Alonzo Box, of Oakleigh ,a nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who resided in 'Box Cottage' 1865 - 1914, married Mary Closter (Kloster), of Oakleigh, on June 12th 1918. Alozo's elder sister, Rebecca, sent a bolt of Chinese hand-embroidered silk from which this wedding dress was made. Rebecca Viloudakia, nee Box, was a missionary in China, and married to a Greek Silk Merchant. Alonzo Box, the 9th child of John and Martha Sheldrake Box , enlisted in the Army and landed at Gallipoli 25/4/1918. He was evacuated to Egypt and then sent to the battlefields of France and Flanders before returning home to Melbourne in February 1918. Rebecca Box, the eldest child of John and Martha Sheldrake Box, was in the first party of Methodist Missionaries to leave Australia for the China Inland Mission in 1890. During the Boxer Uprising 1900-1901 her Mission outpost was attacked but she escaped and was taken to Shanghai. She later married one of the rescue party Nicholas Viloudakia a Greek silk merchant .Australian Dress Register ID 573 12/5/2015 Following Henry Dendy's Special Survey 1841 pioneer settlers bought allotments of land in the area of Moorabbin Parish. Alonzo Box was the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who bought the cottage on the 30acre allotment from an unknown pioneer settler in 1868 and resided there until Elizabeth's death in 1914. Alonzo Box served in the Army World War 1 1914- 1918 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca Box -Viloudakia was in the first party of Methodist Missionaries to leave Australia for the China Inland Mission in 1890 and was rescued during the Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901 and taken to Shanghai by her future husband.A cream two piece wedding dress made from a bolt of hand embroidered Chinese silk for the marriage of Mary Closter and Alonzo Box on June 12th, 1918. The bolt of Chinese silk was sent by Alonzo’s older sister, Mrs Rebecca Viloudakia, a missionary in China, who was married to a Greek silk merchant. The machine sewn dress was made by a dressmaker in Dandenong, Victoria. The jacket is blouson, with a front opening and is gathered at the waist by a band enclosing a drawstring. The collar is a sailor style that forms a slight / high V-shape front neckline. Four vertical roses are separated by three bands of lacework. The back of the jacket is plain silk. The right front of the jacket has a panel of embroidered roses, band of lacework and a facing fold that encloses 4 fastening presses. There are crocheted bobbles on the front representing buttons. The left jacket front also has the panel of embroidered roses, lacework and matching fold for the 4 fastening studs. The full length inset sleeves are gathered to a cuff that fastens with silk covered buttons. The sleeves have floral embroidery down the outside centre line. The left sleeve has an extra detachable cuff with embroidery on the flounce that matches the bottom panel of the skirt. It is held in position around the wrist by 4 white metal press studs. The skirt sits above the ankle. It consists of 5 panels slightly gathered at the back waistline with a left side placket 21cm with hooks and eyes and press studs. The waistband is lined with petersham and has 6 whalebone inserts. The front of the skirt has small pleats to fit the 3 decorated panels to the waistline. The front has 3 bands of lacework around the lower part. 3 panels form the centre front each embroidered with a different floral pattern. The back of the skirt is plain with 3 bands of lacework rising from the hem, which is sewn with spoke work stitch. The long waist sash/belt is plain silk with embroidered ends and 3 silk balls with crocheted caps suspended on 3 crocheted silk chains. It has a rose knot with 2 metal press stud fasteners. There are a variety of floral designs embroidered on the material including ‘corner motifs’ on the 2nd inner front panel of skirt. brighton, moorabbin, silk, box william, box elizabeth, box alonzo, box mary, kloster mary, closter mary, oakleigh, dandenong, chinese silk merchant, boxer rebellion 1900-1901, box rebecca, methodist china inland mission, viloudakia nichols, anzac landings, world war 1, gallipoli

The first photograph was taken prior to 1910. The location is at the corner of Centre and Jasper Roads, East Brighton, (now known as Bentleigh). It is an early view of John L. and "Minnie" Smith's Hay and Corn Store, situated on the South West corner of those two roads. The first photo was taken prior to the introduction of electricity in the area. A gas lamp and horse "hitching post" can be seen "in shot". There are several loaded wagons waiting in line to have their hay milled to chaff. Farmers came from places as distant as Carrum to have their loads of hay milled into chaff. John Smith was born in 1860 in Point Nepean Road, Brighton, and Minnie was born in Patterson Road, Moorabbin, in a wattle and daub cottage with earthen floor and butter muslin over the windows. The couple married in 1884, Minnie was a devout Methodist and the family became very involved in the development of the local Methodist church. The couple had four children and during the 1890s Depression their first child died, they lost all their possessions, and John's family struggled to survive. Finally in the late 1890s JL Smith was able to rent a shed from Mr Henry Box on the corner of Centre and Jasper Roads, and he later purchased that property. With the gradual improvement in the economy, and the development of the successful market gardening industry in the Shire of Moorabbin, JL Smith's produce store became quite prosperous. Over some years the little "shed" developed into a thriving Hay and Corn Store. JL Smith went on to become Moorabbin Shire President in 1914. He and his wife were active in assisting soldiers returning injured from the 1st WW, in the local Methodist Church and other early community projects. Smith was a typical example of the majority of the early settlers in the Shire of Moorabbin, being god-fearing and devoted to the idea of service to the community. The photographs demonstrate the primitive conditions and early development of what is now a bustling and well-recognised area of Bentleigh, (known as east Brighton before 1907). The photo shows a gas lamp in use before the introduction of electricity in 1916. The Smith's story is representative of the many early pioneering traders, who elected to "set up shop", who suffered the adversity of the 1890s depression, but who survived and made their living in the largely undeveloped area of East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) district. Two black and white early photographs both of the same location. The photos are of the corner of Centre and Jasper Roads, Bentleigh. (Prior to 1907 this area was known as East Brighton.) Both photos show J.L Smith's General Merchant Produce store. "Steam Chaff Cutting and Corn Crushing Mills" and the surrounding area at differing stages. In the first photo taken prior to 1910, we can see there are several horse-drawn carts loaded with hay waiting to be milled, a gas lamp and a horse "hitching post". The store is just a single unadorned, shed. The later, second photo of the same area, shows improvements and the further development of that site. On the back of the photo "Hay and Corn Store -/ not later than 1910."/"Photographer /Victor C Smith,/ Phone Number XL1472"/hitching post, methodist church, smith minnie, moorabbin shire president, gas lamp, east brighton district, 1890s depression, wattle and daub cottage, centre road, jasper road, box henry, smith john l

This child's green, silk, party dress was worn by Sylvia Marriott in 1927. The Marriott family were early settlers in the Moorabbin ShireMembers of the Marriott family arrived in Port Phillip in 1857. However it was John and Jane Marriott who in 1876, (after toiling hard since their arrival in1871, for very little gain), first leased, then purchased in 1882, 30 acres with a four-roomed house in East Boundary Road, in the area then called East Brighton. (Now known as East Bentleigh). The land they purchased had previously been a part of the 1841 Dendy Special Survey. Over the following years, John and his four sons with hard work and determination became prosperous vegetable growers and purchased further land in the area. Following John's retirement and subsequent death in 1903, the land was passed to his sons, and then onto the Marriott grandchildren. The family continued to remain very prosperous and successful vegetable growers and are one of many families steeped in the tradition of vegetable growing which significantly contributed to the prosperity of the Moorabbin ShireA home-sewn pale green silk party dress, worn to a wedding by four year old, Sylvia Marriott c 1927. The skirt of the dress has layers of ruffles. It has short cap sleeves. Decorative ribbons are attached at the shoulder continueing to the waist, then hang loosely over the skirt of the dress. Small pink and white ribbon rose buds have been applied at the neckline, waist and the edges of the sleeves .brighton, moorabbin, marriott, clothing, market gardeners, home, dressmaker, needlework, dendys special survey

This small child's dress with insertion and crochet work was worn in 1920- 30 by a child of an early settlers family of MoorabbinEarly settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesA girl's white cotton blouse, with large collar, hand-crochet work and insertion at waistline clothing, moorabbin, dressmaking, cheltenham, market gardners, craftwork, early settlerse

This white, cotton child’s pinafore is an example of the dressmaking skills and craftsmanship of the women of the pioneer settlers families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the dressmaking skills and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesA white, cotton ,small child's pinafore with pin-tucking, feather stitch, lace and embroiderybrighton, moorabbin, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, clothing dressmaking

This girl's white cotton sun-hat has been made at home by a mother determined to get the maximum usage from the garment. The hat has been simply made with a plain crown for the child's day-to-day use. However, the mother has also made a second, very decorative crown, that can be buttoned on and is suitable to be worn on more "dressy" occassions - such as attending Sunday School or on special outings.Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesGirl's home-made plain white cotton sun-hat with wide brim. There have been three rows of fine cord sewn at intervals around the circumference of the hat brim to stiffen it. There is also hand crochet decorating the edge of the hat brim. A very decorative "second" hat crown has also been made. This hat crown has hand crocheted lace, and criss-cross seams, and is designed to be buttoned on over the original plain crown to provide a more decorative hat for special occasions, such as when attending Sunday School.clothing, moorabbin, ormond, bentleigh, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork

This child’s cream silk dress is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the pioneer settlers families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families. The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire A child’s cream silk frockclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, blackburn nance, craftwork

This Child’s cream silk dress is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the pioneer settlers families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families. The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire A baby's, long, muslin, day gownclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, blackburn nance, craftwork

This small child’s white, cotton pants with crocheted legs and a white cotton sunhat is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the pioneer settlers families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesA pair of small child's white, cotton pants with crocheted legs and a child's white, cotton sunhatclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, market gardener, dressmakers, early settlers, peck family.

This girl's half petticoat is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th CEarly settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families The Walker family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire.A young girl’s half-slip, pin-tucked and with lace edge. Notice the sewn "tuck" of extra material to be "let down" as the child grows.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, walker alice

This small child's calico tunic with box-pleats and eyelet cotton trim was worn by a child of an early settlers family of MoorabbinEarly settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families. The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire A child’s calico, box-pleated tunic with eyelet cotton trim clothing, brighton, moorabbin, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, blackburn nance, craftwork

A child's dress-up costume incorporating the Australian Red Ensign Flag made for a pageant c1927A child's dress-up costume c1927. An Australian Red Ensign Flag sleeveless top with detachable capeclothing, moorabbin, dressmaking, textiles, melbourme, velia dowdes house

JAMES JOSEPH HIGGINS, was born in Dublin in 1821 and, at age twenty, emigrated via Liverpool in 1841 with his wife Ellen and baby daughter Margarete, on board the 'Intrinsic'. They lived in Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, for some years, where their son James John Clarke Higgins was born in 1850. JAMES JOHN CLARKE HIGGINS moved to Brighton East when he married Ruth Simmonds in 1873. The couple lived on Jasper Rd near the corner of Centre Rd for the rest of their lives, and produced eight children HERBERT JOHN HIGGINS was the sixth child born in 1886, to James John Clarke Higgins and Ruth Simmonds, and grew up in Centre Rd, Brighton East, now Bentleigh. He was renting and working a property on Jasper Rd from the time he was married in 1913 to Victoria Matilda Long, daughter of Charles John Long and Annie Matilda Allnutt. Herbert John bought his property on Jasper Rd in 1921. [Metropolitan Board of works plan 3220, Municipality of Moorabbin, shows that in 1928, Higgins Rd was planned (and probably built soon after). Herbert was a dairyman and market gardener. He bred and milked cows and sold milk, cream, butter and eggs to the locals. He supplied hay/corn to be made into chaff to J L Smith’s produce store. He also leased land from other farmers in the area and helped work their land. c1950 he sold the property in lots, some privately, others to the Municipality. Some lots became part of Hodgson Reserve, Higgins Road, Bentleigh, and another lot, the Bentleigh Bowling Club. Herbert and Victoria, known as Queenie, had five children between 1914 and 1928. The youngest Dorothy, who remembered sitting in this pram and later using it to carry papers, wood, vegetable etc., lived on the property in Jasper Road until her passing in 2016. ( Ronald Alexander Higgins, descendant , Helen Stanley CMHS 2017) The family of Dorothy Higgins 1928-2016, were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire establishing a dairy farm c 1873 in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh)Wicker Perambulator, baby carriage, c. 1914, with a lined, painted wicker body, iron spring scrolled frame with leather straps and 4 steel wheels with rubber tyres. The push handle is broken and hood is missing. dairy farms, higgins james joseph, simmonds ruth, higgins dorothy, poultry farms, jasper road bentleigh, city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., newsletters, ashley r, neville f, blackman n, moorabbin city council, moorabbin roads board toll gates, pioneers moorabin cheltenham, bentleigh, highett

This white Nylon sleeveless dress with the pattern of Deer machine embossed on the material was made by a local resident in City of Moorabbin for her child in the new popular synthetic material. A pink jap silk sleeveless petticoat with lace trim completes the set. Press studs fasten the dressWomen in City of Moorabbin were accomplished knitters, dressmakers and craft workers so they made clothes for their families using the popular new synthetic material. Nylon was easy care with embossed pretty patterns and required no ironing. A Child's white nylon sleeveless dress with machine embossed deer and a pink silk petticoat Fasteners are press studs clothing, baby, nylon, machine pressed designs, layette, knitting, craftwork, wool, early settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40 sharp valma,

Nylon became a very popular dressmaking material in City of Moorabbin c1960 as the new settlers established their families in the new estates post World War 11 in Ormond, Bentleigh, Moorabbin These Baby feeding Bibs x 2 with ribbon ties were made by a local resident of City of Moorabbin for her child c 1960 Women in City of Moorabbin were accomplished knitters, dressmakers and craft workers who made the clothes for their families while settling in to the new estates that opened up in Ormond, Bentleigh,and Moorabbin after World War 11 Baby Bibs, x 2 made by a local resident for her children. a) towel, nylon, lace trim, with an appliqued flower and ribbon ties b) flannel, nylon, lace trim and ribbon ties clothing, baby, nylon, machine pressed designs, layette, knitting,craftwork, wool, early settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40 sharp valma,

Child's cream silk dress with lace inserts and hand sewn flowers and press stud fasteners made from 'bits and pieces' in 1937 by the family of Mrs Valma Sharp . This child's cream silk dress was made in the austere time after the Depression 1930 - 34 and shows the practical ingenuity of a mother to make a pretty dress for her child from 'bits and pieces' of material c1937 a child's cream silk dress made from ' bits and pieces' ,hand sewn flowers, with lace, press studs clothing, baby, nylon, machine pressed designs, layette, knitting,craftwork, wool, early settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40 sharp valma,

These Lady's white voile shirt fronts were made for a small woman or child to wear under a suit jacket . The front has fine vertical pintucks and ribbon waist ties The back seam is fastened with press studs. The high collar has horizontal pintucks and 4 metal wire stays. The early settler women were skilled dressmakers and craft workers. These Lady's voile shirt fronts are examples of the high dressmaking skill of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 2 identical small lady's white voile shirt fronts, with high collar and ribbon waist ties. The front has fine vertical pintucks and the high collar has horizontal pintucks with 4 metal wire stays. Press studs fasten the back seam . clothing, dressmaking, haberdashery, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, mckinnon, ormond, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

Issue no 206 of The School Paper December 1916. This School Paper was owned by, Roy Marriott, a child of one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin.Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed Albert J Mullett, Government Printer, MelbourneA 16 page magazineEDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA / SCHOOL PAPER / For Grades VII and VIII (1916); Issue no 206 Ed. Dept of Victoria education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department, marriott, moorabbin, bentleigh, school

Issue no 242 - 253 of The School Paper Jan - Dec 1920, 12 Editions. This binder with copies of The School Paper was owned by W Marriott child of one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin,Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed Albert J Mullett, Government Printer, MelbourneThe School Paper For Grades VII and VIII (1920)EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA / SCHOOL PAPER / For Grades V11 and VI11 (1920); Issue no 242 Ed. Dept of Victoria / Poetry Number education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department, marriott william, marriott geoff, market gardeners, pioneers, moorabbin shire, henry dendy special survey brighto 1841, east bentleigh state school no. 2083, wilfred marriott

Anzac Day school children’s medal, issued in 1918 issued by the Victorian Education Department (EVD). The medal was distributed to every Victorian school child that year to commemorate Anzac Day. The Anzac forces first landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. This medal was given to Australian school children 1918 to commemorate the tragic ANZAC Landing at Gallipoli in 1915One side has the image of the bust of an Australian soldier was adapted from a drawing by H. Harvey, an at assistant in the Victorian Education Department and the words HONOR TO THE A.I.F.. The reverse has a scroll which rests on olive branch, inscripted with GALLIPOLI / FRANCE / PALESTINE; above EVD ; below, ANZAC DAY 1918.anzac day, school children, victorian education dept. evd, gallipoli

The bag was used by Nurse Emma Warburton (1863-1946), who provided assistance at the birth of a couples child, not only looking after the new mother but also the family and the house hold chores. Nurse Warburton lived in Bourke Street, Mentone. The contents of the bag were, five letters of recommendation, a sewing kit, a breast reliever, seven keys, Red Cross Emergency Service Badge and two notes re medication. Nurse Warburton was married to Joseph Warburton (1853-1947) who was a market gardener in the Shire of Moorabbin (City of Moorabbin).The bag belonged to one of the pioneers of Moorabbin. and gives an insight into the birth of children and family life.Brown leather Gladstone Bag and contentsnursing, midwife, emma warburton, cheltenham, moorabbin, city of moorabbin, mentone, child birth

Equipment used by Emma Warburton, a midwife, who lived in the City of Moorabbin. The pump was used by women who needed that extra help to relieve the pressure build-up in their breasts when lactating. The pump was made by J.G. Ingram & Sons Ltd, and sold in the early 1900’s.Owned and used by one of the pioneer families in the City of MoorabbinGlass tube with a collecting reservoir that opens into a funnel (or breast piece). Round red rubber bulb attached to one end of the glass. Stamp in black ink on red bulb reads "Ingram's/'Omega'/London."nursing, midwife, emma warburton, cheltenham, moorabbin, city of moorabbin, mentone, child birth, breast feeding, medical equipment, breast pump

Five hand written letters the earliest letter was dated 21 September 1905 and the latest the 12 December 1925.The letters were addressed to ‘whom it may concern’ or to Nurse Warburton. They were letters of recommendation written by grateful husbands or women who were very grateful for the assistance Nurse Warburton provided at the birth of their child, not only looking after the new mother but also the family and the house hold chores.Hand written lettersnursing, midwife, emma warburton, cheltenham, moorabbin, city of moorabbin, mentone, child birth, breast feeding, medical equipment, breast pump, john botterill, david duncan alexander, augustus edward caines, mary gertrude naughton, john james lambert

Prescription and medication notes that were inside the Gladstone bag that belonged to Nurse Emma Warburton. 1) a recipe and instructions for rheumatoid arthritis 2) medication for corns 3) a prescription from the Moorabbin Pharmacy, John Wilson, Cheltenham dated 22 October 1917.Documentsnursing, midwife, emma warburton, cheltenham, moorabbin, city of moorabbin, mentone, child birth, rheumatoid arthritis, prescription, moorabbin pharmacy, silk corn cure

A child's Bakelite cup - 6oz (150ml) produced by KRAFT Walker PTY LTD to promote their product Vegemite yeast spread A common cup made for domestic use in City of Moorabbin and Australia that has survived since c1950 A child's bakelite speckled brown and green cup made by Kraft Foods that contained 6oz 'Vegemite' spread Base KRAFT FOODS Label Net 6oz / VEGEMITE / concentrated yeast extract / KRAFT WALKER CHEESE CO./ PTY LTD / MELBOURNE / AUSTRALIA contents ........... Use in ...........

200 p. : ill. (some col.), ports.non-fictionA record of those buried at the Cheltenham cemeteries, Melbourne, Victoria, who were tragically murdered. cheltenham pioneer cemetery, cheltenham cemetery, murder victims, epitaphs, cheltenham

62 pages : illustratednon-fictionIn 1839 a runaway horse crashed into a tree stump that stood in the middle of Bourke Street; and in 1840 there were holes in Collins Street so deep that a child was nearly drowned in one. Early Melbourne Sketchbook recaptures the exciting early days of the city, days when rainy weather rendered Elizabeth Street impassable without a punt, and when Melbourne's first city councillor was elected on the promise of free beer to his constituents. Brian Carroll has sought out an interesting collection of contemporary illustrations to take us back to the beginning of Melbourne, from the original discovery of Port Phillip in 1802. David Collins' abortive settlement at Sullivan's Bay was abandoned in 1803, and it was not until 1835 that John Batman settled on his now famous 'place for a village'. Here are fascinating stories of the men who founded and shaped Victoria's capital city: Batman, Fawkner, Bourke, La Trobe. In addition, there is a wealth of information about Melbourne's buildings and landmarks - places such as St Francis', the Post Office, the Town Hall, Princes Bridge, and Young and Jackson's. Early Melbourne Sketchbook describes vividly the historical development and cultural growth of the city that was to become Australia's financial capital and its second largest city. (Inside cover)melbourne, historic buildings

87 p. : ill. ;non-fictionPapers presented at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Melbourne, 12-13 October 1979 children, social conditions

This painting shows a historic depiction of Australian whalers in action at sea, and shows the scale of man to whale. Whaling was one of the first industries in early Victoria. John Dollery was born in London in 1933. As a child he loved to draw and was a frequent visitor to the National and Tate Galleries. In 1957 Dollery came to Australia, settling in Queensland in 1965. After receiving a prize in a drawing exhibition, he began painting in oils, and is entirely self-taught. Whilst in Queensland he painted most of his canvases strictly from life and in 1977 he moved to Melbourne where he established himself as a full-time artist. John was very interested in Australia’s history, and most of his work represents this theme. Many of his pieces are in collections both in Australia and overseas. Dollery’s daughter is also an artist and has exhibited both her father's and her own works together in an exhibition 'Now and Then, Father and Daughter'.The painting is a significant work by artist John Dollery. Its subject of whaling shows an early Australian industry and shows the scale of man to whale. The decorative frame is appropriate for the era in which the scene would have taken place.Painting in oil on canvas, in gilt carved timber frame. Seascape, depicting a whale hunt. A spouting whale is behind a whale boat with six whalers aboard. A tall ship with seamen aboard is behind the whale. Two other tall ships and another whale boat are in background. An embossed plaque in bottom centre of lower frame has inscription.. Artist is J. Dollery. Stamped on the sticker “John Dollery / ARTIST / Crown Lot 16 The Esplanade Corinella, Victoria 3984 / Telephone: (056) 78 0644 “ Hand written on sticker “THE CHASE $xxx” Embossed in the wooden frame “30 / ART / Specturm” Signed “J DOLLERY”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, whales, whaling, industry, whale oil, blubber, john dollery, the chase, corinella, historic art work, australian art work, australian historic artwork

This book was very popular during 1945 and was written by Merva Davies and published by the National Press PTY Ltd in Melbourne. It tells the story of a half-caste indigenous child. This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, 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 WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to a lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up a home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the 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 areas 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 from 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 NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY 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 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. 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. Yeytallic Author: Merva Davies Publisher: The National Press P/L Date: 1945 The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT FIC DAV Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library, with the date of April 1946 The front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library. Inside the front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library. 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, yeytallic, merva davies