. Written by John Hurford of Llanelly in 1922. Found together with a photograph of an oak tree (catalogued as THA-2019.0450). -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, As You Were 1950, 1950
Compilation of articles, short stories and poems of events and experiences of servicemen and women. Compilation of articles, short stories and poems of events and experiences of Australian servicemen and women in World War 2.Hardcover cardboard, green in colour. Light green text - As You Were on the front cover and '1950' on the bottom of the front cover. Rectangular relief on front cover showing 2 aircraft, sea waves and a figure. The front and back inside covers are illustrated as a chessboard with military figures, including women - nurses and army, horses and military weaponry. There are two copies held by the Lara RSL Sub Branch To the memory of the fallen ' They gave their lives. For that public gift they received a praise which never ages and a tomb most glorious - not so much the tomb in which they lie, but that in which their fame survives, to be remembered forever when occasion comes for word or deed...' 1950, wadi aua, sgt rossiter, repatriation hospital, the bomb droppers, phantom raiders -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Book - Poetry, Rubaiyat of a Modern Bachelor by John Power
The book consists of short poems each illustrated and each about bachelorsSense of humour regarding the state of bachelors in 1943.Small book with hard light brown cover. The title and author's name are printed in black with the picture in green of a glass of champagne between the title and author. The book is bound and has 92 pages. Dated: 1943poetry -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - GOLDEN SQUARE LAUREL STREET P.S. COLLECTION: THE WIDE BROWN LAND
Poetry book with red cloth cover and part of the jacket pasted on the front cover. It has a picture of a rural scene of men driving cattle. The book contains a number of poems by a selection from Australian Poets. Poems chosen by Joan S. Mackaness, B.A. and George Mackaness, M.A., Litt. D. Written in the front of the book; 1959 Gift to Grade VIB from Mr. R.L. Harrowfield, Head Teacher.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s., golden square laurel street p.s. collection - the wide brown land, joan s mackaness, george mackaness, mr r l harrowfield, golden square training school no 1189, angus and robertson, halstead press pty ltd -
Orbost & District Historical Society
card, early 1900's
This item is associated with the tradition of sending holiday greeting cards. Traditionally sending or giving themed cards to friends and relatives was a personal and affordable means of communication.A small rectangular folded card. It is cream coloured with gold print and is tied with string. Inside is a greeting with a space for the sender's name. There is also a poem, "Every Happiness", by T. Robey.greeting-card-new-year -
Bendigo Military Museum
Booklet - BOOK OF STORIES AND POEMS, E. H. Gibbs & Son, Khaki Comedy & Newsy Nonsense
Book issued for enjoyment of serving Servicemen. Item in the collection of Sgt P.L.James, refer Cat No 7446 for his service details.Small brown covered book of stories, poems and songs. 32 pages in black writing. On cover- picture of a person sitting on a crescent moon, inside of cover more green.Cover titles "Khaki Comedy & Newsy Nonsense" "By Semaphore"entertainment, semaphore -
Bendigo Military Museum
Booklet, Mr. V. Pretty, "Fragments from Gallipoli and France", 1921
This is a cardboard cover booklet. Front cover has the title (as above) plus a photo of a legless man. There are 31 pages of stories and poems about the war. It is fastened with two staples.ww1, trenches, france, gallipoli -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Freedom on the Wallaby
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. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, and to reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. Freedom on the Wallaby Poems of the Australian Author: The Peoms are written by various authors and date from 1788 to 1941 Edited by Marjorie Pizer Publisher: The Pinchgut Press Date: 1953Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 899.108 PIZ 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 Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, freedom on the wallaby, marjorie pizer -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Administrative record - Ticket - souvenir of Edward Henty, 1934
Portland CentenaryPhoto of Edward Henty on cover in decorative edging. Pioneer Breakfast and Picnic. Sketch of Bronze wing pigeon. Poem. Golden Wattle tree - photo. Folds into 4 sections.Front: Souvenir Ticket 1934-1935 Centenary. Hand written on top - I trust that you will soon be well ?.S.