This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Gloaming of Life: A Memoir of James Stirling Author: Rev. Alexander Wallace Publisher: Scottish Temperance League Date: 1876Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 STI Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, the gloaming of life, james stirling, rev. alexander wallace

B & W photograph of an unidentified woman wearing glasses, making a presentation to the Rev. Howard Abbey, possible at his retirement.rev. howard abbey, minister

Born Ballarat 1864. Appointed to Boort; Superintendent Lydiard St Circuit Ballarat; Minster of Ashby Methodist Church Geelong West 1897-1900; 1915 Superintendent of Sydney Central Mission; 1921 Superintendent of Melbourne Central Mission. Founded Fairfield home for unmarried Mothers Sepia toned waist length studio portrait of the Rev. Samuel J Hoban. Cabinet card format with deckled edge.rev samuel hoban, methodist, minister, melbourne central mission, geelong

Green covered book titled ' The Very Reverend Dean Henry Backhaus, D. D. by Rev. A. E. Owens, S. T. L. Foreword by Bernard Stewart, Bishop of Sandhurst, dated 2nd May, 1952. Handwritten in the front of the book is John O'C Hattam, A Present from The Rev. Mon. De Campo, 1964. The book tells the life of Dr. Backhaus. Also two loose, typed pages with dates and what happened at that time.book, bendigo, dean henry backhaus, the very reverend dean henry backhaus d, rev. a e owens s t l, john hattam, the rev mon de campo, bernard stewart

Rev. William Butters (1810-1887) commenced his ministry as a chaplain to the convicts in Van Diemen’s Land in 1833.Print of an engraving by J. Cochran of Rev. William Butters in frame.butters, w, methodist

Rev. Graeme Gregory spoke at Yarra Bank, Voice of Methodism and his social work involved in the Department of Childcare.Gloss, black and white image of Rev. Graeme Gregory in situ.gregory, g., methodist

Rev. Alfred Dickie (1903-1978) was a campaigner for nuclear disarmament.Satin, black and white image of Rev. Alfred Dickie and his wife Alison.dickie, alfred, dickie, alison, presbyterian

Rev. William Morgan (b.1915) was Moderator of Victoria in 1971.Gloss, black and white image of Rev. William Morgan seated in a lounge room.morgan, w., presbyterian

Rev. Walter Albiston (1889–1965) was Secretary of the Congregational Union of Victoria for 30 years and was secretary of the Victorian Protestant Federation for forty-six years.Gloss, black and white image of Rev. Walter Albiston.albiston, w., congregational

Rev. Samuel Scholes (1863–1931) was elected President of Victoria and Tasmania Conference in 1917.Satin, black and white, ¾ , studio portrait of Rev. Samuel Scholes on card.methodist, conference, scholes, s.

Black and white print of an etching of a head and shoulders portrait of Rev. Robert C. Flockhart.Rev. R. C. Flockhart, President of the Victoria and Tasmania Conference 1885, Engraved by E.C. Baldwin from a photograph.flockhart, r. w., methodist

Bryan Nicholls was ordained on 1 January 1994 and entered permanent retirement on 1st January 2006. His ministry was at the Mount Pleasant Uniting Church.Waist length colour portrait of the Rev Bryan Nicholls, dressed in ecumenical alb and blue stole. The photograph is mounted on brown card."Mount Pleasant Ministry: Rev. Bryan Nicholls B. Theol. 1995 - 2005"bryan nicholls, mount pleasant, uniting church, minister

Rev. George Brown (1835-1917) was a missionary in Fiji and Samoa and a linguist.Matt, black and white, black and white studio portrait of Rev. George Brown.brown, g., methodist

group of people, children and adults, at fund raising stall in grounds of St Nicholas Church. Members of Heralds of the King, a children's mission of the Church of England, Lakes Entrance VictoriaBlack and white photograph of group of people, children and adults, at fund raising stall in grounds of St Nicholas Church. Members of Heralds of the King, a children's mission of the Church of England, Lakes Entrance Victoria. Photograph mounted on red card with inscription 'With the Rev F Miller in 1937'.'With the Rev F Miller in 1937'.religion, churches

Rev James Bickford (1816-1895) was President of the Australian Conference in 1868. He wrote a book entitled James Bickford: An Autobiography.Black and white print of an etching of a portrait of Rev James Bickford.bickford, j, methodist

Rev James Bickford (1816-1895) was President of the Australian Conference in 1868. He wrote a book entitled James Bickford: An Autobiography.Sepia, head and shoulders, studio portrait of Rev James Bickford.bickford, j., methodist

Rev James Bickford (1816-1895) was President of the Australian Conference in 1868. He wrote a book entitled James Bickford: An Autobiography.Sepia, head and shoulders, studio portrait of Rev. James Bickford.bickford, j., methodist

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. 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. Homer The Iliad Ancient Classics for English Readers Edited by the Rev Lucas Collins Publisher: William Blackwood & Sons Date: 1871Label on spine has typed text PAT 881 HOM Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, homer the iliad, rev lucas collins

Was A civil servant, Ordained 1977 at Serrell St, Minister at Yarram Died 1991B&W photo of Rev. C. Francis Bennett, upper body, seated and facing the camera. Wearing glasses and coat and tie.rev. c. francis bennett; yarram

John Grant was ordained in 1974 and served at Devonport-La Trobe in Tasmania, St Kilda, the Presbytery of Maribyrnong Valley as Presbytery Minister. He resigned from the ministry following his service as Presbytery Minister.B & W photograph of the Rev. John Grant, Mrs Rosemary Grant, and adopted Korean girl being served a Korean meal."Church and Nation" for 17 October 1984rev. john grant; mrs rosemary grant; presbytery of maribyrnong valley; st kilda; devonport-la trobe tasmania; presbytery minister, korean adoption

This booklet was written by the Rev. H Clark of Terang in 1947 and gives the details of the life and work of the Rev. William Hamilton who came to Kilnoorat in 1847 and was the pioneer Presbyterian minister in the Western District.This is an important little biography of a a pioneering Presbyterian minister in the Western District.This a soft covered booklet of eight pages. It has a grey cover with black print and a photograph of a bearded gentleman reading a book. This book has been stapled but the staples are removed.The Pioneer of Presbyterianism in the Western District. Rev. William Hamilton.presbyterianism history

Rev. Clifford J. Wright was Director of Young People's Department 1954 - 1959.Gloss, black and white, head and shoulders photograph of Rev. Clifford J. Wright.wright, j. c.

Rev. Thomas Brown (1858 - 1949) was Moderator of Victoria in 1926.Semigloss, black and white, studio portrait of Rev. Thomas Brown with inscriptions, mounted to boardYours sincerely Thomas Brownpresbyterian, brown, t.

Mrs Mary Holden (1843 - 1930) was the mother of the Rev Albert Thomas Holden CBE V.D., B.A., D.D. Director of the Methodist Inland Missions, Chaplain-General of the A.I.F. and President-General of the Methodist Conference of Australasia. She was the mother-in-law of the Rev. Samuel Hoban. Miss Gertrude Holden was the sister of the Rev. Albert Thomas Holden. Mr John Best was superintendent of the Ashby Methodist Sunday School 1897 - 1918.B & W photo of the Ashby Methodist Sunday School Teachers. Postcard format. Mr John Best, the Sunday School Superintendent is seated in the centre of the front row. Mrs Mary Holden is seated second from the right in the front row. Seated between Mr Best and Mrs Holden is Miss Gertrude Holden, daughter of Mrs Mary Holden.mary holden, rev albert thomas holden, rev samuel hoban, miss gertrude holden

Rev. Alan Matthews was ordained in Omeo in 1955 and served in the Inland Mission from 1969.Gloss, black and white, head and shoulders, studio portrait of Rev. Alan Matthews.matthews, a., presbyterian

Rev. James Harcourt (1866-1938) was a chaplain of Wesley College and a tutor at Queens College.Semi-gloss, sepia, head and shoulders studio portrait of Rev. James Harcourt.methodist, harcourt, j., wesley college, queens college