WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE 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 November 1884 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 fundraising 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 courthouse 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 historical 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 Historical 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 artworks 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. 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. The Australian Race Vol 4 Author: Edward M Curr Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1887 Further Information: Map in pocket at the back of vol Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library. Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum. Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum.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, the australian race vol 4

Photocopy of six handwritten pages of totals of Cattle, Horse, B'by calves and pigs sold from July 87 to June 88. The front page has instructions for a typed copy for the number of cattle yarded from 1/1/89 to 28/2/89 and for the same period last year and the year before. Also the number of cattle that had been weighed. Also the same for the sheep.bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - livestock totals, the municipal saleyards association

Yellow circular, dated 16/10/1980 in reference to Work Value Increases for Tradesmen. Reasons are given regarding the non-payment of the Increase. Although Tradesment are not entitled to the Municipal Employees' Work Value Increase they have, in most cases, received a Work Value Increase which are detailed in the circular. Circular from Paul Slape, Acting Secretary.bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - circular re work value increases for tradesmen, federated municipal and shire employees' union of australia - victoria division, paul slape

Copy of a letter to The Municipal Clerk from J D Fagan, Secretary with an amendment to the Pounds Act 1978. It includes increases in trespass rates (clause 5) and a new responsibility (clause 4) where an owner seizes cattle trespassing on his land requiring him to notify the owner if he can ascertain the owner's identity.bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - amendment to pounds act 1978, municipal association of victoria, pounds (amendment) act 1978, j d fagan

Letter typed on green paper to The Shop Steward and Members, dated 21/7/80 mentioning the take-over of the Union office by an estimated 600 members. A 24 hour state-wide stoppage was called for on the 31/7/1980. A petition was sent for members and if they agreed with it to sign and return it. Dick Coles, General Secretary; Paul Slape, Assistant Secretary and Ian Jones, Organiser.bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - letter to the shop steward and members, municipal employees union, dick coles, paul slape, ian jones

Pink copy of a letter to Mr R Duimovich from T H Williams, dated 20/6/1979. It was ruled that a dispute existed within the Industry and ordered the parties concerned into a Conference to attempt to conciliate, as much as possible, all aspects of the Log of Claims presented in the Courts.bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - letter to mr r duimovich, commissioner connell, arbitration court, the municipal association of victoria, t h williams

11 page document: on front 'Order constituting the Greater Bendigo City Council and abolishing the municipal districts of the City of Bendigo, the rural city of Marong, the Borough of Eaglehawk, the Shire of Hunty and the Shire of Strathfieldsaye.' Order made by the Governor in Council on 22 March, 1994 and published in the Government Gazette on 7 April 1994.bendigo, council, city of greater bendigo

Australia Day documents, 1983; 1984. a. Two pages from Bendigo Advertiser Wed 26th January 1983; b. page showing program for 'Australia Day Ceremony' 1984 (location of ceremony not specified; Council sponsored event? Bendigo Municipal Band/CEO Mr R Burton/Mayor - Cr. P D Mansell. Includes Naturalization Ceremony.Advertiserevent, official, celebration, australia day, bendigo municipal band.

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Seventeen pages of typed notes headed Library Association Conference Melbourne July 1951 - Country Library Problems. Subheadings : Finance, Book stocks, the Librarians, Buildings, Branch Libraries and Bookmobiles, and Regional services and inter-municipal co-operation. Signed Norman J. Oliver.bendigo, council, speech notes, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. mayor of bendigo. library association of victoria. libraries.

Black and white image: brick building, two storey.City of Bendigo Council offices. Fountain in front of image.bendigo, buildings, city council offices, bendigo city council, lyttleton terrace, municipal offices

Red photograph album with gold trims. Gold lettering on front - 'presented to G Minto Esq. C.E. (certified engineer), by the Officers of the Bendigo City Council as a token of their sincere regard for one who has proved himself a valuable Municipal Officer; more particularly in respect to the position of City Surveyor which he has honourably and worthily filled for thirteen years, and in acknowledgement of the courteous and gentlemanly assistance he has universally extended to the Officers and with their best wishes for the future health and happiness of himself and Mrs Minto'. In blue ink below 'Town Hall Bendigo, June 20th, 1899', '?Honeybone, Town Clerk', 'C.G. Darvall. List of men photographed (from front of album: G Minto Esq, W Honeybone, O Hopper, J R Richardson, A M Lloyd, B Hyett, F Richards, Dr J Mc I Eadie, T H Teage, G S Read, J J Smith, S G Gadd, J A Roper, W Griffiths, J Reed, Sergt. Kilfedder, G Baxter, T R J Brown, B W Button, S Montgomery, A Moog, A J Tregear, W Speechley. On last page is a photo of the Bendigo Conservatory.person, individual, g minto

Photograph - postcard - sepia. A photo of a 2 storey house. Written on back 'Caradon' Borough of Eaglehawk's Municipal Offices. Built for a Doctor in the late 1890's. Later purchased by Mining Magnate John Hooper and still occupied by his descendents when bought by the Council in 1981. From Barry.buildings, government, eaglehawk municipal offices., 'caradon' borough of eaglehawk's municipal offices.

Newpaper article, undated but probably 1951, describing the 'enactment of the centenary feature the 'Beating of the Bounds'. Article describes the enactment by the Bendigo Pony Club members ' on horseback, followed by citizens in motor cars and pushbikes.' Following tradition, a 'small boy being bounced on the turned sod of turf at the municipal boundaires provided an amusing sight'bendigo, council, beating the bounds ceremony

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. These speech notes comprise 14 pages of typed notes with a date 4 Jan 1951 written in pencil in the margin of the front page. Events mentioned include: Bendigo's Centenary, the knighthood of Sir George Lansell on New Year's Day, the Ambulance, Municipal Baths, Sewerage Authority estimates, Victorian publicity, in subtitled paragraphs.bendigo, council, speech notes, councillor norman oliver, sometime mayor of bendigo. radio station 3bo 'the mayor speaks'. sir george lansell. bendigo centenary 1951.

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Fifteen typed pages. The date, 16th Nov 1950, written in pencil in the left hand margin. In the same format as other notes for his talks on 3BO 'The Mayor Speaks'. Topics include: Remembrance Day ceremonies, Libraries, the Aerodrome, the Psychiatric Clinic, and municipal finances.bendigo, council, speech notes, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. 3bo 'the mayor speaks'.

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Twenty-one pages of typed notes. On left-hand margin of front page is written in green ink - To be broadcast as Mayors Report on evening of May 2 1951. Corrections in body of speech written in a dark blue ink. Topics included: Rotary, Anzac Day, the Northern District Municipal Conference, the Featherstone Memorial lecture, garbage tips, garbage collector, the Health Report, the Centenary Road Race, building regulations, the Migrants Exhibition, the Recruiting Convoy, the outlet from the city along Hargreaves St.bendigo, council, speech notes, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. mayor of bendigo. 3bo 'the mayor speaks'. bendigo centenary 1951.

Front cover is a photo of Alexandra Fountain. 52 paged booklet - ''Report to Residents - City of Greater Bendigo, 1995. Table of Contents; The Mayor; Chief Executive Officer; Council meetings; Office location and hours; ''One Telephone Number''; Locations of functions and business; Units; Organisation Structure; Advisory Committee; Municipal Boundaries; Customer services; Economic development; Bendigo Tourism; Bendigo Trust; Events Bendigo; Capital works 1996/97; Bendigo Regional Arts Centre; Local laws; Aged and disability services; Children and family services; Environmental health; Recreation and leisure; Parks and gardens; Planning and building; Waste management in Bendigo; Library services; Rates; Budget for 1996/97; The budget at a glance; Index.bendigo, council, report

Wooden and brass municipal stamp. Two section of the wooden handle are turned. There is a shank on the brass section into which the wooden handle inserts. . .Inscription around outer edge. "East Collingwood / Municipality". In centre of stamp is a royal crest.

Women's Participation in Local Government Coalition Strengthening Communities Through Women’s Participation 2008 Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter Awards Whittlesea City Council For outstanding contribution in supporting and championing women’s participation in local government CR. Beth Ripper Chair Women’s Participation in Local Government Coalition Local Government Professionals Municipal Association of Victoria Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition Victorian Local Governance Association Victorian Women’s Trust WEL Victoria Women’s Planning Network YWCA Victoria hansen VLGA Municipal Association Of Victoria Victorian Women’s’ Trust making a differenceWomen's Participation in Local Government Coalition Strengthening Communities Through Women’s Participation 2008 Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter Awards Whittlesea City Council For outstanding contribution in supporting and championing women’s participation in local government CR. Beth Ripper Chair Women’s Participation in Local Government Coalition Local Government Professionals Municipal Association of Victoria Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition Victorian Local Governance Association Victorian Women’s Trust WEL Victoria Women’s Planning Network YWCA Victoria hansen VLGA Municipal Association Of Victoria Victorian Women’s’ Trust making a differenceawards

Prior to its demolition in 1979, the St Kilda Municipal Depot occupied a 1.2 hectare site at 33 Inkerman Street St Kilda. The land was initially purchased by the Council in 1867 as a site for a permanent market, which ceased to operate in about 1882. In October 1923, the Council discontinued the practice of disposing garbage by burial in tips when it opened a garbage incinerator at the Depot. After thirty years this incinerator had become both obsolete and objectionable to health and was replaced in March 1953 by American-designed Monohearth Garbage Destructor Units. According to the Council, these Destructor Units were the only ones of their kind in Australia and they removed all the objectionable features of garbage disposal (particularly for the employees). They were expected to serve St. Kilda's requirements for the next 80-100 years. In 1957 the Council said that the Destructor Units had 'enabled substantial economies to be effected in the annual costs and have proved a very successful venture. The Council now destroys the garbage from the City of Brighton, which pays for the privilege, and it is anticipated that other Municipalities will also take advantage of ihe benefits of this modern and, in Australia.' See 'City of St Kilda 1857-1957 A Brief Outline of Progress and Development' [82] In 1994, as a result of the local government amalgamation process combining the former Cities of Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and St.Kilda, the new City of Port Phillip owned three municipal depots. The St. Kilda municipal depot site became surplus to requirements and, in 1996, the City of Port Phillip resolved to use the site for a community housing project under the City of Port Phillip Housing Program. Colour photographCouncil Yards before demolition 1979st kilda, st kilda municipal depot, inkerman street, council depot, destructor