294 p. : pale blue cover embossed with pattern of leaves/treesfictionBook centres around the life of Joseph Quinney, a London antique dealer. Explores Quinney's relationship with his family, his business rivalries, love, and romance. fiction, antique dealers, horace annesley vachell

Pattison Collection 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. 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 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent 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 have 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 1850s to the late 1950s 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. Essays Civil and Moral Advancement of Learning Author: Francis Bacon The Minerva Library of Famous Books Edited by G.T.Bettany Publisher: Ward Lock Bowden & Co Date: 1892 The label on the spine with the typed text PAT 824.3 BAC Pastedown front endpaper has a 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 shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, 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, essays civil and moral advancement of learning, francis bacon

144 p. ; red cover with image of French Foreign Legionnaire riding a horse and wielding a sword (section of original dust jacket which has been pasted to front cover).fictionAction/adventure story.fiction, adventure stories

Books. Apex Bendigo Bulletin. 10 books stapled together 1/3/90.books, collections, apex bendigo bulletin

8724.1 - Ornate wooden bookcase with six pigeon holes, a cabinet to store books, either side of the cabinet are four small rounded shelves, there are also cupboards below the pigeon holes and also two larger shelves either side of a metal decorative art piece. 8724.2 - Red leather bound book. 8724.3 - Green leather bound book. 8724.4 - Green leather bound book. 8724.5 - Green leather bound book. 8724.6 - Green leather bound book. 8724.7 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXXIII 8724.8 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXXII 8724.9 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXXIV MAPS 8724.10 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXXV INDEX 8724.11 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL I 8724.12 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL II 8724.13 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL III 8724.14 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL IV 8724.15 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL V 8725.16 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL VI 8725.17 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL VII 8724.18 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL VIII 8724.19 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL IX 8724.20 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL X 8724.21 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XI 8724.22 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XII 8724.23 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XIII 8724.24 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XIV 8724.25 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XV 8724.26 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XVI 8724.27 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XVII 8724.28 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XVIII 8724.29 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XIX 8724.30 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XX 8724.31 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXI 8724.32 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXII 8724.33 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXIII 8724.34 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXIV 8724.35 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXV 8724.36 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXVI 8724.37 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXVII 8724.38 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXVIII 8724.39 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXIX 8724.40 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXX 8724.41 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXXI8724.7 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXXIII 8724.8 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXXII 8724.9 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXXIV MAPS 8724.10 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXXV INDEX 8724.11 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL I 8724.12 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL II 8724.13 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL III 8724.14 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL IV 8724.15 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL V 8724.16 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL VI 8724.17 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL VII 8724.18 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL VIII 8724.19 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL IX 8724.20 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL X 8724.21 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XI 8724.22 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XII 8724.23 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XIII 8724.24 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XIV 8724.25 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XV 8724.26 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XVI 8724.27 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XVII 8724.28 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XVIII 8724.29 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XIX 8724.30 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XX 8724.31 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXI 8724.32 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXII 8724.33 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXIII 8724.34 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXIV 8724.35 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXV 8724.36 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXVI 8724.37 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXVII 8724.38 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXVIII 8724.39 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXIX 8724.40 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXX 8724.41 - Encyclopaedia Britannica VOL XXXI

Record Series 13. Enrolment Books comprises two enrolment registers and lose pages (for males), that were used to record the details of each new student starting at Lauriston. These volumes date back to the inception of our school and are Lauriston’s first system of documentation used to record student information. Both the enrolment entries and alphabetical index at the start of each book are handwritten into a hard bound volume that was commercially produced at the time as school stationery to record student enrolments. The first volume dates from 1901 to 1919, and the second from 1920 to 1930, but holds further details of the academic results of the students already enrolled up to 1933. The two registers are arranged in a double page column format. The column headings are as follows: • Name • Date of Birth • Name and Address of Parent • Occupation [sometimes empty] • Elementary [First year level for students] • I. • IIA. • IIB. • IIIIA. • IIIB. [annotated to become IVa] • IV. [annotated to become IVb] • VA. • VB. • VI. • Date of Leaving. • Remarks [includes such details as: academic results for student’s last couple of years such as Matric or Leaving and their individual subject results; where they went to if another school; reason for departure if no further education; also some accolades such as “Head of School”. The first column that held the student’s name was annotated with the year date and term. Below the student’s name in some of the early enrolment entries, extra information was added such as “died” and the date, or the student’s married name. The details of male students who went to Lauriston’s kindergarten from 1911 are also in the registers. There are details of male students also recorded separately in loose pages that detail the enrolments from 1922 to 1930. Up until 1944, Lauriston used school year level titles used within English Public Schools. In the registers the first year is “Elementary” (Prep) and the final year is “VI” (Year 12). The first girls who wanted to go to university sat their Senior Public Exam in their fifth year of secondary school. Students could take an extra year of study called Leaving Honours. In 1944 university entrance requirements were raised and this sixth year of secondary school became the Matriculation exam. In 1970 it was renamed High School Certificate and since 1991, the Victorian Certificate of Education.

Items from the collection of the Australian War Memorial, including works of official war artists and others relating to World War 1Paperback, 80 p. text, black and white and col. illustrationsworld war 1, war art, australian war memorial

Vinyl Exterior, printed paper pages.After landing his D.H.4 safely at a midwestern airfield in the face of a brewing storm. A United States mail pilot clambers out of the cockpit as ground crew unload his cargo. In this authentically detailed scene of the airmails early years by French aviation artist Paul Lengell'e a postal clerk checks the mailbags and packages against a manifest before they are loaded into the waiting truck.

Vinyl and Paper

Vinyl and paperDauntless dive bombers from the United States aircraft carrier Enterprise head for safety after setting off a fatal conflagration on the flight deck of the Japanese flat top Akagi. The action painted for the epic of flight by the eminent aviation artist R.G.Smith took place on June 4, 1942 at the battle of Midway, a pivotal US victory in the pacific during world war 11.

Vinyl exterior and paper pages of text and pictures.The finest flying machines of the day wheel their way around a pylon in artist Paul Lengall'e's conception of the worlds first great air meet at Rheims, France.

graphic design

Used at the Ballarat School of Mines and the Ballarat Technical Art SchoolThis collection of examinations is significant because of its completeness with the full range of examinations between 1914 and 1950.Large leather bound books, with leather spine, containing all examinations held at the Ballarat School of Mines (including the Ballarat Technical Art School and Ballarat Junior Technical School). The examination papers were supplied and printed by the Education Department, Victoria. Examinations include: Agriculture, Algebra, Architecture, Arithmetic, Applied Mechanics, Assaying, Biology, Botany, Boilermaking, Building Design, Blacksmithing, Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Coachbuilding, Cabinet Making, Civil Engineering, Cabinet Making, Commercial, Chemistry, Engineering Drawing, Economics, English, Electrical technology, Electricity and Magnetism, Electric Wiring, Electric Welding, Electrical Fitting, Electrical Trades, Food Analysis, Geology, Geological Mapping, Graphics, Geometry, Heat Engines, Heat Treatment, Hydraulics, Hand Railing, Instrument Making, Millinery, Milling and Gearouting, Machine Shop Practice. Metal Founding, Mining, Metallurgy, Mineralogy, Mathematics, Motor Mechanics, Mine Surveying, Mining Mechanics, Petrology, Physics, Painting and Decorating, Pattern Making, Plastering, Plumbing and Gasfitting, Printing, Refrigeration, Spelling, Science , Shorthand, Surveying. Signwriting. Sheet Metalwork, Toolmaking, Ladies Tailoring, Trigonometry, Typewriting, Welding, Commercial Geography. Millinery, Dressmaking, Needlework, Decorative Needlework, Architecture, Building Design and Construction, Art (Composition in Form and Colour), Art (Casting Clay MOdels) Art (Drapery), Art (Drawing the Human Figure From Casts), Art (Drawing the Antique from Memory), Art (Drawing from Memory); Art (Drawing Plant Forms from Nature, Art (Drawing Plant Forms From Memory), Art (Drawing from Models and Objects), (Drawing From a Flat Example). Art (Drawing in Light and Shade from a Cast of Ornament or Lower Nature), Art (Drawing Ornament from the Cast), Art (Drawing from Models or Objects), Art (Drawing fro Dressmakers' and Milliners' Fashions), Art (Drawing With the Brush), Art (Drawing from a Flat Example); Art (Modelled Design), Art (General Design), Art (Embossed Leatherwork), Art (Practical Plane Geometry), Art (Practical Solid Geometry), Art (Geometrical Drawing), Carpentry and Joinery, Art (Human Anatomy), Art (Historic Ornament), Art (House Decoration), Art (LEttering), Signwriting, Art (Light Metalwork), Art (Modelling), Art (Modelling the Human Figure from a Life), Art (Stencilling); Art (Wood Carving) Refrigeration, Teaching, Boilermaking, Blacksmithing, Carpentry and Joinery, Coachbuilding and Carriage Drafting, Electric Wiring, Electrical Fitting, Graining and Marbling, Instrument Making , Machine Shop Practice, Metal Founding, Milling and Gear Cutting, Motor Mechanics, Painting and Decorating, Sheet Metalwork, Toolmaking, Printing, Pattern Making, Plumbing and gasfitting, examinations, ballarat school of mines, ballarat technical art school, trades, education department victoria, agriculture, algebra, architecture, arithmetic, applied mechanics, assaying, biology, botany, boilermaking, building design, blacksmithing, bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, coachbuilding, cabinet making, civil engineering, commercial, chemistry, engineering drawing, economics, english, electrical technology, electricity and magnetism, electric wiring, electric welding, electrical fitting, electrical trades, food analysis, geology, geological mapping, graphics, geometry, heat engines, heat treatment, hydraulics, hand railing, instrument making, millinery, milling and gearouting, machine shop practice, metal founding, mining, metallurgy, mineralogy, mathematics, motor mechanics, mine surveying, mining mechanics, petrology, physics, painting and decorating, pattern making, plastering, plumbing and gasfitting, printing, refrigeration, spelling, science, shorthand, surveying, signwriting, sheet metalwork, toolmaking, ladies tailoring, trigonometry, typewriting, welding., dressmaking, needlework, decorative needlework, architecture, building design and construction, art (composition in form and colour), art (casting clay models), art (drapery), art (drawing the human figure from casts), art (drawing the antique from memory), art (drawing from memory), art (drawing plant forms from nature, art (drawing plant forms from memory), art (drawing from models and objects), (drawing from a flat example), art (drawing in light and shade from a cast of ornament or lower nature), art (drawing ornament from the cast), art (drawing from models or objects), art (drawing for dressmakers' and milliners' fashions), art (drawing with the brush), art (drawing from a flat example), art (modelled design), art (general design), art (embossed leatherwork), art (practical plane geometry), art (practical solid geometry), art (geometrical drawing), art (human anatomy), art (historic ornament), art (house decoration), art (lettering), art (light metalwork), art (modelling), art (modelling the human figure from a life, art (stencilling), art (wood carving), teaching, coachbuilding and carriage drafting, graining and marbling, milling and gear cutting, commercial geography, exams, examination book

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. The ephemeral edition of 'Australian Bush Songs' visible inside the case was published in 1937 in Melbourne by Allan & Co. It contains children's songs drawing on Australian themes which were popular and well-known in the 1930s. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.A brown vinyl suitcase containing song books, periodicals and magazines c. 1920s - 1930s.hamilton-smith, ellwood, hamilton-smith collection, wodgona, books, reading, songs, song, singing, children, child

A collection of business booksnon-fictionF. S. Baker Real Estate Agent business booksbaker f s, real estate agents

The Laura Clarke Auxiliary formed at the Mirridong Home in 1968 and was wound up on November 22, 2001. This collection of papers includes the minute books from 1972 to 2001 and a list of members was maintained at the front of the minute books as well as two individual lists have been retained.4 minute books --- 2 statement of accounts books --- 3 treasurers books --- 2 members lists (1998, 1999) --- notes for the Turkey and Champagne luncheon --- 1 stamp --- 4 receipt books --- 2 Champagne and Turkey Luncheon ticketsassociation for the blind, mirridong home (bendigo)

Bookplate featuring a vase of flowers and booksV.S.Hewett Ex Librisbookplate, vase, books

One of several books donated to the Museum from the Launceston Institute of TAFE Library, after dispersal of its collection of technical books.One of several books donated to the Museum from the Launceston Institute of TAFE Library, after dispersal of its collection of technical books.For Kelsall & Kemp (Tasmania) Limitedtextile production textile research textile testing, textile institute society of dyers and colourists, hallam, ms janet - launceston institute of tafe, textile production, textile research, textile testing

Presented to Warrnambool Children’s Library by Fletcher Jones Esq. in 1950 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 be 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. The Children's Encyclopedia Vol 3, pages 1505 - 2244. Originated and edited by Arthur Mee. Hardcover, red colour with gold lettering. Published by The Educational Book Company, Limited. Part of the Pattison Collection of booksThe label on the spine with typed text PAT 032 CHIwarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, children’s literature, the children's encyclopedia vol 3pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library