WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE 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 November 1884 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 fundraising 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 courthouse 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 historical 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 Historical 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 artworks 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. 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. The Australian Race Vol 4 Author: Edward M Curr Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1887 Further Information: Map in pocket at the back of vol Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library. Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum. Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum.flagstaff hil, warrnambool, 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 australian race vol 4

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Seventeen pages of typed notes headed Library Association Conference Melbourne July 1951 - Country Library Problems. Subheadings : Finance, Book stocks, the Librarians, Buildings, Branch Libraries and Bookmobiles, and Regional services and inter-municipal co-operation. Signed Norman J. Oliver.bendigo, council, speech notes, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. mayor of bendigo. library association of victoria. libraries.

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Fifteen typed pages. The date, 16th Nov 1950, written in pencil in the left hand margin. In the same format as other notes for his talks on 3BO 'The Mayor Speaks'. Topics include: Remembrance Day ceremonies, Libraries, the Aerodrome, the Psychiatric Clinic, and municipal finances.bendigo, council, speech notes, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. 3bo 'the mayor speaks'.

Front cover is a photo of Alexandra Fountain. 52 paged booklet - ''Report to Residents - City of Greater Bendigo, 1995. Table of Contents; The Mayor; Chief Executive Officer; Council meetings; Office location and hours; ''One Telephone Number''; Locations of functions and business; Units; Organisation Structure; Advisory Committee; Municipal Boundaries; Customer services; Economic development; Bendigo Tourism; Bendigo Trust; Events Bendigo; Capital works 1996/97; Bendigo Regional Arts Centre; Local laws; Aged and disability services; Children and family services; Environmental health; Recreation and leisure; Parks and gardens; Planning and building; Waste management in Bendigo; Library services; Rates; Budget for 1996/97; The budget at a glance; Index.bendigo, council, report

Assorted invoices/receipts re Bush family. Bendigo and Melbourne business for Mr S Bush & Miss Merle Bush. Receipts from businesses, charities and municipal sources. Adult deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria, Union Assurance Society, British and Foreign Bible Society, Victoria League in Victoria, The Church Missionary Society, The Navy League, Victorian Railways Commissioners, The Girl Guides' Association, Robert Batchelor dentist, Albert M. Bush, Foy and Gibson Pty Ltd, Hartley's, T.S. Glasier & Co, W.H. Osborn Pty Ltd, The Northern Seed Supply, Myer Emporium, William Lunn, Allan & Co, Chaucher Library and Book Shop, State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, City of Bendigo, Bendigo Sewerage Authority, Bendigo Gas Company, Bendigo Electricity Supply and Tramways, Bendigo Electricity Supply, Howard Pty Ltd, R. O. Henderson, Vacuette Company, Sands McDougall Pty Ltd, Colonial Gas Association, Stilwell's, Provincial Motors Pty Ltd.person, family, bush collection (family

Draft articles for RHSV (Bendigo) Newsletter, May 1972. 1. ''Golden Square Methodist Church'' by Lydia Chancellor - memories of church services, Sunday School and Bible classes. Mention of (Minister?) Mr Robert Saunders. Also - Rev B W Heath; Mr Crump, Rev Henry Worrall; reference to Jubilee of church in 1923. 2. Article submitted by Mrs E M Checcucci re the 'White Works' (clothing factory making underwear at the top of Wattle Street) - visited by Prince of Wales in 1920; 3. Handwritten and typewritten version of ''Extracts from the 'Sandhurst Library Almanac 1858', published by P M Sparkes, Bookseller and Stationer (four doors from Shamrock Hotel). Names listed of officers of the 40th Foot (Captain's detachment); Location of two cemeteries; Municipal Council of 1858 - Chairman and councillors and meeting times and place; Police Department - names listed of officers of department, Sandhurst Municipality, 'The District' and Eaglehawk Township (names for the last being only on the handwritten copy); 4. Article (w Perry) ''Australian Aboriginals on the Bendigo Gold Field’’ reference to ''King Charlie'' and finding of gold by him (reference to this in the Bendigo Advertiser 1856 & 1857). The gold purchased by a Mr Bannerman; 5. Article on introduction of gas in Bendigo (by I Hendry). Ref to ''Spotlight'' article in Advertiser of Oct 13, 1950. Mention of Mr Dondy (first user of gas in Bendigo); early use and price of gar; poor gas pressure in Eaglehawk; 6. Handwritten article submitted by John O'C Hattam re 'Indian Hawkers in Bendigo': with request to members to join him in further researching this interesting project; mention of accommodation in Hopetoun Street in terrace houses of the same design as Specimen Cottage (''now occupied by ' Glover??? Mills - but referred to in printed Newsletter of April/May 1972 as ''a site occupied by a clothing factory''); mention of hawkers by name - Rajah Singh, Mahonett Betth, Mahonett Shang, Rajah Bouth, Mahoety Bux, Abdul Rahman (last hawker)document, names of bendigo pioneers, bendigo advertiser

Plaque in O'Donnell Gardens: memorial to Edward O'Donnell, six times Mayor of St Kildacolour photograph unmountedTo perpetuate the memory of the late Councillor Edward O'Donnell JP whose records of municipal and other community service will always be an example of true manhood and ideal citizenship. 6 times mayor of the City of St Kilda. 44 years a councillor for the West Ward. Foundation Member of the St Kilda Shore Committee. Died 7 July 1933.

Plaque reads: The first St Kilda Town Hall and Municipal Offices occupied this site 1859-1890. The building was used as a court house until 1930 when it was demolished. Plaque was unvieled 18th Feb 1990 by Cr John Broderick, Mayor of St Kildacolour photograph unmountedThe first St Kilda Town Hall and Municipal Offices occupied this site 1859-1890. The building was used as a court house until 1930 when it was demolished. Plaque was unvieled 18th Feb 1990 by Cr John Broderick, Mayor of St Kilda

Prior to its demolition in 1979, the St Kilda Municipal Depot occupied a 1.2 hectare site at 33 Inkerman Street St Kilda. The land was initially purchased by the Council in 1867 as a site for a permanent market, which ceased to operate in about 1882. In October 1923, the Council discontinued the practice of disposing garbage by burial in tips when it opened a garbage incinerator at the Depot. After thirty years this incinerator had become both obsolete and objectionable to health and was replaced in March 1953 by American-designed Monohearth Garbage Destructor Units. According to the Council, these Destructor Units were the only ones of their kind in Australia and they removed all the objectionable features of garbage disposal (particularly for the employees). They were expected to serve St. Kilda's requirements for the next 80-100 years. In 1957 the Council said that the Destructor Units had 'enabled substantial economies to be effected in the annual costs and have proved a very successful venture. The Council now destroys the garbage from the City of Brighton, which pays for the privilege, and it is anticipated that other Municipalities will also take advantage of ihe benefits of this modern and, in Australia.' See 'City of St Kilda 1857-1957 A Brief Outline of Progress and Development' [82] In 1994, as a result of the local government amalgamation process combining the former Cities of Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and St.Kilda, the new City of Port Phillip owned three municipal depots. The St. Kilda municipal depot site became surplus to requirements and, in 1996, the City of Port Phillip resolved to use the site for a community housing project under the City of Port Phillip Housing Program. Colour photographCouncil Yards before demolition 1979st kilda, st kilda municipal depot, inkerman street, council depot, destructor

On 1 April 1991, fire gutted the Town Hall. Arson was suspected. The municipal art collection then valued at $800,000 was lost, including Rupert Bunny’s The Forerunners, itself valued at $250,000. Community support was immediate for Mayor Melanie Eagle and her team, and a foundation stone for rebuilding was laid only a year later by Sir Zelman Cowen. Useful debates resulted from the St Kilda Town Hall fire as to the best protection of historic buildings from fire. http://skhs.org.au/SKHSbuildings/33.htmcolour photographst kilda, st kilda town hall, st kilda town hall fire

The 'Council' to which the card is addressed is presumed to be St Kilda Council. The Board of Public Health operated from 1890 to 1920 and consisted of a Chairman, the Medical Inspector and seven representatives elected by the councils of municipal districts. Cream coloured card printed in goldStamped '6688' The Board of Public Health SENDS GREETINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR To the Council As the Local Health Authority, With all Good Wishes for Successful Co-operation in the Protection of the Public Health during 1909board of public health, 20th century, city of st kilda

Campaign material for the re-election of John Talbot as councillor for the Central Ward in the St Kilda City Council elections held on 25 August 1949. The brochure contains his personal details and municipal record, along with polling day details. Talbot was first elected in 1946 and served continuously until 1969, including three terms as mayor, in 1950-51, 1964-65 and 1965-66.Folded white paper (discoloured with age) printed in black on both sidesjohn talbot, st kilda council, st kilda council elections

Contains lists of councillors, mayors, financial information, a brief summary of the creation and growth of the Municipal District of St Kilda, a list of 98 milestones and council decisions ('Did You Know?')Booklet covered in yellow card printed in colour, with multi-coloured crest of the City of St Kilda. Text printed in black on cream coloured glossy paper and containing black and white photographs. Stapled.city of st kilda, city of st kilda centenary

Invitation to the official opening of refuse destructor units and asphalt mixing plants at Inkerman Street, St Kilda, on 18 March 1953. The destructor units replaced a garbage incinerator that had been operating at the site for thirty years and had become obsolete. They were expected to serve St. Kilda's requirements for the next 80-100 years. In 1994, as a result of the local government amalgamation process combining the former Cities of Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and St Kilda, the new City of Port Phillip owned three municipal depots. The St Kilda municipal depot site became surplus to requirements and, in 1996, the City of Port Phillip resolved to use the site for a community housing project under the City of Port Phillip Housing Program. White card printed in black, with gold jagged edges. Shows St Kilda logo.monohearth, st kilda municipal depot

Decorated for the visit of Duke & Duchess of York, 1901 Federation celebrationsblack and white original mounted photograph

St Kilda Municipal Ambulance, used during the 1919 Influenza Epidemic. Patient on stretcher on ground black and white photograph, copy, poor image quality, unmounted[on back: Typed description of photograph]

walsh st library

In 1963 construction of the new municipal shire offices began and the new offices were opened in October 1963. Over the years other buildings were added to the complex which included the Library and the George Evans Museum.A coloured photograph of the front view of the former Shire of Bull, Shire offices and a part of the garden area in the front with trees and a wooden seat.shire of bulla council offices, shire of bulla, george evans collection

This building once contained the municipal offices and a public Town Hall for the City of Sunshine. The building was demolished and on the site the R.T. Pollard Gardens were established. The Gardens are shown in the second photograph.Although the council built new municipal offices in Alexandra Ave, a Town Hall for public use was never rebuilt. The council considered that there were other halls available, such as the Mariana Hall or school halls, which could be hired for public or council functions. This picture of the Sunshine Town Hall is a copy made from an unknown printed article. The building no longer exists.THE SUNSHINE TOWN HALL Saturday 21st May 1960sunshine town hall, r.t. pollard gardens, council building, ballroom. pollard gardens

Coloured photo of Aerial view of Nunawading Council Chambers and librarymunicipal chambers, city of nunawading. council chambers, nunawading library