Born: Devon, Devonshire, England 1839; Arrived: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1868; Died: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1901VictorianLedger Gift, 1978Australian bush scene with two figures, a horse and a dog on a track with trees, hills, clouds and sky. Unframed.Recto: Signed and dated "J W CURTIS / 82" in black oil in l.l.c of composition; Not titledpainting, landscape, figure, horse, animal, trees, colonial, path, track

A bush study of Eltham Park. Blue and green tones with the foliage of a tree in the foreground and trees and grasses in the background.Lower left, red paint: "TONY HARKIN 77"

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. Favourite Australian Bush Songs Compiled by Lionel Long & Graham Jenkin Publisher: Rigby Limited Date: 1964Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 784.4994 LON Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Fly paper has a stamo from Warrnambool Public Librarywarrnambool, 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, favourite australian bush songs, lionel long, graham jenkin

Colour photograph from land sales brochure showing a bush glade Eltham c1909 sent to Mrs Andrewbush glade, eltham, bushland

Second Lake Bolac Bush Nursing Centre on Glenelg Highway. Centre was in use from 1933 until 1957.

Otway Bush Humour. Carmen Koper. 1st ed. No imprint. vi, 54 p.; illus. Soft cover.Signed. "Carmen Koper. Just like old times."otways; humour; bush stories;carmen koper;

native garden, bush tucker, kath deery

Catalogue card reads, "Ringwood Rifle Range 1962. Rifle range after bush fires of 1962 - Range hut".

'History in bush' by Liz Bell. Article on Wandinong Sanctuary, including photo of Phyl and Bernard Hooke. Nunawading Gazette, 15 November 1992.wandinong sanctuary, parks and reserves, hooke, bernard, phyl, albert arthur, janet emily

Early Bush Home at Halls Gapstawell

Tom Vickers and friends enjoy a day in the bush.Tom Vickers was a prominent member of the community and a local pharmacist.Digital copy of colour photographvickers family, tom vickers

Portrait - I.O.O.F. Bro. A. Bush c1924 } Unframed.stawell

Photograph of a group of people having a Picnic in the Bushstawell

Photo of Will Rees Painting Cottage in bush scenestawell

Picnic in the bush. Probably Black Ranges. Church group.Black and White Photograph of a group of people in a bushland setting. Women wearing long dresses with large hats. Photograph cropped.Dear Mert, There's nothing like keeping up appearances so you see I got as near the Parson as possible. How do you do di de do how as you do de do di do etc. is Jimmy living where hes living now or has he gone away. From yours sinc. M the other side. P.S. don't run away with the idea that it was Jack I was edging up to. Forgot your number its late to go over home. stawell

Grampians Bush Walking Club Historical Society Tour.stawell

R.M. Telford bush scene 1902-1903 Langwarrin

Landcsape - Australian bush scene. Mounted & framed. Gold painted wood frame featuring textured light brown window mount with white and gold border.

R.M. Telford tranquil bush creek scene 1903 Langwarrin

Written on back of photograph, "Late '80. Freeway site. Virgin bush. Ringwood Street looking west along south side Mullum Creek."

Announcement about Greensborough Primary School family bush dance 1995.Newspaper clipping, black and white text.greensborough primary school, bush dance

Bush Saw Mill by Charles Nettleton. Wimmera River of Victorian 1887stawell manufacture

R.M. Telford tranquil bush creek scene 1902-1903 Langwarrin