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. Selected Essays Author: Thomas Caryle Publisher: T Nelson & Sons Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 824 CAR 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 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, selected essays, thomas caryle

Lens was once the spare lens of the Cape Nelson Lighthouse.|Lens on display in MDC, with interactive component provided by the piece of broken lens - for handling. Investigations underway to use a low-watt light in the lens, which is in working order. Photos in Supplementary File.Glass lens with steel supports, painted black with bronze hinges and latches. From Cape Nelson Lighthouse - spare lens. Base for display purposes - section of contemporary concrete pipe.Front: (no inscriptions)lighthouse, cape nelson lighthouse

Hardback, 144 p. colour and black and white illustrations, dust jacketnon-fictioneltham, shire of eltham, artists

372 p., black & white illustrationsnon-fictiongallipoli, world war 1

447 p., illus., maps.non-fictionA history of the island of St Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Advertisement for Nelsons Newsagency of Were Street Montmorency. Copied from a Diamond Valley Football League football record from 1968.Digital copy of advertisement from booklet.diamond valley football league, nelsons newsagency, were street montmorency

Three finalist groups of Lorne Hospital Carnival Queen taken at the Lorne Theatre 1948.lorne hospital carnival queen 1948, nancy jones, doris jones, nancy short, ??? alsop, del inderberg, mabel rogers, lurline brown, margaret trickey, stephen ferrier, janice brown, reginald c jones, shirley green, shirley clissold, betty adamson, marjorie nelson, wendy mousley, berice swift, barbara hambling, madge roe, jill ireland, bill hambling

Promotional material issued on Nelson Alexander's "Foundation Day", 25 May 2019. Foundation Day is an initiative of the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation, supporting local charities. Includes five property description leaflets, business card, cloth shopping bag and miniature plastic AFL football.Advertising promotional package containing five property description documents and leaflets, business card, cloth shopping bag and miniature plastic AFL footballreal estate agents, nelson alexander

Photograph of lower Main Street area, taken in March 2019. Shows the Greensborough RSL, Green Valley Mowers and Nelson Alexander. Digital copy of colour photographmain street greensborough, greensborough rsl

Real estate advertisement for 1-3 Louis Street Greensborough, 3 bedroom house. Originally listed by Barry Plant, this property was sold by Nelson Alexander on 10/11/2018 for $770,000. Previous sales: November 2011 for $500,000; July 2007, $391,700; September 2003, $350,000; March 2000, $214,300 and March 1988 for $78,000.Real estate advertisement black text and colour photographlouis street greensborough

Real estate advertisement for 78 Diamond Creek Road Greensborough, a 3 bedroom house. Originally listed by Barry Plant, this house was sold 03/11/2018 for $630,000 by Nelson Alexander. Previous sales: June 2007 for $290,250; April 1983 $49,500 and June 1979 for $34,000.Real estate advertisement black text and colour photographdiamond creek road greensborough

CEMA Art Collection. Part of "A Community View" 150 years in Portland Screenprint Exhibition. Part of Angela Gee Residency 1983 and 1984.Laminated screenprint of four seagulls on a blue, orange and yellow diamond-shaped grid. The seagulls are created through black outline and shading. Seagulls are in various poses, all with wings extended. The grid alternates from blue diamond shapes to those which fade from orange at the top to yellow at the bottom. The grid is surrounded by a blue and white cloud-like border.Front: 12/20 Cape Nelson at Sunset. Catherine Taylor Back: 43

Caption: Greensborough Premiership Team 1931. Front row (L-R) Lyal Clayton, Andy Ferrari, Percy Jurss, Les Collard, Fred King. 2nd row (L-R): Horrie Burkett, Jack Carlon, Joe Brownhill, Tony Crees, Bill McDowell, Bob Bennett, Les Iredale, Vin Broderick, Jeff Collard. 3rd row (L-R): Oliver Ely, Ted Godwill, Chas Aller, ?Nelson, Alf Purcell, Alan Partington, Wal Reid, Alan Splatt, Dave Barber. Back row: Bill Horn, Joe Stock, Rupert Jessop, Mr Holahahn, Norm Poulter, Dolf Purcell, Bill Mills.Records the team - players and support staff - of Greensborough's 1931 Premiership side.Team photograph mounted on board. Accompanied by typed caption.On mount: 'Allan Studios 318 Smith Street Collingwood'greensborough football club, diamond valley football association, premiers 1931

War diaries of Weary Dunlop.401 p. illus.To Faye from Dale 1989world war 2, prisoners of war