Memorabilia. Celebration of the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. To meet Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall & York. Being held as an Eveniing reception at the Exhibition Building Melbourne, on the 9th of May 1901,at 8 oclock.

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. The Bible Dictionary Front cover torn away Publisher: Cassell and Company Date: 1887 Label on spine cover with typed text that is illegible Pastedown end page 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, the bible dictionary

Entry for birth of Mary Elizabeth Schwerkolt, 7 May 1887, at Mitcham Reg No. 17147schwerkolt, mary elizabeth, schwerkolt, johann august, schwerkolt, maria catherina wilhelmine, whalen, rosalie

Tait collection: item 59 of 62. This document gives details of the Will and Probate of Frederick Gazzard of Allansford who died in September 1901. Frederick Gazzard owned the ‘Tooram’ bacon and ham curing factory at the corner of Carrolls Road and Tooram Road in the Allansford area and employed six men. He was a founding member of the Allansford Church of England and lived with his family of seven children at ‘Como’, Allansford. He left real estate to the value of £1,440 and personal estate to the value of £1,664. The beneficiaries were his children, with his household effects and £200 going to his daughter, Ellen. She is believed to have taken an active role in the administration of the family factory. This document was drawn up in the office of William Ardlie, a prominent lawyer in Warrnambool for over sixty years. It has then been passed down to successive lawyers occupying legal premises in Kepler Street until it was located in these premises in 2014. This document is of considerable interest as it gives details of the Will and Probate of Frederick Gazzard. He and his family were prominent and influential in the community life of Allansford in the 19th century. This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two with blue lines ruled at the edges of three of the pages. There is handwritten material (brownish-black ink) on three of the pages. A seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with green ribbon and there are six red stamps of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court and one blue stamp of the Warrnambool Savings Bank. The writing is somewhat faded and the pages are stained but the text is legible. The document contains details of the Will and Probate of Frederick Gazzard of Allansford who died in 1901. In the Supreme Court of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction in the Will of Frederick William Gazzard late of Allansford in the State of Victoria Bacon curer deceasedfrederick gazzard, tooram bacon factory, carroll's lane allansford, como allansford, tait collection

Commemorative Medal 1901-1951 50th Anniversary Federation. Issued to schools.medals, 1901-1951

commercial/ shop equipment, found in burnt remains Tooan Hotel 1901sugar, tooan

Brass Brooch with Lion on left and Unicorn on right and featuring Queen Victoria head in circle in middle. Crown on top. Missing pin and clip from rear.Tag coming down from Queens head with Jubilee inscribed. Above queens head 1837-1887. On scroll at bottom "DIEU ET MON DROIT".

The School Paper for Classes V and VI (16 Editions) issued by the Education Dept, Victoria. August 1901 to December 1902 (excl Jan 1902). The name ''Alice Maher'' handwritten in ink on the front of each edition.government, state, education, alice maher

Document. Invitation for Mr L. Batger to the wedding of Maggie Watson to Mr W S Gentle, September 11, 1901 at the Forest St Wesleyan Church. Envelope addressed to L Batger ESq, Quarry Hill.performing arts, elocution, wedding invitation and envelope

Invitation to V.W.Bro. R.W.V. McCall G.Treasurer and Miss McCall to meet His Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York at an evening reception at the Exhibition Building on 9th May 1901 in celebration of the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth.Invitation to V.W.Bro. R.W.V. McCall G.Treasurer and Miss McCall to meet His Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York at an evening reception at the Exhibition Building on 9th May 1901 in celebration of the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth.federation, mccall, r.w.v.

Certificate of Title in the name of Carlton Brewery Limited, dated 27 May 1901. Land located in Whitehorse Road [Blackburn]. Includes various mortgages and transfers, the final to Eugene Gorman and Harry Jackman in 1929. Photocopied.carlton breweries ltd, whitehorse road, blackburn, turner, emily, travellers rest hotel, johnson, richard, brookes, william, herbert robinson, norman everard, harold eric, commercial bank of australia ltd., ivey, charles thomas godfrey, gorman, eugene, jackman, harry

Red hardcovered book in Black print with green leaves and flowers on the cover and spine. Inside the front cover hand written in blue ink is 'Presented to Elizabeth J Hall By The Primitive Methodist Sabbath School, Eaglehawk, Ellaishall Rec. dated 16/01/1887Emma Marshall. Printed by Cassell & Company, Ltd, Paris, London, New York and Melbourne 1886books, fiction, young adult, emma marshall, elizabeth hall, sabbath school eaglehawk, ellaishall rec.

Thick Blue Pencil with paper note glued to it reading 'Pencil (used?) At First Federal Election for Senate on 29th march 1901 at (Roust st?) By James G. Owen Deputy Returning Officer Federated Parliament of Australia.domestic equipment, writing equipment

Victoria Geology and Physical Geography Author: Reginald Murray Publisher: Government Printer Date: 1887Label on spine with typed text RA 551.09945 MUR Inside front cover has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, reginald murray, victoria geology and physical geography

Photocopy of Plan for New Public Offices Sandhurst 1883-1887 - Drawing No3/Contract No2bendigo, planning, sandhurst

Photocopy of Plan for New Public Offices Sandhurst 1883-1887 - Drawing No2/Contract No2bendigo, planning, sandhurst

Photocopy of Plan for New Public offices Sandhurst 1883-1887 - Drawing No1/Contract No2bendigo, planning, sandhurst

This association had it's clubhouse at Ballarat Street, TalbotLists written in German showing names and payments for subscriptions to the Talbot German Club 1877 - 1887.clubs, social, german, german-talbot-names

These medallions were awarded to school children to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Australia. This winning design depicts the seed caster with the seven ears of wheat representing the seven states and territories of Australia. The artist was John Wolfgang Elisher who was an Austrian sculptor.An item which was presented to all school children in 1951 to mark the occasion of 50 years of the Commonwealth.Bronze metal with image of seed broadcaster and dates in relief on front and inscription, seven ears of wheat and star burst on the reverse. Metal hook at the top. There are six of the identical medallions.1901-1951, Fifty years Commonwealth of Australia.warrnambool, commonwealth of australia, schoolchildren's medallion, 1951 children's medallion,