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. A Voyage to Terra Australis Vol 1 Undertaken for the purpose of completing the Discovery of that vast country, and prosecuted in the years 1801,1802 and 1803 in His Majesty's Ship The Investigator, and subsequently in the armed vessel Porpoise and Cumberland schooner. Author: Matthew Flinders Publisher: G and W Nicol Date: 1814Label on spine cover with typed text RA 910.4 FLI Fly endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, a voyage to terra australis vol 1, matthew flinders

Digital image of Bendigo 28, with a Lake Weeroona destination, at the corner will Williamson St with the Shamrock Hotel in the background. Has signs for Carlton Draught beer. A Stonemasons signs is next door. Photo by John Ward 1 January 1972 Slide title "00890 010172 SEC Birney tram 28 Pall Mall at Williamson St outside Shamrock Hotel Bendigo Vic"trams, tramways, bendigo, pall mall, lake weeroona, tram 28

17 x 11 cm, hardback, covers very loose and spine missing, 226 pages Sandhurst: J.W. Burrows, Printer, Williamson Street, 1888Stamped "Victoria Police" and inscribed "Briagolong Police Station"instruction manual, lew howard collection, victoria police

Blank (unused) form, Court of Petty Sessions, Midland Bailiwick. 'Application for Summons for Commitment' - Tatchell, Dunlop, Smalley & Balmer, 290 Williamson St. Bendigoperson, individual, curnow collection

Note paper with black printing from Freeman & Freeman, Barristers & Solicitors, Shamrock Buildings, Williamson Street, Bendigo. G. Ross Freeman and David A. Freeman.business, printers, cambridge press, cambridge press collection, freeman & freeman, g ross freeman, david a freeman, shamrock buildings

Invoice dated 09/12/1949 for Clarke Bros. fro a hardware item at £8.10.00 from Cavagna Bros. Machinery Merchants Williamson Street, Bendigo.

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 1999. City centre: John Roberts one price Drapery House at the corner of Williamson and Hargreaves streetsnewspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 1999. Busy: Bendigo City Market, Williamson Street, 1903 to 1939. Designed by architect William Beebe.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Document, Ashman's, Cnr Hargreaves and Williamson Streets, Bendigo, The Home of Better Suits, Tailors & Hatters.Account Paid by Mr J Guiney, 126 Sternberg Street.document, ashman's

Contains biographical notes on James and Isabella Williamson, first purchasers of the site about 1840, with newspaper clippings and photographs9p. booklet, text, black and white and colour photographs. 3 copiesviewbank homestead, williamson family

Colour photograph of four adults in period costume and several children seated in four wheel horse drawn wagon in country setting."L-R Jim Mason, Letty Armstrong, Maisie Hart, Kevin Knight, Children: Cameron, Emma and Rohan Nicol. Horse Sam".smythesdale homecomers parade 1981, ldhs activities

'History of Bendigo District - Diamond Jubilee 1922 - 1982, Girl Guides Association of Victoria. Researched by Margaret Baker, Bette McLaughlin, Berry Wallace, Agnes Watson, Norma Young. Light blue cover. 33 pages with photos.girl guides association, history, 1922 - 1982, bendigo, girl guides, diamond jubilee.

Photograph - black & white of 2 women. Older woman standing on right wearing button up cardigan, pleated skirt. Women on left wearing a skirt and cardigan suit. No hats. Similar to photo's 1332.11,12. Lydia or Agnes and mum?person, family, pethard family, photograph. pethard family. portrait 2 women.

HardcoverLong Inscription to Prue Boyd from Joe Williamson - "Mr Boyd should find this a very useful garden book"gardening, walsh st library

MRS. YONNE BOTTOMLY IS THE GRAND DAUGHTER OF THE LATE MRS. MATILDA PAULL.ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF HOUSE IN BAILEY STREET, CLUNES. NEXT DOOR TO ST THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, BOUGHT AND REFURBISHED BY MR. ALEX PAULL, FOLLOWING HIS RETURN FROM W.A. GOLDFIELDS IN 1900. HOUSE PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY MR. JIM BRYANT CLUNES. MINE MANAGER NEW LOTHAIR. 6MC.PHOTO OF THE OLD PAULL HOUSE IN BAILEY STREET, CLUNES. NOW OWNED BY MR. R. WILLIAMSON - NEAR TOWN HALLlocal history, photography, photographs, buildings

Stuart Williamson, Charge Nurse, with baby - Midwifery Training 1984 to 1985, first male midwife, Ballarat Base Hospitalwilliamson, midwifery, baby, charge nurse, ballarat base hospital, 1984, male midwife

Black and white photo: Bendigo skyline from St. Pauls, bottom left corner of Williamson St. and Myers St., Williamson St. across centre of photo. Anne Caudle centre left on skyline. Bendigo Base Hospital centre on skyline. ( Noelene Wild - 7.2000 ) In image ' Bruce's Discount Store ' ' Nissan Symes Motors ' ' Furniture Warehouse' Bendigo Bulk Carpets' The Carpet Giants 'Peter Hyettplace, aerial view of bendigo

Identified by Mrs Surman as the Linton football team in about 1900. Mrs Surman also identified names of players, which are inscribed on the back of the photograph. Guernseys were apparently hand-knitted at this time, mostly by the players' mothers. They were all in team colours, blue and white, but had different patterns. (This information given by Mrs Stella Surman in a 1991 interview. Interview recorded on CD - see Registration no. 2019-212.)Original sepia photograph of a group of men wearing football guernseys. Guernseys have different patterns (mostly variations on vertical stripes) and most are laced at the front."Jack Brown / about 1900 / L to R / H Roberts, R Nicol, Ben Cornish, Catton, Jack Hogan, Pearly Power, J Mitchell, H Catton /Jim Hogan, A Nicol, P Crane, B Angus, W McMillan, Tony Cunningham / Mick Cunningham, -?- , Whitecross, Jack Cunningham, J Brown".linton football club, jack brown, h. roberts, r. nicol, a. nicol, ben cornish, h. catton, jack hogan, jim hogan, "pearey" power, j. mitchell, p. crane (craine), b. angus, w. mcmillan, tony cunningham, mick cunningham, jack cunningham, whitecross

Mary Russell brought household items to Australia from England in 1934. Her mother, Elizabeth Russell used the writing desk that was originally given to her mother, Agnes Marian Byrne when she went to boarding school. Agnes used it all her life. Desk damaged by a visiting child who forced the desk closed/open at one point. Estimated that Agnes went to school about 1830'sA square wooden box with brass inlay decoration on lid and front around lock. Hinged lid opens to be a writing surface of velvet. At lock end, groove for pens and small well for ink bottle. Key (not to be used) is in the ink well. Base lined with green hessian glued on. Lid and base angled to give sloping writing surface. A total of 12 items including the box.domestic items, writing equipment, handcrafts, woodwork

Business card for The Laurel Café Miss L Nankervis Williamson Street, Bendigo. Blue Card with gold lettering and border pattern. Reverse has Calendar for 1928

Black and white postcard of Williamson Street looking toward the Post Office, on the right the Shamrock Hotel, six or seven horse carriages and several persons can be seen.bendigo, streetscape, williamson street

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 1999. Quieter times: corner of Hargreaves and Williamson streets, Bendigo, now the site of the Hargreaves Mall. Circa 1970s.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterForceps, Williamson"s, all nickle plate metal, with traction bar screwed at handle tip. Manufacturer: Allan & Hanbury London. On label, identified by Bryan Hiibbardforceps, obstetric

Paper document, issued to W. Williamson on 16th June 1935, reminding him that annual fees are due by 21st June 1935, and of the penalties for failure to pay on time.w williamson, australian natives association, lodges

Book: 'Tennis Without Tears', 129 pages. Hardcover. Edition uncertain. Inscription on front free endpaper: 'TO DIANA WILLIAMSON/29.6.52'. Materials: Paper, Ink, Cardboardtennis

Photo of 2 trams parked on Pall Mall at intersection with Williamson Street. George Lansell statue visible in background, crowd lining both sides of Pall Mall.basil miller, bendigo trams

This photograph is thought to be of the younger pupils attending Linton State School in 1918 or 1919. A second copy of this photograph is Registration number 2015-12. A companion photograph, which shows the older pupils in the same year, is Registration number 315. The same dog is in both photographs. In the "Index of Photographs (Numerical Order)" folder, an early LDHS index, pupils have been identified as: Back row: Vincent McDonald, -? Lamb, Spencer Grigg, Arthur Bass, Norman Barr, Billy Lamb. Second row: Ilma Jennings, Jean Nicol, Linda Murrell, Doris Whitehead, Isobell Brett, -? Cole, Agnes Kennedy. Third row: Sydney Chibnall, Claude Godden, Colin Kirk, Syd Lamb, -? Cole, Coronation Wishart, Mollie Smith, Joyce Commons, Muriel Stapleton, Mollie Gascoigne, Eileen Armstrong, Jimmy Wishart, Bill Wishart. Fourth row: Jack Stapleton, Joe Reidy, Perc McGee, Ron Kirk, Jim Stapleton, Had Cornish, Alan Ching, Lance Chegwin, Bruce Maddox, Innis Brett. Fifth row: Ivy Brown, Eileen Kennedy, Jean Toshack, Alice Armstrong, Laura Mitchell, Elsie Mitchell, Nellie Norris, Norman Murrell. Dating the photograph: One of the copies of this photograph of the younger pupils was donated in 2014 by Peter Stapleton, who understood it was taken in 1919. However, a very damaged copy of the companion photograph (older pupils - this copy has not been catalogued into the collection) is dated in an inscription "October 1918".Black and white photograph of a group of school children posed in front of a bluestone and brick wall. One of the pupils is holding a dog.On back of photograph: "M. McBeath" List of names on paper with Registration no. 621: " 947 Back row. L-R - (1) Vincent McDonald, (2) - Lamb, (3) Spencer Grigg, (4) Arthur Lamb, (5)Norman Barr. 2nd Row. L-R (Girls) (1) Ilma Jennings, (2) Jean Nicol, (3) Linda Murrell, (4) Doris Whitehead, (5) Isobel Brett, (6) - Cole, (7) Agnes Kennedy. 3rd Row (Boys) (1) - Lamb, (2) - Godden,(3) - Kirk. (girls) (4) Mollie Smith, (5) Joyce Commons, (6) Marie Stapleton, (7) Mollie Gascoigne, (8) Eileen Armstrong. (boys) (9) Jimmy Wishart, (10) Bill Wishart. 4th Row (boys) (11) Jack Stapleton, (12) Joe Reidy, (13) Perry McGee, (14 - Kirk, (15) Jack Stapleton, (16) Harold (Ad) Cornish, (17)Allan Ching, (18) - Chegwin, (19) Bruce Maddock, (2) - Brett. 5th Row - front. (1) Ivy Brown, (2) Eileen Kennedy, (3) Jean Toshack, (4) - Armstrong, (5) Laura Mitchell (Tonkin), (6) Elsie Mitchell, (7) Nellie Norris, (8) Norman Murrell". "Probably 1917-1920 when E. Chegwin was HT." Note: There are actually three sets of names to go with this photograph, which all vary somewhat. The list of names in the "Other Information" field of this catalogue record is taken from the "Index of Photographs (Numerical Order)" folder, an early index compiled for LDHS. The third set of names is inscribed on the back of the copy in the "Linton State School - Photos" file.linton state school no. 880, vincent mcdonald, -? lamb, spencer grigg, arthur bass, norman barr, billy lamb, ilma jennings, jean nicol, linda murrell, doris whitehead, isobell brett, -? cole, agnes kennedy, sydney chibnall, claude godden, colin kirk, syd lamb, -? cole, coronation wishart, mollie smith, joyce commons, muriel stapleton, mollie gascoigne, eileen armstrong, jimmy wishart, bill wishart, jack stapleton, joe reidy, perc mcgee, ron kirk, jim stapleton, had cornish, alan ching, lance chegwin, bruce maddox, innis brett, ivy brown, eileen kennedy, jean toshack, alice armstrong, laura mitchell, elsie mitchell, nellie norris, norman murrell

The competition was to increase awareness of the pioneering of Phillip Island. 155 entries were received and winners were compiled in the booklet. Art competition winners were Open- Frances Reith and Maree Chaston. Secondary- Neil McRae and Shannon Condick. Primary- Laurie Chisholm and Paul Matthews. Essay Competition winners were Open- Patsy Hunt and Audrey Nicol.. Secondary- Judy Nicol and Cameron Ashe. Primary- Joanne Scrase and Richard Patching.HistoricalLarge yellow coloured booklet with green binding with typed pages, photos and drawings. Also a draft copy of the booklet pre printing which has typed sections pasted onto pages.Snippets of Phillip Island History. Entries from The Shire of Phillip Island Art and Essay competition 1982, conducted in association with the opening of the library, heritage centre and meeting room.chicory industry, the speke, phillip island cemetery, swimming baths, churchill island, ventnor state school, ventnor hall, killara ferry, motor racing