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 1942 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. Victorian Year-Book 1907-08 Twenty Eighth Issue Author: E T Drake, Government Statist Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1908Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 319.45 VIC Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, victorian year-book 1907-08, e t drake

This year book was published in the year of Australian Federation. It was the 22nd issue of the Victorian Year BookBrown soft covered book of 1000 page. The book contains a digest of the statistics of Victoria with reference to the other Australasian Colonies and other countries. Topics include the land system of Victoria, Crown lands, Agricultural statistics, cultivation, industry, livestock, wool, dairy farms, cattle, rabbits, manufactures, alcohol production, mining, defense. Statistics were provided by J.J. Fenton, Assistant Government Statist.

Delisted from the School Library in 1983 at Blackburn East Primary School Vicki St. Blackburn South.Eighth Book, Victorian Reader, Second Edition. Brown, linen type cover. Education Department.BEP8 (DEACCESSED from Blackburn East School Library)school, equipment

Victorian Railways book of signals 1.11.1949, Victorian railways printing works, Laurens St North Melbourne. The book has a brown paper cover with blue binding on the spine and at the back.document, memo, railway, victorian railways book of signals 1.11.1949. victorian railways printing works, laurens st north melbourne

The Victorian Reading Book, Class 11, one shilling. Fawn coloured linen binding, reinforced brown binding on back spine. Inscription in front of Reader. S.S. 1271 Talbotville.S.S. 1271 Talbotvillebooks, school/educational

Reader used in State Schools from Grade 1-8Fawn cloth cover (hard cover) 152 pages. Second Edition 1940. Victorian Reader Third Book.books, school/educational

Used by Chris Gray at schoolVictorian school reader.Victorian readers 5th book 2nd edition as written on cover. Green with a blue spine. Last page is 216books, school/educational, school, equipment

Exercise book has early tables.Collection of school items. Two white china ink wells. One ceramic ink well. One clear glass ink well. Two green glass ink wells. One "The Victorian Exercise Book".ink bottles, writing equipment, inkwells, exercise books

Set of teaching flash cards with single words and sentences went with "John and Betty" - these resources missing. "Playmates" and "Holidays" were the only reader for the year.Three volumes with soft cardboard covers, staple binding, clear adhesive tape on exterior and interior binding. John and Betty: the earliest reader for the little ones, all colour illustrations Playmates: the Victorian readers, first book, black & white with few colour illustrations Holidays: the Victorian readers, second bookJan Morrisonbook, primary reader, victorian education

Victorian Railways Guard's train book 1948-1957. Grey book with red binding.books, technical, railways

Till CollectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Tan linen covered - 'The Victorian Reading Books' - Eighth Book - Educational Department Victoriabooks, school/educational

Fourth book of Victorian Readers (First Edition). Fabric covered cardboard cover. Printed 1930

Fourth Book of Victorian Readers (First Edition). Fabric covered cardboard cover. Printed 1930.books, primary readers, victorian education

Book: 'AUTHENTIC VICTORIAN FASHION PATTERNS'. Softcover. Copyrighted 1999. Materials: Ink, Paper, Cardboardtennis

Robin Boyd perhaps used this as a reference for his book 'Victorian Modern', published in 1947.victorian history, robert hoddle, victorian rangers, walsh st library

Robin Boyd perhaps used this as a reference for his book 'Victorian Modern', published in 1947.victorian history, robert hoddle, port phillip association, walsh st library

Victorian railways small note book, 'Westinghouse Automatic Air Brake Instruction Book'. Hard bound green covered small book. Victorian Railways governing the description, maintenance and manipulation of the air brake equipment on rolling stock in steam and rail motor service. Effective from 1-1-46.document, memo, railway, westinghouse automatic air brake instruction book

Hard bound green covered book with silver - Victorian Year-Book 1913-14 by A.M. Laughton Government Statist. Purple rubber stamp on inside cover 'Mechanics Institute Eaglehawk ' / thirty fourth issue / Melbourne Albert J Mullett Government Printer.victoria, history, government, lydia chancellor collection, collection, victorian year-book 1913-14 by a.m. laughton government statist. / 'mechanics institute eaglehawk ' / albert j mullett government printer, books, victoria

Book; 'Victorian Government Gazette', Volume LXI, 1st January to 30th June 1881. Rob't S. Brain, Acting Gov't Printer, Melbourne. 1872 pages.government, state, vic gov't gazette, mccoll rankin & stanistreet

Entry into Maffra Agricultural Society (Show) - Class Q Art Section 15 No. 3. A 'Victorian Drawing Book' entered by Merle Bush ( M. I.?. B in pencil on cover) - 12 pages of school drawing. Under 16 years. Agricultural Society entry card is inside front cover.person, individual, bush collection - personal

Buff coloured note book, red spine. Victorian Railways Note Book printed on front cover. Contains diary type entries detailing, locations worked, items bought.J. Badhamcottage, miners, j. badham, railways

Book; 'Victorian Government Gazette'. Volume LXII. 1st July to 31st December 1881. John Ferres, Gov't Printer Melbourne. Pgs 1873 to 3663, plus index 33pages.MCCOLL RANKIN & STANISTREETgovernment, state, victorian government gazette vol ii, mccoll rankin & stanistreet

Photocopy of an article from the Victorian Centenary Book about Hanro (Australia) Knitting Mills Pty. Ltd. Mentions the setting up of the factory in Bendigo, its Directors, the manufacturing of garments, the layout of the factory, working conditions, products and the materials used. Also two photos in the article of staff and one of Mr H. F.Longstaff and Mr C. Handschin.person, bendigo, hanro, hanro (australia) knitting mills pty ltd bendigo, mr h f longstaff, mr c handschin, g v lansell, r a rankin, the hon h keck, w b h neill, messrs handschin & ronus ltd

BHS CollectionGrey hardcover book. Victorian Municipal Directory also Commonwealth and State Guide and Water Supply Record for 1964. Published by Arnall & Jackson the book has 1169 pages. Four pages insert on changes and appointments.commonwealth, water supply, state guide

Buff coloured cover, red spine. Victorian Railways Note Book printed on front cover. Small note book detailing locations visited whilst driving locomotive, notes on events that happened. Handwritten, dating from 1955.J. Badhamcottage, miners, j. badham, railways, 1955

A ticket voucher book used on the railway line between Bairnsdale and Orbost which closed in 1987. Escept for special events, passenger trains ceased in 1937 and after that time, passengers wishing to travel by train had to take the good trains and be issued with this ticket. The train guard may have issued these tickets.This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost.A Victorian Railways ticket voucher book. This is a tear-off ticket book, stapled at the left margin. It was used for passengers travelling on goods trains from Bruthen Railway Station.TR88 Victorian Railways BRUTHEN 6879 STATION 7/1/1939. In consideration of my being able to travel by the ......goods train on the 7/1/39 from BRUTHEN 6879 to NOWA NOWA, I hereby unertake ........................... etc.railway-history orbost-bairnsdale-railway-line

Victorian Localities, a handy reference for Victorian research, from the book 'Digging for Gold' by Helen Doxford Harris, compiled by her from inquest files, parish maps and other sources.Helen D Harrisvictoria, history, localities