Photograph of an elderly Thomas Watts with wife and daughters including Katewatts, thomas, watts, martha, armstrong, kate (nee watts)

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. With Lawrence in Arabia Author: Lowell Thomas Publisher: Hutchinson & Co Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 LAW Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp 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, with lawrence in arabia, lowell thomas

Photographic Portrait of Thomas Stephen Hart of the Ballarat Schoo of Mines. ballarat school of mines, hart, thomas hart, t.s. hart

Notepaper with deed details for Alice and Thomas. Faded fine notepaper.document, memo, railway

Thesis done by Ambrose Thomas Crowe for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.This thesis addresses the predicament many veterans found themselves in some years after their return to Australia after fighting the Vietnam War (1962-1973)vietnam war - 1961-1975, vietnam war, 1961 - 1975 -- veterans -- australia, department of veterans affairs (dva), returned services league of australia (rsl), agent orange - tboxicology, conscription - australia

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, CLUNES.local history, photography, photographs, churches, roman catholic

Black and white photo of Thomas Main, Father of Mary Husband.main, thomas, husband, mary c, charles edward

Part of a collection of business documents found under the floor of a building in Main Street when it was being renovated. At that time the owner was Don Chambers, and the premises was occupied as the Chambers Riteway Supermarket. The location (134 Main Street) is currently (2022) occupied by Miegel’s Pharmacy Rutherglen. Sheet of Thomas Mitchell Tin Smith Headed note paperbusiness documents, thomas mitchell, tinsmith, plumber, 134 main street, chambers riteway supermarket

Image of Thomas Davis, who was assicuated with the Young Ireland movement. thomas davis, young ireland

Square Advertising China Teapot (T. Thomas Merchant Stawell)stawell

Marjorie Gretchen MYERS was born on 21 February 1912 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 10 September 2004 in Frankston, Victoria, Australia. Arthur Bruce MYERS was born on 29 April 1925 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 26 March 2015 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Maxwell Douglas MYERS was born on 10 August 1927 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 03 May 2005 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.Three of Frederick Thomas Myers and Martha Mary Watson' childrenlocal identies

Portrait of Alexander Thomas Morrison, former Ballarat Councilor and Mayor.alexander morrison, alexander thomas morrison

A brown hardcover book with the title Manual of Injurious Insects and Methods of Prevention by E.A.Ormerod printed in black lettering on the front cover with a small decorative flourish in each corner and black lines around all edges. The spine has the title, author 5/- Second Edition printed in gold lettering. There is a black and white portrait of the author on the frontispiece opposite the title page protected by tissue paper. There is an Introductory Preface, Parts I, II and III followed by other facts and lists, Glossary, Index and includes many black and white illustrations of insects. Tanning to edges of pages is seen as well as some loose pages. 410p.non-fictionA manual of injurious insects and methods of prevention and remedy for their attacks to food crops, forest trees and fruit. It is a renowned English title used all around the world.entomology, insects, agriculture

Book. Harry Biggs Collection. Proof of the book on the History of the Moon Family 1853 - 1979. This black & white booklet has 55 pages stapled together. Compiled in 1979 by Lynette Cumming. Includes black & white photos of the family. F. W. Moon 6 Lee St. Clarence Gardens South Australia 5039Thomas Page & Sons, Alexandra Vicbook, harry biggs collection, moon family

Black and white post card photograph of Mt Carmel Convent, RutherglenAt bottom left of photo: "A. P. Thomas"presentation convent, presentation sisters, mt carmel convent

BHS CollectionFirst Class Season Greeting Booklet: Small Blue booklet with gold Print. Gold logo with a horse shoe and a train engine with smoke stack, around that is a banner with *Health Wealth and Happiness line* Also printed on the front is *A First Class Season to you*. Inside on white paper and black print is *First Class Season Ticket. Health Wealth & Happiness Line on the Railway to Life. Always available stations all over the world etc. A Joyous Christmas and a bright New Year, with a long and very happy journey through life. No. 369 Issued by…. Maud. On the back printed in gold is Good Luck. Two hands clasped and underneath At All Times and At All Seasons in Box 625Angus Thomas, Publisher London, E.C.personal effects, greeting cards, christmas

Group of five men beside Grave of William K. Thomas (No 2689) at Stawell Cemetery. 1930's Also buried in the grave is David John THOMAS and Tamar Jane THOMAS There is an obituary in the paper on 17.6.1922 , page 3On the back: Information from DK THOMAS - Tamar Jane D: 15.6.1922 Bd. 17.6.1922 Born: Clunes Died: Mooroopna UK: Mooroopna Occupation: Spinster Marr status: Single Daughter of William K. and Francis Dd 1901 and 1928 Grave No. 2689 Stawell Cemetery Same grave: David John Dd: 1919 (brother) stawell