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. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items have become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. 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 Graphic Illustrated Newspaper Vol 58 Publisher: Edward Joseph Mansfield Date: 1898 Further Information: July to December 1898 This Book has no fly paper. Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library. Inside page has a stamp 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, the graphic illustrated newspaper vol 58, edward joseph mansfield

Document. Certificate with the Crest of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Victoria Australia. It explains that John Frederick Harper was regularly received into Free Masonry on the 26th day of April, A.L 65 and was admitted to the Third Degree on the 4th day of September 1965 in the Erimus Lodge RO 5021 English Const. In testimony where of I have to hereto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the Grand Lodge at Melbourne the 22nd day of September AD 1965.document, certificate, lodge membership certificate

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. Life Of The Selectors. Minor carring baby while riding horse, people at table on the left at top rear. Minor boiling the billy, and a small child in the tent at the rear right of picture. Markings; Life Of The Selectors 1860-1890. Set 432 No.2 Free. Selection by Minors - ‘’The Australian Sketcher,' Jan 22, 1876. Caption at bottom of sketch; Free By The Minors. Rear left caption; Before the Land Court. Caption rear right; A residence. Used as a teaching aid.Visual Education Centreeducation, tertiary, goldfields

Set of four pamphlets A4 size, for distribution or display on trams/tram, railway stations stops etc. .1 - Travel all weekend anywhere in Zones 1 and 2 for $3.50/day .2 - Royal show 2013 - take the tram to the show. .3 - Breathe Easy - tram shelters and platforms will be smoke free from 1/3/14. .4 - Victorian Seniors Festival for 2013 and free public transport. .5 - Reporting taggers to the Police or crime stoppers - Graffititrams, tramways, yarra trams, tickets, royal show, festival program, smoking, ptv, graffiti

CATALOGUE OF THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE AND FREE LIBRARY - 426 pages with illustrations. Red cover, on front ' Bendigo, established 1856, price one shilling, Bolton Bros., Printers, Bookbinders, Stationers, Williamson Street, Bendigo.bendigo, institutions, mechanics institute and free librar, bendigo, mechanics institute and free library, libraries

Black and White illustrated certificate written in both English and Latin presented to Edmund Houghton in 1894, bearing a blue seal. Markings - United Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Victoria and a blue seal.person, individual, edmund houghton

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandBlack & White Photograph of Phillip Island Hotel. Nine cars parked at front. Inserted newspaper clipping, 'the last drinks were free' due to the Licensing Court refusing to renew the license on the ground of its disrepair.Melbourne Bitter Phillip Island Hotel. Names of Associations. 'In silence we remember R.I.P.' Newspaper clipping.local history, photography, photographs, phillip island hotel, hotels, motor cars, john jenner, bryant west

Clearance certificate - Allan Aubrey Williams, Master Mason, ceased to be a member of United Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of Victoria and is clear of all dues. Dated at North Carlton on 21 February, 1928.

Booklet owned by Arthur Baggaley, Fruiterer, who lived at 15 Forest Street, Bendigo. His business 'C.A. Baggaley & Son' was at Covent Garden, Mitchell Street, Bendigo. Arthur was born in Bendigo in 1903 to Charles Arthur Baggaley and Ada (Mallon). He married Evelyn May Grigg. Arthur died in September, 1993.Six page booklet, on front cover: Laughable Dialogues for School and Public Entertainments, Social Gatherings, &c, &c, (free from objectionable language and incident) by S. Knowles, No. 13 "Is Marriage a Failure?'.Baggaley CollectionOn front cover overwritten on text "A. Baggaley, Forest Street, Bendigo'.fruiterer, confectioner, business, mitchell street, covent garden, entertainment, play script, marriage

Bob (Herman) Hymans (a former member of the Royal Netherlands Navy) was born in Bloemendaal, Holland on 30th September 1922. During World War II he fought against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was imprisoned in Changi and on the Burma Railway. After gaining qualifications as a Ski Instructor, Bob arrived in Falls Creek in July 1950. Working as an Instructor and Supervisor at Bogong Lodge, Bob decided his future was in accommodation. He was successful in negotiating an indenture for land from the State Electricity Commission (SEC). It took Bob two years to build his Grand Coeur Chalet but, tragically, it was burned down in August 1961. Bob also built the first Chairlift in Australia. This was a single chairlift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. He was constantly full of new ideas and proposals for the village. Bob Hymans die on 7th July 2007. This Collection of documents and letters tells the story of Bob's endeavours to develop Falls Creek into the ski village it is today.This letter is significant because it reflects the relationship between Bob Hymans and the Management Committee.A letter from the Management Committee requesting support for improved medical services in the winter season by providing free accommodation for doctors. Notice of willingness to support the scheme and potential dates available was requested by 13th February 1962.falls creek tourist area management committee, chairlift licence negotiations, double chairlift

Printed A4 sheet - double sided on off white paper titled "Melbourne tram network" with PTV, Metro, Yarra Trams logos, shows fare zones, ticketing, free tram zone.. Published 2015.trams, tramways, yarra trams, ptv, maps, free tram, melbourne

Portland Free Library clockLarge clock face with polished wooden rim mounted onto masonite backboard and stand. Numbers in Roman numerals and large hand (the hour-hand has a spade end). Diameter: 59.5cm x Depth: 3cm Identifying number 787.1Front: F.H. Row / 1860 / Portland (black paint) Back: (no inscriptions visible)