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

Bendigo Advertiser from 2000. Two photos of the Shamrock Hotel. The first black and white under titled Icon: an old photograph of Rochester's historic Shamrock Hotel. The second is a colored photo of the Shamrock Hotel with scaffolding aroundnewspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Photocopy of 3 newspaper articles The first ''Bendigo's coal gas era ends'' from Dec 10, 1973, the second ''Not to East'' from 23/02/1976 and the last ''Councillors in a quandary'' from 23/02/1977.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, gas related item

Thick Blue Pencil with paper note glued to it reading 'Pencil (used?) At First Federal Election for Senate on 29th march 1901 at (Roust st?) By James G. Owen Deputy Returning Officer Federated Parliament of Australia.domestic equipment, writing equipment

Postcard, black and white. Image shows Soldiers Memorial Hall, Bendigo. Ornate façade, with dome supported by pillars on first level. On bottom ' Soldiers Memorial Hall, Bendigo. On back 'Valentine's Post Card, a genuine photograph'Valentine'scottage, miners

Two page letter (handwritten) to J. H. Curnow, Esq. from his Sutton Ward ratepayers encouraging his nomination to vacant City Council seat. 28 signatures on first page - second page is blank.person, individual, curnow collection

Scrapbook from circa 1910 belonging to Miss Sam Mackay nee Alice Mitchell. Brown ornate cover (damaged) glued to the first fifteen pages, photos and articles relating to music and concerts, the rest of the album is empty.bendigo, clubs, music lovers club

Photograph of a Diorama at the Australian War memorial, depicting the siege at Tobruk Harbour, 1941. This famous siege led to the first German defeat on land and successfully thwarted Rommel at his attempt at Egyptian conquest. Photographed by Uwe Steinward.postcard, photograph, world war two, siege of tobruk, world war two, uwe steinward

Photographs taken by ex-employee of Kitchen's, Lionel Hayfield (refer catalogue numbers 3411 and 3412) just before the building sold to "The Block" - a Channel 9 TV program. See also cat nos 3846, 3847 and 3848First floor series of colour photographs taken inside and from the J Kitchen & Sons Administration Building, Ingles St, Port Melbourne. Details where possible are on the back of the photographs. .01-.04 ; outside rear of buildingsindustry - manufacturing, built environment - commercial, built environment - industrial, demolitions, j kitchen & sons pty ltd

Photographs taken by ex-employee of Kitchen's, Lionel Hayfield (refer catalogue numbers 3411 and 3412) just before the building sold to "The Block" - a Channel 9 TV program. See also cat nos 3846, 3847 and 3848First floor series of colour photographs taken inside and from the J Kitchen & Sons Administration Building, Ingles St, Port Melbourne. Details where possible are on the back of the photographs. .24 - .36 ; Ladies cloak roomindustry - manufacturing, built environment - commercial, built environment - industrial, demolitions, j kitchen & sons pty ltd

Photographs taken by ex-employee of Kitchen's, Lionel Hayfield (refer catalogue numbers 3411 and 3412) just before the building sold to "The Block" - a Channel 9 TV program. See also cat nos 3846, 3847 and 3848First floor series of colour photographs taken inside and from the J Kitchen & Sons Administration Building, Ingles St, Port Melbourne. Details where possible are on the back of the photographs. .37 -.46 ; Gents cloak roomindustry - manufacturing, built environment - commercial, built environment - industrial, demolitions, j kitchen & sons pty ltd

Two statements dated 16th. September, 1957 to Mr W.E. & Mrs. V.M. Rivett of 25 Grattan Street, Bendigo. First Reference: Lane the second reference Oatway and a cover letter dated 18th September, 1957.business, legal, connelly & tatchell

Deaf Children Australia have a complete set of Annual reports from 1863 to the present date. Annual reports document the activities of the organisation, including educational issues, finance, staffing and students. Annual Reports are created each year.This represents part of the complete official history of Deaf Children Australia from 1863 to the present date, covering the subject of deaf education and related issues.Red Leather (?)and linen(?) bound volumwith gold painting containing Annual Reports of the Victorian School for Deaf Children (V.S.D.C) First report: 1999. Last report: Annual Rewiew 2007/2008. Includes financial reports.Front Cover: "VSDC Services for Deaf Children". Spine: "Reports VSCD 1999-2008". Cover decorated with gold paint and brown leather inserted under title.deaf children australia, deaf education, deaf services queensland, annual report

2 copies black and white photograph. Looking South along the ground floor passage from the Principal's Office towards the Hall at the end. Fruit Preserves behind windows on the right side. Stairs up to first floor.On reverse, Commercial Photographic Co. Pty. Ltd. 217 Queensberry Street, Carlton, Melbourne, N.#. FJ 5266 When Ordering Further Prints Please Quote-No K370-2.administration building, fruit preserves, hall, interior administration building, interior main building

Small cloth book with four pages printed on both sides. Contains the first line of nursery rhymes and accompanying pictures. Spine machine stitched each page double thickness. Top and bottom unfinished with fraying threads. Front page - Dean's rag book. Back page - Rag book. Trade mark Washable baby safe. Made in Great Britain 50578/2

The Slovenian Home in Carlton was purchased partially by donations and personal members loans. The Dom had comfortable rooms for meetings, drama group practices, welcoming ceremonies, some sporting activities, singing and poetry recitals.Being the first Slovenian Home in AustraliaBlack and white photo of the Blessing at the opening of the Slovenian Centre - Slovenski Dom in Carlton by Fr Basil in 1960. Slovenians were very proud to have achieved the goal and purchased a building, the very first Slovenian centre in Australia.Blessing of the Slovenian Domslovenski dom, slovenian centre in carlton, slovenian club melbourne, blessing of the centre

Newspaper clipping of the first and second pages of the Corowa Free Press of Wednesday, 12th July 2017, articles covering the fire at the Silver Key Café in Main Street Rutherglen, which took place on Sunday, 9th July.silver key cafe, fire

Newspaper clipping of the first and second pages of the Corowa Free Press of Wednesday, 26th July 2017, articles covering the fire at the Silver Key Café in Main Street Rutherglen, which took place on Sunday, 9th July.silver key cafe, fire