Mary Russell brought household items to Australia from England in 1934. Her mother, Elizabeth Russell used the writing desk that was originally given to her mother, Agnes Marian Byrne when she went to boarding school. Agnes used it all her life. Desk damaged by a visiting child who forced the desk closed/open at one point. Estimated that Agnes went to school about 1830'sA square wooden box with brass inlay decoration on lid and front around lock. Hinged lid opens to be a writing surface of velvet. At lock end, groove for pens and small well for ink bottle. Key (not to be used) is in the ink well. Base lined with green hessian glued on. Lid and base angled to give sloping writing surface. A total of 12 items including the box.domestic items, writing equipment, handcrafts, woodwork

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000s. These postcards may or may not include the name of the publisher or printer. A number of the cards were published as parts of popular series. A way of dating early postcards is to identify whether the reverse was divided by a central line which became the norm after 1902 in the United Kingdom. However, other postcards produced after this date do not always conform to this print layout.Polychrome postcard of High Street, Kew looking west towards Kew Junction. The photograph was also printed in monochrome format by the publishers, with different names and additions.Reverse - (to) Miss __. J. Thompson, "Dry Lake", Kerang (from) Very sorry indeed to hear of your Mother's illness. Sincerely hope all quite well ere this. Still going about very tired waiting __ being away. Love to all M.B.L.high street -- kew (vic.), postcards -- kew (vic.), horse tram -- kew (vic.)

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. Country Houses and Villas Comprising 'Country Cottages' & 'The House Beautiful' illustrated with plans and interior decorations by well known Architects Author: J H Elder-Duncan Editorial secretary of "The Architectural Review" Publisher: Cassell & Co Date: 1908Label on spine cover with typed text PAT F 728 ELD Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has 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, country houses and villas, j h elder-duncan, the architectural review

This is a commemorative medal cast to celebrate the coronation of King George VI on May 12 1937. As an item linked to the coronation of an English monarch, it has social and historical significance and is typical of its time to commemorate such events with items such as these medals which were cheaply manufactured and widely circulated. With the stamp of Cramond & Dickson on the reverse it is linked to a local business.Small round medal with hook at top. Image of king and queen, embossed in centre of front with writing around edge. The back has writing embossed as well.Cramond & Dickson Warrnambool 1855-1937, P J King on the back. King George V Queen Elizabeth coronation 1937 on the front.warrnambool, george v1 coronation, coronation medal, cramond & dickson,, king george vi, coronation medal, cramond and dickson

A history of early country life in AustraliaHardcover. Front cover has a series of various photographs of country life in old Australia. Back cover has photographs as well as the blurb describing this book.Stamp of Marysville & District / Historical Society Inc / P.O. Box 22 / Marysville 3779country, life, australia, history

Card given to Discharged servicemen from the “Poowong Patriotic Fund Society” on their discharge from the services.Soft cardboard with outer section darker yellow with lighter yellow centre, all black printing as well as outer edge, On the rear hand written entry.On the rear, “L.V.Andrews” in black ink.poowong, patriotic fund society, discharge

2 x Laminated post cards with black & white images of Holy Land possibly Palestine. .1) Image of the ancient tree. .2) Image of a well..1) On back of card: "Aerodrome Camp Sunday 6.2.16", Top L corner: "My dear Hil" .2) On back of card: "From your loving husband Horace"documents - post cards, military history, passchendaele barracks trust

Rectangular open box with doweled edges. Measuring instruments are visible inside, as well as a pendulum that still moves. Two metal knobs located on the outside of the box. ‘The/WILLIAMS TRIMOMETER/ No 57/MANUFACTURED BY HENRY BROWNE & SON LTD/BARKING & LONDON’

A postcard in a series produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Victoria, Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.A colour photograph of Steavenson Falls in Marysville, Victoria. The Steavenson Falls is named after the Victorian Assistant Commissioner of Roads and Bridges, John Steavenson, who arrived in Victoria in the early 1860s. At 84 metres high, Steavenson Falls is Victoria's tallest cascading waterfall. The falls are split into roughly five cascades, with the last of these plunging into a small, picturesque rock pool. Rose Series Postcard No. 3530. The Marysville Story/ Marysville lies in the Great Dividing/ Range, a peaceful town where lush/ mountain forests provide a perfect setting/ for bush walks or just relaxing. Lookouts/ and waterfalls abound, the most famous/ being Steavenson Falls, one of the tallest/ in Victoria and spectacularly floodlit at/ night./ Established in 1863, Marysville was/ named after the wife of surveyor John/ Steavenson. The discovery of gold at/ Woods Point meant that it became/ an important stopover for/ diggers on their/ way to the/ goldfields. Steavenson Falls POST CARD The "Rose" Series/ De Luxe Proudly Printed in/ Australia Since 1880 AFFIX/ STAMP/HERE/ Rose Series/ Post Card No./ 3530 ADDRESS/ POSTCODE the MARYSVILLE STORY & Steavenson Falls/ MARYSVILLE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA/ Photo Neil Cutts Copyright Rose Stereograph Co., Glen Waverley, Victoria (03) 9560 7772marysville, steavenson falls, victoria, postcard, souvenir, rose stereograph co, 3530, john steavenson

A postcard in a series produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Victoria, Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.A colour photograph of Steavenson Falls in Marysville, Victoria. The Steavenson Falls is named after the Victorian Assistant Commissioner of Roads and Bridges, John Steavenson, who arrived in Victoria in the early 1860s. At 84 metres high, Steavenson Falls is Victoria's tallest cascading waterfall. The falls are split into roughly five cascades, with the last of these plunging into a small, picturesque rock pool. The Rose Series postcard No. 3530. The Marysville Story/ Marysville lies in the Great Dividing/ Range, a peaceful town where lush/ mountain forests provide a perfect setting/ for bush walks or just relaxing. Lookouts/ and waterfalls abound, the most famous/ being Steavenson Falls, one of the tallest/ in Victoria and spectacularly floodlit at/ night./ Established in 1863, Marysville was/ named after the wife of surveyor John/ Steavenson. The discovery of gold at/ Woods Point meant that it became/ an important stopover for/ diggers on their/ way to the/ goldfields. Steavenson Falls POST CARD The "Rose" Series/ De Luxe Proudly Printed in/ Australia Since 1880 AFFIX/ STAMP/HERE/ Rose Series/ Post Card No./ 3530 ADDRESS/ POSTCODE the MARYSVILLE STORY & Steavenson Falls/ MARYSVILLE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA/ Photo Neil Cutts Copyright Rose Stereograph Co., Glen Waverley, Victoria (03) 9560 7772marysville, steavenson falls, victoria, postcard, souvenir, rose stereograph co, 3530, john steavenson

letter of reccomandations for a William Griffin who worked for the Spring Well Dairy in Flora Hill, Bendigo for some time. The letter is dated May 26th, 1928.bendigo, business, spring well dairy

EIG School - Ralph Birrell Collection. - Construction of Latrobe Uni. C1974. Bendigo Institute of Technology, Engineering School, Applied Science. Construction well underway.Kodakeducation, tertiary, latrobe university bendigo, eig school - ralph birrell collection. - construction of latrobe uni. c1974. bendigo institute of technology, engineering school, applied science. construction

EIG School - Ralph Birrell Collection. - Construction of Latrobe Uni. C1970. Bendigo Institute of Technology, Engineering School, Applied Science. Construction well underway.Kodakeducation, tertiary, latrobe university bendigo, eig school - ralph birrell collection. - construction of latrobe uni. c1970. bendigo institute of technology, engineering school, applied science. construction

A bluish grey coloured cover with black writing. there are three punch holes down the left hand side as well as two staples which are very rusty australia - armed forces - service manuals, signals

A black and white postcard depicting an house in Merstham. The postcard is addressed to Miss E. Wells, 51 Barclay Place, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia and is signed A.W.S.place, streetscape, merstham

Well used pipe and wooden bowl, silver stem and black (plastic) mouth piece. Tobacco pouch made of brown rubber with pull apart opening.Pipe made by Falcon. Pouch made by Blaque Automa Trovetobacco pouch

Standard issue utility pouch used by military during the conflict in Vietnam.Small well-used canvas pouch, rectangular with gusset sides and flap at top. Attachments are made of metal and brass. Press stud to close top flap.pouch, army issue, utility pouch, military equipment, vietnam

Camp 13 gardens and fountain.Black and white photograph of a fountain in a well established garden with 2 shrubs almost opposite each other. 6 gum trees, one behind the fountain camp 13, camp gardens, camp fountain

Elaine Shorter and family have read this book over several generationsChildren's illustrated book, printed on paper. Hard back cover is missing. The main part of the book is well worn, with new staples and has fourteen pages.wool industry, shorter, mrs elaine, children's books

The camera was owned by the donor and her father. They were bushwalkers and took many photos on their walks.Small black oblong camera with fold down view finder and fold out bellows with 7.5cm lens. Camera folds into well worn leather case.IKONTAphotography, cameras

Auction brochure for 'Lake Heights Estate' Blackburn. 97 blocks, 3 December 1949. Agents in conjunction, Duncan & Weller Pty Ltd and Weston & Heath.land subdivision, lake road, blackburn, lake heights estate, florence street, nunawading, clifton street, gerald street, milton street

A black and white image of Melbourne looking southwards. The new Victoria Barracks can be seen, as well as the empty spaces that was to become the Albert Park Reserve in 1862.melbourne, albert park, victoria barracks

View of Hinkley Guest House on the left where the Post Office occupied a room in the front corner. The post operated from 1912 until 1937 when the building burned down. The Post Office then moved up to one of the Cadby Cottages near Rostrevor. The empty block of land next to Hinkley was where Sassafras School was built a few years later.Black and white copy of GGM photograph showing a group of five well dressed men in the foregroundbehind a large log with the Post Office and Telegraph office on the left.On front - POST OFFICE SASSAFRAS G.G.M.sassafras, post office, post office, hinkley, cadby cottages, sassafras school, rostrevor