Showing 100567 items
matching books-collections
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Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Time Life Books, Wolf Packs, 1989
Chronicles the submarine war during World War IIIndex, bib, ill, maps, p.185.non-fictionChronicles the submarine war during World War IIgermany - history - 1939-1945, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - germany -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Time Life Books, War on the high seas, 1990
Chronicles naval operations by Germany during World War IIIndex, bib, ill, maps, p.185.non-fictionChronicles naval operations by Germany during World War IIgermany - history - 1939-1945, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - germany -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Time-Life Books, Japan at war, 1980
The story of Japan's preparation for war and its role in World War Ii until its surrender.Index, bib, ill, p.201.non-fictionThe story of Japan's preparation for war and its role in World War Ii until its surrender.world war 1939-1945 - japan - history, world war 1939-1945 - japan -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Time Life Books, Descent into nightmare, 1993
Chronicles the defeat of Germany and the final days of the third ReichIndex, bib, ill, maps, p.183.non-fictionChronicles the defeat of Germany and the final days of the third Reichgermany - history - 1939-1945, world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - germany -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Time-Life Books, The Luftwaffe, 1982
Text and illustrations provide a history and description of the World War II German Air Force.Index, bib, ill, p.171.non-fictionText and illustrations provide a history and description of the World War II German Air Force.world war 1939-1945 - aerial operations - germany, luftwaffe - history -
Lilydale RSL Sub Branch
Book, Michael Renshaw, Mametz Wood - Somme, 1999
Book -
Lilydale RSL Sub Branch
Book, Hinkler Books Pty Ltd, COMPARED AND CONTRASTED - ARTILLERY - FROM WORLD WAR1 TO THE PRESENT DAY, 2010
Book -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Book - Air Warfare, HINKLER BOOKS PTY LTD, 2008
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University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Animal specimen - Insect Collection, 1971-1973
(1) Insect collection pinned and labelled in 2 wooden boxes with glass lids. Boxes hand made by the student. (2) Notes, "Entomology: The Insect Collection." Directions on catching, killing and mounting the insects. Entomology: The Insect Collectioninsects, joanne morris -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOK, NZ VC, Kenneth Sandford, Mark of the Lion-The Story of the New Zealand War Hero Captain Charles Upham VC and Bar, 1990
ISBN 0-0996-4430-4. Item in the Frank Dean collection.399 page, cut edged, paperback book with B&W photos. Cover has a photo of Capt Upham in uniform and one of a Victoria Cross. Title is yellow on a red background in upper left corner."Frank Dean"books, military history -
Greensborough Historical Society
Book, Barrow Creek Books and Music, Down 'Borough by Kay Arthur, 1982_
This collection of stories by Kay Arthur is about 'ordinary' kids dealing with childhood. Written by local author.105 pages, line drawings by Gail Mathieson.kay arthur, authors, books, greensborough -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, Braille and Talking Book Library display at award ceremony, 1998
A display of Louis Braille Audio and BTBL audio books at the 1998 (?) awards ceremony at the Arts Centre. Audio books are scattered across two adjacent benches, with three felt-covered pin boards behind them. Audio book covers, some information about the Braille and Talking Book Library and Tilly Aston, as well as a tribute to 25 years of producing commercial quality talking books is attached to the boards.Display of LBA and BTBL audio books at ceremonybraille & talking book library, robert de graauw, louis braille audio, awards -
Orbost & District Historical Society
scrap books, 2006 ; 2007
These four scrap books were compiled by Margaret Smith, a long time member of the Orbost & District Historical Society. They were donated by her family after her death in 2015.These items are useful reference tools.Four large scrap books containing clippings from the Snowy River Mail. They are pasted in. Two books, 2529.1 and 2529.2 are for 2007 and 25209.3 and 2529.4 are for 2007. All books are large format books for NEWS & CUTTINGS. they contain personal items and news articles.Labelled 2006 and 2007smith-margaret news-orbost scrap-books -
Vision Australia
Text, RVIB Kilmore Auxiliary papers, 1968-1997
The Kilmore RVIB Auxiliary was formed on October 20, 1931. This small collection contains minute books from 1968-1994 and 1994-1997. Correspondence to and from RVIB head office ranging between 1990 -1998. Letters -- minute books -- newspaper clippings -- bank statements -- various loose papers royal victorian institute for the blind -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, Foto Group, 2008 DAISY book Circulation, 13/2/2008
Images of the DAISY circulation process - from receiving DAISY books in the mail and stacking them on the trolleys for return with Tim Mitchell, retrieving DAISY books from the vertical carousel and packaging them into mail pouches for dispatch, listening to DAISY books for quality checking, and loading the duplicator that burns copies of each disk with Ted Johnson.9 digital images of staff handling Daisy booksvision australia, library, audio books, tim mitchell, ted johnson -
Vision Australia
Text, RVIB Mooroopna Auxiliary, 1932-2001
The Mooroopna RVIB Auxiliary formed on August 19, 1932. This collection of papers includes the minute books from 1971 to 2001. The index cards were maintained by RVIB and contain the amount of donations made by the Auxiliary between 1976-1990, as well as the presentations delivered by RVIB employees to Auxiliary meetings between 1978-1985. A decision was made due to lack of members that the Auxiliary be disbanded at the July 23, 2001 meeting after 70 years of service.3 minute books and 3 treasurers books --Mooroopna Blind Auxiliary banner-- banking records--various loose papers and lettersroyal victorian institute for the blind -
Bialik College
Plaque - The Kristina Williams Literature Collection
None available Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record. The Kristina Williams Literature Collection plaque, plastic and paintThe Kristina Williams Literature Collection donors, literature, bialik -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BIOGRAPHY, WW2, POW, E E Dunlop, "THE WAR DIARIES OF WEARY DUNLOP", 1986
Item in the collection of William John Sullivan, VX 57829. Refer Cat. No. 9523P for his service details.Hard cover book with dust cover. Hard cover - cardboard, dark green buckram cover, gold colour print on spine. Dust cover - paper, with gloss finish. Dark green background. White colour print on front, spine and back. Illustrated - front colour portrait photograph of 'Weary' Dunlop. Back - colour copy of watercolour painting of jungle operating theatre. 401 pages - cut, plain white paper. Illustrated black and white photographs, paintings and sketches.books, biography, ww2, pow, william john sullivan -
Ballarat Clarendon College
Book
Four books donated to the Ballarat College Weatherly Library in 1954 possibly by Keith Hargreaves Price. The Price family lived in Dumbarton from 1918. Ballarat Colleg bought the Dumbarton property in 1954. Example of community generosity to the establishment of Ballarat College facilities and appointments.Set of four booksBook plate inside front covers: Ballarat College Library / PRESENTED BY / Mr K H Price 1954 / PLEASE REPORT ANY LOOSE LEAVES, ETC keith-hargreaves-price, dumbarton, ballarat-college, weatherly-library, 1954 -
Greensborough Historical Society
Book, Ken Fin Books, The history of Australian True Crime / by Nigel Cawthorne, 2010_
A collection of stories about Australian criminals, from the sub-title "true life stories of greed, obsession, drugs and murder".208 p., illus.crime and criminals, nigel cawthorne -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Childrens Encyclopedia Vol 1
Presented to Warrnambool Children’s Library by Fletcher Jones Esq. in 1950 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 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 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 Children's Encyclopedia Vol 1, pages 1 - 764. Originated and edited by Arthur Mee. Hardcover, red colour with gold lettering. Published by The Educational Book Company, Limited. Part of the Pattison Collection of books (PAT 032 CHI). Label on spine with typed text PAT 032 CHIwarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, the children's encyclopedia vol 1, pattison collection, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool library, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Book - Diary - G.P. Lyons SECV x4, 1. Catherine Moss; 2. Crossing the Rubicon; 3. Running the Line; 4. Twilight of the Gods
Geoff Lyons worked initially as a storeman for SECV on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and later possibly as a linesman on the transmission lines from Mt Beauty to Melbourne.A social history of working in the north east on a construction site. Geoff worked with European migrants in his youth and describes his life as a young man - an interesting comparison to life in the 2020s.4 Books with coloured (2 tones) cardboard cover with hard plastic attached. 1 and 2 books are bound by white plastic strips 3 and 4 are bound with white tape. 1. 1951-52 with 150 pages; 2. 1952-53 with 130 pages; 3. 1954-55 with 101 pages; 4. 1955-56 with 122 pages.All 4 books have "To Colin & Lyn Maxwell from Joy and Geoff Lyons" handwritten on the first page.geoff lyon, storeman, linesman, secv, khes -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Tatterdemalion
Pattison Collection 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 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent 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 have 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 1850s to the late 1950s 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. Tatterdemalion Author: John Galsworthy Publisher: Penguin Books Limited Date:1920 The label on the spine with the typed text PAT FIC GAL Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, 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, tatterdemalion, john galsworthy -
Greensborough Historical Society
Folder, Government Printer, The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, 1988_
2 books, 1 brochure and letter regarding changes to the Australian Constitution 1988. This set was distributed to schools throughout Australia.2 books, 1 leaflet and letter.Written on cover: "Vertical File: Constitution"australia constitution, constitutional commission -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - BERT GRAHAM COLLECTION: BENDIGO EAST SWIMMING CLUB, 1948 - 1958
Books, Bert Graham Collection, Bendigo East Swimming Club, 9 books containing names and swimming times for races for years 1948 to 1958.bendigo, clubs, bendigo east swimming club -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Australian War Memorial. Treasures from a Century of Collecting, 2012
Tells the story of one of the most significant military history collections in the world. Covers Gallipoli to the jungles of Vietnam, from two world wars to peacekeeping operations and current conflicts. Written by Nola Anderson.Book: Dark mustard hard cover book with title done in white print on front; side has title, author and Australian War Memorial emblem. Dust cover is white thick card with title and author printed in white on a back drop of the memorial plaque and poppies. Side has same background and same print as on book; back cover has 3 paragraphs of writing in white, Australian War Memorial emblem. 612 pages.australian war memorial, second world war, war in the pacific, korea, vietnam, australia's peacekeeping commitments, conflict in the middle east -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Book
Box of books donated as part of Ruth Clark collection, this is box 4 of 5books, novels, slides -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book, Of Love and War. Letters and Diaries of Captain Adrian Curlewis and his Family 1939-1945, 1982
... books-collections ...Collection of letters and diaries written by Captain Adrian Curlewis and his family during the second world war. Philippa Poole who compiled this chronicle is Adian's daughter. Hard cover, green colour background, white print on spine. Dust cover, red and black print on front, back and spine, rising sun badge picture on front, yellow colour background. 280 pages cut plain. Illustrated black and white photographs. On front title page - hand written black ink "Donated by BGO Y Mens Club"books-collections, documents-letters/diaries, military history -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Drinkers of Darkness
Pattison Collection 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 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent 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 have 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 1850s to the late 1950s 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. Drinkers of Darkness Author: Gerald Hanley Publisher: Penguin Books Limited Date: 1955 The label on the spine with typed text PAT FIC HAN Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, 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, drinkers of darkness, gerald hanley, pattison collections -
Vision Australia
Document - Text, RVIB Hamilton Auxiliary, 1929-2000
The Hamilton RVIB Auxiliary formed on December 5th, 1929. This collection of papers includes the minute books from 1929 until 2000, including newspaper clippings from local and state papers, correpondence, financial reports, invitations and RVIB pamphlets and circulars. In October 1969, RVIB asked Auxiliaries to promote the television appearance of Robert Leeman, a blind harmonica player. In response to the Hamilton Auxiliary's congratulatory note, both Robert and his mother replied to the Auxiliary and as well as these letters, an article from the TV Times was also kept. Congratulations cards for Mabel White's 40 and 50 years of service can also be found in the minute books. The index cards were maintained by RVIB and contain the amount of donations made by the Auxiliary between 1976-1995, as well as the presentations delivered by RVIB employees to Auxiliary meetings between 1973-1985.6 minute books -- 2 index cardsroyal victorian institute for the blind, auxiliaries