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. Lectures on Some of the Physical Properties of Soil Author: Robert Warington Publisher: Oxford Date: 1900Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 631.4 WAR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, lectures on some of the physical properties of soil, robert warington

Diary begins 26 February 1917 and ends 16 June 1917. Covers time spent on Western Front. Small coverless pocket notebook. Diary of Robert Rail (5411 - 24th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement). ww1, diaries, robert robertson rail, 24 battalion

British war meda issued to #18854 Corporal Robert Stephenson - Northumberland Fusiliers. See COL017model, ww1, army

ROBERT HARKNESS, THE BENDIGO HYMN WRITER. 56 pages with photos and illustrations. Written by Keith ColeKeith Colebiography, robert harkness, bendigo, robert harkness, church, keith cole, music.

Robert Alexander Love, goldfields architect 1814 - 1876. 113 page with photos and illustrations, maps.Mike Butcherbiography, robert alexander love, bendigo, architecture, heritage buildings, alexander love, architects

Re death of Robert Henry Huxtable (1899-1983) - appreciation of sympathy card from BHS.person, individual, henry huxtable

Collection of personal National Service and report papers - 1970 - Robert Prentice. Contained in yellow envelopepersonal papers

historic building, Colour photograph, Robert Allen's house (1856-57) Eyre St. Buninyong, front verandah.buninyong, church, presbyterian, uniting, scott family

A BALL AT CLUNES TOWN HALL, TOM EVANS, BRUCE REID, ROBERT VINECOMBE & BRENDA TREMBATHlocal history, photography, photographs, events and celebrations

Robert Rees Morcom. Received with Stawell High School Pass Certificate 13/12/1927Painting by M Bower Baradine (on back)

Purchased at Warrandyte Book Shop, VictoriaBuff coloured booklet. On cover: Vitamins for Victory; Opportunity Clubs' Publication. (Author: Robert A. Gardiner)books, children's, school/educational

noneinternational relations

historic building, Colour photograph, Robert Allen's house (1856-57) Eyre St. Buninyong, front verandah.buninyong, robert allen

historic building, Colour photograph, Robert Allen's house (1856-57) Eyre St. Buninyong, front verandah.buninyong, robert allen

Programme of the Robert F.Kennedy Pro-Celebrity Tournament 1976. Cover by Neiman. Materials: Paper, Inktennis

Part of 11 pieces modeled on the 1893 almanac published by the Port Fairy Gazette. Used as display in the first Port Fairy Historical Society building on an extended mantel piece, 20 Bank Street Port Fairy.Small handmade model of a Robert Ireland's timber yard and shop front from the 1892 almanac. R .Ireland, Timber Yards,model, building, mewkill, ireland

Temporary indoor home for the Stoddart Statues. "Fancy Seeing You Here", Courier, Monday 22nd July, 2002, front page & page 2.BBG statues valued and conserved against further vandalism after 120 years outdoors.Half page coloured photograph of Statues indoors in the Robert Clark Centre, BBG., with brief caption.Picture by Lachlan Bencejohn garner collection, garner, dr, statues, vandalism, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, courier

Charles Edgar BARRIE and Margaret Clare HODGKINSON's children Vivian and David David Ross Barrie, Robert Wesley Barrie and Vivian Barrie at the back gate of Ferris Rdlocal identities

Draftsman's drawing Sheepshead Mine Map. Forms part of the Margaret Roberts Collection of mining records.bendigo, margaret roberts, gold, map, mine, sheepshead m.co

Built in 1868 for Boarding House. Added to in 1887 - 88. Sold when Robert Anderson's second wife died. Several owners but came back into the family with Grandson Stan Anderson. Sold again when Stan died. Glen Isla now owned by Mr & Mrs Lunn who have restored it to its present condition. Now owned by Mr & Mrs Baker - 2018.House built in 1868, to become a Boarding House. A 2-story weatherboard building with brick chimney and filials at each point of gabled roof. Long windows. Attached at back and far side 2 single story joined gable roof buildings and adjoining wooden lattice building. Back yard white picket fence. 5 Figures out front. Built by Robert Andersonlocal history, photographs, buildings, historic., glen isla homestead, phillip island, black & white photograph, mrs emma anderson jacobs, robert coxon anderson

Black and white photograph, 1 man, photograph of Robert Burns making a speech at Golden Square High school, 22/3/90. Bendigo Advertiser description on back of photo: Robert Burns 22/3/90 at Golden Square High Schoolrecreations, sports, awards

These are personal documents that belonged to Henry Roberts Parrington. They include statements regarding his preliminary and final examinations that qualified him as a lawyer in England (1867, 1873), annual certificates of registration as a lawyer in New Zealand (1876-1886), personal affidavits presented to the Supreme Court of Victoria and permission to practise as a lawyer in Victoria (1886). Henry Roberts Parrington qualified as a lawyer in England in 1873 and worked as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand from 1876 to 1886. He then came to Australia and worked for the legal firm of Messrs Higgins in Geelong and Bayly and Higgins in Warrnambool. The business in Kepler Street, Warrnambool later became known as Higgins and Parrington and, in 1900, as Parrington and Tait (partner John Sym Tait). When John Tait retired in 1901 Henry Parrington was the sole proprietor of the practice. He died in Melbourne in 1926. These documents have some significance as they are original papers documenting Henry Parrington’s early years as a lawyer. He was a prominent lawyer in Warrnambool in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These sixteen paper documents relate to the lawyer, Henry Roberts Parrington. They are all original documents from England, New Zealand and Australia (Victoria). Most have printed material on them. All have statements and information handwritten in black ink and many have stamps relating to the country concerned. Some are foolscap size and are printed on blue paper. Others are quarto and envelope size. All have some staining and are crinkled where they have been folded. henry roberts parrington, history of warrnambool

There is no information with this item. In the Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tamboon and Omeo Chronicle on Thursday August 3 1893, there is mention of a letter from Mr Harry Roberts, Marlo Road, "offering to sell the corduroy road to the council for £10, on condition that the council arranges for the exchange of the old road for one on the nothern boundary of his property.-Application to be made to the Lands department for the necessary exchange of roads to carry this proposal into effect. From the secretary for Lands, asking the council to mark the roads required in the M'Colloch on the plan,-Attended" This is likely to be the man in the photograph. This photograph seems to be associated with a very early settler in the Orbost / Marlo area. It is also a pictorial record of dress in the late 19th century.A sepia portrait photograph of a bearded man wearing a high-buttoned coat seated on a chair with a woman standing beside him on the right. The woman is wearing a long gownwith a full skirt, low at the waist. The fitted bodice is tightly buttoned and has a lace panel. Her hair is in a bun. She appears to be wearing a wedding ring. The photograph has been taken inside a studio. The photograph is mounted on card.on back - hand-written - "Mr & Mrs H. Roberts My Best Friend" front under photograph - :Vandyck Studios 3 Bourke St E Melbourne next door Gen Post Office portrait-roberts