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 November1884 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 fund raising 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 court house 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 historic 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 Historic 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 art works 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. A History of The Highlands and of the Highland Clans Vol 4 with an extensive selection from the hitherto ineditd Stuart Papers Author: James Browne Publisher: A Fullerton & Co Label on spine cover with typed text RH 941 BRO Pastedown front endpaper 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, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, james browne, a history of the highlands and of the highland clans vol 4, a history of the highlands and of the highland clans

A glass commerative plaque presented by The Vietnamese Veterans Association of Victoria Inc in Commeration of the 50th Annisversary of Australian Military Commitment in the Vietnam War by HMAS Stuartglass plaque, hmas stuart, cerberus collection

Robin Boyd was appointed Exhibits Architect for the Australian Pavilion at Expo ‘67 in Montreal. In 1966 Boyd travelled to Far North Queensland and the Northern Territory for research – the Expo exhibits included a coral display, a large rock feature made from Australian sandstone and a native plant garden.Colour slide in a mount. School in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - possibly St Mary's Pimary School of Stuart Park Primary. (Architects: Donoghue and Fulton.)Made in Australia / 29 / 66M11 / Encircled 75 (Handwritten)australia, slide, robin boyd

Black and white photograph, Ken Garden, Ambulance Officer, Stuart Johnston, Police, with cheque for $500 towards Life Education Caravan. Lakes Entrance Victoriaemergency services, community services

Worn by Broadmeadows Shire SecretaryOwned by previous Shire SecretaryTop Hat worn by Mr. Albert T.C. Cook, Broadmeadows Shire Secretary, Black silk with cork skeleton with box white card. Inside Hat: Crown: Logo Christys' London/ Made in England for Lincoln Stuart & Propt. Ltd. Melbourne. On leather band, Logo Christys' London/ 6 5/8 / Made in England for/ Lincoln Stuart & co. Propt. Ltd. Melbourne Box: Logo Christy's London/ Trademark. Top of Box: Shipping label, Lincoln, Stuart, See imagesbroadmeadows, shire, secretary, cook

Booklet about improving shearing efficiency produced by the National Rural Industry Training Committee and the Australian Wool Corporation."Improving Shearing Efficiency"shearing, national rural industry training committee australian wool corporation, stuart, mr david - south australian college of advanced education

Colour photograph Rotary Club Chairman Jenny Mansfield with guest speakers Stuart Manderson and Monique de Zoche, Problem Gambling Councillors. Lakes Entrance Victoriarotary club, volunteering

Kindly scanned from Ringwood Branch archival collectionAudrey Lavis, Irene Hodges, May Stuart, Rita, Prins, Margaret Mann and Bessie Stephen

See Cat 4799 for data.1. Photo of a harbour. Tramway and people strolling along beach. 2. Poto of a harbour, bit of an old castle, a jetty in the background. Titled Änchor Head, Weston Super Mare. A lot of people present on the beach.1. Addressed to Miss Stuart, Serpentine via Inglewood, Vic 6 lines of text to "Dear Susie ...............8 lines of text starting with "On the way home now". 2. Addressed to Miss S. Stuart, Serpentine via Inglewood,.ww1, weston super mare

1. This card was printed by the "League of soldiers friends - C of E Organisation in Victoria. To help the A.I.F." It has been stamped by the AIF camp PO 19 April 19. 2. Nothing specific.1. Black and white view of ships in a harbour. In the foreground are some tree tops. A big city is in the background. This card has a pre-printed message from Southhampton. 2, Boats in a river/canal. Black and white photo. The water way is in a deep valley.1. Addressed to Miss S. Stuart, Serpentine via Inglewood, Vic, Australia. It is signed by J. Stuart. 18 April 1919. 2. Addressed to Dear Susie, 10 lines text - signed your loving brother Joe.postcards, ww1

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 1999. Elegance: Kisbou Court at 93 Barkly Street, Bendigo, was built in 1869 for Davis Stuart, investor and newspaper owner.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Carved & painted wooden Naval plaques. HMAS Brisbane; HMAS Melbourne; HMAS Parramatta; HMAS Stuart; HMAS Swan; HMAS Sydney; HMAS Torrens & HMAS Yarra.Ships namednaval plaques

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. John and Sarah Duke and Duchess of Marlborough 1660-1744 Based on unpublished letters and documents at Blenheim Palace Author: Stuart J Reid Publisher: John Murray Date: 1914Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 MAR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker 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, john and sarah, duke and duchess of marlborough 1660-1744, blenheim palace, stuart j reid

Program, Bendigo Repertory Society with National Theatre Movement of Australia presents ''Sixteen'', a play by Aimee and Phillip Stuart. Girton Hall Saturday September 24th, 1949. Program 6d.Cambridge Pressprogram, theatre, bendigo repertory society

Colour photograph. Wall of photos. Peter Ellis concertina. Man at keyboard. Green chair. Back of photo reads: Peter Ellis - Emu Creek Stuart Simms - Gay Charmersentertainment, music, musicians

Korea War historical significanceKhaki flying suit belonging to A34219 Stuart Simpson. Also contains cloth badge embroidered with RAAF emblem and a good luck charm? in the form of a very small cloth doll.Nil

Short typed notes on the Wesley College Dramatic Society performances. Mentioned is The Monkey's Paw, Captain X and The New Boy. Mentioned are Stuart Hall and Winks Smith who played the xylophone.document, wesley college dramatic society, the monkey's paw, captain x, the new boy, shakespeare, stuart hall, winks smith, ?erry

Plan of sewerage area no. 972, Shire of Blackburn and Mitcham, scale 400' to an inch. 13 July 1933. Note that the area including Stuart Street on the map is now the Thiele Court area.sewerage and sanitation, shire of blackburn and mitcham, whitehorse road, blackburn, railway road, vine street, lithgow avenue, downing street, frankston street, stuart street, thiele court

Colour photograph. Bush band on stage. Yamaha Clavinova PF. Back of Photo reads: Stuart Simms Piano, Julie Moneypenny Banjo, Mary Hogan Recorder, Peter Ellis Accordion.photo, group, musicians

An example of late 19th century childrens' book design.Hardback, 80 pages, col. frontispiece and title page. Embossed front cover, with col. illus."To dear Stuart, with all good wishes for a happy Christmas from R. Wedlich S. S. T. 1917"childrens books

Hard back with dust cover Edited by Stuart Laing Publisher Marshall Cavendish books ltd London 1980 ISBN 085685 863 3

The photo shows a room full of Legatees. The venue, date and names are unknown. Legatees met for many reasons including weekly comradeship luncheons with guest speakers. In the early days meetings were held at places like the Phairs Hotel, and Victoria Coffee Palace. The photo appears in Blatchford's history of Melbourne Legacy with the caption: Melbourne Legacy Club Weekly Luncheon, September 1932.Legatees met up for comradeship meetings and functions. Strong bonds were formed between Legatees.Black and white photo of a roomful of Legatees at a function.Embossed in the left hand corner is a logo for 'C. Stuart Tompkins, Camberwell' who would have been the photographer.legatee event, comradeship

Item was issued to Malcolm Stuart Angus No 3112710.Toiletries "Carryon” bag issued to soldiers on Medivac flights from Vietnam. Jungle green fabric bag, cream ribbon tape, cylindrical shape.personal effects - containers, toilet requisites, military equipment

Items issued to Malcolm Stuart Angus No 3112710.Two Aluminium Cooking Utensils with Handles, small utensil fitting inside larger utensil, both utensils have collapsible handles.military equipment - mess utensils, metalcraft - aliminium, dixies

Item carried by Malcolm Stuart Angus No 3112710.Small brown Bible, vinyl covered book with Australian army logo and title in gold."Presented to Cpl Angus by the Bible Society of Australia" "Exercise Northern Warrior 20th August 84 Chaplain Ted Brooker"books-religion, military equipment-new testament

Item souvenired by Malcom Stuart Angus No 3112710.Inert .50 caliber machine gun round.On base of cartridge "LC 78"arms-ammunition, metalcraft, .50 calibre