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 a 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 a 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. 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 Sonnets Triumphs and Other Poems of Petrarch Author: Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) Publisher: Bell & Daldy Date: 1873 Further Information: First completely Translated into English Verse by various hands, with a life of the poet by Thomas CampbellThe label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 851 PET Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library. 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, the sonnets triumphs and other poems of petrarch, petrarch, thomas campbell

Autograph album, leather bound. Owner of album invites friends/family to add autograph or verse or drawing. Entries are date between 1877 and 1884 (not all entries dated). May have belonged to relative of Basil Watson?person, individual, basil watson

Framed print of various people playing and watching tennis and wearing tennis attire. A text section is entitled "Crinolette" and is a verse about styles of dress for tennis. Dated on reverse of frame. Materials: Ink, Paper, Glass, Woodtennis

Photograph of the Opening of Pinemont Kindergarten, with the Secretary, Mrs Perry, speaking to the audience in front of the kindergarten. The image is a little blurry. The Mayor of Ringwood is behind Mrs Perry. Dated 16th April 1966.

Has a strong association with Neville Gower, one of the Museum founders, Richard Gilbert and a strong supporter, Bob Merchant.Colour print of Neville Gower speaking at the 21st anniversary celebrations of the BTM, 19 September 1992. Printed on Kodak paper. 4114.1 - Same event - Richard Gilbert 4114.2 - Bob Merchant21st anniversary, lake lodge

Colour photograph. Emu Creek Bush Band on stage. Woman in black hat speaking into microphone. Small poster reads Bendigo Y's Men. Back of photo reads: Emu Creekentertainment, music, bendigo y's men

Drawing by Sgt Stewart Allan Chambers VX77754 Born 23/7/1902 at Toongabbie Enlisted 11/3/1942 at Caulfield at the age of 39 years 7 months He served in the AIF from 11/3/1942 to when he was discharged on 14/2/1946 He was attached to the 2nd Ambulance Car Coy and 3rd Australian Air Maintenance Coy. Sgt Chambers was posted to Wangaratta prior to embarking on 14/8/1942 for New Guinea during World War Two.Victoria's 2/24th Infantry Battalion was raised in Wangaratta in July 1940. They were welcomed with open arms by the local community as they rapidly built up their numbers. The people of Wangaratta adopted the Battalion and they became known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. Many of the soldiers maintained life long friendships with the people of Wangaratta. Even though the Battation was disbanded in 1946 members and their families return each year, in November, for a commemorative service at the 2/24th Battalion Memorial Wall at the Wangaratta Cemetery.Cream paper with drawing by hand in pencil of soldier looking up at plane and parachutes attached to boxes falling to ground with palm trees and hills in backgroundChristmas Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year To Mrs McDonald From Stewart Drawing - verse on box Rear - VX77754 S A Chambers 3rd Aust Air Maint Coy Australia stewart a chambers, vx 77754, ww2

This card was presented to Bruce Morris on his retirement as editor of the Warrnambool Standard newspaper in 1968. The signatures on the card are those people who worked closely with him (the editorial staff?) on the newspaper. Bruce Morris (1903-1986) was the grandson of George Lance, well-known in Warrnambool in the 19th century as an artist, writer and musician who was deeply involved in the establishment of the Warrnambool Art Gallery. Bruce Morris was the staff training superintendent at Myer in Melbourne during the 30s and 40s. In 1946 he became the editor of the Warrnambool Standard and remained there until 1968. For 22 years he observed and recorded the events that affected the lives of the local people. He was noted for his historical articles (mostly with the initials BBM) and continued to write these articles for the Standard until the year he died. This card is of interest as a memento of Bruce Morris, one of Warrnambool’s important historians. This is a buff-colured card folded over to make a leaflet with a sheet of white paper folded over in the middle of the leaflet. The front cover has gold ornamentation and gold printing. There are a printing of a verse and eleven signatures in blue on the inside paper. ‘Ron Oakley, E. Fitzhenry, Eileen T, Horne, Don Burnett, Mac Jeffers, Peter Robertson, Terry Daffy, David Ferguson, Bruce Johnson, Ron Armstrong, Jim Ewing.’brue morris, warrnambool, warrnambool standard editors, history of warrnambool

Book. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 116 page soft cover book of verse by Kenneth Slessor. Published in 1962 by Angus & Robertson, Sirius Books. Printed by Halstead Press, Sydney. Catalogue sticker ''2019.2 SLE'' on spine.Kenneth Slessorbooks, collections, poetry, alec h chisholm collection, kenneth slessor, poetry

Postcard.. Xmas Wishes. Verse. As free as the breeze that blows over the purple heather So may you be from sadness free through storm and sunny weather. Rear. To dear Sergt Major with best wishes from Redvers(????)

Book. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 98 page hardback book of verse by Mary Augusta Poynter (Lady Poynter). Published in 1925 by Fleming H. Revell Co. and printed in the USA. Catalogue sticker ''2087 POY'' on spine.Mary Augusta Poynterbooks, collections, poetry, alec h chisholm collection, mary augusta poynter, poetry

Cream card with a 7 x 7 cm black & white scene of The Little Devil River, Victoria. The scene shows the river, trees & rocks. There is a narrow white border around the picture with grey shading. A verse is printed underneath.person, greeting cards, malone collection, malone collection, greeting cards

Document. Greeting Cards. Single white card with a sailing boat at sea on the front. On the right is land. In the foreground is sand and rocks. The initials 'HLD' is printed in brown on the sand. At the bottom is a verse printed in grey. The card has rounded corners.person, greeting cards, malone collection, malone collection, greeting cards

Sheet with words for song ''Farewell to Long Gully Forever''. Protest song to be sung (obviously) to the tune of ''Farewell to Old England Forever''. Five verses and chorus re the closure of Long Gully School . No date or other information on this sheet.

Port of Portland Authority archivesFront: (no inscriptions) Back: '86/ Capt Don O'Donnell/ H.M. (blue pen, centre)port of portland authority archives

Postcard. Birthday geeetings to my friend, if I'd a book in which to write, The thoughts that stir me through, I'm sure you'd read it for Dear Friend, Each page would speak of you.

see page 11 Lakes Post Newspaper 11 July 1990Colour photograph Rotary Club member Scott McKenzie and fellow team member Neil Wagstaff after speaking to the club about their Rotary Group Study Tour to Germany. Lakes Entrance Victoriarotary club, volunteering

‘A’ Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles conducted a parade at Buna Barracks, Albury on Sunday 1 May 1988 to mark the 103rd Anniversary of the formation of the Victorian Mounted Rifles and the 40th Anniversary of the linking of the 8th (Indi), 13th (Gippsland) and 20th (Victorian Mounted Rifles) Light Horse Regiments to form the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Colonel G K Howard, Director of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps was the Reviewing Officer. The Pipes and Drums of the 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment provided the music for the occasion. Following the parade Colonel Howard officially opened the Regimental Museum.Colour photograph of Major R. Morrison, Officer Commanding ' A ' Squadron, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles speaking at the opening of the regimental Museum. Other Officers are Colonel J.A. Neale, and Colonel G.K.Howard.

Book. ALEC H. CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 64 page soft cover book of Australian verse by H.S.Legge. Published in 1925 by Edward A. Vidler, Melbourne and printed by Keating and Wood Pty Ltd, Melbourne. Catalogue sticker '2048 LEG' on spine.H.S.Leggebooks, collections, poetry, alec h. chisholm collection, h.s.legge, poetry

Book. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 49 page hardback book of verse by Ian Mudie. Published in 1959 by Angus and Robertson with the assistance of the Commonwealth Literary Fund. Printed by Halstead Press, Sydney. Catalogue sticker ''2006 MUD'' on spine.Ian Mudiebooks, collections, poetry, alec h chisholm collection, ian mudie, poetry

Buff coloured card with a verse by T. Davis printed in brown at the top and coloured picture of two small brown birds sitting of a thorny vine with green leaves. Light green shading behind the birds. On the back: To Bessie from Vera.person, greeting cards, malone collection, malone collection, greeting cards