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

The new Ringwood North State Bank premises on the south-east corner of Dickson's Cresent. Showing customer service area. Opened 23 August 1982At the corner of Dickson's Cresent and Warrandyte Road, Ringwood North. Photographer - Les Gorrie Photography, 28 Waldemar Road, Heidelberg. Negative #82334

Shield shaped plaque made from a red varnished wood. Located centrally is a large gold coloured Royal New South Wales Regiment badge. rnswr, infantry, hat badge, plaque

South Australian births, deaths and marriages (B.D.M.) Each disc contains records for South Australia: Disc 1 South Australia births 1907-1928; Disc 2 South Australia marriages 1917-1937; Disc 3 South Australia deaths 1842-1915; Disc 4 South Australia pre-reg deaths ; Disc 5 South Australia: pre-reg marriages; Disc 6: South Australia marriages 1842-1914; Disc 7 South Australia marriages 1842-1916; Disc 8 South Australia births 1907-1928.A database of vital records (births, deaths, marriages) from South Australia.8 x compact discs in plastic casesContents listed on each CDgenealogy resources, family history, registers of births deaths marriages, south australia

Pamphlet, letter or notice - photocopy onto an A4 sheet, both sides, titled "An Open Letter to Victor, our DM". Victor appears to be the depot manager at South Melbourne Depot c1992-1996, mentions Alan Brown as the Minister of Transport. Complains about his actions, relations with workers etc. Authors unknown. See Reg Item 602 for an actual ticket and date.trams, tramways, conductors, the met, unions, south melbourne depot, management

"As with most items in the AP-SMRC collection, the ‘chain of ownership’ is not formally recorded for this item. The image is not unique, but is one of a set that was produced for each of the men represented in the photographs, with perhaps additional copies for the SMRC. Lance Gallagher, speaking with Ms (Grace) Blake and the consultant (Mrs Margaret Birtley) on 8 June 2014, recalled the photograph well and confirmed on 17 July 2014 that he has a personal copy." 2014 Significance Assessment, p28."This item comprises two photographs mounted together with a caption that identifies the men depicted as being a South Melbourne Rowing Club (SMRC) crew and coach. Representing Victoria, this crew won the first Championship for Lightweight Fours at an Interstate Regatta. The race was contested on the Nepean River, NSW, on 3 May 1958. The photograph of the crew was taken on the Yarra River, Victoria, prior to the Regatta and was used for publicity in the Regatta program.16 The victory was significant to SMRC because the oarsmen and coaches (although not the coxswain) were members of that club. The item is a memento of the club’s success, through its crew, at an elite and national level. The Lightweight Four Championship event’s first hosting at Penrith on the Nepean River resulted in a perpetual trophy being donated by that local municipal council. The race for the Lightweight Championship Four continues to this day as a featured event at the annual Interstate Regatta. The Penrith Cup lends its name to this prestigious event. It is unusual for Interstate race crews to be drawn entirely from a single club; more typically, the state representative crews are selected as composites. The selection of an all-SMRC crew for this inaugural race between representative Lightweight Four crews testifies to the exceptional standards at SMRC during this period. The item is of historic significance because it provides pictorial evidence of the crew and the club’s success in a national competition and in a category of event that was being contested at the Interstate Regatta for the very first time. It also carries social significance through the captioning that credits the victory as being the club’s rather than the state’s, and thus reflects the pride of the SMRC in the achievements of its oarsmen and coaches." 2014 Statement of Significance, p30Unframed photograph of the crew which won the inaugural interstate men’s lightweight coxed four in Penrith, 1958. Lightweight Championship of Australia / Won by / South Melbourne Rowing Club / May 6th, 1958 Coach W. Graham / Lance Gallagher Stroke / George Taylor No. 3 / Harry Stevens No. 2 / Bob Tanner Bow / Eddie Jones Cox / South Melbourne state crew ??? This event became the Penrith Cup.rowing, albert park lake, apsm rowing club, penrith cup, lightweight, four, championship, south melbourne rowing club, gallagher, lance, taylor, george, stevens, harry, tanner, bob, jones, eddie, webster, jack, graham, wal

Department of Fisheries of New South Wales on the Need for More Uniformity in the Vernacular Names of Australrian Edible Fishes One of 9 booklets in a homemade brown cardboard folder that has a cotton tape ties and a typed sticker with RAS 597.09944 STE Author: David G Stead, Naturalist to the Board of fisheries of New South Wales Publisher: Government Printer Sydney Date: May 1911Front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Instituteshipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, department of fisheries of new south wales on the need for more uniformity in the vernacular names of australrian edible fishes, edible fishes, david g stead

Cream colour China cup with a drawing of a W class tram fitted with doors and the words "South Melbourne Tram Depot - Serving the Community - 1925 - 1995 - 70 years" Has the manufacturers detail on the base of the cup - "Dynamo House" - "The Original Australian Billymug - All Australian Made", along with the Melbourne phone number. Made to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of South Melbourne Depot, 1995.trams, tramways, crockery, south melbourne depot, anniversary

Framed programme of the South Australain Concert Party for Vietnam. Party was sponsored by the Australian Forces Overseas Fund and performed in Adelaide to raise funds to send artists to the VietnamDonated by R Lloydsouth australian concert party, australian forces overseas fund, framed poster

Murray Comrie Collection. This is a reasonable copy of an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1970s. Monochrome photograph. View of Commercial Road Tarnagulla looking south from around King Street. At right is Victoria Hotel next to a weatherboard building at far right.Printed caption on original is 'Tarnagulla'.tarnagulla, commerce, stores, shopping, shops, hotels, victoria hotel and theatre, buildings, commercial road, main street

Digital image of X2 676 in Albert Road, South Melbourne. Tram showing Football, most likely on a tram tour. Photo by Dick Jones - reference - 676_AlbertRd_DickJones_7004M3.13.148trams, tramways, x2 class, albert road, football, tram 676

Written on back of photograph, "18/4/81. Glenvale Road looking south across Lonely Valley. Sewer pumping station on left."

Written on back of photograph, "Bedford Rd. looking at south side towards east from outside shops cnr. Illoura Ave. (As in brochure)"

View from Loughnan's Hill looking south east - 1946. Written on back of photograph, "Smoke on left from Bamford's Timber Yard".

Pamphlet, letter or notice - photocopy onto an A4 sheet, both sides, titled "Cross City Linking - A plan for the future or another PTC Fiasco????", looking at the proposed project , relationships with the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA), route changes, union actions, impacts of proposals and asking members to be involved in the proposal at South Melbourne Depot - c1992 See Reg Item 1535 for a report on this project.trams, tramways, the met, unions, south melbourne depot, management, ptc, routes, w class, operations, buses, ptua

Silver plated basket with hinged metal handle, presented to Mr R W Pettitt in South Africa May 1972 for having judged the South African National Corriedale Championships.Presented to Mr R W Pettitt in South Africa May 1972 for having judged the South African National Corriedale Championships.R W Pettitt Esq/ IN APPRECIATION/ FOR HAVING JUDGED/ THE SOUTH AFRICAN/ NATIONAL CORRIEDALE CHAMPIONSHIPS/ PIETERMARITZBURG/ MAY 1972 LOUIS PLAT./ EPNScorriedale sheep sheep breeding agricultural shows, australian corriedale association, pettitt, mr r. w., corriedale sheep, sheep breeding, agricultural shows

"The Historical Records of New South Wales Cook 1762-1781 Facsimiles of Charts to accompany Vol1, Part 1 (7263.01)" Publisher: Government Printer Sydney Date: 1893994 written on spine Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute, the historical records of new south wales

RSL interstate football match at South Melbourne Cricket Ground between Victoria and South Australia, at 2.30 pm on Saturday 31st July 1948.Photograph of 1948 RSL Victorian football team at South Melbourne Cricket Ground. Players names listed, and scores and scorers detailed in pencil in programme.rsl; football

Written on back of photograph, "19/6/81. The junction of Warrandyte Road, Old Warrandyte Road and Tortice Drive, North Ringwood looking south."

Written on back of photograph, "31/4/82. Looking south down Kubis Drive from near Oban Road. Hubbard Reserve in background."

Written on back of photograph, "8/1/82. Looking south from Bond St. across new market. Clock tower right centre."

Written on back of photograph, "Late '80. Freeway site. Virgin bush. Ringwood Street looking west along south side Mullum Creek."

Typed below photograph, "Heatherdale Road rail crossing looking south c1924. Sign advertises 304 blocks for sale at 100 [pound] each".

New South Wales births, deaths and marriages (B.D.M.) Each disc contains records for New South Wales: Disc 1 New South Wales B.D.M. 1788-1888; Disc 2 New South Wales B.D.M. 1919-1945 and B.W. Index 1919-1945; Disc 3 New South Wales B.D.M. 1889-1918 1842-1915.A database of vital records (births, deaths, marriages) from New South Wales.3 x compact discs in plastic casesContents listed on each CDgenealogy resources, family history, registers of births deaths marriages, new south wales

Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library "Historical Records of New South Wales Vol 5 King 1803,1804, 1805" Author: King Edited by F M Bladen Publisher: Government Printer Sydney Date: 1897warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, historical records of new south wales vol 5, mechanics’ institute library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute

"Historical Records of New South Wales Vol 6 King and Bligh 1806, 1807, 1808" Edited: F M Bladen Published: Government Printer Sydney Date: 1898 Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, mechanics’ institute library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, historical records of new south wales vol 6

"Historical Records of New South Wales Vol 7 Bligh and MacQuarie 1809, 1810, 1811" Edited: F M Bladen Publisher: Government Printer Sydney Daste: 1901 Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, historical records of new south wales vol 7