Showing 3666 items matching "1937"
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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Textbook, Pitman's Business Typing, 1937
This Pitman’s Business Typing textbook was owned by Audrey Sack and was donated by David Sack at the same time as a typewriter in its case plus accessories (refer to RN 3087). Audrey was the daughter of William Sack, owner of the business Sacks Jewellers at 115 Liebig Street, Warrnambool. William commenced trading in the early 1900’s; and the typewriter was used by Audrey in the business from the late 1930’s through to about 1996 when the business was sold. William and his wife June had three children, Eric, Audrey and David. The children were owners/partners of Sack’s Jewellers after William’s passing in 1976. Eric and David were ‘owners of the business’, with Audrey carrying out much of the clerical work. Eric died in about 1984 and David sold the practise in 1996. During the 65 years of business the typewriter was used for all the normal applications of a jeweller’s; preparing invoices, guarantees, taxation records. But in addition the four members of the Sack family were very involved in Church activities, particularly in lay administration and lay preaching in the Baptist Church, and the typewriter gained a lot of after-hours use. The family actively supported overseas Missions in India, SE Asia, and Africa. After the sale of the business in 1996, Audrey took the typewriter home for her community activities (David got a computer). In the 1980’s David volunteered as the Clock Repairer at Flagstaff Hill for the historical instruments. In the early days this took some long hours to get the clocks working, but in recent years he has just been ‘on call’ if needed. He is an alert 85 year old and just in the last 12 months has given up a busy schedule of Sunday Lay Preaching around the district. (2015) The textbook is associated with the typewriter, which is of local significance, being previously owned and used in a local business for about 100 years.Textbook, "Pitman's Business Typing". Brown paper covered, hard cover, published in 1937. Book has attached cord to enable it to stand during use. Book belonged to Audrey Sack.Handwriten name "Audrey Sack, … Warrnambool …WHS" (Warrnambool High School) 18/8/15"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, typewriter, touch typing, office communications, sack’s jewellers warrnambool, william sack, david sack, audrey sack, typing textbook -
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc
Flying Log Book M.D. Frecker, April 1937
Flt.Lt.M.D.Frecker qualified as a pilot on B-24 Liberator aircraft from April 1944 until the end of November 1945Rectangular blue linen bound hard cover book. Also lost earlier log book.ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE. FLYING LOG BOOK . FORM A.18.(Revised April 1937) (R.A.F. Form 414.) -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Drawing, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Footscray Depot and bus garage", c1937
Set of three photocopied plans or drawings on A3 sheet of "Footscray Depot and bus garage" c 1937 .1 - P7993 - Plan of land showing car shed, bus garage and offices dated 1-4-1937 - shows substation location. .2 - P? - Plan of land showing buildings and surrounding properties - dated 1-4-1937 .3 - P79821 - ditto but a wider area - dated 1-4-1937 - shows substation location.trams, tramways, drawings, depots, property, footscray depot, substation -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book
Warrnambool Harbour Board Receipt Book 1937 Dated from 21/4/1937 to 10/2/1942 Records the amount of fresh water in gallons received and which ship it was loaded onto warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool harbour board -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Clothing - Blazer, Port Melbourne Cricket Club, Premiership, 1938
George Grover's (Glover?) premiership blazer 1937/38. Blue blazer with red binding. raised pocket blazer emblem in gold thread sewn on. Emblem reads "PMCC premiership 1937-38"sport - cricket, ray walters, port melbourne cricket club, george glover (grover?) -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MCCOLL, RANKIN AND STANISTREET COLLECTION: GOLDEN FLEECE LEASE, 1931/1937
Documents: folder contains - applications for suspension of the Labour Covenant for Lease 10239, 1936 Lease 9902 forfeited 1931, Lease 9902 Bendigo - Alwyn Harold Croft, 1937 application for Mining Lease.MCCOLL RANKIN AND STANSISTREETorganization, business, gold mining lease, mccoll rankin and stansistreet, golden fleece lease. -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Letter - Correspondence, Commonwealth Bonds, 1937
Letter to Shire Secretary, Blackburn 1937 from stock and share broker about commonwealth bonds which the council could secureLetter to Shire Secretary, Blackburn 1937 from stock and share broker about commonwealth bonds which the council could secure and graph showing average return of bonds between 1917 and 1936.Letter to Shire Secretary, Blackburn 1937 from stock and share broker about commonwealth bonds which the council could securelocal government, shire of blackburn and mitcham, commonwealth bonds -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper, The Argus, 1937
A miniature edition of the Argus 13 Sep 1937. Heading states 'incorporating the 'Daily News' which absorbed the 'Port Phillip Patriot', successor to the 'Melbourne Advertiser', first published January 1 1838.A miniature edition of the Argus 13 Sep 1937. Heading states 'incorporating the 'Daily News' which absorbed the 'Port Phillip Patriot', successor to the 'Melbourne Advertiser', first published January 1 1838.A miniature edition of the Argus 13 Sep 1937. Heading states 'incorporating the 'Daily News' which absorbed the 'Port Phillip Patriot', successor to the 'Melbourne Advertiser', first published January 1 1838.the argus, newspapers -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Document, Borough of Kew / Gazetted Streets, 1865-1937
The Melbourne suburb of Kew gained independence from the Boroondara Roads Board in 1860, being declared a Municipality in that year. Kew became a Borough in 1863, a Town in 1910, and a City in 1921. The former City of Kew became part of a newly declared City of Boroondara in 1994. This very fragile document records the following information about streets in Kew - Name, Total Width, Width of Carriageway, Description, Government Gazetted - Year & Page.While the name of a street was formally acknowledged and published in the Victorian Government Gazettes, this document, compiled by a public officer, probably in the Town Clerk's Department, is the earliest known local record listing street names in the Borough, later Town, then City of Kew. The front page indicates that in 1865, the responsibility for an initial 36 streets in Kew was taken over by Council. The final annotation in the document was made in 1937. The document is an important record for researchers seeking to understand the dating of streets in the district.27-page document compiled by officers of the Borough, Town and City of Kew, listing the names of streets taken over by Council, and providing details of their proportions and gazettiing. The document covers the period of 1865 to 1937. Handwritten documentborough of kew, streets -- kew (vic.) -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - New bus depot, Port Melbourne, 1937
COPYRIGHT PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE B&W photo entitled "New bus depot at Port Melbourne" in Bay St, on the West side between Beach and Rouse Streets. Completed late 1937transport - bus, built environment - civic, bus depot -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Memorabilia - Printed Item Reunion Tag, 4th Brigade AFA 1937, 1937
Thought to have belonged to the same donor who gave us a tunic, item no 00050 and also their unit banner which was carried on Anzac Day. He was a past member of this RSL Sub Branch.Artillery Reunion Tag dated Wed. 29th September 1937. In the shape of the Red and Blue Colour Patch of the 4th Brigade Australian Field Artillery. Numbered No 21 on the reverse. Suspended on a yellow ribbon. -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Ammunition Pouch, Pistol, 1941
1937 Pattern webbing pistol pouch, painted with black gloss paintDepartment of Defence logo, 1941 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Pouch, pistol ammunition
Standard issue, post WW2 to circa 19901937 pattern webbing pistol pouch, painted black, with brass fittingsaccoutrements, field equipment, ammunition pouch -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Robert Cornelius Watters at the controls of the prized radio in Garden City home c 1937
The Watters family moved from Albert Park to Garden City Port Melbourne circa 1934 buying a Bank House at 128 Williamstown Road (later renumbered to 400). The family consisted of Bob Watters senior and his wife Ellen (nee Oakley), children Patsy (b 1920), Bob Junior (b 1922) and Norma (b1924). The children attended Albert Park Primary, Middle Park Central School and then MacRobertson Girls High School and Melbourne Boys High School.Robert (Bob) Cornelius Watters at controls of radio at home c 1937bob watters junior, robert cornelius watters -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Ceremonial object - Foundation stone, Victorian Seamen's Institute, 1888
During demolition of the 1937 Missions to Seamen building in October 1995, this stone was removed intact by developers Mirvac Victoria, and placed in the care of the PMH&PS. It is now located as part of the seawall around the car park in Beach St opposite Nott St. There is a photo of the item on the database, taken in the 1990s while the stone was stored at St Joseph's school in Stokes St..01- Cornerstone 1888, originally laid at the Victorian Seamen's Institute corner Nott and Beach Street (Fox Hay building today). Was relocated to interior wall near the chapel doors when the new Mission building at corner of Beach Road and Swallow Street was built in 1937.Engraved in gold lettering on a black background: This memorial stone was laid by His Excellenvy Sir Henry B Loch GGMGKCB, Governor of Victoria on Wednesday the 5th day of September AD 1888missions to seamen, henry b loch -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
PHOTO BY C. WEICKHARDT, CLUNESBLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH POSTCARD - POSSIBLY A TRAVELLING CONCERT PARTYON REVERSE SIDE 1919 1937 X 2local history, photography, photograph, local entertainment -
Vision Australia
Painting - Artwork, Portrait of Thomas Marks, 2001
Framed portrait of Thomas Marks who was President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind 1900, 1935-1937. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Marks sits at a table, wearing black tails and pants, a white pleated dinner shirt and black evening dress bow-tie. One hand rests next to a cup and saucer, the other rests on his lap. Tom Marks was educated at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. He was a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now Vision Australia) at its establishment in 1895. He went on to serve as President of organisation in 1900 and was later appointed as a part time paid secretary – an office he occupied from 1904 to 1927. He again served as President from 1935 to 1937 during which time he celebrated his 80th birthday. As the living conditions of many blind people were deplorable at this time – they were often confined to a room or shed without any social contacts – it was realized that support for blind persons was needed to serve as a refuge for the oppressed, a home for the indigent, a rest home for the sick and a convalescent home to provide both respite care and permanent accommodation. Mr Marks had a reputiation of having good contacts and being able to use people with more knowledge than himself. An able musician, Tom Marks was often employed in the homes of wealthy families. As a result he met Mr and Mrs Grimwade who were already supporters of Vision Australia. They organized a gymkhana to raise money for the nucleus of a building fund. From this time Tom Marks was involved in the finances of the centres at Brighton, Ballarat and Bendigo, which were the ultimate result of the fund. He was also part of a team that negotiated the financial agreement between the RVIB and Vision Australia over fund raising and the allocation of money, which lasted from 1930 to 1939. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr Thomas Marks / President 1900, 1935-1937/ Association for Advancement of the Blind'. association for the advancement of the blind, thomas marks -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Book - School Reader, Second Book of the Victorian Readers
The Victorian Education Department published and printed this reader in 1937. The infant grades learnt to read using phonics which included word groups eg. 'ee' words, 'ai' words etc.This book was used in all Victorian schools to assist children to read.Small tattered book with soft cover held by cloth on card. The 102 pages are held by two staples. It consists of stories, poetry with B & W pictures some of which have been coloured in with pencil. At the back is a 'Language List' which consists of 'word groups' eg. 'ee' words and on the last page 'Additional words'. Made by the Victorian Education Department in 1937.Some pictures have been coloured in. On cover, top right hand corner: "Yvonne Simmonds / Red Bluff"victorian reader, education, infant reader -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - MCCOLL, RANKIN AND STANISTREET COLLECTION: LEDGER - MONUMENT HILL MINE - BATTERY RECORDS, 1937/43
Book; Ledger - Battery with alphabetical index in front pages. 2 loose pages with typed original specifications of battery. Lists of transactions with various firms by month gold returns 1937 - 1938 on last pages.MCCOLL RANKIN STANISTREETorganisation, industry, accounting., mccoll rankin stanistreet -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Letter - Correspondence, Abattoir Property, 1937
Letter between City of Box Hill and Shire of Blackburn and Mitcham re sale of Lot 2, Abattoir Estate. A plan of subdivision and list of allotments for auction by City of box Hill on 27 Oct 1937.Letter between City of Box Hill and Shire of Blackburn and Mitcham re sale of Lot 2, Abattoir Estate. A plan of subdivision and list of allotments for auction by City of box Hill on 27 Oct 1937.Letter between City of Box Hill and Shire of Blackburn and Mitcham re sale of Lot 2, Abattoir Estate. A plan of subdivision and list of allotments for auction by City of box Hill on 27 Oct 1937.land sales, city of box hill, shire of blackburn and mitcham, abattoirs paddock, aspinalls estate, woodhouse grove, box hill north, koonung creek, bishop, herbert thomas -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Letter - Correspondence, Intercommunicating Telephones, 30/07/1937
Letter to the Shire Secretary of Tunstall from Standard Telephones with a quotation for supply and installation of intercommunicating telephones 1937. Also another letter from Automatic Electric Company saying they were unable to tender for same.telephones -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document - Letter/s, State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV), Ballaarat Gas Co, Apr. 1937
Yields information about the correspondence that was sent to the SEC from the Ballaarat Gas Co. about underground services under tram tracks and gives a sample of the gas company letterhead.Letter, white quarto paper from the Ballaarat Gas Company on letterhead dated 22/4/1937 acknowledging receipt of letter regarding installation of pipes under tramway tracks. Signed by the Manager and Secretary.Has various initials and stamp on the sheet.trams, tramways, letters, sec, tram track, ballaarat gas company -
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc
Flying Log Book Lister, April 1937
F/LT. C.T. Lister qualified as a pilot.on B-24 Liberator aircraft April 1944Rectangular blue linen bound hard cover bookForm A.18. (Revised April 1937.) (B.A.F. Form 414.) Royal Australian Air Force Flying Log Book Lister -
Rutherglen Historical Society
Menu and Toast List, Complimentary Dinner to the Country Roads Board, 1937 (exact)
Dinner was held at the Victoria Hotel, Rutherglen. The Shire President was Cr. S.G. Williams, J.P.Small card folder, with menu and toast list"Complimentary Dinner to the Country Roads Board tendered by the Shire President on the occasion of the opening of the Ovens River Bridge on 24th June, 1937"country roads board, ovens river bridge, opening celebration -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - IDENTITY, ACTIVE SERVICE, BADGES, 2) Post WW1, .3) 1917-19, .4) 1919-55, .5) 1937
Fanny Isabella Nicol. Refer 1795P for Service history, 1797.5, 1796.9. also 2591Six items relating to Fanny Isabella Nicol. .1) Badge, metal, round,"Australian Red Cross Society Vic Division" .2) Badge, round, metal, "Returned from Active Service" Crown at top, centre Rising Sun depiction with AIF under. .3) Identity Disc, personalised, round, metal with ring at top. Possibly made from an Eygptian coin with one side polished bare. .4) Badge, metal, "RSL Membership" Crown at top with membership clip with "55" denoting financial member 1955. Centre has two figures. .5) Badge, metal, oval shape "Presbyterian Church of Victoria" .6) Badge, metal, round, "Red Cross Society Vic Division" .2) Issued by Dept of Defence. On rear "211483" .3 "F.I.NICOL PRES A.A.N.S" .4) On rear "V33761" .5) "Centenary 1937"badges, membership, service -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, Aspinall's Estate, Box Hill, 1937
List of allotments to be sold by the City of Box Hill for municipal charges in Mont Albert, Box Hill, Surrey Hills and Burwood in 1937. Also 8 small farm blocks in Aspinall's Estate (Old Abattoirs Paddock).land sales, mont albert, box hill, surrey hills, burwood, aspinalls estate, aspinall road, box hill north, woodhouse grove, abattoirs paddock, edward haughton pty ltd -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Newspaper - Newspaper Cutting, The Sun, Dobbin, 1937
Photograph in the "Sun'" December 18, 1937 p1. Caption, "Dobbin, the Burnley Horticultural School draught horse, carried happy freight back from the orchard yesterday. The school is now closed for 8 weeks' vacation."the sun, burnley horticultural college, dobbin, female students, draught horse, students working outside -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Trench Art
Vase , Shell Case, 37mm?miscellaneous, 1937 -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Old Man Murray
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. WARRNAMBOOL'S 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. 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. Old Man Murray Author: Will Lawson Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1937Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC LAW Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Fly paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institutewarrnambool, 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, old man murray, will lawson -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Present Indicative
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. Present Indicative Author: Noel Coward Publisher: William Heinneman Date: 1937Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 COW Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp 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, present indicative, noel coward