Showing 2419 items matching "ireland"
-
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Book, Mitchell Family Information. Family History Information
4Ring white binder with paper in plastic inserts. Family Information on descendants of William and Sarah Mitchell from Ireland. Divided by families. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Currency - Guinea Coin, The Royal Mint, 1793 George III Spade Guinea, 1793
The coin was discovered by Julie Wilkins, a Victorian scuba diver who had already experienced more than 500 dives in Australia and overseas. She was holidaying in Peterborough, Victoria, and looking forward to discovering more about the famous Loch Ard ship, wrecked in June 1878 at Mutton Bird Island. The fast Glasgow-built clipper ship was only five years old when the tragedy occurred. There were 54 people on board the vessel and only two survived Julie's holiday photograph of Boat Bay reminds her of her most memorable dive. Submerged in the calm, flat sea, she was carefully scanning around the remains of the old wreck when, to her amazement, a gold coin and a small gold cross suddenly came up towards her. She excitedly cupped them in her hands, then stowed the treasures safely in her wetsuit and continued her dive. She soon discovered a group of brass carriage clock parts and some bottles of champagne. It was a day full of surprises. The items were easily recognisable, without any build-up of encrustations or concretion. Julie secretly enjoyed her treasures for twenty-four years then packed them up for the early morning train trip to Warrnambool. After a short walk to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village, her photograph was taken as she handed over her precious find. She told her story to a local newspaper reporter, lunched a café in town then took the late afternoon train home. Her generous donation is now part of a vast collection of Loch Ard shipwreck artefacts, including the gold watch and the Minton Majolica model peacock. The coin is a British 1793 George III Gold Spade Guinea. It was already 83 years old when the Loch Ard had set sail. The loop and ring have been added, perhaps as a pendant, pocket watch accessory or similar purpose. It may have been worn for ‘good luck’ on the long journey to Australia, where ships had to carefully navigate the treacherous Bass’s Strait before arriving at their destination of Melbourne. Sadly, many met their fate on that short stretch of ocean aptly named the Shipwreck Coast. The coin is very recognisable even though it was exposed to the wrecking of the ship, its consequent movement, and the sea's turbulence. Its bent, scratched, buckled, split, dinted and worn condition is part of its story. The red-brown-black discolouration is similar to that found on other gold coins, sometimes called the ‘corrosion phenomena’. Studies suggest the possible cause is contaminants in the minting process reacting to the coins’ environment. The GEORGE III GOLD SPADE GUINEA: - The British Guinea was introduced in 1663 and was circulated until 1814. It was made of 22 carat gold, was 25 to 26 cm in diameter and weighed 8.35 grams. It had a value of 21 British shillings. The guinea coin ceased circulation after 1816 and was replaced by the one-pound note. However, the term ‘guinea’ continued to represent 21 shillings. King George (1738-1820) had six gold guinea designs minted during his reign from 1760 and 1820. Each of the six had different obverse portraits, all facing the right. There were three different reverse sides. The Spade Guinea was the fifth issue of the coin, introduced in 1787 and produced until 1799. The reverse shows a royal crown over a flat-topped shield with the Royal Arms of Great Britain, used in Scotland between 1714 and 1800. The shield images are, from left to right, top to bottom, the Arms of England and Scotland, the Arms of France, the Arms of Ireland, and the Arms of the House of Hanover. The Gold Guinea is also part of Australia’s history. It was the first coin mentioned in the announcement of Governor King of New South Wales his Australian Proclamation of a limited variety and denomination of coins accepted for use in the Australian Colony. The historic and decorative George III Spade Guinea has been reproduced for special collections of coins. However, replicas and imitations have also been made as souvenirs for tourists, as gaming tokens and chips for gamblers, and as ‘fake’ coins for profit. These coins differ in many ways; they may be only half the weight of the genuine coin. Often have a small stamp on the obverse with “COPY” or the manufacturer’s name or initials. Some have scalloped edges, some have dates that are different to the original dates of issue, and some even have text in Latin that translates as something very different to the original coin.The King George III Guinea was only produced from 1663 to 1814 and was the first English coin to be mechanically minted. The coin is the fifth edition of the King George III Guinea, the Spade Guinea, was only produced between 1787 and 1799. It is the only edition with this portrait of King George and the only one with the Royal Coat of Arms of Great Britain in Scotland on the reverse side. This edition was also the last guinea in circulation, because the sixth edition was reserved as the Military guinea. This edition of the Guinea is unique; This coin is the only guinea in our collection. It was minted in 1793, so it is now over 230 years old. The Gold Guinea is part of Australia’s history; it was the first coin in the list of coins for use in the Australian Colonies, mentioned by Governor King of New South Wales in his Australian Proclamation speech of 1800. The George III Spade Guinea was included in the Limited Edition Sherwood 12 Coin Collection of Notable Coinage of Australia. This coin is the only known guinea coin recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. It was already 85 years old when the ship was wrecked.Gold coin; British. 1793, King George III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1760-1820), Spade Guinea. Yellow gold coin with gold metal loop mount and a gold ring through the loop. The design is the fifth issue of the George III Gold Guinea. The obverse relief is a portrait of George III facing right. Reverse relief is a crown above the Coats of Arms (1801-1816) of flat top spade-shaped shield divided into four quadrants that depict crowned lions, fleur de lies, a harp. These images are identified as, from left to right, top to bottom, England and Scotland, France, Ireland and Hanover. Inscriptions are minted around the rims of each side. The coin is dated 1793. Its surface has dark areas on both sides and the reed edge and surfaces are well worn. The loop mount is bent and the ring is buckled. The coin was recovered from the wreck of the ship Loch Ard.Obverse text; 'GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA' (translates to George the Third, by the Grace of God) Obverse relief; (King George III bust, facing right, laurel wreath on head) Reverse text; 'M.B.E.ET.H.REX.F. D.B.ET.L.D. S.R.I.A.T.ET.E' '1793' (translates to: King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg, Arch-Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire) Reverse relief; a spade-shaped image i.e. (Crown with fleer de lies, above Shield with crowned lions in different postures, a harp, and other details)flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, royal mint, british coin, currency, guinea, military guinea, australian currency, british guinea, gold coin, spade guinea, king george iii, george iii, fifth portrait, arms of england and scotland, arms of france, arms of ireland, arms of the house of hanover, coins, gold coins, gold medallion, georgian era, 1793, numismatics, contamination phenomena, gold corrosion, good luck, lucky charm, pendant, lucky coin, trade, loch ard, wreck of the loch ard, 1878, mutton bird island, peterborough, scuba diver, 1980s, guinea coin, gold guinea, shipwreck artefact, relic, julie wilkins -
The Ed Muirhead Physics Museum
Meldometer, Joly
Joly Meldometer The Joly meldometer was created to determine the melting point of minerals. W.E. Wilson, an astronomer and author, stated in 1900 that the Joly meldometer consisted of a ‘a strip of platinum on which minute fragments of any mineral can be placed, while any alteration in its length can be determined by means of a micrometer screw which touches a lever connected with one end of the strip. The strip can be heated by an electric current, and is calibrated by observing the micrometer readings corresponding to the temperatures at which some substances of known melting-points melt’i . One reason why the Joly meldometer was seen as a successful addition to science was the small amount of any substance that it required for testing. Only a minute sample was needed for the instrument to work and so a tiny part could be taken from a delicate item without destroying itii . The instrument was originally manufactured by the Irish company Yeates & Son of Dublin. The Yeates family business was established in the early 1790’s and is thought to have operated until approximately 1922iii . Their business slogan was recorded as ‘Instrument makers to the University’, a slogan which proudly exhibited their relationship with Trinity College, Dublin. The company was located directly opposite Trinity College, the place where the Joly meldometer was created. Working in such close proximity must have assisted this business relationship. The inventor of this meldometer was Irishman John Joly. Joly was born in 1857 at the Church of Ireland Rectory, Hollywood House. His education led him to Trinity College Dublin where, by 1891, he had obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree as well as a Doctorate of Science. The entirety of his working life appears to have taken place at Trinity College although he is known to have travelled in order to consult with other scientists such as the world renowned Sir Ernest Rutherford. The Joly meldometer was used for a variety of different purposes, with scientists often adapting the instrument to suit their own needs. For instance, the previously mentioned astronomer W.E. Wilson adapted the meldometer to assist him in measuring the radiation of the suniv . Joly used his device in an attempt to ascertain the age of the earth. In 1913, along with Sir Rutherford, Joly came to the conclusion that the earth was approximately 400 million years old. They did this by analysing the decay of radioactivity in minerals. According to our present knowledge of the earth this was a much more accurate date than the dates Joly had previously derived. He had first thought that the earth was 97 million years old due to the volume of sodium in the oceans. Joly’s second analysis of the topic had resulted in the age of 80 million years. This figure was based on the accumulation of sediment. Apart from designing his meldometer, Joly is also remembered for his work with colour photography. In 1894 Joly discovered a method for creating colour photographs from a single platev . He also studied the use of radiation as a treatment for cancer and persuaded the Royal Dublin Society to establish the Radium Institute to assist hospitals. In 1933 Joly passed away at the age of seventy-six. Jacqueline Eager Student Projects Placement, Cultural Collections 2005 iMollan, Charles, Irish National Inventory of Scientific Instruments, Samton Limited, 1995, p. 302. iiJoly, John, 'On the determination of the melting points of minerals, Part 1. Uses of the meldometer', Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Vol. 2., 1891. iiiInstitute for Learning Technologies, "Stephan Mitchell Yeates' http://www.ilt.columbia.edu/projects/bluetelephone/html/yeates.html, accessed on 04.10.2005 ivMollan, Charles, Irish National Inventory of Historic Scientific Instruments, op cit. vMollan, Charles, The Mind and the Hand: Instruments of Science 1685-1932, Samton Limited, Dublin, 1995, p. 34.The following from #2975 in UDE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN ENGINEERING list in the “Irish National Inventory of Historical Scientific Instruments” by Charles Mellon (P/C in file for Cat no 272. “....meldometer as an instrument ‘for the purpose of finding the melting-points of minerals, hence its name. As used by him (Joly), it consists of a strip of platinum,on which minute fragments of any mineral can be placed, while any alteration in its length can be determined by means of a micrometer screw which touches a lever connected with one end of the strip. The strip can be heated by an electric current, and is calibrated by observing the micrometer readings corresponding to the temperatures at which some substances of known melting-points melt’.” Ref. : J. Joly, Proc. Roy. Irish Acad. 3rd series vol 2 (1891),38-64. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Photograph
Posed studio photograph of Private A. C. Hill in Australian Army uniform. This photograph is printed in typical post card style by the photographer, Wilkie & Son, King St., Cork, Ireland. The reverse side of this post card is a letter to his wife dated 6th June, 1917 and posted from Cork, Ireland. (refer item 00325). -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Medals - J.Ireland
1939/1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939/1945, Australian Service medal 1939/1945. John Ireland NX16933medals, ww2 -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Medals Minatures, Ireland
1939/1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939/1945, Australian Service medal 1939/1945. John Ireland NX16933medals, ww2, army -
Bendigo Military Museum
Certificate - CERTIFICATE OF SURRENDER MOUNTED, 6/9/1945
Copy of Instrument of Surrender of Japanese forces in New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville and Adjacent islands 6th Sept 1945Signed by Vernon Sturdee, LT General First Australian Army and Commander in Chief Japanese Imperial Southeastern Army (signed in Japanese characters).documents-certificates, japan, military history, surrender -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Book
Sample book of Irish Lace thread ( Manilove's ) 6 samples on left side and 4 on right. Blue background. Samples in bow shape.handcrafts, lacemaking, commerce, advertising -
St Patrick's Old Collegians Association (SPOCA)
Photograph - History, Celtic Cross
-
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Telephone Diretory 1974, 1974
The telephone directory contains both White Pages and Pink Pages listings. The White Pages listings are in alphabetical order of names for the entire 055 district. This directory is of some importance as it lists the names and addresses of people and businesses with telephones in 1974 in the 055 area code. Most of the listings of the smaller towns give the names of the homes and properties. So this is a very useful tool for research purposes.This is a soft cover booklet with a green cover and a colour photograph of an Irish Setter dog on the front cover and a map of the telephone area on the back cover. Front cover – ’74 Telephone Directory, Camperdown, Casterton, Edenhope, Hamilton, Portland, Warrnambool districts. STD area code 055. See back cover for area covered by this directory Spine – Camperdown, Casterton, Edenhope, Hamilton, Portland, Warrnambool districts. See the pink pages for business & trade listings. V1- 1974 Back Cover – Country directory areas. The area covered by this Directory is the coloured portion of this map. See the pink pages for business and trade listings. warrnambool 1974, warrnambool telephone directory 1974, 055 telephone directory -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - IRISH ENVOYS AND SANDHURST COMMITTEE 1889, 1889
Group of 24 men in dark suits, some sitting and some standing. On front -- The Irish Envoys and Sandhurst Committee. 1889. Markings on back: Back row - 3rd from left - Colgan. Father - 3rd from left - back row. Gilt edging on frame. Northcott's Band preceded the procession from the railway station following the Irish Envoys arrival. Hibernian Society members present. See Bendigo Advertiser article 8th May, 1889, page 3: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88586344?searchTerm=irish%20envoysperson, group, sandhurst committee -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Cigatettes tin, Murray Sons and Co
Issued during WWIIRound tin of Murrays cigarette Tobacco issued to troops during WWII Yellow paper label with red with red print MURRAY ERINMORE CIGATETTETOBACCO Rear Murray Sons and co Belfast Ireland Est. 1810tobacco -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Magazine - Magazine article, Genealogical Society of Victoria, Irish Origins - An Australian Perspective, November 1988
Image (top) of Victoria Theatre Sovereign Hill, with Andrew Dark (2nd from left) and Peter Eyres (2nd from right) The theatre at Soveriegn Hill is a replica of the Victoria Theatre that opened in Ballarat on 16 February 1856 with a season by the legendary Lola Montez. The new theatre claimed to be the largest in the colony outside Melbourne.page 15 black and white typed article with two imagesIRISH ORIGINS - AN AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVE BALLARAT, 5TH/6TH NOVEMBER 1988 by Des Reganandrew dark, victoria theatre, sovereign hull, ballarat, gold, mining -
Broadmeadows Historical Society & Museum
Container - Tin
Tobacco Tin, Murray Sons & Co Ltd, Erinmore Flake Pipe Tobacco, Estimated date: 1930's Rectangular metal tin with fitted lid. Yellow painted lid with red print in centre on lid. Murray's trademark pineapple at lower centre on lid. Yellow top. Red writing. Dark grey base.Relates to historic past-time and habitsRectangular metal tin with fitted lid. Yellow painted lid with red print in centre on lid. Murray's trademark pineapple at lower centre on lid. Yellow top. Red writing. Dark grey base.Murray's Erinmore Flake Made in Northern Ireland by Murray Sons & Co Ltd, Belfastsmoking, tobacco, container -
Greensborough Historical Society
Book, Brain Mitchell, Finding your Irish ancestors, by Brian Mitchell, 2001_
Paperback, 84 p.family history, ireland -
The Celtic Club
Book, Brendan Kennelly, A Time for voices: Selected poems 1960-1990, 1990
A selection of Irish poetry.Index, p.169.non-fictionA selection of Irish poetry.ireland - poetry, ireland -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, Patrick McGoldrick, 2007
Interview with Mr Patrick McGoldrick, who migrated from Ireland to Australia in 1963.Interview with Mr Patrick McGoldrick, who migrated from Ireland to Australia in 1963. Interviewed by Lucie Baragwanath, 8 May 2007. Tape at NP3603Interview with Mr Patrick McGoldrick, who migrated from Ireland to Australia in 1963. mcgoldrick, patrick, irish in australia, oral history migration program -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Domestic object - Tea Towel
Cream irish linen tea towels with printed green border on three sides. 10cm green band, with printed cup and saucer on fourth side.domestic items, cleaning, manchester, work cloths -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Map - MARKS COLLECTION: GEOLOGICAL MAP OF IRELAND
Rolled map on wooden hanger, wooden rail on bottom. On top of map: 'geological survey of Ireland' On bottom LH side: the geology of this map published June 1855 by Sir R.I. Murchison, Director General, J. Beebe Jukes Local Director, surveyed by T. Oldham. Map part of Lansell material. On back of map at top written in black pen 'Ireland'.person, bendigo, george lansell -
Greensborough Historical Society
Book, Mick Tracy: the Irish scripture reader: or The martyred Convert and the priest, a tale of facts, 1887_
This book was presented as a gift to Allan Partington, a member of the Greensborough Methodist Sabbath School in 1917.Shows the attendance of children at Sunday School in the early 20th Century. Owned by Allan Partington.337 pages. Black and white illus. Hard cover book with red cover embossed with a tree emblem and title: "Mick Tracy The Irish Scripture Reader"Book plate: Methodist Sabbath School Greensborough. Awarded to Allan Partington. Signed H. Mitchell, Supt. December 1917.allan partington, methodist sabbath school, greensborough methodist church -
St Patrick's Old Collegians Association (SPOCA)
Photograph - SPOCA, Tour of Ireland
-
St Patrick's Old Collegians Association (SPOCA)
Photograph - SPOCA, Irish Jesuit 150-Years
-
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - PETHARD COLLECTION: MARRIE NARELLE POSTCARD
Handcoloured postcard, woman wearing long off the shoulder dress. See 1074.4 also. Written on bottom of card Miss Marrie Narelle. Queen of Irish melody.person, individual, marrie narelle, pethard, chancellor -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Book, John Monaghan, Our Irish Ancestry and a History of their Descendants. Family History of the Monaghan, Mills, Hodgetts, Ryan, Byron, Clarke, Dalton, Griffin, McGee, Moran Families
Family History of the Monaghan Family - Still Residents in our District.Light Blue Card with Dark Blue Tape, with Black Hand written titleOur Irish Ancestors and a History of their Descendants. Family History (Underlined) Monaghan Mills Hodgetts, etc Ryanstawell -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Book, Dirt Poor - Spirit Rich: A History of the Carrucan Family, 2011
Edited by Jim Martin, Tim Erickson and Frank Carrucan. The Carrucans came from Ireland to Australia in the 1850s, settling in Eltham and living there for many generations. Much of this family history book is set in Eltham and surrounding districts. Contents: Themes - The Wurundjeri in Eltham - The Carrucan Story - The Michael Line - The Emigrants - The Bridget Line - The Patrick Line - The Peter Line - The Denis Line - They serve the Lord - They served their country - Final thoughts. SoftcoverCover: Commemorating the dispersion of members of the Carracan Family from West Clare, Ireland ISBN 9780646552286 [includes a dedication letter from Tim Erickson (for the Carrucan Book Committee) to the Eltham District Historical Society, presenting a complimentary copy of the book, 13 October 2011; there is also a handwritten summary of Eltham references inside the back cover]carracun family, pioneers -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - LYDIA CHANCELLOR COLLECTION: THE LIFE OF CHARLES LEVER
A pink book titled 'The Life of Charles Lever the Irish National Novelist. The chronicler of Ireland's gallantry; the genial and kindhearted novelist whose wit and humour were combined with wisdom.' London : Ward, Lock & Co., Salisbury Square, E. C. 337 - 352 pgs. This booklet is one of a series of 53 ' Ward & Lock's Penny Books for the People.' 'Biographical Series.' Price one penny. There are advertisements of note.books, biography, charles lever, lydia chancellor, collection, charles lever, male, individual, person, famous people, irish history, writer, writing, irish novelists, ward & lock's penny historical series, ward & lock's penny books for the people, biographical series, advertisements, penny books -
St Patrick's Old Collegians Association (SPOCA)
Photograph - SPOCA, Irish Jesuit 150-Years
-
Parks Victoria - Days Mill and Farm
Document - Dance list
Local dances were held in the Mill buildings. This is one of two lists that survive from that time inside the mill. Handmade on property.Two pieces of cardboard nailed to the south wall. The sign contains a handwritten list of various dances. (see inscriptions for details)"QUADRILLE ALBERTS / WALTZ WALTZ / LANCERS QUADRILLE / SCHOTTISCH BARNDANCE / ALBERTS LANCERS / BARN DANCE WALTZ / WALTZ COTTN ROYAL IRISH / HIGH SCHOT VARSOVEINNA / ROYAL IRISH SPANISH WALTZ / LANCERS [copper plate] AULD LANG SYNE / POLKA"dancing, social gatherings -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Irish Sketch Book
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. WARRNAMBOOL'S 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. The Irish Sketch Book and Contributions to the 'Foreign Quarterly Review' 1842-4 Author: W M Thackeray Edited by George Saintsbury Publisher: Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press Date: 1864Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC THA Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker 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 irish sketch book, w m thackeray, george saintsbury, foreign quarterly review 1842-4 -
Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre
Booklet - collector card booklet, Aircraft of the Royal Air Force, c1940s
A promotional booklet produced by Tobacco companypaperback with tan paper 16 pages, collector card booklet with various cards attached, has been covered with plastic protector sheetIssued by John Player & Sons, braqnch of the Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain and Ireland, price one pennybooklet, collector cards