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. Barclays Dictionary Greatly Improved &Superbly Embellished Publisher: T Kinnersley Date: 1813Loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Inside loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Inside loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum Front leather cover has the name Charles Bosson, London in gold letter print on to it.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, barclays dictionary

On Saturday 17 May 1947, an article on page 25 of the Australian Women’s Weekly reported on the formation of a new women's club: the East Kew Women’s Community Club. The article reads: "Wives and mothers in a Melbourne suburb, East Kew, have formed the East Kew Women's Community Club. While babies and young children are under the supervision of a play leader, wives and mothers follow up their own interests. The club caters for varying tastes, has musical appreciation, drama, and "Keep Fit" classes. President Mrs. Grace Thake says that the club hopes soon to have tennis, debating, and discussion groups. The club originated from a debate, "Should women take an active part in social and civic affairs?" Two days later their interest in these matters was proved by the forming of the club, which took for its motto: "To help others, improve ourselves, and foster the community spirit." Membership is open to all women, regardless of age, politics, and religion, and aims to co-operate with all societies working for the improvement of health and cultural standards." The East Kew Women's Community Club, also called the East Kew Women's Community Club functioned from 1946 to the end of the 1960s (to be verified). The records of the Club were placed with Kew Historical Society to preserve them for posterity. The records and objects belonging to the East Kew Women's Community Club have significance socially for their capacity to illuminate women's associations in the post war period in Australia.Brown leather wallet, dated 1946, embossed with the owner's name and information about the club of which she was the founding president."G Thake | Founder EKWC | 1946 To help others | Improve ourselves | Foster the community spirit"community clubs - kew (vic), women's clubs - kew (vic), east kew women's club, grace thake, presentation wallets

Plaster base and top. Middle section of tin. Tin has vents all around. Cylindrical design. Top is slightly dome shaped. Base sloped outward. Old roof air vent - old ventilator.Pepper's improved patent ventilator. 'PEPPERS'

Pamphlet suggesting a different vision for transport. Improving public transport instead of building new freeways.Improving public transport environment, koonung creek, mullum mullum creek, freeway, transport, koonung mullum forestway association

The subject item is a good example of a large, hand-operated Bentwood box butter churn used to make up to 14 pounds of butter. It was made in Gisborne, Victoria, by the famous manufacturer, E. Cherry, and is known as an Improved Patent No.2 model probably dating from the late 1800s. The Cherry works specialised in making all types of butter churns and equipment for both domestic use on farms and small butter factories during the late nineteenth and early to mid. twentieth centuries. Milk was "separated" to retrieve the cream which was then beaten to make butter. E Cherry began making various models of Cherry butter churns in 1858, Edward Cherry migrated from Herefordshire England to Australia in 1855 with his wife Ann Appleby, nee Davis, and established a joinery workshop at Gisborne, Victoria. He began by making butter churns in his spare time and his product soon became popular allowing him to establish a viable business. A factory was established in 1875 and he started to make churns of all sizes including up to industrial scale. He exported his products to many countries around the world, Edward Cherry died in 1909 and the business was then run by his son George until he died in 1917. E Cherry's other son Thomas (1861-1945) was also involved in the firm maintaining an interest for several years. He had been born in Gisborne and became a senior house medical surgeon at the Melbourne Hospital in 1890. He continued his studies at Kings College London, eventually becoming a renowned bacteriologist and agricultural scientist. A significant item giving an snapshot into how early industrial manufacturing became established in Australia in the production of domestic and industrial dairy equipment.Butter churn wooden manually operated made by Cherry and Sons with rotating lever curved plywood basin and parallel cross beamed horizontally spoken churning apparatus inside with wooden plug at lower side of churn. Label in block transfer "E CHERRY / MAKER / GISBORN / VICTORIA / 2" "IMPROVED PATENT"warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, butter churn, wooden butter churn, e cherry & sons, dairy equipment, gisborne, food preparation

Spool with thread used for tatting or lace making. Patent applied April 17 , 1923'Boye' Improved. More Thread - Less Knotshandcrafts, equipment

Lidded wooden box with metal turning handle on outside. Inside has a curved bottom and a paddle wheel turned by the metal handle.E. Cherry - Maker - Gisborne Improved Patentdomestic items, food preparation

Used for the grooming of horsesImported and sold by Holden and FrostCardboard presentation box containing horse clippersA. Martins improved horse clippers (diagram of clippers)clippers, equine, general

Used for the grooming of horses circa 1900Imported and sold by Holden and FrostTwo pivoted steel shears with wooden hand gripsA. Martin and Co Manufacturers on blade A. Martin Improvedclippers, equine, general

The history of metal packaging began in Bohemia in the 1200s. Metal has been produced for a very long time. But the first metal used for packaging was tin. In particular, it was the process of tin plating that was invented in Bohemia. Before this no other metal was economically able to be used for packaging. Later, in 1667 Andrew Yarranton, and English engineer, and Ambrose Crowley brought the method to England. Here it was improved by ironmasters including Philip Foley. Then by 1697, John Hanbury had a rolling mill at Pontypool in South Wales. The method they developed involved rolling iron plates using cylinders. This process enabled more uniform blank plates to be produced than was possible by just hammering the tin. https://www.shilohplastics.com.au/history-of-metal-packaging/ Fuller's Earth is any clay material that has the capability to bleach or dissolve oil or other liquids without the use of harsh chemical treatment. Modern uses of Fuller's Earth include as absorbents for oil, grease, and animal waste (cat litter) and as a carrier for pesticides and fertilisers. Minor uses include filtering, clarifying, and decolorising; active and inactive ingredient in beauty products; and as a filler in paint, plaster, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals. Fulling is an important step in the production of woollen garments, and can be traced back to ancient times. Cuneiform texts from Mesopotamia mention a raw material, which was delivered to fullers for the finishing of cloth. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuller%27s_earth The use of tin to protect and store items, revolutionised the world. Fuller's Earth is a widely used product.Container of cylindrical sheet metal with perforated lid, used by Duerdin and Sainsbury Ltd, Sellers of Franbert's Fuller's Earth. Colour printed paper deteriorating. ‘Nett Contents 3½ oz.’ Ingredients still inside.Tin very rusty.'Franbert's Fuller's Earth. For the Toilet and Nursery. Protects the skin & Improves the Complexion. Nett Contents 3½ oz.'flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, tin, tin plating, containers

Newspaper Clipping from The Mail, 19-3-96, P 5. Councils unite to improve our roads.Maroondah Councilwill push for road improvements in the north eastern suburbs through a strategy group backed by Vicroads and five other councils. The municipalities of Banyule, Nillumbik, Manningham, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges are also members of North East Metropolitan Regional Roads Strategy Group.

The two lifts and improved drainage system at Blackburn Railway Station are now functional along with upgraded lighting and CCTV.The two lifts and improved drainage system at Blackburn Railway Station. blackburn railway station, level crossing removal authority

Book: 'How to Improve Your Tennis'. 83 pages. Soft cover. No date or edition. Materials: Paper, Inktennis

Brass telescope painted redT. Harris & Son, London. Improved day or night

8617.1 - Crimson painted cardboard box lid with label. 8617.2 - Old ripped wrapping paper. 8617.3 - Glass syringe, cotton bound stem at bottom, cork and wood stopper at top and glass stem. 8617.4 Crimson painted cardboard box.- ESKIMO - oz. - Male - BRAND - Improved Glass Syringe.

Gold Medallion from Wandin Football Club attached to red ribbon, in a white plastic box with red felt."W.F.C. Most Improved Player F. Gaudion 1929."sports medals

Improving pupils speaking and learning communication skills is what the Whitehorse Toastmasters Club, which meets in Nunawading, is all about.Improving pupils speaking and learning communication skills is what the Whitehorse Toastmasters Club, which meets in Nunawading, is all about.whitehorse toastmasters club, eddington, ross

Jones Family Collection - NP2565 to NP2606. See also ND3831.Black and white photograph of delphiniums growing on Jones' Flower Farm in Mt Pleasant Road, Nunawading (Can't improve - small photo)jones, bette, walter, rolf, geoffrey, arthur, keith, lionel, muriel, jones flower farm, mount pleasant road nunawading

Bumper sticker campaigning for improvements to the wages and conditions to nurses. This sticker is one of many pieces of campaign materials and merchandise produced by the Australian Nursing Federation.Rectangular white and blue bumper sticker. Sticker printed with 'KEEP NURSES NURSING - IMPROVE NURSES' CONDITIONS' in large blue font.nursing, nurses, 1990s, stickers, bumper stickers, trade unions, labour history, australia, australian nursing federation, anf

1. Clippers, manual: Steel handles with wooden grips, attached by brass fitments. On wood: Albert Martin & Co / London / Manufacturers on steel: A Martin & Co / Manufacturers on blade: A. Martin's / Improved. 2. Box: Cardboard with blue and black printing: A. Martin's / Improved Horse / Clipper. 3. Label on box printed by Johnson Riddle & Co, London. 6/- (handwritten on edge of box).albert martin & co, animal husbandry, johnson riddle & co

This simple brass see-saw balance was used to test the gold sovereign coin and its half for wear, and to detect counterfeit coinsSovereigns and half sovereigns are no longer in use.A metal sovereign balance with two measuring plates and weight. Counterweighted desktop rocker tests for British gold Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns, both weight and thickness. It has the original green box with label on lid top.Front - sovereign - half - Askey's improved warranted - son -Bush'ssovereign-balance instrument weighing sovereign