This book details the lives of the ancestors of the author, Graeme Davison. It begins with the story of Jane Hewett who migrated with her eight children to Australia from England in 1850. The book not only tells the story of the Hewett families but also gives a wider picture of Australian conditions at the time, making it a valuable social history of Australia in the 19th century and beyond. Graeme Davison, Emeritus Professor of History at Monash University in Melbourne, has also written five other books dealing with aspects of Australian history. This book is of high interest because it is an important social history of Australia detailing the lives of the Hewett families. It is also of significance to those in the Warrnambool region as a member of the Hewett family, John Hewett, settled in Warrnambool with his wife and family and was a local butcher there for some years. This is a soft cover book of 274 pages detailing the family history of the author Graeme Davison. The cover is cream-coloured and has sepia-coloured photographs of the author’s ancestors on the front and back. The printing on the front and back covers is in gold and black. The book contains a Contents page, Introduction, ten chapters on the author’s family history, Acknowledgements, Picture Acknowledgements, Notes and Index. There are many black and white photographs, sketches and maps. Front Cover: ‘Graeme Davison’ ‘Lost Relations’ ‘Fortunes of my family in Australia’s Golden Age’ Inside title page: Signature of author ‘Graeme Davison’ graeme davison, 19th century australian social history, hewett families, warrnambool, history

This is a children’s book and has the signature of Esther Kruger (1924). She may be Esther Auguste Kruger, born at Penshurst in 1912 to Heinrich and Mary Kruger. She is probably related to the Kruger families of Warrnambool. Johann C.A. Kruger, of German origin, arrived in Warrnambool about 1850 and opened shops in the town, firstly with Davidson and then with the Stelling Brothers. He was also the first Manager of the Warrnambool Tramway. This book in itself is of little significance but it is interesting as an example of the type of book read by young girls and boys in the early 20th century. It is, however, of some significance because of its inscription as it belonged to Esther Kruger who was most likely connected with the Kruger families in Warrnambool. The Krugers were prominent in Warrnambool’s history in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This is a hard cover book of 80 pages. It has a dark red cover with an illustration in red, yellow, blue and black tonings of a young boy and girl with a dog. The spine has an illustration in blue, tan and black tonings of two children with a hoop. The book has a colour plate of a family scene and nine story chapters. The chapters open with an ornamental first letter of the first word. The cover is a little worn and stained and some of the pages are stained. ‘Esther Kruger 1924’esther kruger, johann c.a. kruger, history of warrnambool

This is a Reading Book of the Irish National Board of Education adapted for use in schools in Victoria, Australia. Irish School Readers were used in Victoria under the National School System in the 1850s and continued to be used in the 1860s and 70s under the Common School System and the introduction of the State School System after 1872. Readers produced in Victoria for Australian children did not become prominent until the 20th century (School Papers 1898 and Victorian Readers 1928). The signature of Hugh Adams in this book indicates that the book may have come from one of the Adams families farming in the Wangoom area near Warrnambool. There were several boys in these families named Hugh and it is unclear which one owned this book. This book is of interest as an early school reader used in the Warrnambool area and as a book belonging to a member of a local Adams family in the 19th century.This is a hard cover book of 285 pages. It has a brown cover with the title and ornamentation etched into the cover. The book contains prose extracts and poetry with the extracts headed by the derivation and pronunciation of some of the words in the text. There are a few illustrations and sketches. Some of the illustrations have been coloured and scribbled on. The book has been bound with string and glue with the lower portion of the spine cover missing. The book is very tattered. ‘Hugh Adams’ (back pages and on page 279) school readers, education in warrnambool, hugh adams

This Bible was owned by Janet Hose (nee Murfitt) 1856-1947. She was married to George Hose and they lived in Warrnambool for all of their married life. They had eleven children and all the births and some of the deaths of the children are recorded in this little Bible. The book was purchased from James Hider who had been a carpenter, a land agent and a rate collector before he established a bookstore in Timor Street in the 1860s. He was heavily involved in community affairs, being a local Councillor and Mayor in 1868-9. He was also an early commercial photographer in Warrnambool. This small Bible is of great interest because of its connection to the Hose family in Warrnambool. In the book are recorded the births and deaths of members of the Hose family. It was a common custom in the 19th century to include family history details in family Bibles and some larger-style Bibles had pages specifically printed to include family history material. This Bible is also of antiquarian interest, an attractive item with its leather cover and gold clasp.This is a mottled brown leather-covered Bible of 840 pages. The pages are gilt-edged and there is a gold metal clasp to close over the pages. Inside the front and back pages there are signatures and other handwritten material, some written in black ink and some in pencil. There is also a label from the Warrnambool book shop and stationery store of James Hider. The inscription pages and the front cover are stained. The cover is also rubbed. ‘J.Hider Opposite the Post Office Warrnambool’ ‘Janet Hose 19/07, 78,83 (Plus the family history details of the Hose Family, mostly on the back pages) janet and george hose, history of warrnambool

St. Anns College had its beginnings in the arrival in May 1872 of a group of nuns from Ireland. They were the third group of Sisters of Mercy to come to Victoria. The Warrnambool nuns worked hard to establish a school and orphanage for the socially disadvantaged children of the district. They purchased Wyton from Captain Ardlie that year and also Amhurst later on. The Nazareth sisters of Ballarat took over the orphanage in the late 1880's and moved the children to Ballarat but the school continued to develop an expanding curriculum. A chapel was built in 1887 and a school wing in 1906. They survived on tuition fees and the generosity of benefactors though the early and middle part of the 20th century including a large bequest by Mrs Vera Kenna in the 1960's. Boarders were a regular part of convent life until the 1970's which is probably the source of this plate. St Ann's College was combined with St Joseph's CBC college as Emmanuel College and operates today as the largest Catholic college in the district.This has significance as it is associated with one of the longest running schools in the district and hence would have a connection to many Warrnambool people as well as district people who boarded at the college.White bowl, with green and yellow stripe around edge and emblem. Surface is quite scratched on front and bottom of bowl.Inscription on emblem. " St. Anns Warrnambool around edge of logo with Omnia Vincit Labor on banner through the middle with four stars in the background. Printed in green. Inscription on base Grindley Hotel Ware England . Vitrified . Gibson and Paterson Limited New Zealand. CIR stamped into china on base.secondary school, catholic, warrnambool, st ann's college, sisters of mercy, education, emmanuel college

The book, awarded to Ethel Henderson in 1903, from Christ Church, Warrnambool is an example of a Sunday School prize given to children attending Sunday School at the time. Christ Church Anglican Church was one of the early churches in Warrnambool.The Puzzle Picture Book is a rare 'movable' children's book from 1900. It contains 6 chromolithic dissolving scenes (also called slats/transformations). It is unusual due to its educational content. It was published by Ernest Nister in London, E F Dutton & Co in USA and is also thought to have been published in German under the title 'Ueberraschungen Aller Art'. [source: The Little Book Store]Child's picture book with full colour cover depicting a mother dressed in long white spotted dress, white apron, white bonnett and black button-up shoes, sitting on a wooden armchair while dressing a young girl's hair with pink flowers. The girl is dressed in a pink frock with puffed sleeves and frill around the hem, and cream apron. She is looking in a brown wooden-backed hand mirror. A woven straw basket with pink roses sits on the floor. A framed silhouette picture is on the wall. The title is in a display typeface mimicking rose stems; a swag of pink roses decorates the top right hand corner. The publishers' names are printed on the bottom left and right hand corners at the bottom, and the printer in the centre. The inside cover has a book plate. The title page shows two boys arguing over the book. The verses are by Clifton Bingham, the pen and ink illustrations by Hilda K. Robinson. The story has a monochrome page with rhymes opposite a colour page with cut-out boxes showing four small pictures, each with a question. By pulling the tab at the bottom of the page the answer to the questions is revealed. There are six chromolithic 'dissolving scenes'.Book plate: Christ Church. Sunday School, Warrnambool. 1st Prize Girls Class II. Awarded to Ethel Henderson. S M George Vicar. Warrnambool, May 1903children's picture books, ethel henderson, children's picture books, puzzle books, christ church anglican church, sunday school prizes, ernest nister london, warrnambool, ethel henderson, e f dutton & co new york

Warrnambool South Primary School was opened in 1877. The first teacher was Mrs Eliza Clarke. Many of the trades of the early parents were occupations such as tanners, saddlers, wharf labourers and fishermen. The school celebrated its centenary in 1977 and was decommissioned around the 1990’s. There are four McDonald children identified towards the RHS of the picture. The South Warrnambool school was part of a close knit community. This photo shows a very good cross section of many of the South Warrnambool families at that time. Little Alma Mc Donald 3rd from right in front row was born in 1910. Black and white photograph showing approximately 80 children and three teachers, standing in rows outside stone building. Cinnamon coloured mount. State School No 1902.warrnambool, south warrnambool primary school, mcdonald, ferrier, tinker, pickett, holmes, eliza clarke, dridan

Warrnambool State School, No, 1743 was opened in 1876. The site in Jamieson St was easy to access from the surrounding areas of Belfast, Woodford, and Allansford roads. It was the main school in Warrnambool, before the development of Primary schools at East and West Warrnambool. A large part of Warrnambool’s children have attended this school over the 140 years it has been in existence.A common item with which a large number of Warrnambool residents would identify. Brown woven woollen tie with diagonal yellow stripes. White tag with black and red writing sewn into back seam.Tee- Dee, pure wool, school and college wear. warrnambool, warrnambool jamieson street primary school, no 1743, school tie, warrnambool primary school

Green paperback with white band with black text fictionNovel written by El Ja Dy (nom de plume for Lillian Jane Duncan) warrnambool, l duncan author, lillian duncan, royal chambers warrnambool, el jady

This is a paper back book with a plasticized cove which has an image of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village (reproduction of Daniel Clarke’s Studio) in the background in muted colours, photographs and paintings of Thomas and Susan Lawson in colour on the front cover and a photograph of and information on the author on the back. It has 37 pages, a Lawson family tree at the back and an introduction by Helen Jones. The book included printed material, black and white photographs and illustrative material.non-fictionFamily history of Thomas Lawson (1831-1907) and his descendants lawson family, warrnambool, cobden, camperdown

This catalogue is for the 39th Annual Orbost Show held in 1931. Admission was 2/- for adults and 6d for children under 14. The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella.(Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall)This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history. A thin side stapled paper catalogue for the 39th Orbost Annual Show. It has a red cover and black print"Catalogue of 39th Annual Show Saturday 14th March 1931". It contains details of entry requirements. There are also advertisements for local businesses. 755.1 is a complete stapled photcopy.orbost-agricultural-society orbost-events

Letter indicating the gift of land to establish a Municipal children's playing ground on the death of the owner E.F. Tregaskis sent to the Town Clerk. The land was later sold by the council.Two 2-page letters to the Ringwood Town Clerk from the Trustees Executors and Agency Company Ltd. +Additional Keywords: Tregaskis, E.F.

+Additional Keywords: Reading from Left to Right: Back row boys: 1. Alan Carter, 2. ??, 3. Maurice Henry, 4. Peter Van Ketwich, 5. Douglas Hume, 6. ??, 7. John Callam, 8. ??, 9. ??, 10. ??, 11. Peter Gluth, 12. ??, 13. Geoff Edwards, 14. Len Armfield, 15. Ray Davidson".(incorrect list)Written on backing sheet, "Ringwood High School. 1956?" No children are identified.Paper list with photographs reads, "High School - Bedford Rd. Ringwood. Photo Pupils Form 1C. Reading from Left to Right. Back row boys: 1. ?, 2. Keith Anderson, 3. Peter Zaff, 4. Jim Ord, 5. ?, 6. ?, 7. ?, 8. Bernard Whitney, 9. ?, 10. ?, 11. ? 12, ?. Boys sitting front: Robert Crutchfield, 2. ?, 3. ?, 4. ?, 5. John Smart, 6. Ronald Crutchfield. Girls standing: 1. ?, 2. Norma Walsh, 3. ?, 4. ?, 5. ?, 6. ?, 7. Sandra Davenport, 8. Margaret Williams, 9. Margaret Norwood, 10. ?. Girls sitting: 1. Kathleen Lower, 2. Valma McLean, 3. Sandra Tindall, 4. Gilliam Morris, 5. Esma Bradley, 6. Jill Pump, 7. Judy Byrne, 8. Shirley Kofeod, 9. Marlene Mangels, 10. ?, 11. Myrna Cooper, 12. Elizabeth Hinchcliffe.

The board was made from a piece of quarry slate set in a wooden frame. In early times a slate pencil (not chalk) was used to form the letters. This slate pencil was often sharpened on the school wall. The advantage of slates over paper was that they could be wiped clean and used again and again. Children had to bring a dampened cloth or sponge to school so that they could clean the slate and start again but often they would use their own spit and the cuff of their sleeve! Two rectangular slate writing boards used in schools. .1 is plain black and is unframed. .2 is wooden-framed.education slate school-equipment

Also contains two cards: (1) with dried flowers from Jerusalem, and (2) from Bethlehem Before it came to Morongo it was jused in Bethlehem, Nazareth and Titerus (Sea of Galilee).The Holy Bible contains the Old and New Testaments and is the authorised King James Version. It contains numerous maps showing 'The Ancient World, Canan, Journeys of Children of Israel, Ancienct Jerusalem, Herod's Temple, etc.' The front and back covers faced in wood from the olive tree.Presented to "Morongo" by Margaret L. Toyne, 16/11/63 in appreciation for my School Years. Bought for the School, used in Bathlehem, Nazareth, Titerus (Sea of Galilee).'book, education, school, morongo, geelong, girls, boarding, presbyterian, uniting, history, assembly, private-girls-school, lucy-shaw, gertrude-pratt, dulcie-brookshaw, 1920-1994, kindergarten-year-12, holy-bible

3134.2 has been taken inside the Mechanics Institute hall. 3134.3 was taken in Munro Street. Cr J. Perry was the president of the organising committee for the Back To Orbost celebrations in March 1937. M.W. Cowell was the Secretary.These photographs are pictorial records of a significant community event in Orbost's history.Three black / white photographs and an envelope. 3134.1 is of a group standing in front of a banner - WELCOME HOME - and a welcome arch - 3-3-1937. A group of men, women and children are standing or sitting in front of the arch. 3134.2 is of a large group of men and women seated and standing dressed in formal outfits in front a stage inside a hall. 3134.3 is of two men in a jinker pulled by one horse. The person holding the reins appears to be wearing a false beard and wig. 3143.4 is an unused white envelope. On the left-hand side in brown print circle is a boomerang with "Back To Orbost 1937", two corn cobs and pumpkins. Underneath is "27/2/37 to 6/3/37" with the names of the committee.3134.1 - on front - handwritten with an arrow pointing to "Grndma Cameron" bottom front - "Some Former Residents at the Welcome Arch Orbost 3.3.37" 3134.2 - on front - " a memento of the Ball at Orbost. Back to Celebrations 4.3.37"back-to-orbost-1937 celebrations community-events

In the photograph are the Rice family, Billy Nixon' family and Charlie Johnston. William Nixon, son of James Nixon and Alice (Roberts) Nixon was married to Ilma Muriel (Cadwallader) Nixon on 2 Apr 1902 in Orbost. They had six children - Llewella Adele (Nixon) King, Sydney William Columbo Nixon, Arthur Harry Nixon, Jack Warton Nixon, Claudine Frances (Nixon) Taylor and Daphne Joyce (Nixon) Menz Damage estimated at £500,000 was caused by the 1934 floods in the Orbost district. This 1934 flood was devastating, destroying a section of the 1922 Orbost bridge, wrecking fences, bridges and roads, dumping silt and debris on the rich river flats and drowning cattle. Note: although this card has the date 1934 written onto the rear, the flood incident depicted most likely dates from 1920 (ref. Weekly Times, Saturday 6 March 1920 p 41 when this photo was printed).This item is a pictorial record of a flood in 1920 (ref. Weekly Times, Saturday 6 March 1920 p41). Snowy River flood are a feature of the Orbost area. These floods cover the rich agricultural land. A black / white photograph / postcard of a group of people standing in floodwaters outside a timber building. Included are young children and babies being held by women. Two boys are holding dogs in front of them.on back - "Billy Nixon's house (now Downys 1991)"orbost - floods - nixon - 1920

These items are from the estate of Norma Adelaide Scott (nee Johnston) ,January 2, 1925 - May 18, 2018 (93 years old) who died in Orbost. Norma was part of the Morris family who came to Newmerella in 1888, had land on Grandview Road and on the flats. Mr Morris had been a school teacher at Lake Tyers Mission before coming to Orbost. "Bobs y’r Uncle" was a nursery rhyme game designed by Frank H. Simpson for John Waddington Ltd. in 1935. The game was especially designed for children. The cards had scenes from nursery rhymes and six cards were needed to make up each rhyme in a set. Games turned out to become an important part in the progress of Waddingtons, who eventually acquired the rights to Monopoly in the UK, and then published Cluedo, opening the way for their supremacy in the toy industry These items are examples of common household items used in an Orbost family in the first - mid 20th century.3228.1 is a wooden tray with handles. The tray is lacquered and hand - painted with green leaves and orange flowers. 3228.2 is a brush with a curved wooden handle, lacquered and decorated in a similar pattern of green leaves and flowers. 3228.3 is a small wooden tray, lacquered and hand -painted with green leaves and yellow flowers. It is a rectangular shape with raised edging attached on the four sides. 3229.4 is a pack of cards in a red box with a cartoon type drawing of a man wearing a checked coat and hat holding two dogs on leashes.3228.5 is an orange / white cardboard box containing a pair of nylon stockings: box labelled " 'KOLOTEX/ Free-n-eezy" stockings.3228,5 - in orange and white print - "KOLOTEX/ Free-n-eezy/ Clings/ 40 denier/ SEAMLESS/ S-T-R-E-T-C-H" and in black - "NEW guaranteed never to ladder"scott-norma cards-playing hosiery-kolotex-stockings trays-wooden household

Nurse Marianne Maggs undertook medical care and midwifery from 1900 - 1926 and delivered more than 500 babies. She was presented with a "wireless" in 1926 in appreciation for her services to the community. She sold her Ringwood house and moved to Mitcham. 10 medical books from 1909 to 1935 1 . Homeopathic Vade Mecum Medical and Surgical by E.H.Ruddock M.D. Xmas gift from G Smith to Nurse Maggs 1909 2. The Doctor at Home Ed. by George Black Presented from friend to Mrs. A Maggs 12-12-1909 3. Illustrated Family Doctor 1935 4.The Practical Guide to Health Frederick Rossiter 5. Johnson and Johnson's First Aid Manual 1909, including booklet - Accidents in the Home 6. Diseases of Infants and Children and their Homeopathic Treatment Dr. Ruddock 1910, including lock of (child's?) hair. 7. Home Nursing St. John's Ambulance 1939 8. First Aid to the Injured 1921 (2 copies) 9. Modern First Aid A.S. PLayfair 1973

This book belonged to Roma Cameron. In the 1920's most of children's school work was done in copy books. Drawing as a subject generally began in Year 2. Each day's work was carefully dated and checked by the teacher, always ready for an inspector's visit. Roma Cameron was the daughter of Harry Purchase Cameron and Lilian Gladys (nee Harding). Roma married Ronald Richard Smith in 1944 and is the mother of Lorraine (Mrs Peter Coulton) and Margaret Smith. Harry's father, James Cameron, came to Bellagoogan on Majors Creek in 1882. Bellagoogan was on Majors Creek near Orbost and was the site of the first race course. Like many others at the time, the Camerons bred race horses.Harry died in 1964 aged 75. Roma was the youngest of three siblings: Jean (Mrs John Gavin (Jack) Ralston) and James (Jim) (m. Joan Hosack). This book is an example of school work in the early 20th century. The Cameron family are prominent members of the Orbost community. A small book with a grey cover. Inside are simple shapes to be copied.inside cover: Roma Cameron 1928education book-drawing cameron

Black and white photograph (3 copies- 1 original and 2 copies)Typed below Photograph: "Mechanics Institute - Melbourne St. South. (Now demolished) Image shows a wooden building with sign above veranda reading "Mechanics Institute". Groups of men and children standing outside with car parked on roadway in front of building. Official opening by Premier of Victoria, Mr. John Murray.

The first edition of this magazine was produced by associated elementary schools in the Omeo Shire. The magazine was published from 1920 to 1927 and 1963 to 1969. There was a special issue in 1985. In all issues there is writing by children from schools that have since closed down. This is the sxith annual edition of the magazine. This item reflects the changes in education in East Gippsland and is a useful comparison tool for literacy teaching. It also has historical articles for research.A blue paper covered 68 pp magazine with black print.On the front cover is a sketch of a mountain scene with a school on a hill. It contains articles on local history, b/w photographs, advertisements and examples of children's work. On the cover is the price 2/-.education magazine-the-gap omeo

The first edition of this magazine was produced by associated elementary schools in the Omeo Shire. The magazine was published from 1920 to 1927 and 1963 to 1969. There was a special issue in 1985. In all issues there is writing by children from schools that have since closed down. This is the seventh annual edition of the magazine. This item reflects the changes in education in East Gippsland and is a useful comparison tool for literacy teaching. It also has historical articles for research.A 68 pp magazine with a pale yellow and olive green coloured cover. In purple print is a schoolhouse on top of a hill overlooking a gap in the hills. It contains articles on local history, b/w photographs and examples of children's work. On the front cover is the price 2/-.paper card ink

This toy belonged to Graeme McLeod and was used during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was then used by his children during the 1970s and 1980s.Red tin typewriter with a blue roller carriage, metal bar to hold the paper and a knob at the end of the roller to turn the paper. A red and black inked ribbon is stretched across in front so that when the chosen letter is selected and the press bar activated, the letter types onto the paper. A yellow disk on top has the alphabet and numbers 2-9 around the outside.METTYPE Junior/Place letter under pointer and press for spaces and to return carriage use arrow. [on top disk]allansford, mcleod, typewriters, toys, mettype, mettoy

This is the only known photo of a stage coach in the Learmonth and District Historical Societies collection. This is a copy of an original photo given to the society by Anne Beggs-Sunter. It also shows 33 adults and children whom are all dressed in their Sunday best clothes. It could have been a Christmas picnic.A rare photo of a stage coach held within the Learmonth and District Historical Society's collection.33 adults and children on, and around a stage coach at possibly Ercildoune, circa 1900. The photo is 21 & 1/2 cms wide x 12 & 1/2 high. It is a sepia photo.Richards & Co. Sturt Street. Ballarat.

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, 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 WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to a lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up a home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the 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 areas 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 from 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 NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY 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 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. 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. Cyclopædia of English Literature Vol 2 Edited by R Chambers Publisher: William and Robert Chambers Further Information: A history, critical and biographical, of British authors from the earliest to the present timesThe label on the spine cover with typed text H 820 CHA Front loose end paper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. flagstaff hil, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, cyclopædia of english literature vol 2

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, 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 WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to a lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up a home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the 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 areas 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 from 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 NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY 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 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. 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. Chambers Encyclopædia Vol 2 Publisher: William and Robert Chambers Date: 1904 Further Information: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge - Illustrated Edition Beaufort to CataractThe label on the spine cover with typed text H 030 CHA Front loose end paper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service.flagstaff hil, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, chambers encyclopædia vol 2, william and robert chambers