In 2000, three silver trophy spoons were donated to the Kew Historical Society by the National Trust (Victoria). At the time, the spoons were believed to have been awarded to J.S. Penrose for victories in events held by the Boroondara R.C. [Rifle Club] in 1905 and 1906. The Boroondara Rifle Club was a separate entity to the Kew and Hawthorn Rifle Clubs. The first reference to the Club on Trove is on 11 April 1900, when the Club was established and the committee elected. It is recorded that: “the adjourned meeting in connection with the Boroondara Rifle Club was held in the shire hall on Monday evening; Mr. A. J. Smith, J.P., in the chair. It was decided that the name of the club should be the Boroondara Rifle Club, and that it should embrace the whole shire, with butts at some convenient and accessible spot. A number of additional members were sworn in, making the total enrolled to date about 70. The following gentlemen were elected as office bearers: — President, Sir Frederick Sargood. M.L.C.: vice-presidents, Messrs. Wm. Knox, M.L.C.; F. Madden, M.L.A., and A. J. Smith (president of the shire); hon. captain, Mr. John McWhae (chairman of the Stock Exchange) ; committee. Messrs. T. W. Gaggin, J. B. Gilfillan, Cr. Lewis. Cr. Rooks and Cr. Beckett; hon. treasurer. Mr. G. A. Darling; hon. secretary, Mr. A. J. Macarthur”. The last recorded meeting of the Rifle Club was in 1916, at “Adam’s Hall, upper Hawthorn” when a new committee was elected. Engraved silver trophy spoon awarded to S.J Penrose by the Boroondara Rifle Club for a victory in the Spoon Competition of 1906Boroondara Rifle Club / Spoon Competition / 200, 300 yds / Won by S.J. Penrose / 11-2-06boroondara rifle club, j.s. penrose, sport, shooting, trophy, a. j. smith, frederick sargood, william knox, f. madden, a. j. smith, john mcwhae, t. w. gaggin, j. b. gilfillan, lewis, rooks, beckett; g. a. darling; a. j. macarthur

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.The Kew Rechabite Rifle Team in the early 1900s. Back Row - William Arnold - Cobden St; Charlie Hurford; Albert Rowe - Photographer. Albert Richardson (died aged 21 - brother of Dorothy Rogers); Jimmy Smith bootmaker & Caretaker of the Kew Presbyterian Church. Front Row - Danny Ives; Mr. Taylor and son; Capt. W.H. Richardson (Dorothy Rogers' father) who was a founder of the lodge."Rechabite Rifle Team. Early 1900s. Back Row - William Arnold, Cobden St; Charlie Hurford; Albert Rowe, Photographer. Albert Richardson, (Died aged 21, brother of Mrs Rogers). Jimmy Smith, bootmaker & Caretaker of Presbyterian Church. Front Row - Danny Ives, Mr. Taylor and son, Capt. W.H. Richardson (my father) a founder of lodge."kew rechabite rifle team, dorothy rogers, william arnold, charlie hurford; albert rowe, albert richardson, jimmy smith, danny ives, mr taylor and son, w.h. richardson, sport, shooting

Maurice Miles served in the Australian Army in World War Two and was present at Cowra when the Japanese POW breakout occurred. He joined Citizien Military Forces in 1965, serving with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles till 1985. He was a keen rifle shot and this shield was a way of fostering the skill within the regiment.Representative of community efforts to foster military skills in citizen soldiers.Wooden shield with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles badge at centre and plaques arranged around edges recording winners of competition.Donated by / S Sgt Maurie Miles / & Family / upon his retirement / 8/13 VMR / 1965-1985cowra, cmf, vmr, military, world war two, marksmanship

Used in Nagambie by 1933 Stawell Gift winner, Goldie Heath, while training 1946 winner, Tommy Deane. Then by Heath in 1947 while training 1947 contender, Les Pianter.Heath, Deane and Pianta were Nagambie locals. Les Pianta accidentally shot himself in a shooting accident so failed to start. The Pianta family were involved in cycling and it seems the watch may have been presented to the newly formed club by Goldie Heath.Chrome pocket stop-watch with minute and second dials. Crown and side switch. Cord looped through crown ring.On Face: Hueur. Made in Switzerland. On back inscribed: Nagambie cycle club, 1952stawell gift, running, athletics, stop watches, nagambie, goldie heath, tommy deane, les pianta

Container for gun powder, used with muzzle loading gun. The lid was used as a measure for amount of powder to be use with each shot.Example of early pioneer method of shooting. Copper, pear shaped with lid, embossed with hunting scene dog and pheasants gun, gun powder, powder horn, horn, muzzle loading

A now defunct Form 5A registration of playerA now defunct Form 5A registration of player of four time premiership player David McKay Career : 1969 - 1981 Debut : Round 3, 1969 vs Footscray, aged 19 years, 165 days Carlton Player No. 809 Games : 263 Goals : 277 Last Game : Grand Final, 1981 vs Collingwood, aged 31 years, 325 days Guernsey No. 43 Height : 191 cm (6 ft. 3 in.) Weight : 92 kg (15 stone, 0 lbs.) DOB : November 5, 1949 Premiership Player 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981 Carlton Hall of Fame (1996) One of the most spectacular high marks of his era, David Robert James “Swan” McKay was a Carlton star for twelve seasons, and a key member of four Premiership teams. Recruited from Newlyn, near Ballarat in central Victoria, McKay arrived at Princes Park in 1968 as a raw-boned 19 year-old. Coach Ron Barassi liked what he saw, and quickly realised that the laconic, easy-going country kid had the makings of something special after only a handful of games in the Blues’ number 43 guernsey. At 191cm and 95 kg he was robust enough to play in the ruck, while his exceptional aerial skills allowed him to hold down a key position. The problem was that he had joined the reigning premiers, so he wasn’t able to claim a regular place in the side until after the Blues were beaten by Richmond in the ’69 Grand Final. Early in the following season, McKay was given a chance at centre half-back, and took to it “like a swan to water.” Quick for his size and blessed with wonderful judgement, “Swan” soon became a crowd favourite. From that season on and throughout his career, it was only on rare occasions when the weekly televised football highlights package did not include footage of him drifting across the front of the pack to pluck the ball from the hands of an opponent, or leaping high over three or four sets of shoulders to take another soaring high mark. By 1970, McKay was embedded in the Carlton defence and hadn’t missed a game all season. After the Blues wound up second on the ladder, David experienced the thrill of a VFL final for the first time in his 29th senior match, when almost 113,000 fans packed into the MCG to see Collingwood beat Carlton by 10 points in a high-scoring Semi Final. Swan took 10 marks amid his 16 possessions that afternoon, and although his side was beaten, he revelled in the occasion. A fortnight later, after destroying St Kilda in a one-sided Preliminary Final, Carlton met Collingwood again in the Grand Final in front of an even bigger crowd. McKay was in trouble early against his taller, equally athletic opponent Len Thompson, but rallied after half time to get right on top as the Blues came from 44 points down to shatter Collingwood in the greatest of all Grand Final comebacks. Swan took nine telling marks and collected 18 possessions to be hailed as Best on Ground, before collecting the first of his four Premiership medals. One of the hallmarks of the Carlton teams coached by Barassi was their versatility, so as his career progressed, McKay started spending time up forward or in the ruck. From then on, when a game was in the balance and a goal or two was sorely needed, he was the man the Blues often looked for. He worked hard on his shooting for goal and became a reliable forward option. The 1972 final series must rank as one of Carlton’s finest hours, as the Blues fought their way through three hard, cut-throat games to meet the raging favourites Richmond in the Grand Final. In that remarkable encounter on a fine, cool day at the MCG, Swan lined up in a back pocket to cover the Tigers’ resting ruckmen and for once, lowered his colours to Richmond’s Neil Balme, who kicked 5 goals – but the Blues still won by 27 points and McKay picked up his second medal. In August 1973, Swan brought up game number 100 against Footscray at the Western Oval. Carlton won by nine points – thanks to McKay’s 13 marks in great game at centre half-back. A month later, the Blues and the Tigers met again on Grand Final day, and – still smarting from their surprise defeat the previous year – Richmond went head-hunting in a spiteful match. Swan was shifted forward early and kicked two majors, but neither he nor his team could match Richmond’s ferocity and the Tigers won the flag by 30 points. Midway through the following season, in round 14, 1975 - McKay was embroiled in another infamous encounter at Essendon’s Windy Hill – a game that saw eight players (himself included) reported. On a wet and miserable day dominated by a howling wind, Swan’s 22 disposals, 14 marks and eight goals won the game for Carlton, and making that victory even sweeter, he later escaped suspension for striking. By the time Carlton was knocked out of the finals in 1976 by straight-sets defeats at the hands of Hawthorn and North Melbourne, McKay was 27 and had racked up 172 games. But he felt he needed relief from the pressure-cooker life of a VFL footballer, so he agreed in principle to join WAFL club Subiaco. When he requested a clearance from Carlton however, the Blues steadfastly refused. Both sides dug in their heels, and some unfortunate headlines resulted before Swan relented and resumed training some weeks into 1977. In round 13 of that season, on a freezing cold and wet Saturday afternoon at the Junction Oval, bottom side Fitzroy caused a huge upset by beating Carlton by 7 points. In his 181st game, McKay took 9 marks, and his second goal of the game was the 200th of his career. McKay’s fourth Grand Final came in 1979 against Collingwood. By then one of only five survivors from the ’73 team, Swan was approaching his 30th birthday. yet still playing valuable, consistent football. In a close, absorbing match on a wet and slippery MCG that day, Carlton again won a nail-biter by just 5 points, thanks to Wayne Harmes’ famous swipe at the ball from a forward pocket in the last minutes of the game. The ball ended at the feet of Ken Sheldon, whose goal clinched Carlton’s twelfth Premiership, and McKay’s third. Throughout the majority of his career, Swan was a durable type who rarely suffered serious injury. That all changed in 1980 however, when he rolled an ankle, played on, and compounded the injury which hampered him for the rest of his career. Carlton made the finals again, but dropped out after successive losses. That was a bitter blow for the Blues, who promptly sacked coach Peter Jones and reinstated David Parkin. Because of his ankle, Swan missed a number of games early in 1981, but was back to near his best for the finals. Carlton destroyed Geelong by 40 points in the second Semi Final and marched into the Grand Final as hot favourites against Collingwood. In a typically fierce and physical decider, Collingwood led by 21 points late in the third quarter, before the confident Blues overwhelmed them in the last term - winning Premiership number four for Swan McKay, and flag number thirteen for Carlton. One of the goals in that vital last quarter came from the big number 43. It was his second major of the game, and his last kick in league football. Amid the jubilation of victory in the rooms after the game, Swan announced his retirement after 263 games and 277 career goals. He was a few weeks short of his thirty-second birthday and it was an appropriate way to end the playing career of one of the club’s favourite sons. Following his retirement, McKay stayed involved at Princes Park in a number of off-field roles. He was inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame in 1996, and later became a high-profile critic of Carlton’s President John Elliott. When Elliott was voted out of office in 2002, McKay was appointed a director of the club under new President Ian Collins. During 1999 and 2000, David's son James McKay played eight Reserves games and kicked two goals for Carlton. Milestones 100 Games : Round 21, 1973 vs Footscray 150 Games : Round 2, 1976 vs Essendon 200 Games : Round 10, 1978 vs Footscray 250 Games : Round 9, 1981 vs South Melbourne 100 Goals : Round 13, 1974 vs Geelong 200 Goals : Round 13, 1977 vs FitzroyLetters & copy of form from VFL

A printed book published in paperback edition. 21 pages, with illustrations and portraits. BMDHS Location: AR/SU5 Pamphlets Box 4non-fictionA brief history of the Bacchus Marsh Rifle Club written to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The club was preceded by an association which formed in 1868 with 14 initial members. It later formed into a club. According to this book rifle shooting is the oldest organised sporting activity in the district of Bacchus Marsh and this work documents this long history up to 1993. The club continues to exist in 2024. Citation: Club Number 4: A Short History of the Bacchus Marsh Rifle Club. Written by John Tidey with additional research by C.D. (Doug) Watson. Published by Bacchus Marsh Rifle Club, Bacchus Marsh, Vic., 1993.bacchus marsh rifle club, rifle clubs, shooting

Murray Comrie Collection. Monochrome photograph, image depicting a large group of women assembled in an outdoor setting. Printed caption reads: 'The Newbridge Rifle Club: Group of Ladies At Newbridge Rifle Butts' This is a poor quality copy of an older original, possibly a news clipping. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1960s.newbridge, sports, recreation, shooting, clubs

Murray Comrie Collection. Monochrome photograph, image depicting two men standing at a fence, one with shotgun. Hare carcasses are hung all along the fenceline. Accompanying note indicates the subjects may be Jack Davies and G.White. This is a very dark copy of an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1960s.newbridge, sport, recreation, shooting, hare shooters club, clubs, animals, hares

The Newbridge Rifle Club Butts were behind a big hill north of road to Llanelly. Formed in 1900 for rifle practice during the Boer War. Range of 500 yards. Brigade Captain Bob Douglas. Murray Comrie Collection. Two copies of a monochrome photograph, image depicting a large group of men assembled in an outdoor setting, some holding firearms. Printed caption reads: 'The Newbridge Rifle Club' Title printed on top of page reads 'The Bendigonian' and 'October (?) 22 1901'. This is a poor quality copy of an older original, possibly a news clipping. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1960s.Accompanying note identifies some subjects: Standing: 1. Will Hart (?) 2. _________ 3. John Brown 4. Donald Joyner 5. Geo. Daws 6. _______ 7. Nat Ramsay 8._______ 9.__________ 10. Alf Michael 11. Bod Hamilton 12. Jack Bruce 13. Vince Pola 14. Frank Bruce 15. Eli Summers 16. ____ 17. ____ 18. ______ 19. Bob Chamberlain 20. P. Rayner 21. Ted Skinner 22. Geo. Martin 23. Bill Michael. Sitting: 1. ______ 2.______ 3. ______ 4. Will Ramsay 5. Nat Hart 6. Bob Douglas (in uniform) 7. Jim Joyner 8. Steve Hatt 9. Bob McKenzie 10. Charlie Summers (in uniform) 11. William Bridge (in uniform) 12. Tom Michael (in uniform). (Not sure if this matches the photo very well. Note filed in M. Comrie research notes (general).)newbridge, sports, recreation, shooting, clubs, rifle club, military, boer war

non-fictionThe author's interest in trains has been life long and many of his experiences have been recorded on film. In these 72 pages, he shares these experiences, the chance meeting of the Express when he was on a family outing, the planned photo shoot of the streamlined VR S-class and NSWR 38-class on their respective Expresses, right down to the workhorses of both systems, the lowly goods engines.steam locomotives, railroads victoria history, railroads new south wales history

The urban development of Surrey Hills occurred largely followed the extension of the railway to Lilydale from 1882 and by the late 1880s a variety of sporting and other cultural clubs and societies had been established, many being associated with the local churches. Ken James researched this book for the Surrey Hills Historical Society, of which he is a member, using material and photos from the Surrey Hills Historical Society collection, material from TROVE and other sources. There is a history of 82 groups and where possible dates of operation are included.music, basketball, bowls, cricket, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, hurling, netball, rifle shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, squash, walking, brass bands, choral groups, debating, dramatic clubs, musical club, operatic society, surrey hills orchestra, quadrille, rose club, our holy redeemer church, surrey hills church of christ, surrey hills methodist church, st stephens presbyterian church, australian natives association, balwyn combined, catholic young men's society, surrey hills baptist church, surrey hills independent order of rechabites, wyclif congregational church, surrey hills college, hockey, chatham netball club, blue bell tennis club, benson street methodist church, our ladies wattle park, surrey hills state school old scholars tennis club, surrey squash centre, surrey hills neighbourhood centre, cantrices ladies choir, surrey hills choristers, surrey hills everleigh private amateur dramatic club, field naturalists, holy redeemer basketball, holy trinity basketball, surrey hills church of christ basketball, holy trinity church of england, surrey hills methodist basketball, surrey hills presbyterian basketball, surrey hills bowls club, surrey hills ladies bowls club, surrey hills ana bowls club, surrey hills ior bowls club, balwyn combined cricket club, holy redeemer young men's society cricket club, holy trinity cricket club, surrey hills ana cricket club, surrey hills baptist cricket club, surrey hills church of christ cricket club, surrey hills cricket club, surrey hills ior cricket club, surrey hills junior cricket club, surrey hills methodist cricket club, surrey park combine cricket club, wyclif congregational cricket club, wyclif uniting cricket club, wyclif cricket club, surrey hills cycling club, venture cycle, venture cycling club, surrey hills neighbourhood centre cycling group, balwyn combined football club, surrey college football club, surrey hills combined football club, holy redeemer young men's society football club

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A colour caricature of Denis Gibbons, by William E Green (Weg) of the Melbourne Herald newspaper during his visit to the 1st Australian Task Force Base in Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam in April 1967.WEG.'67/MELBOURNE/HERALD. Noi Dat!/South Vietnamweg (william e green), 1 atf base, press centre, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, herald, melbourne, 1967, drawing, caricature, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white caricature of Denis Gibbons, by William E Green (Weg) of the Melbourne Herald newspaper during his visit to the 1st Australian Task Force Base in Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam in April 1967.WEG.'67/MELBOURNE/HERALD. Noi Dat!/South Vietnamweg (william e green), 1 atf base, press centre, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, herald, melbourne, drawing, caricature, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A cartoon characterisation of Denis Gibbons, the author of a large number ofphotographs as seen by WEG (William E Green) a catoonist with the Melbourne Herald. The drawing was done at the 1 A.T.F. Press Centre, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province Vietnam.cartoon, herald sun, weg (william e green), 1 atf base, press centre, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, cartoonist

The North Warrnambool Rifle Club was operating in Warrnambool in the 1930s. It had 132 members in 1935. A noted member was the well-known local photographer, Arthur Jordan whose father, Joseph, was a crack rifle shot and was a member of the Warrnambool Rifle Club. The Barber Centenary Cup was presumably established to commemorate the Centenary of Victoria as the cup competitions commenced in 1934 and were completed in 1935. The competitions were usually held over distances of 300, 500 and 600 yards. It is not known which member of the several Barber families in Warrnambool at the time donated the cup but G. Barber was a member of the Rifle Club in 1934-5 and winner of the Gray Centenary Cup. W. D. McDonald, the winner of the trophy, was the Captain of the C lub in 1935.This item is significant as it is connected with early 20th century Warrnambool sport (rifle shooting). It shows what sort of award was given for competition winners and reveals the popularity of rifle shooting in Warrnambool in earlier decades, with two clubs existing at that timeThis is a sports trophy cup made of electro-plated nickel silver (now very tarnished). It was a trophy named ‘The Barber Centenary Cup’ given for competitions amongst the North Warrnambool Rifle Club members during 1934-5. On cup: N.W.R.C. The Barber Centenary Cup Won by W.D.McDonald 1935 On base: E.P.N.S. Empire Plate warrnambool;, rifle shooting; barber centenary cup; w.d.mcdonald, barber centenary cup, w.d.mcdonald

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. About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. The Great Boomerang Author: Ion L Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1948Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 919 IDR Pastedown front endpaper has 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 great boomerang, ion l idriess

Black and white photograph of nine men wearing suits and hats, most holding a rifle. Identified in handwriting on the front of the photograph as : [Back] Dillon, S. Lewers, Jo Donavan, Bennett, Roberts, Madden; [Front] "Bank Manager" [A. C. Cork], Luscombe, W. Angus."Rifle club Linton c1900 [back] Dillon, S. Lewers, Jo Donavan, Bennett, Roberts, Madden, [front] Bank Manager, Luscombe, W. Angus".sports, linton rifle club, rifle shooting, dillon, s. lewers, jo donavan, bennett, roberts, madden, luscombe, w. angus, a. c. cork