Letter: from Michael McGowan to Basil Miller re 'blocks and timetables'Michael McGowanbasil miller, bendigo trams

Collection of 6 photos re 50th Anniversary of Basil Watson's airmail flight, Mt Gambier to Melbourne. Handwritten notes on reverse of each photo - photos taken by Mrs V I Perkin, sister of Basil Watson.person, individual, basil watson

A postcard of Egypt from John Basil McLean, who signs himself Basil to his family. This item was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. Possibly these were with him during his time in the First World War and kept them as a mementos. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving in Portsea in 1920. His full war record is available from the National Archives of Australia (B2455, MCLEAN JBM).An example of correspondence between soldiers and their home during World War 1. It shows that Australian soldiers took the opportunity to see parts of the world when they were serving overseas.Standard size postcard with image of a Pharoh statue (Roi Khephern) in Cairo Museum.Front - “CAIRE / Le Musee - Statue du Roi Khephern” Back - “UNION POSTALE UNIVERSELLE / EGYPTE / CARTE POSTALE / Ephtimios Freres, Port Said / Cai 190 / 54917 / N14 / At Sea / 31.12.16 / My dearest Mater / Just a few lines for the close / of the old year. We had our first wet day today. It was too wet for / church parade. The sunset this evening / was simply lovely. I wish you could / have seen it. With all good wishes / for 1917 to all from your loving Son / Basil.war correspondence, souvenir, world war one, mclean

'The Basil Watson Story' - Manuscript of 20 pages. Typed by R Keith Munro outlining the life, flying feats, accidental death and funeral of Basil Watson. Bound in manila folder and held with a purple ribbon. Titled on front cover 'The Aeronautical Career of the late Mr Basil E Watson Australia's Pioneer Airman' ; 'To mother from Keith' (typed) and '16 June 1917 (handwritten).person, individual, basil watson

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 Colonial Clippers Author: Basil Lubbock Publisher: James Brown & Son Date; 1921Label on spine cover with typed text R.A. 387.2 LUB Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum 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, the colonial clippers, basil lubbock

Unused piece of silk fabric (left-over from construction of a Basil Watson plane?)aviation, civilian, silk fabric

In April-May 1971, Robin and Patricia Boyd travelled to Honolulu, east coast USA and London. In London he was one of the judges for the Commonwealth-wide entries for the redevelopment of Whitehall and the Palace of Westminster. He was also researching overseas libraries, as background for plans for a new State Library of Victoria.Colour slide in a mount. Sussex University, Falmer, England. (Architect: Sir Basil Spence.)Inscribed Made in Australia / 17 / AUG 71M1slide, robin boyd

In 1964, Robin and Patricia Boyd spent several weeks on a world tour - Boyd took a leading role at the International Design Conference in Aspen and he also visited Chicago, Yale University, and New York’s World Fair. The Boyds then travelled on to England, Finland (especially to see Tapiola), Russia and India to see Le Corbusier's Chandigarh, and also Hong Kong and Thailand.Colour slide in a mount. Coventry Cathedral, Coventry, England, 1962. (Architect: Basil Spence.)Made in Australia / Encircled 20 (Handwritten)uk, slide

This letter, the first air mail letter sent to Warrnambool, was written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir David Valentine Hennessy and carried by the aviator, Basil Watson on the first flight to Warrnambool January 24th 1917. The letter was delivered to the Mayor of Warrnambool, Cr Webb.There were several other letters delivered at the same time but this is the important official one. Basil Watson was a pioneer aviator who built his own aeroplane which was 18 feet long with a wing span of 26 feet and it had a 7 cylinder 50 H.P. Rotary Gnome engine. Watson flew from Point Cook to Warrnambool in one hour 55 minutes, an Australian cross-country flying record at the time. In Warrnambool Watson amazed the crowd with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool Racecourse. Basil Watson died when he crashed his plane into the sea near Point Cook, just two months after he landed in Warrnambool. This letter is of the utmost significance being the first air mail letter delivered to Warrnambool. It is an important memento of the first aeroplane flight into Warrnambool by the pioneer aviator Basil Watson. This is a cream-coloured sheet of paper folded in two to make four pages. It has handwriting in black ink on two pages. The writing is a little faded. The first page has the logo of the Melbourne Town Hall. The pages are partly torn at the folds. ‘Town Hall, Melbourne, 21/1/17. Lord Mayor’s Room, Dear Mr Mayor, I have much pleasure in sending you greetings by aeroplane piloted by my friend’s son, Mr Basil Watson. I hope when the cruel war is over and victory crowns our efforts, we all in the C’wealth will be able to fly from one state to the other. With best wishes for the New Year, …….. (signature indecipherable), D.V. Hennessy. His Worship the Mayor of Warrnambool.’pioneer aviation in the western district, basil watson, history of warrnambool

In 1964, Robin and Patricia Boyd spent several weeks on a world tour - Boyd took a leading role at the International Design Conference in Aspen and he also visited Chicago, Yale University, and New York’s World Fair. The Boyds then travelled on to England, Finland (especially to see Tapiola), Russia and India to see Le Corbusier's Chandigarh, and also Hong Kong and Thailand.Colour slide in a mount. New Coventry Cathedral, Coventry, England 1950. (Architect: Basil Spence.)Made in Australia / 18 / AUG 64M / 20 (Handwritten)slide, robin boyd

In 1964, Robin and Patricia Boyd spent several weeks on a world tour - Boyd took a leading role at the International Design Conference in Aspen and he also visited Chicago, Yale University, and New York’s World Fair. The Boyds then travelled on to England, Finland (especially to see Tapiola), Russia and India to see Le Corbusier's Chandigarh, and also Hong Kong and Thailand.Colour slide in a mount. Coventry Cathedral, Coventry, England, 1956-62. (Architect: Basil Spence.)Made in Australia / 17 / AUG 64Mslide, robin boyd

In 1964, Robin and Patricia Boyd spent several weeks on a world tour - Boyd took a leading role at the International Design Conference in Aspen and he also visited Chicago, Yale University, and New York’s World Fair. The Boyds then travelled on to England, Finland (especially to see Tapiola), Russia and India to see Le Corbusier's Chandigarh, and also Hong Kong and Thailand.Colour slide in a mount. New Coventry Cathedral 1950, Coventry, England. (Architect: Basil Spence.)Made in Australia / 19 / AUG 64Muk, slide

BHS CollectionBlack and white photograph of Basil Miller standing. In uniform of Bendigo Tramways inspector. Three copiesMartin Washingtonperson, individual, basil miller

Black and white photograph of Basil Watson's funeral procession showing horse drawn hearse and following carriages. Inscription on back: ''Taken at East Melbourne 1919 en route to Brighton Cemetery. Photo taken by Ivy Harry - distant cousin of Basil Watson.person, individual, basil watson, photo taken by ivy harry - a distant cousin of basil watson. photo donated to royal historical society bendigo by wesley harry 26 december 1974.

12 small handwritten, interpretive labels for display (re Basil Watson) - presumably to accompany an exhibition of Basil Watson memorabilia (no date) Labels: fabric with monogram from original plane; finished plane; airmail envelopes 1929-30; Basil Watson Bendigo's first aviator,; first Australian to loop the loop; picture of the delivery of the first letter carried by air in Australia. Flown from Melbourne to Bendigo and delivered by the late Mr. Basil Watson of Melbourne, to his cousin Mr. Keith Munro of Bendigo, at 5.15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29th. 1916, at the Bendigo racecourse. Envelope: handwritten on front of envelope 'Assam silk material used in covering the wings and fuselage of Basil Watson's airplane built by him in 1916. The wings and fuselage were then painted with an oil protective covering'person, individual, basil watson

8 page philatelic bulletin bound with single staple. One page article 'Basil Watson Anniversary Flight' marked the 50th anniversary of the airmail flight from Mt Gambier to Melbourne. Includes a mini biography of Basil Watson and an impression of the postmark used for the flight.government, state, philatelic bulletin

Tintype portrait - miniature photograph: head and shoulders of young male, possibly Basil Watson but no name attached.person, individual, basil watson

In 1964, Robin and Patricia Boyd spent several weeks on a world tour - Boyd took a leading role at the International Design Conference in Aspen and he also visited Chicago, Yale University, and New York’s World Fair. The Boyds then travelled on to England, Finland (especially to see Tapiola), Russia and India to see Le Corbusier's Chandigarh, and also Hong Kong and Thailand.Colour slide in a mount. Carved prayer panels, Coventry Cathedral, Coventry, England. (Architect: Basil Spence.)Coventry Cathedral / One of the carved prayer panels / Encircled 21 (Handwritten)uk, slide

PASSPORT #85432 issued to BASIL WATSON at the Foreign Office, London on 25th March 1916. Includes photo and description of Basil Watson. ''Foreign Office'' stamp 25th March 1916 and ''liens Office Tilbury'' stamp on 14th April 1916 on one of the two endorsement pages.person, individual, basil watson

Battery trams operated between 1890 and 1892. The Mollison Street depot was the original tram depot and included the facilities for charging large numbers of batteries.Black and white photograph. Four rows of men posed in front of doorway of brick building. Tram tracks leading into doorway. Men dressed in suits, top hats. Man in front row left holding baby. Window to right of group has Bendigo Tramways written (partly revealed). Sign on far left above heads of men says positively No Admittance.Mollison Tram Depot written in blue ink on back of photo. Basil written in pencil.person, individual, basil miller

16 page hardcover ALBUM OF NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS ABOUT BASIL WATSON compiled by Robert Keith Munro. On spine: 'Basil G Watson Aviator Dec 9th 1916' Comprising newspaper cuttings of the flying exploits of Basil Watson, his accidental death, funeral and inquest. Cuttings from the Bendigo Advertiser, Bendigo Independent, Herald and other local papers. Also includes cuttings of 50th anniversary of mail flight from Mt Gambier to Melbourne (1967).aviation, civilian, basil watson

Piece of cream-coloured silk, no markings, from Basil Watson's biplane, in construction stage. Handwritten note states : 'Assam silk material used in covering the wings and fuselage of Basil Watson's airplane built by him in 1916. The wings and fuselage were then painted with an oil protective covering'person, individual, basil watson

Black and white photo of Basil Miller in Inspectors hat and uniform, without jacket. Crimped edge top and bottom.person, individual, basil miller

In April-May 1971, Robin and Patricia Boyd travelled to Honolulu, east coast USA and London. In London he was one of the judges for the Commonwealth-wide entries for the redevelopment of Whitehall and the Palace of Westminster. He was also researching overseas libraries, as background for plans for a new State Library of Victoria.Colour slide in a mount. Meeting House, Sussex University, Falmer, England, 1966. (Architect: Sir Basil Spence.)Inscribed Made in Australia / 18 / AUG 71M1 / Sussex Univslide, robin boyd

'Then and Now' newspaper article on Basil Watson by Keith Dunstan ('Sun' 4/12/1971) titled 'That daring young man' Article enclosed in buff envelope 'Melb Sun, Dec 4th 1971 re Basil Watson, written in blue. Envelope addressed to Mrs. F. Stilwell, 46 Brougham Street, Bendigo Vic 3550, 7c stamp on top. Article deals with biography of Basil Watson and details his exploits with the development of his airplane and flying experiences. 3 photos of plane: building it in the ballroom of his family home in Brighton; testing the cockpit for size and the finished 'plane. Refers to Brighton Historical Society exhibition in honour of Basil Watson.person, individual, basil watson

Section of silk fabric from Biplane partly painted with airforce type symbol. Encrusted with fragments of red and blue paint (also loose). Plus sand? Could be from Basil Watson's plane that crashed into Port Phillip Bay, near Point Cook in 1917. Basil died in the accident.aviation, civilian, fabric

Newspaper cutting ''In the Spotlight'' re life of Basil Watson. Cuttings enclosed in cream envelope, on front ' Aeronautical notes re Basil G. Watson and other's Bendigo Advertiser of Nov 29th 1950. Paragraph headings: Gallant Airman; Official Mail; The Letter; Aerial Exhibition; Stunting; Finale.person, bendigo, basil watson