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Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Box - ammunition, c1940
Brought home by Peter Trull from Moratai, Tarakan IslandRectangular wooden army ammunition (detonator) box with metal clips to close/secure lid to main box.Letters and words on box: 844 Japanese characters/scriptarmy ammunition box, trull, p, tatura, japan, tarakan island, arms, ammunition -
Rutherglen RSL Sub-Branch
Memorabilia - Trench art ashtray, unknown
Trench art ashtray metal shell and 50 calibre bulletOn base of object; 7 [2 Asian characters] Ftrench art, ashtray, military memorabilia, bull case, shell -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Souvenir
Brown, polished wooden carved jar with lid. VietnameseVietnamese characters on the jar with decorative carving on the jar and lidjar, vietnamese, wooden -
Tennis Australia
Artwork, Circa 1990
Molded plastic reproduction of Disney cartoon image featuring Elvira Grandma Duck Coot character playing tennis against Gus Goose character. Text lower right:'COPYRIGHT (symbol) WALT DISNEY COMPANY'. Materials: Cardboard, Plastictennis -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Memorabilia - BENDIGO JOSS HOUSE CHOPSTICKS
Two ivory coloured chopsticks inscribed with the words Bendigo Joss House and some Chinese characters.bendigo, chinese, joss house -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - NUGGETS GOLDEN AND HUMAN
Nuggets Golden and Human Characters and Icons of Central Victoria, 193 pages with black and white photographs.John Gascoignebendigo, history, bendigo & district -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Currency - Coin, Japanese Coin
Coin found at Camp 13 when huts were being dismantled and relocated.Japanese coin featuring motifs and Japanese characters and currency value. One motif is of a mountain and the Suncoins, camp 13, japanese, japanese currency -
Anglesea and District Historical Society
Pin dish, New Hall Pottery Co Ltd, 1951-56
Small square dish depicting a character from "The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit", by Charles Dickens (1843-44). The character on the dish is one of Dickens' great villains, Seth Pecksniff, who is a sanctimonious surveyor and architect "who has never designed or built anything'.Picture of Mr Pecksniff in kitchen. Front bottom: MR PECKSNIFF / (Martin Chuzzlewit) Back: New Hall Hanley / Staffordshire England. dickens, pecksniff -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Booklet - Comic play, S.N. Cook
Booklet owned by Arthur Baggaley, Fruiterer, who lived at 15 Forest Street, Bendigo. His business 'C.A. Baggaley & Son' was at Covent Garden, Mitchell Street, Bendigo. Arthur was born in Bendigo in 1903 to Charles Arthur Baggaley and Ada (Mallon). He married Evelyn May Grigg. Arthur died in September, 1993.Twenty three page booklet. On front cover: ' Out in the Streets' Price 15 cents. The play is a temperance play in three acts, by S.N. Cook. Inside cover details a list of plays for both female characters only, and male characters only. Baggaley Collectionfruiterer, confectioner, business, mitchell street, covent garden, entertainment, play script, william tell, historical play -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Men of Character Vol 2
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 PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison. 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. Men of Character Vol 2 The Writings of Douglas Jerrold Author: Douglas Jerrold Publisher : Bradbury & Evans Date: 1851Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 JER Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a 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, men of character vol 2, douglas jerrold -
Federation University Historical Collection
Object - Scroll, Two Chinese silk scrolls
Two Chinese brocade scrolls in a box with scenes depicted on them. These scrolls are silk woven and produced byb "Digital Emulative Coloured Silk technique"Pamphlet about the scrolls included. Chinese characters printed on the box.scrolls, scroll, silk, digital, chinese, ornamental box -
Bendigo Art Gallery
Ceramic, UNKNOWN, (pair of tall vases), circa 1855
Mark on base, brush and brown underglaze colour "(Japanese character)". -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Book, Edmund Capon, Qin Shihuang Terracotta Warriors + Horses, 1983
Soft CoverChinese Characters and signature of Isola, Dated 10/2/1983chinese archaeology, walsh st library -
Donald History and Natural History Group operating the Donald Court House Museum
Medicine Bottle #1
Triangular shaped Medicine bottle with red and cream paper label around body of bottle, with Chinese characters.medicine bottle, georgie ah ling, donald, market gardener. -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Public Art: Wayne ALFRED (b.1958 Alert Bay, British Columbia), Wayne Alfred C/- High Commision of Canada, Commonwealth Games Totem Pole, Location: Eltham Library Foyer, Panther Place, Eltham, 2006
Wayne Alfred is a member of the Namgis Tribe of the Kwakwaka'wakw people. As a master carver he has an extremely high level of carving skill and knowledge about his peoples cultural objects, customs, tribal stories and legends. The Totem Poles of the North Pacific Coast in British Columbia and Alaska are traditionally carved out of red or yellow cedar, which has a spiritual and practical purpose. The wood was known for its durability, its resistance to rotting and the inner bark was utilised in ropemaking, clothing, hats, baskets and so forth. The Kwakitul People consider the cedar tree to be among the most sacred of all things provided by the Creator. They believed the Cedar tree to be the axis of the world and a pathway to the upper world. The wood is shaped using implements such as adzes, axes, chisels, carving knives, and chainsaws. Misinterpreted as Gods and idols to be worshipped, totems usually serve six purposes, such as a house pillar for support, a memorial or mortuary pole to commemorate (and house) the deceased, a potlatch pole (used for important traditional indigenous celebrations), a ridicule pole used to shame and a heraldic or family crest pole. Characters and symbols on these totem poles usually display family crests, history, wealth, social rank, inheritance, and privilege, as well as animalistic imagery derived from native animals and mythological creatures. Their sequence are indicative of past family events, ancestors, myths, and heraldic crests, with the bottom figure usually being the most prominent. In this work the 'thunderbird' is symbolic of power, strength and of ancestory. The Commonwealth Games Totem Pole was presented to the people of Nillumbik on behalf of the Canadian Government in recognition of Melbourne as the hosts of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games Team in 2006. Carved in cedar wood, this totem pole incorporates bold cuts and colours (such as red and green) offset by strong black. A relative degree of realism is used to depict the alligator located on the bottom of the pole, a man and a 'thunderbird'/eagle located on the top. With protuding element. No inscriptions. Bold cuts used to outline the characters and symbols as well as decorative and stylised features all over the pole. public art, kwakwaka'wakw, namgis, alfred, north pacific coast, british columbia, canada, totem pole, carved, commonwealth games, melbourne festival, cedar -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - KILL OR CURE, LOTIONS, POTIONS, CHARACTERS & QUACKS OF EARLY AUSTRALIA, 1968
Kill or Cure, Lotions, Potions, Characters & Quacks of Early Australia. 157 pages with photos, illustrations, copies of advertisements.Peter J. Phillipsmedical, lotions and potions, medicine, chemist, illness, natural cures, advertisements -
Donald History and Natural History Group operating the Donald Court House Museum
Medicine Bottle #2
Triangular shaped Medicine Bottle with red and cream coloured paper label around body of bottle, with Chinese characters.medicine bottle, georgie ah ling, donald, market gardener. -
Geelong Naval and Maritime Museum
Souvenir, Japanese Midget Submarine Fragment, 1942
Produced as a souvenir from two Japanese Midget submarines sunk during attacks on Sydney Harbour in WWII. This souvenir was produced to raise funds for the RAN relief fund and King George's Fund For Sailors. It was sold as a souvenir as part of a touring exhibition around the country accompanying a composite midget submarine constructed of the two sunken vessels raised from Sydney Harbour.The souvenir submarine has tangible connections to the Japanese Midget Submarines sunk during attacks on Sydney Harbour in 1942. It is historically significant for its links to defending Australia and for its connections to tourism and fund raising relating to war time efforts.A cut square fragment of metal with possibly some Japanese characters etched on it. Attached to a paper label by a piece of cloth.A Guaranteed Souvenier/ from the Japanese Midget Submarine/ Sunk in Sydney Harbour/ Sunday, May 31st 1942/ G.C. Muirhead - Gould/ Proceeds to Rear Admiral in Charge, Sydney/ RAN Relief Fund and King George's Fund for Sailors.japanese midget submarine, world war ii, sydney harbour, ran relief fund, geelong naval and maritime museum, king george's fund for sailors -
Bendigo Military Museum
Container - WOODEN BOX, Post 1930’s
The translation on the box is not known. The box was brought back from WW2 by Leonard Francis Rainbow VX141558, enlisted 27.2.1942 in the CMF 22nd Bn until 17.5.1943, AIF 18.5.1943 to 8.8.1946, Overseas service, New Guinea 21.2.1943 - 26.8.1944, New Britain 19.2.1945. - 17.3.1946.Brown painted and lacquered wooden box with brown leather handle.Indecipherable print on top of the box, Japanese characters noted on the inside of the box.wooden box, japanese -
Orbost & District Historical Society
lantern, Kwang Hwa, first half 20th century
This item is an example of a lighting device commonly used before electricity was widely available for domestic use.A hurricane lamp with a rounded tank and small carry handle (a larger handle is possibly missing). It has a lever to open the glass tank. It has a metal base which is filled with kerosene. On top is a metal hood with vents.Around base : Chinese characters. On top : "Made in China KWANG HWA"lighting lantern kerosene-lamp hurricane -lamp -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph, Mr and Mrs Gurney Goldsmith, Picnic at Ottawa, King's Birthday1907, 1907
Typical light-hearted gathering of seafarers on a public holiday outing, organised by the mission on Monday 11 November 1907 for King's Birthday celebration (Edward VII), at "Ottawa", Toorak, the 82 acres estate of Mrs Jane A. Campbell between 1901 and 1911 when it became the property of John Archibald Campbell. (Heritage Overlay Review HO158)Small monochrome outdoor photograph, badly faded, depicting 20+ seafarers posed in a group with the central character wearing a dresstoorak, king's birthday, 1907, picnic, edward vii, mrs campbell, costume, ottawa, goldsmith album, lhlg, picnics, social events, entertainments -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Booklet - Continuous Certificate of Discharge, Continuous Certificate of Discharge: Arthur Oswald Dixon, 1913
This important booklet and record of service is first stamped and dated in 1913. It is unlikely to be the first booklet issued as the seafarer Arthur O. Dixon b. 1879 commenced maritime service in 1904 working for the Harrison Line between 1904 and 1914. He enlisted as an RNR officer during WW1. He is recorded as returning to Merchant vessel service with the New Zealand Shipping Co between 1916-1920. He subsequently was employed with Adelaide Steamship Co between 1920 and 1921. All documentation shows him to be regarded as an officer of good character and reliable. On leaving seafaring Mr Dixon eventually took up a smallholding in regional Victoria.Unusually for the early 20th C. era of Mr Dixon's service at sea two images of Mr Dixon survive on ID papers and were included in the gift of papers. Personal objects included an unusual small travel size New Testament (see VC record ) heavily annotated provide further insights into the experience of early 20th C. seafarers.Fabric reinforced and backed heavy card covers and service book with multiple pages pre printed for completion by either handwritten entries or ink stamps. Records service record, dates, status, vessel names, ports, master names, character assessment. A thin pink ribbon is affixed by a staple to Page 26.Various - see images licensing, registration, certificate of discharge, mariner papers, seafarer certification, identity cards, identification, arthur oswald dixon, seamanship, seamen, sailors, officers, seafarers, wwi, merchant navy, ran, rnr -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book - Report, Zig Plavina, Evolution of the Academic Character of the School of Mines, Ballarat (with particular emphasis on ASsociateship Courses in Engineering), 2006
This is the correction copy marked by Jack Barker. Seventy page spiral bound report on the Evolution of the Academic Character of the Ballarat School of Mines with particular emphasis on ASsociateship Courses in Engineering.ballarat school of mines, associateship, engineering, zig plavina, jack barker, e.j. barker, ballarat school of mines history -
Federation University Historical Collection
Object - Scroll, Scroll with [Chinese?] writing
A silk scroll with [Chinese?] characters/calligraphy painted on it. It also has patterned fabric on it. Th scroll is stored in a gold fabric box.scroll, silk, chinese, gold box, chinese characters, calligraphy -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Decorative object - CHINESE HEADSTONE
Chinese headstone. Three vertical columns of Chinese characters. Broken at Base. Approx. 25cm across, 40cm high and 5cm thickcemetery, chinese headstone -
Bendigo Military Museum
Work on paper - FORM, BLANK, 1930 - 1945
Item relates back to Cat No 4316.4.Form - Paper, cream coloured, red print.Chinese or Japanese characters SIONG TJONG TJAN MERAUKE ZUID NIEUW GUINEASform, asian country -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Cash Ball
This cash ball was used by Cramond and Dickson, a large clothing store on the corner of Liebig and Timor Streets, Warrnambool. The Cash Ball system serviced the ground floor, which measured about 30 metres by 25 metres. An overhead pipe connected each service point in the store, with the pipes connected to the upstairs office. The ball would be filled with a note of details of the sale, and the cash payment; a vacuum system would be activated that would transport the ball upstairs to the office where details were recorded and change assembled. Change was placed in the ball, and the vacuum system activated to return the ball to the correct sales point. A frequent customer has reported that she never remembered the system not working efficiently, and the service was probably quicker than having a cash register at each sales location. John Glass Cramond and James Dickson migrated from Scotland to Melbourne where they opened a Cramond and Dickson store in St Kilda. They were inspired by the growth in Warrnambool after a visit and opened a second store there in 1855. The Cramond and Dickson store, grocers – drapery – ironmongery - chemist, was located on the corner of Liebig and Timor Streets, Warrnambool (now the site of a Mexican restaurant). Both Cramond and Dickson were involved in the business and social aspects of Warrnambool’s community. Cramond and Dickson closed in 1974. An advertisement placed by Cramond and Dickson in The Camperdown Chronicle, Saturday 6th April 1895, states them “showing the latest novelties for the coming winter season” … “import directly from English and Continental manufacturers” … “representatives in London … always in touch with the Newest Continental Fashions” ... “having been established for so many years we know the requirements of the Western District”… “allow 5 percent discount on goods paid for at the time of purchase”. [references: local historian John Lindsay, Warrnambool City Council’s CBD Heritage Trail leaflet, The Camperdown Chronicle, Facebook “Lost Warrnambool” site; WDHS Journal Volume 49 No2 2015] Cash ball, wooden, round, used by Cramond and Dickson clothing store. Two half spheres that fit into each other securely both are marked "B4" and one has "Fancy" marked on it.Carved into the surfaces of each half sphere are the characters "B4". Written on one is "Fancy"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, cash ball, cramond and dickson, office equipment -
Federation University Historical Collection
Object - Plaque, Round pewter plaque from China
Round pewter 3 dimensional plaque depicting a mountain scene from China, with a square swirl patterned border.Small oval sticker that says Carbon Carved Chinese characters and ZL201130009178.Xpewter, chinese, mountain scene, round pewter plate, souvenir -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - STILWELL COLLECTION: CERTIFICATE OF DISCHARGE
Photocopy of certificate of discharge no.77 issued October 23, 1873for Charles Stilwell, surgeon aged 68. On the back character for ability and character for conduct is given as very good. Also a photocopy of receipt from Council of Medical Education & Registration No.14445 issued 21st November, 1862 to Charles Stilwell for the sum of 2 pounds for registration.document, certificate -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, A Fine Old English Gentleman
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. A Fine Old English Gentleman Exemplified in The Life and Character of Lord Collingwood ( A Biographical Story) Author: William Davies Publisher: Sampson Low, Marston, Low, Searle Date: 1875Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 COL Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, a fine old english gentleman, william davies, lord collingwood