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 1942 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. 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. (This Statement of Significance is quoted from the Significance Assessment : Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Book Collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, February 2009, by Annette Welkamp, Cultural Connections, for Delise Oldfied, FHMV) References Juvenile Department in Warrnambool Public Library In August 1903 The Age newspaper reported in its Warrnambool news section that “With the object of discouraging boys from reading literature of the “penny dreadful” class, the committee of the local public library has decided to open a juvenile department and to stock it with hundreds of suitable books attractive to the youthful mind.” 100 new novels added to Warrnambool Public Library Shelves In November 1905 The Argue newspaper’s Warrnambool news section announced “The committee of the Public Library is bringing the collection of books more up to date. It has recently added 100 new novels to the shelves, and arrangements have been made for a supply of the latest novels immediately they arrive in the state.” Warrnambool Town Council takes over Mechanics’ Institute, Art Gallery, Public Library, Museum – and will double the building’s size In 1912 The Age reported in its Warrnambool news section “Considerable improvements are being effected by the town council in the most picturesque part of Liebig Street. Between the fire brigade station and the mechanics’ institute and art gallery a vacant block of land is being transformed a garden for carpet bedding and flowering plants. The council, which recently took over the control of the art gallery, public library, museum and mechanics’ institute, is doubling the size of the substantial stone building containing these institutions. The new building will contain a supper room for use in conjunction with functions in the town hall, adjoining, and a new reading room.” Mr Pattison, Public Librarian, says Library has a book per head of population In 1953 The Age reported an interview with the Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison, who said “Warrnambool has an insatiable thirst for reading. And its reading recipe contains a strong dash of fiction – 73 percent of it. Fiction makes up 10,000 of the 13,000 books in the senior section of the public library. That works out at a book per head of population. Warrnambool today is really book minded. This city has an almost insatiable thirst for knowledge as well as fiction. We’re lending 400 books a day. We supply 33 percent of the reading population of Warrnambool.” The reporter goes on to say “Warrnambool Public Library also has an ultra-modern children’s section of 3,400 books, open to every boy and girl attending school in Warrnambool. Mr Pattison hopes to show travel-talk films and install a radiogram in the children’s section “later on”. But it won’t disturb adult reading next door because the junior section is sound proof. “ Mechanics’ Institutes and Museums Mechanics’ Institutes were important sites for collecting in country Victoria … Warrnambool … all had museums attached to Mechanics’ Institutes before the end of the twentieth century” Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Ms Tierney said FHMV holds the collection of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute in three different locations on its site. “The Mechanics’ Institute opened in 1871, was demolished in the 1960s and was one of the oldest in Victoria. “FHMV intends to create a new storage area and bring the collection together in one place which will greatly facilitate access and research. “The collection consists of books and archives dating from the 1850s to 1959s. “Some of the books are rare and valuable but it is unclear as to their relevance to the history of Warrnambool or Victoria,” Ms Tierney said. Warrnambool TAFE History South West TAFE has a long and proud history of providing technical and specialist education, with links back to the formation of the Mechanic’s Institute in 1853. Warrnambool Art Gallery’s History The Warrnambool Art Gallery began in 1886 when retired police officer Joseph Archibald opened its doors in a building behind the mechanics institute in Liebig Street. The Gallery began with an eclectic mix of artworks and museum curios. Before long Archibald mobilised public support and paid for a new gallery annex. Loans and grants allowed the Gallery collection to grow with significant early acquisitions by French, German, and Belgian artists, which were less expensive than British works. Despite its enthusiastic start the economic downturn of the 1890s brought the Collection to a halt. In 1910 the Council took control of the Mechanics Institute and ran the Gallery there until 1963 when the building was allocated for municipal offices. The Collection was dispersed on loan to galleries in Shepparton and Hamilton and not reunited until 1971. In 1986 the Gallery’s Centenary year, a permanent home was built next to the ‘Civic Green’ and named in memory of one its champions Sir Fletcher Jones O.B.E. 2016 Warrnibald Entries Joseph Archibald established the Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery in 1886 while his son Jules Francois Archibald founded the Archibald Prize through his bequest of 1919. His aim was to foster portraiture, as well as support artists, and perpetuate the memory of great Australians. War Economy 1939-194 Australia in the War of 1939-1945 Author: S J Butlin Publisher: Australian War Memorial Date: 1955Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 994.04 AUS Front pastedown endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, war economy 1939-194, australia in the war of 1939-1945, s j butlin, australian war memorial

Genuine War Letters written by an Australian to his people from the Battlefields of France. Letters dated from 15.2.1916 to 11.11.1918.Genuine War Letters - Biographical Studies. Soft lightweight cardboard cover, black print on light grey background. 288 cut, plain, beige pages. No illustrations.book, letters, genuine

Some Pictures of War Cemeteries of South -East Asia,The Pacific Islands and Japan 1914-1918 and 1939-1945Red covered book Their name Liveth on top of cover Seal of Commonwealth War Graves Commission under TitleTheir Name Liveth Commonwealth War Graves Commissionjapan, war, east, port, islands, new, guinea, south, cemeteries, asia, pacific, fiji, caledonia, adelaide, rabaul, lea, morsby, labuan, yokohama, kranji, singaporechangi, kanchanaburi, thailand, thanbyuzayat, burma

A special luncheon was held for World War I widows as a lead up to "Legacy Week". Legatees dressed up as moustached waiters to add a bit of humour to the day. Due to its success it was held for a number of years. This is 1994 as the author Patsy Adam Smith was a guest and she was the Personality of the Year in 1994 and helped promote Legacy during Legacy Week. The photo of her and L/- Eddie Jowett also appeared in the October edition of the Answer. The WWI group would meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 11 at Legacy House for many years until their numbers dwindled. A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for the widows.Colour photo of a World War 1 widows' luncheon in 1994 and an article from the Answer.widows, function, answer

Colour photographs of the War Memorial in the Victorian town of Guildford. The memorial lists those who served during World War One and World War Two.guildford, world war one, aberdeen, annear, bardi, binns, brocchi, carter, carty, colgan, cox, davidson, davenport, dell, dewsnap, donovan, dunstan, hughes, kidd, kirkpatrick, knights, lockhart, mars, mannington, martin, mcelhinney, mcquay, mein, milligan, morrison, munro, potter, passalaqua, ramsay, slatter, solomano, stevens, greenwell, hill, horn, walker, wilson, wilton, barassi, barlowe, curnow, davis, foletti, franzi, gill, kirkpatrick, mein, mcelhinney, morse, pavilach, simms, sullivan, stevens, williams

Choir at Tatura War Cemetery.Black and white photograph of the male and female choir in November 1993 at Tatura War Cemetery. The men in shirt sleeves and dark trousers, the ladies dark skirts and white tops. Back of the graves leading to the entrance gates.tatura war cemetery, german choir at war cemetry tatura

The Faraway war

This volume deals with those months in which the first World War turned against the German Army on the western front, and shows in detail how, in the crucial Amiens sector that change was brought about. The completion of the story of the final offensive in 1918.An account of the conclusion of the first world war with Germany being defeated and surrendering.Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18 - Volume VI - The AIF in France 1918. Hardcover cardboard. Maps, diagrams, illustrations, chronologygerman surrender, battle of aisne 1918, monash succeeds, battle of hamel, amiens, armistice, peace treaty signed, battle of montbrehain

Colour photograph of the gates to the Eltham War Memorial Building, in commemoration of the 1939-45 War.eltham, war memorial, main road

Derrinallum War Memorial featuring a marble statue of a World War One Australian Soldier.derrinallum war memorial, world war one, wreaths, statue

Rosalie Triolo presented Our Schools and the War as Ringwood and District Historical Society guest speaker - June, 2022. Dr Rosalie Triolo is the History Method lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University and is active as a writer and presenter in state and national History Education communities. She taught for 13 years in country and metropolitan Victorian government secondary schools, and has been involved for 30 years with the History Teachers’ Association of Victoria. She p[resents regularly to academic and general audiences on different aspects of the Great War and Australian education, and has led battlefield tours for History teachers as well as Australian History fellowships for student-teachers. The doctorate on which this book is based was awarded a Monash University Mollie Holman medal.Soft cover book detailing how The Great War profoundly touched the lives of Australian teachers, school children, and local communities.Handwritten inscription - For RDHS, Congratulations on all you are doing so well. Sincerely, Rosalie Triolo, June 2022.

Digital image of Australian postage stamps, First Day Cover, stamped at Mont Park in 1946. Commemorates the end of World War 2.Part of a collection of miscellaneous historical images.Digital image of first day cover and stamps, colour."Victory. Second World War. 3rd Sept 1939 - 15th Aug 1945. First Day Cover" Franked:"14FEB46"postage stamps, first day envelopes, world war 2, mont park

William Lambie was one of two war correspondents riding behind the Australians patrol when they left Rensburg Base. The objective was to determine the strength of the Boers south of Rensburg Siding. The group split in two. The group the journalists were with went on ahead. They were ambushed and surrounded by Boer horsemen and told to surrender. They ignored this and made a dash for the safety of the British lines. Lambie was shot in the head and died instantly. The other journalist was wounded and taken to the Boer's camp and tended, then later sent to hospital. Lambie was buried by the Boers on the farm Jasfontein owned by Hendrik Kotze.Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".war correspondent, rensburg base, rensburg siding, boer, horsemen, jasfontein, hendrik kotze, william lambie

Red covered book of photographs of Australians' activities during the Great War - 1914-1918.Mt. Gambier Christmas 1923.books, history/local history, military

The complete record of the Medical conditions setting up camp hospitals, medical transport, medical records,Photographs, Maps,IllustrationsAustralian War Memorialtobruk, crete, general health in the desert, surgical conditions in the desert, syria, nurses, tropical medicine, malaria, medical conditions, burma thai railway, labour forces, prison camps

Paper folder and paper photographsWar Negs VJ

Rectangular sign, discoloured with rust and dents THIS IS A WAR SAVINGS STREET

Includes typed transcriptions of historical newspaper articles, photocopies of historical newspaper articles, original newspaper articles, photocopies from books, some original contemporary photos relating to the Shire of Eltham War Memorial built at Kangaroo Ground. Spirax Sketchbook 19 sheets. Spiral boundFront: Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park Tower of Remembrance Collection 1996-2001. Harry Gilhamharry gilham collection, kangaroo ground memorial, shire of eltham war memorial

"W.J. GUNDRY" C COY 57 Btn 1st AIF.Book - Cardboard cover, 128 pages, paper with print and photographs, WW1." AUSTRALIAN WAR PHOTOGRAPHS" A PICTORIAL RECORD FROM NOVEMBER 1917 TO THE END OF THE WAR ..book, ww1, photographs

Built after World War 1, the monument originally stood on the corner of Whitehorse & Railway Roads before being moved to Morton Park on 20th April 1969. The memorial was erected in memory of those from the district who were killed during WW1. Those who lost their lives in WW2 were added on the other side of the memorial as well as plaques commemorating later conflicts. The monument is a grey granite obelisk on a single stepped bluestone base on a concrete platform.Coloured photograph of a war memorial surrounded by flower gardens. Blackburn Tennis Club , rooms & courts on the left.blackburn war memorial, war memorials

The following names were on the Kooroocheang State School World War One Honour Board - A.H. White, C.H. White, L.C. White, H.E. White, G. Croucher, P. LaFranchi. L. LaFranchi, T. LaFranchi, W. Pickering, H. Pickering, J. McMahon, R. Hull, J. Neale, D. Williams, W. Risk, J. Waddingham, R. Waddingham, G.A. Heron, W.F. Heron, D. Dunstan.Photograph of the Kooroocheang State School World War One Honour Board on display in the Smeaton Primary School in 2013.world war one, kooroocheang state school, kooroocheang state school honour board, la franchi, kooroocheang, a.h. smith, smith, l.c. white, croucher, p. lafranchi, t. lafranchi, pickering, mcmahon, hull, kneale, risk, g. waddington, waddingham, heron, dunstan, williams, peter lafranchi

Most probabaly purchased by Harry Holmes.World War One "Daily Mail" postcard showing a wounded soldier being carried off the battlefield on a stretcher.world war one, harry holmes, troops, prisoner of war, german, stretcher, wounded

"Table of Limits for Appraisement of Australian Wool Clip During World War II" - manuscript and notes.Original M.S. Copy of / Table of Limits for Appraisement / of Australian Wool Clip during / World War II. / Together with Various Technical reports.wool bale descriptions wool sales wool brokering, c. of a. - central wool committee, wool bale descriptions, wool sales, wool brokering

Side view of Soldiers’ Memorial World War 1 with wreaths at base and Chapman Bakery in background. Black & white photo of Soldiers Memorial World War 1. This photo is a side view of the memorial showing Chapman bakers shop in the backgrounds, looking south with the black range on right side of photo.stawell ww1