Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. The Geography of South Australia including The Northern Territory Historical, Physical, Political and Commercial Author: Walter Howchin Publisher: Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd Date: 1911Label on spine cover with typed text RA 911.942 HOW Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library

Charles Todd was one of the pioneers of meteorology in Australasia. Sir Charles Todd (1826-1910) was an astronomer, meteorologist and electrical engineer. Much of the history of astronomy, meteorology and telegraphs in South Australia is contained in his reports to parliament between 1856 and 1900.This is a useful research tool.A large sheet of lined card with a printed alphabetical list of South Australian towns and hand-written details of wind direction and force. Beside each is a remark.meteorology-records-south-australia todd-charles

Displayed at History House.Black and white photo. Images shows bare Battery Point, buildings under cliff, pier with building at end , another building (Baths?) and uprights in ocean.Front: View of Portland Harbour Back: State Library of South Australia, Photographic Section. Reproduction prohibited except with the permission of the copywirte holders. Order No. A/6493

Detailed description of plants, one plant per page. Alphabetical listing according to botanical name, with common names provided.Maps, colour photographs, pronunciation guide, glossarygrassland, plants, south-eastern australia, botany, ecology

Cricket - Victoria v South Australia at St Kilda Cricket Ground Friday 18th to Tuesday 22 January 1946 Memorandum - four typed sheets - titled "Cricket - Victoria v South Australia at St Kilda Cricket Ground" from District Traffic Superintendent S.S. to Mr McCutchan, Hanna Street Depot, Mr Mazoletti, Malvern Depot, Mr Cliff, Glenhuntly Depot, Mr Taylor, Port Melbourne. Memo dated 14 January and specifies trams, buses and inspector positions required for event."Interstate Cricket - Vic v South Aust @ St Kilda Ground - Saty 19/1/46" written in black pencil on both copies.trams, tramways, instructions, events, specials, cricket

The author is an Aboriginal woman, descendant of a family of long and continuous association with the south-east region of South Australia. This book attempts to overcome some of the difficulties in colonial relationships of the past to piece together the history of the Aboriginal people who survived in this area.maps, b&w photographssouth australian history

[Adelaide : Libraries Board of South Australia, 1971] 2 v. : maps (part col.), plates (part col.) ; 28 cm. Facsimile of: London : T. Cadell jun. and W. Davies, 1798. Includes an account of a voyage performed by Captain Flinders and Mr. Bass abstracted from the journal of Mr. Bass. Volume 1non-fictionnew south wales - descriptions and travel, new zealand - descriptions and travel

Ill, maps, p.86.non-fictionThis is a history of the Adelaide horse drawn tramways from their inception until they were taken over by the Municipal Tramways Trust. The information was gathered from various sources and that given by word of mouth has been substantiatedtramways - australia, horse tramways - adelaide

Black and white photo postcard of 3 trams on King William St, Adelaide, SA. The Savings Bank of SA and Penfolds Wines in background. Written on back in black ink, a letter to his mother from Basil Miller.basil miller, bendigo trams

On 31 July 1948 a football match was played at the South Melbourne Cricket Ground between sides from Victoria and South Australia. The event was organized by the RSL Victorian Branch. The RSL Victorian Branch Football Association was originally formed in 1947 and was affiliated with the Victorian Football Union. The purpose of the Football Association was to provide organized football for Returned Servicemen. The were 14 teams and 650 players registered in the inaugural competition which was won by Williamstown Sub-Branch.The Program, Order of Weekend Events and Admit Ticket are originals from the weekend 30 July 1948 to 01 August 1948, the game was played on 31 July 1948.1 x Souvenir Program RSL Interstate Football - Victoria vs South Australia, 1 x Order of Weekend Events, 1 x Admit Bearer Entry Tag.Souvenir Program - RSL Interstate Football Victoria vs South Australia at South Melbourne Cricket Ground, 31 July 1948. Order of Program - Victorian Branch RSL 1948 South Australian Footballers' Visit to Victoria, forward by G W Holland, President 1948. Admit Bearer Entry Tag - RSS&AILA Victorian Branch, Victoria v Sth Aust, Football, Admit Bearer South Meld Ground 31 July 1948. Printed by Renwick Pride. rsl victorian branch, football, 1947, 1948, interstate football, victoria, south australia

From the Ballarat School of Mines.Geological Specimenrocks, geology, black gothite and calcite, flinders ranges

From the Ballarat School of Mines.Geological Speciman geology, siderite, martitie, limonite

From the Ballarat School of Mines.Geological Specimenrocks, geology, azurite, malachite, burra

In 1847 dugout homes along the Burra Creek extended for along 5 kilometres. The census of 1851 recorded a population of 4,403 for the town, with 1,800 living in hunts in 'Creek Street'. The dug outs were rent free.Photograph of dugout accommodation in Blyth Street, Burra.

Ill, p.18.non-fictionA guide to to the Australian Electric Transport Museum. (S.A.) Inc., St. Kilda, South Australia featuring the various transport modes .tramways - adelaide, transport - adelaide

Memorandum - two typed sheets - titled "Interstate Cricket - Victoria v South Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Friday 10th to Tuesday 14th February 1933" from District Traffic Superintendent S.S. to Depot Master McRae, Camberwell and Depot Master Davis, Hawthorn. Memo dated 4 February and specifies trams required for event at MCG."Copy for Letter Book" written in black pencil on both copies.trams, tramways, instructions, events, luna park, specials, cricket

Thirty two page book, centre stapled, art paper, titled "Australian Electric Transport Museum / St Kilda, South Australia", guide book for the Museum, printed 1974. Gives information on AETM's exhibits, including ex Ballarat trams 21 and 34. Has maps of the AETM, Adelaide, Trolley buses system and brief history of Adelaide public street transport.trams, tramways, adelaide, trolley buses

A number of photographs of a statue of explorer Matthew Flinders, and maps of the coastline of Australia and South Australia. matthew flinders, explorer, south australia

Visit of Princess Elizabeth and Phillip to Portland, 1952.Red cloth (satin) pennant attached to dowel stick. White and blue words. Coat of Arms on left.Front: See title