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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Past and Present
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. Past and Present Author: Thomas Caryle Publisher: Chapman & Hall Date: 1872Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 824 CAR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public 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, past and present, thomas caryle -
Port Fairy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Photograph, Crowe, Thomas Augustine Mayor of Borough of Port Fairy 1943,1952,1963
Black & white portrait of Thomas Crowe wearing glasses, mayoral robes and jabotmayor, portrait, shire, council, municipal, local government -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Slide, Robin Boyd, 1956-1957
Robin Boyd developed a close friendship with the founder of the Bauhaus in Weimar Germany, Walter Gropius, who had moved to the USA in the 1930s. Through this connection, Boyd was invited to be the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Bemis Professor at the School in the North American academic year 1956-7. Robin and Patricia Boyd, with their youngest daughter Suzy, were based in Cambridge, Massachusetts for the year. Boyd gave some lectures at MIT and he was also invited to give lectures at many other universities, allowing him to travel widely within the USA, especially on the East Coast. This gave him the opportunity to meet architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Eero Saarinen, Paul Rudolph and many others, and visit the offices of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, and places like Taliesin and the General Motors Technical Center Detroit. On the way home, the Boyds visited London, Berlin, Paris and Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp Chapel in France.Colour slide in a mount. Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. (Architect: Thomas Jefferson.)Date / Subject / 20 (Handwritten) / Encircled 9F (Handwritten)mit bemis professorship, mit, robin boyd, slide -
Ballarat RSL Sub-Branch Inc.
Certificate - Framed 58th Battalion AIF Assoc
Ballarat Sub-Branch Past President E T Thomas 1941-1947literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat -
Ambulance Victoria Museum
Plaque, Ambulance officer course GE 1/95, 1995 ?
Contains names of members of Ambulance Officers on Course GE 1/95. This course probably trained in 1995.Wooden Plaque featuring a Thomas the Tank locomotive model course attendee names. One, two skip a few ... nine then ten, we're ambulance men -
Public Record Office Victoria
Report, 3 December 1854
VA 466 Governor (including Lieutenant Governor 1851-1855 and Governor's Office)Eureka Stockade:Captain Thomas reports on the attack on the Eureka Stockade to the Major Adjutant Generaltrial, w.h. paul, robert adair, john smith, felix boyle, william butwell, timothy galvin, william french, michael roney, h.c. wise, john byrne, henry colles, william juniper, bernard o'donnell, joseph wall, patrick sullivan, j.w. thomas -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - Obituary, Obituary of Mr H.T. Bishop, 19/01/1940
Article from the Reporter 19 Jan 1940. Obituary for Herbert Thomas Bishop.bishop, herbert thomas, shire of blackburn and mitcham, box hill methodist church -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, Thomas Street Precinct Mitcham, n.d
Statement of historic significance of housing in the Thomas Street area.Statement of historic significance of housing in the Thomas Street area, principally Californian bungalows.Statement of historic significance of housing in the Thomas Street area.thomas street mitcham, city of whitehorse heritage review 2002, californian bungalows -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Photo
Photo of following Thomas Aldridge (top) Bill Aldridge and unknown,(bottom right)photo -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Clothing - Apron, Sandridge Marine Lodge, William Thomas MAY, 1920
Apron in satchel belonging to William Thomas MAY, Sandridge Marine Lodge No 21Bro.W.T.May Sandridge Marine Lodge No 21societies clubs unions and other organisations, william thomas may, sandridge marine lodge -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Badge - Stan U Thomas
Canadian Return from active service badge. Stanley Uren Thomas No 80840badge/buttons -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Cr Thomas Smith, JP, Mayor, The Yeoman Studios, 1906
Photograph - Cr. Thomas Smith J.P. Mayor of Port Melbourne 1906-1907local government - city of port melbourne, thomas smith -
Clunes Museum
Clothing - STOLE
CREAM SILK STOLE BOUGHT BACK FROM FRANCE BY NORMAN THOMAS IN 1917local history, costume accessories, female, w.w.1 memorabilia, female accessories -
Clunes Museum
Clothing - SHAWL
PINK SILK SHAWL BOUGHT BACK FROM FRANCE BY NORMAN THOMAS IN 1917.local history, costume accessories, female, w.w.1 memorabilia, female accessories -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Thomas Richards Burrowes Morton, President of Shire of Nunawading
Black and white photo of Thomas Richards Burrowes Morton, President of Shire of Nunawading.morton thomas richards burrowes -
St Patrick's Old Collegians Association (SPOCA)
Photograph - Teachers, Jesuits
-
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Thomas Borthwick & Sons (TB&S), n.d
Port of Portland Authority ArchivesFront: Line ruled across lower section in blue biro.port of portland archives, thomas borthwick and sons, abattoir -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Aerial View of Thomas Borthwicks & Sons Meatworks, n.d
On Display at History House.Framed, black and white aerial photograph of Thomas Borthwick & Sons Meatworks PortlandBack: Reg. No 58 -
Clunes Museum
Book, THE HUGH WILLIAMSON FOUNDATION, HUGH WILLIAMSON C.B.E. PHILANTHROPIST, 2000
BIOGRAPHY OF HUGH DEAN THOMAS WILLIAMSON C.B.E. 4thFEBRUARY 1901 - 20thDECEMBER 1985BIOGRAPHY OF HUGH DEAN THOMAS WILLIAMSON C.B.E. 4thFEBRUARY 1901 - 20thDECEMBER 1985non-fictionBIOGRAPHY OF HUGH DEAN THOMAS WILLIAMSON C.B.E. 4thFEBRUARY 1901 - 20thDECEMBER 1985local history, book, biography, williamson -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Photograph - Black and white print, Information Branch Victorian Department of Agriculture, T.H. Kneen, 1946-1967
Black and white studio portrait. Thomas Hugh Kneen, Principal 1946-1967On reverse, "Photograph by Information Branch Victorian Department Of Agriculture Ref. No. D.1556."t.h. kneen, principal, publicity -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Tool - BUTTON HOOK
Metal button hook, Thomas Phillips. Corner Smith & Johnston Streets Collingwood.lcostume accessories, footwear accessories, button hook -
Ballarat Clarendon College
Book, Half hours with the best authors, Vol 1
According to the Ballarat College Report, Prize list and Prospectus published 1875 Miss E Rees was Dux of the school 'Ladies Department' and winner of the Mr R F Glover's Prize Essay. This book was awarded to Miss E Rees the following year by the Ballarat Ladies College associated with the ballarat Grammar School, Principal F J Thomas. Thomas had been appointed principal of Ballarat College in 1874 following the untimely death of the school's first principal Robert Oliver McCoy. However Thomas's credentials were questionable and he left the school under a cloud during 1875. Thomas established a rival college. This action had a devastating impact on Ballarat College because many students enrolled at the new college. This book is evidence of just one such transition. Ornately decorated book with calf spine and cover detail, marbled covers and end-pages, gold lettering and patterns on spine; Book plate inside front cover: Ballarat Ladies College / in association with the Ballarat Grammar School / CHRISTMAS 1878 / University Class / SPECIAL PRIZE / the gift of / the pupils of the Ballarat Gr. Sch. / for / 'the favorite girl' 2 vol. / awarded to / Miss E Rees / F J THOMAS, PRINCIPALe-rees, f-j-thomas, ballarat-ladies-college, grammar-school, 1876 -
Wycheproof & District Historical Society Inc.
Sepia Photograph, Mendelnohy/Melb, Shelia Whelan Thomas Coughlan, 3/9/1947
Elaine Donnellon, the donor of the photograph is the daughter of Shelia's sister Matilda. Thomas Coughlan and Shelia Whelan were married 03-09-1947. Not highly significant but typical of a mid 20th century portrait taken in a photographer's studio. The style of the wedding finery is representitive of the fashion of the period.Studio Portrait on original mount. Thomas Coughlan bridegroom, dark double-breasted suit,orange-blossom buttonhole. Shelia Whelan bride, embossed satin bridal gown with train and leg-o-mutton sleeves,a lace insert at the neckline, finished with a dainty locket. An embroidered full lengh veil and ruched head-dress with orange-blossom is complimented by a floral trailer-bouquet and horseshoes. Portrait backdrop, curtain and chair. Bottom right-hand corner, hand written, "Mendilnohy/Melb."studio portrait, 1947, thomas coughlan, shelia whelan, orange blossom, embossed satin, wedding gown, double breasted suit, veil, trailer, bouquet -
Federation University Historical Collection
Document, Declaration of Ernest by owners of land in Yendon being held as a site for Public Hall and Free Library; 1891, 1891
Document outlining the agreement between five males, all residents of Yendon. Land that had been purchased - being part of Crown Allotment Five Section six, Township of Buninyong East, Parish of Buninyong, County of Grant, has been purchased "as a site for a public hall and free library for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of the Township of Yendon."Thick paper, hand written. Red dots indicate places for signatures Document stamped in green - 0122083 Signatures of; John Winterburn Kemp, Philip Ballantyne, Samuel Henry Mayo, Thomas Dooley, Thomas Watsondeclaration of ernest, land title, free library, public hall, yendon, buninyong, paris of buninyong, county of grant, john winterburn kemp, philip ballantyne, samuel henry mayo, thomas dooley, thomas watson -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Set of Oval iron boilers, Cauldron, T & C Clark Co
Oval iron boiler with lid and handle, capacity four gallons (15 litres). Made by T. & C. Clark & Co., Wolverhampton, England. T. & C. Clark & Company Limited was founded in 1795 by Thomas and Charles Clark. Based at Shakespeare Foundry, Wolverhampton, it became one of the largest foundries in the area.These cooking pots were used by the local pioneers to cook their meals over an open fire. The flames from the fire turned the pots black.Oval iron boilers with lid and handle of various capacity : 2½ gallon, 3 gallon, 5 gallon and 6 gallon. Made by T. & C. Clark & Co., Wolverhampton, England. T. & C. Clark & Company Limited was founded in 1795 by Thomas and Charles Clark. Based at Shakespeare Foundry, Wolverhampton, it became one of the largest foundries in the area.T. and C. Clark with their makers markcooking, iron pots, moorabbin pioneers, cast iron, t & c clark & company -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph, Portrait of Thomas Meighban
This items was part of the Ivy Wilson Collection. Ivy Wilson married Frederick Henry Russell on 23 December 1933 at St Mary's Church of England Caulfield, and had one daughter - Nola. Ivy died on 17 November 1998 at Caulfield.Photograph of the actor Thomas Meighbar. Gift of Nola Jones, daughter of Ivy Wilson, 2016ivy wilson, theatre, silent movies, actress, hollywood, thomas meighan -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Black and White, William Corbould, c1900
William Henry Corbould was born on 4 November 1866 at Ballarat and educated at the Ballarat School of Mines. He began work as assayer and chemist at the Central Mine, Broken Hill but, from around 1891, spent several years in the United States, Europe and South Africa. He was foundation member of the Western Australian Chamber of Mines in 1895 while working as manager of Hannan's Reward at Kalgoorlie. Portrait of male with moustache, wearing a tie and jacket. He is William Thomas Henry Corbould.corbould, mining, ballarat school of mines, mining alumni -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Lifes Little Ironies
Pattison Collection 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 1942 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. WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much - loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. 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. Lifes Little Ironies Author: Thomas Hardy Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: 1894 The label on the spine with the typed text PAT 824 HAR Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, 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, lifes little ironies, thomas hardy -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, A General Natural History
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 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 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. WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much - loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. 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. A General Natural History Author: John Hill Publisher: Thomas Osborne Date: 1748 The label on spine cover with typed text R.H. F570 HIL Pastedown front endpaper has a 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 Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum Handwriting on the lower right corner of paper after flyleaf that reads "From Mr T Christian" then "Received 27.1.91" (1891) Then the signature "J Archibald"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, 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, a general natural history, john hill -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Slavers of The South Seas
Slavers of The South Seas Author: Thomas Dunbabin Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1935Label on spine cover with typed text R.A. 990 DUN Pastedown front end page has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, slavers of the south seas, thomas dunbabin