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 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 Immortal Lovers A biography - Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning Author: Frances Winwar Publisher: Hamish Hamilton Date: 1950Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 WIN Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free 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, the immortal lovers, elizabeth barrett, robert browning, frances winwar

A biography of E. E. Walker written in Blackburn & Mitcham reporter 1935 and an obituary from the same paper, December 1936.A biography of E. E. Walkerbuilding industry, walker, edgar edwardes, australian tesselated tile co pty ltd, blackburn & mitcham reporter, methodist church mitcham, donald, stanley, edgar

Charles Henry (Harry) McQueen (1910-1994) married Olive May Graham in 1935. He was a butcher by trade (McQueen's Butchers, Castlemaine). He was a pioneer of accordion dance music and was mentored by Billy McGlashan. He played by ear and his preferred instrument was a Mezon Grand Organ in the key of A. He played old time waltzes, bush dances and Scottish reels. He was well known for his double and triple right hand fingering. From 1940-1977 he led "McQueen's Old Time Band" and recorded their music.A biography written by Adrienne Losin about an old time musician and accordian player named Harry McQueen (1910-1994)harry mcqueen, old time dance music, accordian music

Biography of John Kendrick Blogg and on woodcarving. Contains article on 'The Art of Woodcarving' by John K. Blogg. First published 1993. sculpture, woodcarving

Book. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 189 page hardcover biography of Edward Granville Theodore, State and Federal politician, Union organiser, Premier of Queensland, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer in the Scullin Government. Forward by E. G. Whitlam. Illustrated with B & W photos. Published in 1971 by Alpha Books, Sydney and printed by the Griffin Press, Adelaide. Catalogue sticker ''2167 YOU'' on spine. Handwritten in biro on flyleaf ''For A. H. Chisholm Esq with kind regards and best wishes and the hope this book recalls interesting events, John Theodore 4.11.71''. Also a newspaper cutting (3-4-74) pasted on flyleaf relating to the estate of Mr N. B. Theodore. SBN 35553 064 2.Irwin Youngbooks, collections, biography, alec h chisholm collection, edward granville theodore, irwin young, n.b.theodore, e.g.whitlam, biography, politics

Biography, the exceptional life of Wilma Oram Young AM, an Australian Nurse, a captive of the Japanese during WW2. After the War following her return to Australia she was inspired to help her fellow ex POW’s and war veterans through her tireless work with the RSL. Wilma Oram enlisted 0n 12.3 1941 age 24 years VFX58783 in the AANS, embarked for Singapore 2.9.1941, evacuated from Singapore on 12.2.1942 on the Vyner Brooke which was then sunk by the Japanese of Banka Island, they made it to shore on Banka Isl and taken POW for the duration of the War and finally arrived home in Australia on 24.10.1945.Soft cover cardboard, black, white and gold print on front, spine and back, front cover has a collage of B & W photographs of Nurse Wilma Oram Young AM, red, black and gold background colours, 328 pages, white paper, illustrated with B & W photographs.books, biography, nurses, pow’s, ww2

Biography of Henry (Harry) Edward Gorsuch 1914 - 1995. and his association with Christ Church, Mitcham. Married Jean Chalmers, 1932.christ church anglican church, mitcham, forster, joe, (rev), chalmers, jean, gorsuch, henry edward

Family history and biography of Edward Emmet Dillon, the son of Edward Dillon, whose family immigrated to Australia in 1857 and lived in Camberwell.boroondara, camberwell

Book. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 66 page paperback. A critical appreciation of the poems of the Australian poet, Henry Kendall. Includes a brief biography and time line. By Thomas Thornton Reed, Bishop of Adelaide. An Australian Men of Letters Series. Published in 1960 by Rigby Ltd., Adelaide. Photo of Henry Kendall (c.1880) opposite title page. Kendall, born 1839, Ulladulla. Died 1882, Redfern. Catalogue sticker ''2180 REE'' on spine.Thomas Thornton Reedbooks, collections, poetry, alec h chisholm collection, henry kendall, thomas thornton reed, poetry, biography

Brass name plaque "Sir John Quick' Name partly embelished with black paint, now faded. Glass covering. Originally hung at his legal office in Pall Mall, Bendigo. Sir John was a lawyer and one of the founding fathers of the Australian Federation. See Australian Dictionary of Biography: adb.anu.edu.au › biography › quick-sir-john-8140bendigo, business, sir john quick

Black & White Newspaper Article - The Herald 10/02/1938 ''From Small Shop to City Emporium'' Sidney Myer & Family Career Biography.bendigo, industry, sidney myer & family local icons, newspaper clippings folder 51-100

Biography of the life of Julia Hale, Victoria's most prominent woman sawmiller who from 1941 lived at Buckanbe, 32 Orion Road, Vermont.hale, julia, orion road, vermont no. 32, kirkpatrick, alfred, buckanbe park, evans, peter s.

Double sided flyer as an invitation to attend the opening of an art exhibition in the QVWC building. Colour example of artwork on front of item, a biography of the artist on the back. art exhibitions, events and activities, invitations