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. The Roman History Vol 2 From the Foundation of the City of Rome to the Destruction of the Western Empire Author: Dr. Goldsmith Publisher: Baker and Leigh Date: 1775Label on spine cover with typed text RH 937 GOL Under the above label the number 937 is written in white ink Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum Front loose endpaper has hand writting that reads "Received from Mr. James Tait. June 22nd 1898"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 roman history vol 2, dr. goldsmith

VSTA news article about the all girl rock group from Williamstown High School, touring the western District in 1988. Photocopy of original article.williamstown high school, music, 1987, rock groups, all girl band

Comprehensive coverage of language in the Western and Central Victorian areas, 1800-1900. Includes detailed language structures and historical details, Aboriginal Protectors and their work are included.maps, b&w illustrations, b&w photographsaboriginal clans, spatial and social organization, dhauwurd wurrung, gundijimara, djab wurrung, dja dja wurrung, djargurd wurrung, gadubanud, girai wurrung, gulidjan, jardwadjali, wada wurrung, wergaia

A comprehensive vocabulary of Western District languages Djab Wurrung, Peek Woorong and Dhauwurd Wurrung. Includes a vocabulary of birds and reptiles, and relationship terms for each language.word lists, b&w photographswestern district, chaap wuurong, djab wurrung, peek whuurong, peek woorong, kuurn kopan noot, dhauwurd wurrung, birds, reptiles, relationship terms

Glass negative with image of unidentified seated soldier. The soldier is wearing the Brodie pattern steel helmet issued to Australian soldiers on the Western Front 1916 - 1918.first world war, ww1, world war one

Digital Photo taken from glass slide by Geoff McMillan, Cooper Street Stawell and reproduced as a photo - printed at Stawell Historical Society 2019Black & White Photo taken at Henry Best's Concongella vineyard, Great Western. Group of men and boys outside the Cellars with horse and cart at smoko time. winery, wine making

Digital Photo taken from glass slide by Geoff McMillan, Cooper Street Stawell and reproduced as a photo - printed at Stawell Historical Society 2019Black & White Photo taken at Henry Best's Concongella vineyard, Great Western. Three men with grape presses. Bob Fisher is in the foreground with grape press.winery, wine making

Wood and brass plaque acknowledging the new floor at Mardan Hall. Opened by South Gipplsnad Shire President, Cr Peter Western on 13th March 1998

Provides conformation of policy that German POWs so employed retained their helmets and respirators,Western Front 1918. Boche prisoner assisting wounded British soldiers. Digital copy of photograph from a personal album of Lieutenant General JJT Hobbs.talbot hobbs, world war 1, pow, wounded

8 Maps Western Front - Amiens; Lens; Dieppe; France General; Tournai; NW Europe; Communic'ns Circuit Diagram; France portion.( D117 + a to g)documents, ww1, army

Black and white photograph of the entrance and Bullock Island showing the western end of Bullock Island formed by successive dumping of dredged sand. Lakes Entrance Victoriajetties, ocean, waterways, islands

Colour photograph of new boundary fence at Western boundary of Garden Cemetery Lakes Entrance Victoria. Also a second photograph of fence from a different anglegenealogy, cemeteries, topography

Photograph shows no buildings on Kalimna escarpment skylineColour photographs of concrete bridge over North Arm taken from western side of bridge south shore of North Arm Lakes Entrance Victoria. bridges, waterways

Houses fronting Esplanade Lakes EntranceBlack and white postcard of western end of township showing front lake and buildings on Esplanade with boat on slipway left side of image, Lakes Entrance VictoriaLakes Entranceboats and boating, waterways, gippsland lakes, houses

Sepia toned postcard showing Eastern Pier, crane on end of pier, glimpse of Western Pier through timber of Eastern Pier Lakes Entrance Victoria waterways, piers, machinery

Hand-drawn map on light cardboard backing showing location and size of 6 allotments on western side of Armstrong Road near Canterbury Road, Heathmont.

Records the name and details of many South Australians that served in WW1.Lists details and photographs of South Australian personnel who served at Gallipoli and the Western Front including those who were killed (Red leather bound)Australias roll of honour with heroes and helpers.

Part of the radio equipment in B-24 Liberator aircraft.This is a good example as it is unused and in its original box.Black crackle-finish radio control boxRadio control box/signal corps US Army/s.n. 84472/made by Western Electric New York.radio, control, box, bc-450-a, western, electric

Triangular red felt pennant, screen printed in gold.Screen printed with "Metroplitan High Schools" Sports Assn. Western Division. A Grade Girls' Hockey Premiers 1962."

Contains part of the negatives that the photographer took of Bendigo and its tramway system on a 1968 visit. For the actual prints see the Album 8637 and the digital images held in the Museum's photo collections files. Many of the photographs were used in Brian's book, "By Birney to Golden Square" Includes as well 172 photographs of J and K class locomotives at the Ararat locomotive depot.Demonstrates the work of Brian Andrews.Negative folder - paper folder by R. Gunz (Photographic) Pty Ltd containing 6 strips of 35mm negatives in a plastic clear sleeve.Folder No. 64 - 35mm - SEC Bendigo 12-5-68 and VR Western line 11-5-1968trams, tramways, brian andrews, negatives, bendigo, ararat, steam locomotives, j class, k class

Richard G Glisson Christ Church Great Western from his teacher with love Charles F Beststawell religion