Showing 3016 items
matching 1917
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Bendigo Military Museum
Tool - WIRE CUTTERS, E W Cheesman, 1917
Cutters are believed to have been brought home by a soldier with the surname of TIMBS.WWI metal folding wire cutters. Handles & cutters connected by metal rivets.Stamped on handle: "E W Cheesman 1917" Stamped on opposite handle: " [down arrow] D"military equipment - army, cutters, wire, tool -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Photograph - Black and white print, Pruning Apple Tree, 1917
This looks like the same writing used in the photograph album of Noelle Kendall (Vaughan) (B.) which includes a similar photograph so now in B09.0003Pruning Demonstration Day.On reverse, "Pruning Apple Tree-Burnley Gardens, Mr. P.J. Carmody-July 21, 1917."pruning, demonstration day, apple tree, burnley gardens, p.j. carmody, noelle kendall (vaughan), orchard -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Legal record, Hawthorn Tramways Trust (HTT), "Hawthorn Tramways Trust - By-Law No. 2", "Protection of Native Game at 'Wattle Park' Surrey Hills", Original 1917
Set of two extracts from the Victorian Government Gazette, printed onto A4 sheets concerning Wattle Park. .1 - "Hawthorn Tramways Trust - By-Law No. 2" - By-law Regulating, Controlling and Managing Wattle Park - Gazette of 29 August 1917, page 2714. Signed by D. Dureau, H. Bell and A Hislop of the HTT 21/8/1917. Gives the rules for the use of the park. Replaced by MMTB By-Law No. 7 - see Reg item 2019. .2 - "Protection of Native Game at 'Wattle Park' Surrey Hills" - Proclamation - The Game Act 1915 - Gazette of 9/5/1917, page 1418. Gives the location details and refers to the Act. Note these Gazettes can be sourced from the Victorian Government Parliament Web site.trams, tramways, wattle park, htt, by laws, regulations -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Postcard
Embroidered Post car from France dated 24th October 1917ephemera, ww1, general -
Orbost & District Historical Society
light switch
From the premises of Auctioneers James and Bird in the early 20th century. It was a small building beside abandoned shop on the corner of Tarra & Nicholson Streets. An early 20th century light switch from the James and Bird premises. It is painted pastel green and has large screws poking out through the mounting block. The two fuses were originally white porcelain and have been painted over. The brass fixtures have been painted over.On back -1917 electric lightlight-switch james-and-bird lighting -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Black and white
Group of ladies of the Guild during a picnic in Brighton, Xmas Day 1917. Sitting in the centre, wearing black is Ethel Godfrey. see item 1649/1651/1652/1653Group photograph of the Ladies Harbour Light Guildethel augusta godfrey, alice sibthorpe tracy, xmas, 1917, wwi, first world war, great war, lhlg, brighton -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Hill Hotel, c. 1917
Black & white photo of Hill Hotel, cnr. Station Street and Whitehorse Road, Mitcham. Note graffiti on chimney 'In Memory of the Hill Hotel. Passed away Dec 31st 1917 - Poor B'hill hotel, mitcham, station street, whitehorse road, o'callaghan's hotel -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - BASIL WATSON COLLECTION: ALBUM OF PHOTOGRAPHS (BASIL WATSON STORY), 1917
a. Album of 12 photographs (Basil Watson story): construction of plane at family home plus two photos of crash site at Point Cook. Inscribed beside frontispiece photo is: Basil Watson - Age 23 - Accidentally killed whilst flying at Point Cook March 28 1917'. Inside front cover: 'To dear Keith, With love from Aunt Belle', 'Foilacleugh' St Kilda St., Elsternwick July 1917. b. Listing of photos in this album - concise description of 12 photosperson, individual, basil watson -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Artwork, other - Stained glass window, Brooks Robinson & Co, 1917
This window along with the the second window in the reredos was donated by the Misses Forge in memory of their brother, James Leslie Forge, 33yo, who died on the 23 April 1917 while working on his orchard in Wingello, NSW. A Footscray local, he had donated the funds (100 pounds) for the reredos of the St Peter chapel.Arched windowsaltar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, 1917, ww1, memorial chapel, reredos, footscray, james leslie forge, edith forge, forge's store, gifts-1917 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Artwork, other - Stained glass window, Brooks Robinson & Co, 1917
This window along with the the second window in the reredos was donated by the Misses Forge in memory of their brother, James Leslie Forge, 33yo, who died on the 23 April 1917 while working on his orchard in Wingello, NSW. A Footscray local, he had donated the funds (100 pounds) for the reredos of the St Peter chapel.Arched windowsaltar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, 1917, ww1, memorial chapel, reredos, footscray, james leslie forge, ruby forge, forge's store, gifts-1917 -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document - Land Title, Certificate of Title, 4/04/1917
Certificate of Title of three blocks of land owned by Patrick Joseph Markham in Deakin Street, Albert Street and Britannia Street, Mitcham dated 4 April 1917 and records of sales of the blocks up to 1926.deakin street, mitcham, albert street, britannia street, markham, patrick joseph, dodsworth, george, smith, lily maud, hunt, james charles, land sales -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Flyer - The Hill Estate, Highett, 1917
The land sales in the area stopped due to the 1890s depression. For the next 20 years real estate sales virtually stopped until after WWI.Example of the progress of the Municipality of MoorabbinAdvertising flyer for auction of real estate sales - plan of building blocks for saleThe Hill Estate, Highett - 110 allotments - Auction Saturday September 22, 1917 T.R.B. Morton & Sonpoint nepean road (nepean highway), turner street, sanford street, alfred street, peace street, highett, real estate, moorabbin -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Decorative object - Egg Cup, 1917
Dedicated to the Patriotic Fowl.|Inside the cup.China Egg Cup. White china decorated with green laurel leaves with Royal Insignia.Made by the girls of Staffordshire during the winter of 1917 while the boys were fighting in the trenches for liberty and civilization.domestic items, crockery -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPH WW1, 1917
Eugene Vogel FINSTER was WIA at Gallipoli on 6.8.1915 & discharged medically unfit. Enlisted again in 1916 & discharged again. Enlisted in 1916 once more in 1st ANZAC Mounted Division, was WIA for a 2nd time & discharged on 30.10.1917. Once more enlisted for home service in the Medical Corps on 24.3.1919 at No 11 A G Hospital until 22.1.1922.Photo, sepia, showing a soldier with sword drawn mounted on a horse. Buildings in the background.On rear in black pen: “... FRANCE 1917 Trooper E. V. FINSTER. 1st ANZAC MOUNTED Regt”photograph, 1st, mounted division -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Map, Map of London
Map of London including Places of interest and Accommodation for Australian Navy, and Australian Imperial ForceMap given to Australian Navy and Imperial forces in London during WW1Map of London - YMCA - Place of Interest and Accommodation for Soldiers and Sailors in London 1917Map of London Rising Sun Badge Places of interest Accommodation for sailors and soldiers in Londonmap london ymca ww1 -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, A Diversity of Creatures
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. 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. A Diversity of Creatures Author: Rudyard Kipling Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: 1917Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 821 KIP Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, 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, a diversity of creatures, rudyard kipling -
Clunes Museum
Clothing - STOLE
CREAM SILK STOLE BOUGHT BACK FROM FRANCE BY NORMAN THOMAS IN 1917local history, costume accessories, female, w.w.1 memorabilia, female accessories -
Clunes Museum
Clothing - SHAWL
PINK SILK SHAWL BOUGHT BACK FROM FRANCE BY NORMAN THOMAS IN 1917.local history, costume accessories, female, w.w.1 memorabilia, female accessories -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Archive, Stawell Anglers Club Minute and Cash Books
Black Covered Minute Book 1924-1935 and Cash Book 1917-1930Stawell Anglers Clubfishing, sport -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Hill Hotel, Mitcham
Series of photographs loaned for copying by Robert Collier through Keith Rooney. Photographs have been scanned by Ted Arrowsmith at 300dpi as a 'tiff' and burnt onto a CD Rom. copies of photographs were produced from the CD Rom for inclusion in the album.Black and white photograph of the Hill Hotel, Mitcham, known as O'Callaghan's - closed 1917.mitcham, o'callaghans's, hill hotel mitcham -
Bendigo Military Museum
Postcard - POSTCARDS, EMBROIDERED
Postcards from France with silk embroidery pictures sent home from the front in Europe during WW1.White Postcards with silk embroidery made in France, 1. Picture of a cottage surrounded by flowers with "Home Sweet Home" at bottom and ornate border. 2. Picture of flowers on front in silk embroidery and "Far from you but thinking of you". 3. Picture in silk of various Allied flags and flowers and words "1914 Right and Liberty 1917".1. Embroidered "Home Sweet Home" On front and letter to "Linda" on back. 2. Embroidered "Far from Home but Thinking of You" on front and letter dated 3/9/17 - To Linda on back. 3. Embroidered "1914 Right & Liberty 1917"and letter to Linda on back.passchendaele barracks trust, postcards, ww1 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Letter, Tramway Board, Mr. W. R. Pollock, of Newcastle, 29/03/1917 12:00:00 AM
Carbon copy of a letter on blue quarto paper, headed "Tramway Board", office copy, dated 29/3/1917 - to Mr. W. R. Pollock, of Newcastle, starting salary of six pounds per week.Has "H. S. McComb" in pencil in the top left hand ctrams, tramways, tramway board, cable trams, engineers, personnel -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Medal - RED CROSS MEDAL, 1917
Brass medal with stick pin for the Red Cross Great Carnival Caulfield 1917 which was held on the Caulfield Racecourse as a fund raiser, circular medal with red cross above a coat of arms & wording around the outside.Stokes & Sons Melbevent, charitable, red cross -
Bayside Gallery - Bayside City Council Art & Heritage Collection
Map, Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Melbourne and Suburbs, City of Sandringham, 1917-1926
map, plan, foreshores, sndringham, hampton, beaumaris, cheltenham, department of lands and survey, cartographic material, borough of sandringham, moorabbin, black rock, street map, city of sandringham -
Bendigo Military Museum
Memorabilia - VARIOUS MEMORABILIA, 1917-1919. .6) post 1919
These items were held in Album (207P). They all belonged to RSM Edgar Frederick Dawson DCM, No 4472. Refer Cat No 893 for his service history.Items relating to E.F.Dawson DCM. .1) Menu card "Dinner on HMT Orsova". Monday February 17th 1919. .2) "Christmas and New Year Greetings" card, folded, 1917-1918. .3) Christmas card 1917, folded with red & black ribbon, 57th Batt AIF. .4) Card, folded with red ribbon "Greetings". .5) Same as .3) .6) Letter to Jack Dawson from Audrey Tilcock re newspaper cutting .7) .7) Newspaper cutting re award of the "DCM" to Edgar Dawson.documents - cards - newspapers - letters - menus, military history, souvenirs -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Newspaper - Newspaper clipping, Advertisment for Electrine Candles, 10 Jan 1917
From J Kitchen and Sons Pty Ltd. Advertising paper clipping for Electrine Candles with "Sleeping-out-Safety" as the slogan. Drawings include a candle and tent. Pasted onto blue card and dated 10 January 1917.industry - manufacturing, business and traders - soaps/candles, war - world war i, health, domestic life, j kitchen & sons pty ltd, electrine candles, witch soap, rexona, s r simpson - private -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - Mensford 13th ALH
1389 Trooper Samuel Mensford of Hay NSW. The 13th Light Horse Regiment (AIF) was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in March 1915. Following service at Gallipoli the regiment was broken up with squadrons going to France as Divisional Cavalry Squadrons of 2nd, 4th and 5ht Divisions. The regiment was reformed as firstly 1st Anzac Corps Mounted Troops and lather Australian Corps Mounted Troops. Black and white photograph of Trooper S Mensford 13th Light Horse, mounted on his horse. He is holding his rifle and is wearng a steel helmet." 13 ALH Trooper France 1917 "world war one, wwi, mensford, 13th, light horse -
Clunes Museum
Functional object - LEATHER STRAP
BROWN LEATHER STRAP WITH WHITE METAL BUCKLE AND LEATHER KEEPER AT THE BASE OF THE BUCKLE, EIGHT HOLES PUNCHED IN BODY OF STRAPCut into leather 1917 O.C.M. Co.o.c.m. co., leather strap -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Three Elephant Power
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. About A. B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson Andrew Barton Paterson was born at Narrambla Station in New South Wales, Australia, on 17th February 1864 and died 5th February 1941. His first seven years were spent on his father’s station, where like so many Australian children he enjoyed a bush boyhood. This property was at Obley in the Orange district of New South Wales. The family moved to the Yass district and lived near the main route from Sydney to Melbourne where he saw a great many bullock teams, drovers with herds of stock, gold escorts and Cob & Co coaches. His lifelong love of horses and horsemen was forged from the riders and their horses he saw at the picnic races and polo matches the family attended. These horses and riders where from the Murrumbidgee River and Snowy Mountain areas of New South Wales. Patterson lived most of his life in Sydney. He became a journalist, army officer, novelist, poet, solicitor and a war correspondent. He enjoyed many different sports such as tennis, rowing and, most of all, he delighted in his horsemanship. His first poem ‘El Mahdi to the Australian Troop’ was published in the Bulletin in 1885 under the pen name of “The Banjo”, which was the name of his favourite horse. In 1895 his first book was published and was sold out in the week of publication; he sold 7000 copies in a few months. This book was “The Man From Snowy River, and other Verses” and it contained such ballads as ‘Clancy of the Overflow’, ‘The Geebung Polo Club’, ‘The Man from Ironbark’, and ‘Saltbush Bill’. The tittle poem was first published in 1890. In 1895 Patterson visited his fiancé (at that time), Sarah Riley, who was staying with her friends the Macphersons at Dagworth Station in Queensland. Sarah’s old school friend Christina McPherson. Christina replayed to them an old Scottish tune called “The Craigielee March” that she had heard played by the Garrison Artillery band at the Warrnambool picnic races in Victoria, 1894. Patterson wrote words to fit the tune and it became the now famous ‘Waltzing Matilda’. He was commissioned by the Sydney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Age as they correspondent to report on the South African War. After being a roving reporter in China he went to England and spent time with Rudyard Kipling. In April 1903 Paterson married Alice Walker in Tenterfield, New South Wales, and they had two children, Grace and Hugh. At the outbreak of World War 1 Paterson sailed for England in the hope of covering the fighting in Flanders as a correspondent but finished up driving an ambulance for the Australian Voluntary Hospital, Wimereux, France. In 1915 as an honorary vet he made three voyages taking horse to Africa, China and Egypt. On 18th October 1915 he was commissioned in the 2nd Remount Unit in the Australian Imperial Force and was promoted to Captain serving in the Middle East. He was wounded in April 1916, when he re-joined his unit he was promoted to major and commanded the Australian Remount Squadron from October 1916 to his return to Australia in 1919. Once the War was over he resumed his work as a journalist until he retired in 1930 so that he could devote time to creative writing. He became a successful radio broadcaster with the Australian Broadcasting Commission using his travel experiences. He wrote the children’s book “The Animals Noah Forgot” in 1933 and then in 1934 “Happy Dispatches” in which he told of his meetings with people like Winston Churchill and Kipling. “The Shearer’s Colt was published in 1936 and in 1939 he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald. After a short illness he passed away in Sydney on 5th February 1941. 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. Three Elephant Power Author: A B Paterson Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1917Label on spine cover with typed text RA 823.91 PAT Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Fly paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institutewarrnambool, 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, three elephant power, a b paterson -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Noughts and Crosses
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. 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 Noughts and Crosses Author: Lilian Turner Publisher: Ward Lock & Co Date: 1917Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC TUR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Children's Library covered by 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 noughts and crosses, lilian turner