Local SceneFrom Essendon looking west over the Maribyrnong River towards Duke Street Quarries Essendon - AR0017

This book 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. Australia in the War of 1939-1945 South-West Pacific Area-First Year Kokoda to Wau This volume describes the fighting on land in the South-West Pacific from mid -1942 to March 1943 Author: Dudley McCarthy Publisher: Australian War Memorial Date: 1959Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 994.04 AUS Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker 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, australia in the war of 1939-1945 south-west pacific area-first year kokoda to wau, australia in the war of 1939-1945, australian war memorial, dudley mccarthy

Kilby Road, North Kew 1916. Annotation Reverse: "Kilby Road about 1916. Courtesy Mrs E. Bennett, Kew East."north kew, farming (kew), wade's farm (kew)

Battery Hill- Looking toward South West Passage. Photograph used as a post cardBlack and white Photograph of cannon on Battery Hill in the fort overlooking the South West passageSouth West Passage Port Fairy A.C.A.defence, battery hill, port fairy, cannon, fort, flagstaff hill, south west passage

East Ringwood 2000- Shops in Railway Avenue looking West- B&W Photo from Album 6501

East Ringwood 2000- Shops in Railway Avenue looking West- B&W Photo from Album 6501

Honiara West Special signed by 7 members of 5/6 RVR who were deployed on Operation AnodeThe Map is framed in the glass frame withe the Operation Anode patch, Australian Flag and 5/6 unit symbol displayed below the Map. It has been signed by 7 members of 5/6, each member's PMKey is also displayed on the Map

Stawell West Ladies Book Launch at Pleasant Creek Court House in c 2004 Series of photographs. Photo 1). Jim Melbourne, Cynthia Bodey & Keith Haymes. Photo 2). Author Jim Melbourne signing copies. Photo 3). Ron & Wendy Maddocks, Pat Boag, Marg Rasche. Betty Smith & Dawn Miller. Photo 4). Ron & Wendy, Pat, Marg, Betty & Alan Miller, Marie van Leeuwen (standing), Keith & Elwyn Haymes. Photo 5). Seven of the above mentioned people. Photo 6). Elwyn, Hazel Smith, Lorna Keller & Heathe Wood visitor & sister of Lorna. Photo 7). Ten of Previously noted people. Photo 8). Heather, Elaine McCracken, Mary Kent, Irene McDonald (standing) & Marg McIntosh. The appears to be 2 photos listed in the catalogue worksheet but not in the photo album. A series of 6 colour photographs of a book launch of Stawell West Ladies Axillary History 1957 to 2003. The book launch was held on 19th April 2004 at Pleasant Creek Court House. c 2004. In the Museum catalogue worksheet there is reference to 8 photos and only 6 are in the Album. stawell

Written on back of photograph,"21/4/82. Work on Staley Gardens, looking west."

Catalogue card reads, "Ringwood, 1982. ANZ Bank, Whitehorse Rd. West side."

Catalogue card reads, "Canterbury Rd. Heathmont looking west from railway bridge."

Black and white photographWritten on back of photograph: "Shops opposite old town hall - looking west - 1972".

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Typed under photograph: "Main Street, looking west from Warrandyte Rd. 1965".

Printing on photograph reads, "View right opposite estate looking west, showing Pine Mont. Warrandyte Road". Catalogue card reads, "Pinemont Estate (Loughnan's Hill). Right opposite estate looking west."

Item souvenired by Alan Mason, refer Cat No 3979.2Currency, “British North Borneo Company” one Dollar, rectangular shape, colours, red, black, white, pink, note datedIn red twice, “K630831”currency, british north borneo, one dollar

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Image shows shops on north side of Whitehorse Road towards Town Hall.

2437 - Printed colour postcard of the Sturt St. from Grenville St. looking west - c1905. Card consists of a gold background with flowers surrounding an oval colour image of Sturt St. Embossed at the top of the card is "Best Wishes" with one tram west bound in the lower section of Sturt St. Titled "Sturt Street Looking West, Ballarat." along the bottom edge. On the rear of the postcard is an area for the stamp, address, message. Made by Valentines and printed in Great Britain trams, tramways, sturt st, postcards, grenville st, tram 19

Three photographs of North Western Woollen Mills North Side & Entrancestawell industry

2 black and white aerial photographs .1) Aerial view of Mt Helen campus from the north .2) Aerial view from the northmount helen campus, mount helen campus aerial, student residences

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip Island. Photograph showing The "Alacrity" after being purchased by the American Navy on her way up the Australian Coast in 1941. She was blown up by the Japanese a few weeks later.Photograph of the Ketch "Alacrity" sailing north on service in World War IIlocal history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, boats, the ketch "alacrity", shipping, ketch alacrity, world war ii service, john jenner, bryant west

“Alone in West Africa” is one of a number of works written by Mary Gaunt. Her other works include, A Woman in China, The End of the Earth, Kirkhams Find, The Moving Finger and Deadman’s. Mary was born at Indigo near Chiltern in 1862 and lived for many years in Ballarat where her father W.H. Gaunt was gold commissioner and later a judge. The original Gaunt family home was converted into St Patrick’s College. She married Dr Lindsay Miller and moved to Warrnambool and after his death in 1899 she embarked on her travels which took her to many parts of the world. She died in Cannes, France in January 1942. Mary Gaunt wrote over 25 novels, numerous travel books and many stories and articles. She had a strong link with Warrnambool and details of the district are included among her writings. She also wrote regularly in the early 1900’s for the Times in London on women issues. She was an independent thinker and worker. Apart from the text of “Alone in West Africa,” the work contains 97 black and white photographs which Mary had taken and developed herself. These photos are a significant view of aspects of life in Africa at that timeDark blue cover with gold text. Title, “Alone in West Africa” with sketch of two children in the centre, with Mary Gaunt underneath. The back cover has an embossed letter “L”. Inside the front cover is a rough sketch of the author’s route of the French Ivory Coast. It contains a number of black and white plates and index. 399 pages.T Werner Laurie on bottom of spine. Black and white photograph of author with autograph underneath. T Werner Laurie Clifford’s Inn London. Acknowledgements included in the dedication , Sir Charles Lucas, Sir George Denton, Elder Dempster and Co. Messrs. Swanzy and Co.,gaunt, mary gaunt, alone in west africa, french ivory coast 1912

Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her prize-winning photos are held in the Society Collection. She also held a range of roles and committee positions in a wide range of Wodonga community organisations. These included the Horticultural Society, the Wodonga Arts Council, the Wodonga Camera Club and the Wodonga Lapidary Club. This photo collection is significant as it documents how the businesses and buildings in Wodonga have evolved and contributed to community throughout the 20th century.High Street West, Tower Place on the left and Highpoint on the right. Tower Place was built by Arthur Dunstan, owner of A. Dunstan & Sons Hardware and timber mills. Businesses shown include Wodonga Warehouse Centre, Highpoint Furniture, Rob Lacey Photography, Vid Hire, East West Airlines and Retravision.On sign above building "Tower Place", on front of building on left "WODONGA WAREHOUSE CENTRE"wodonga businesses, high st wodonga, tower place, highpoint wodonga

small boat The Day Star in North Arm prior to being blessed by Bishop Cranswick of Gippsland Church of England Diocese Lakes Entrance Victoria. c1926 Also two other black and white photographs taken at the same event possibly same boatBlack and white photograph of small boat The Day Star in North Arm prior to being blessed by Bishop Cranswick of Gippsland Church of England Diocese Lakes Entrance Victoria. c1926 Also two other black and white photographs taken at the same event possibly same boatboats and boating, religion, jetties, waterways, events

Transverse section of the North Prince Extended Co,north prince extended, mining company, gold

North Blackburn Community Action Group NewsletterNorth Blackburn Community Action Group miller, enid, trueman, margaret, koonung cottage, slater reserve, nunawading community chest, blackburn players, hall, doug, community groups