Showing 23188 items
matching william-l-sloss-1934
-
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Spoon, circa 1878
This dessert spoon is from the wreck of the Loch Ard, which sailed from Gravesend, London 1878. The manifest listed an array of manufactured goods being exported to the Colony of Victoria. Included in the cargo manifest was a large number of hardware & cutlery items. The spoon is representative of similar items of silver electro-plated cutlery salvaged from the Loch Ard wreck site, comprising nickel silver electroplated spoons and forks of various sizes but all sharing the same general shape and design. Some of the pieces display their makers’ mark of William Page & Co Birmingham UK. Within the Flagstaff Hills cutlery collection donated from the Loch Ard, maker’s marks are often obscured by sedimentary accretion or verdigris after a century of submersion in the ocean. However sufficient detail has survived to indicate that the collection of samples of electroplated cutlery probably originated from the same cargo consignment from the Loch Ard and were made by William Page & Co. Of Birmingham England. William Page was born in 1811 and died in 1885. He was active as a manufacturer of cutlery from 1829 with premises at 74 Belmont Rd, Dales End as a "close plater" (someone who works sheet metal), and he began electroplating in 1855. William Page & Co was also active from 1880 at Cranemore St, Cattle’s Grove also 55 Albion St, Birmingham, and in 1936 the firm became an Ltd company. The firm used the trademarks "Asrista, Bolivian Silver, Silverite, Roman Silver, Romanian Silver, and Trevor Plate. In 1938 William Page was a supplier to the British Government, marking its products with the broad arrow symbol and was also present at Sheffield. (See additional notes note section this document for more information on Electro Plating and its makers marks.) History of the Loch Ard: The Loch Ard got its name from "Loch Ard" a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle, and Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen, and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead, and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy that had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce, and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artifacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artifact s from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artifact s from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collection's object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collection's historical significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.Unrestored table spoon design has a flattened fiddle-back handle, with a thin stem or shank, flared collar, and a shallow rounded bowl. The spoons metallic composition is a thin layer of brass alloy which has partially corroded back to a nickel-silver base metal. William Page marksflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, electroplated cutlery, loch ard shipwreck, william page and co, birmingham brass plating, spoon, tablespoon -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph, William Botten, c1916
Bill Botten was born in Carisbrook . He enlisted for service during World War One on 22 August 2016. He died in 1945. BOTTEN.— On October 21, at his residence, Simpson street, Carisbrook, William Alfred, dearly loved husband of Fanny, and loved father of Bernie, Peggy (Mrs. J. Meagher), Mollie (Mrs. N. Trembath), Jack, Flora (Mrs. W. Baker), Bill, and Bob, aged 69 years. (The Argus, 22 Oct 1945) Photograph of an Australian World War One Soldier, William Alfred (Bill) Botten. During World War One his wife was Ann Botten of Green Street, Carisbrook. He rerurned to Australia on 31 October 1917 after an appendectomy. em22, carisbrook, william botten -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, Legatee William Donovan Joynt, V.C. book launch, 1979
Photograph taken to record the launching of Donovan Joynt VC's autobiography, Breaking the Road for the Rest (see Cat. No. 01353). The Legacy torch on the wall behind indicates that the launch took place at Legacy House in Swanston Street, and is confirmed in the text of the newspaper cutting. The cutting also records the fact that Joynt was then the oldest surviving member of Melbourne Legacy. A further newspaper cutting by Geoffrey Hutton reviews the book in detail.A record that the Governor of Victoria launched the book is an indication of the high profile of both Joynt and Melbourne Legacy.Black and white photo of L/- Donovan Joynt and Governor WinnekeOn back of photo: 'MELBOURNE LEGACY' stamped in purple. '19.3.79' written in blue biro 'The Governor Henry Winneke launching Donovan Joynt's book Breaking the Road for the Rest' in green biro On newspaper cutting: 'L11' in blue biro donovan joynt, biography -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
CD, Camps Account L. Knee 27 January 2002 ABC, 2002
Interview given to the ABC by L. Knee about the history of the war camps. 27 January 2002Silver coloured disc. Black and silver text. Clear and black cd case.l. knee, abc interviews -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Callawadda Gun Club with L to R Mr Jim Morrissey, Mr Gary Solomano Jnr& Mr Leon Gibson
Callawadda Gun Club L to R Jim Morrissey. Gary Solomano Jnr. Leon Gibson.stawell sport -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Book, A Soldier's Privilege: WW1 Diary of Frederick William Mawson, 2017
This is a transcription diary written by Frederick William Mawson about the day to day activities he got up to during his journey of the first world war. There are a number of photographs throughout the book. His diary entries include references to other soldiers and these have been footnoted and listed in Appendix 2.This is a transcription diary written by Frederick William Mawson about the day to day activities he got up to during his journey of the first world war. There are a number of photographs throughout the book. His diary entries include references to other soldiers and these have been footnoted and listed in Appendix 2.(mr) frederick william mawson, (mr) w. a. j. buckland, (miss) winifred mawson, world war, 1914-1918, (mr) harold black, (miss) beatrice mawson, (mr) william victor bailey wyatt, (mr) aaron wyatt, (mrs amelia dodgshun, (mr) thomas julius atkinson -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Book, Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Centenary Souvenir - Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board - 1934-5", 1935
Yields information about the appearance of SEC single truck trams during 1938. Has a strong association with Wal Jack.Book - five sections - 80 pages, side stapled, glued within light green card covers with title "Centenary Souvenir - Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board - 1934-5". Has an introduction, a preface that gives a brief history of the tramway system in Melbourne, 20 buildings and points on interest in Melbourne and how to get there, with sketches by Clive Fink, a list of electrified routes and a cable routes at the time with details of terminals and points of interest along the route.On page 3 in black ink "Ballarat Tramway Preservation Society, Catalogue No. 124"trams, tramways, mmtb, melbourne, cable trams -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, William. F. Scott, Mar. 1985
Black and white photograph of Ballarat 27, repainted by the BTM in the SEC 1930's colour scheme, at Carlton St terminus, Wendouree Parade March 1985. Photo by William F Scott. Printed on Agfa paper.On rear in ink "Car 27 soon after major restoration work and repainting in the original livery of the SEC" / "Ballarat Tramway Museum" / "William F Scott" and "3.1985"trams, tramways, btm, wendouree parade, carlton st, tram 27 -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, William. F. Scott, c1990
Black and white photograph of BTPS/SEC No. 38, painted in the 1960's colour scheme. Tram photographed on the access line, showing Special. Photographed by William F. Scott, c1990. Printed on Agfa Paper.On rear lower right hand corner, label with "William F. Scott", stamped in black ink, number "T16 19A" in ink and in pencil in top left hand corner.tramways, trams, btm, ballarat, livery, tram 38 -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Medal - Centenary of Victoria/Melbourne, 1934
Silver Centenary Medal, double sided for 'Centenary of Victoria 1934' and 'Centenary of Melbourne 1935'. With red, white and blue ribbon; pinned to white card.On card, 'Centenary Medal 1934'celebrations fetes and exhibitions, marjorie williams -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document - Photocopies, Public Records Office of Victoria, "The Electric Supply Company of Victoria Limited - Directors' Report" - ESCo Annual Reports - 1920 - 1934, 1994
Photocopies of the annual or Directors' reports for the Electric Supply Co. of Victoria Limited (ESCo) for the period 1920 to 1934. All dated 31 March 19xx. Gives details of the electricity and tramways departments such as the lamps connected and Balance Sheets. Some reports have a statutory declaration on the rear. Photocopies arranged by Alan Bradley c 1994 from files of Company Records held in the Public Records Office of Victoria. Item Year 1244.1 - 1920 1244.2 - 1921 1244.3 - 1922 1244.4 - 1923 1244.5 - 1924 1244.6 - 1925* 1244.7 - 1926* 1244.8 - 1927 1244.9 - 1928 1244.10 - 1929* 1244.11 - 1930* 1244.12 - 1931 1244.13 - 1932 1244.14 - 1933 1244.15 - 1934 * 4 pages, all others three. The fourth page gives the Statutory declaration of the agent of the Company lodging the copy of the English balance sheet in Victoria. Declaration by George Cole of Bendigo, or Percival John Pringle in Ballarat. Reports cover activities in both Ballarat and Bendigotrams, tramways, annual reports, esco, john pringle -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Folder, William Greenaway, 1872
Folder of information on William Greenaway, Transport Contractor, Melbourne to St Andrews, 1872william greenaway -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Looking east from Loughnan Road across William & Andrew Streets c.1946
Looking east from Loughnan Road across William & Andrew Streets 1946 -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, George Tibbits, William Tibbits 1837-1906 Cottage, House and Garden Artist, 1984
Brown soft covered book 96 page book on the artist William Tibbits.william tibbits, george tibbits, architecture, painting -
Federation University Historical Collection
Gold License, Gold License made out to William Fittall Junior, 1853, 04/01/1853
This miner's right is a copy from an original held by the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat. The original was glued onto a page in a large album of photographic images of early Ballarat. Recognising their significance the Council of the Old Colonists’ Association had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall.Digital copy of an original Gold Lisense made out to William Fittall Junior.Ballarat Victoria Gold License No. 215 Jany 4 1853 The Bearer Wm Fittale [sic] Jr having paid to me the Sum of One Pound Ten Shillings, on account of the territorial revenue, I hereby License him to dig, search for, and remove Gold on and from any such Crown lands within the Dist of Ballarat as I shall assign to him for that purpose during the month of January 1853 not within half-a-mile of any Head Station, This License is not transferable, and to be produced whenever demanded by me or any other person acting under the authority of the Government, and to be returned when another License is issued. Chas Wale Sherard Commissioner. Regulations to be observed by the persons digging for Gold or otherwise employed at the Gold fields. 1. Every licensed person must always have his License with him ready to be produced whenever demanded by a Commissioner, or Person acting under instructions, otherwise he is liable to be proceeded against as an unlicensed person. 2. Every person digging to Gold, or occupying Land, without a License is liable by law to be fined, for a first offence, not exceeding five pounds; for a second offence not exceeding 15 pounds; and for subsequent offence, not exceeding 30 pounds. 3. Digging for Gold is not allowed within ten feet of the edge of any Public Road, nor are the roads to be undermined. 4. Tents or Buildings are not to be erected within twenty feet of each other, or within 20 feet of any Creek 5. It is enjoined that all persons on the Gold Fields maintain a due and proper observance of Sundays. william fittall, sherard, charles sherard, charles wale sherard, mining, fittall, eureka -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph - Black and White, The William Baragwanath Geological Collection
Jack Barker (left) and friend inspect the donation of William Baragwanath's Geological Collection. e.j. barker, jack barker, william braragwanath, geology -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, John Morgan, The life and adventures of William Buckley, 1996
Early (1852) biography of William Buckley, with introduction and notes by Roland Schicht (1996).maps, b&w illustrations, colour illustrationsport phillip bay, yarra river, william buckley -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Shirley W Wiencke, When the wattles bloom again : the life and times of William Barak, last chief of the Yarra Yarra tribe, 1984
Biography of William Barak, including cultural notes on the Woi wurrung Wurundjeri people.colour photographs, b&w illustrations, document reproductionswoi wurrung, william barak, yarra yarra -
Clunes Museum
Document - FAMILY HISTORY, WILLIAM COWLAND
1 X PAGE PHOTOCOPY OF HANDWRITTEN FAMILY HISTORY - WILLIAM UNWIN COWLAND.family history, william cowland -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, William Henry Slater, 2015
A short biography of William Henry Slater and the establishment of his herb farm in Mitcham.A short biography of William Henry Slater and the establishment of his herb farm in Mitcham.A short biography of William Henry Slater and the establishment of his herb farm in Mitcham.slater, william henry, herb farms, herb gardens, creswell, elizabeth jane -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, William (Bill) Sewart - City Engineer
Black and white photograph of William (Bill) Sewart, City Engineer, City of Nunawadingcity of nunawading, sewart, w. -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Colour Print, William. F. Scott, 1991
Colour photograph of Bendigo 44 leaving the depot, over the bridge before entering Tramways Ave. Photo taken Easter 1991, by William F Scott. Photo printed on Fujicolor paper.On rear in ink "85") in top left hand corner, "Bendigo Trust Easter 1991" in top right hand corner and "William F Scott paper" in bottom right hand corner.trams, tramways, bendigo, bendigo trust, tramways ave, tram 44 -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital Image, J. Gadsden and Co. Picnic at Greensborough 1934 - Wheelbarrow race, 1934_
Photographs of the J. Gadsden and Co. picnic in Greensborough, in 1934. Photographs have no names. In this photograph a group of men participate in a wheelbarrow race, possibly an activity on the day. Greensborough was a popular venue for picnics up till the early 20th century, with inner city people travelling to the 'country side' for a day out, either in delivery vans or on the train.Gadsden's produced packing materials - originally paper and cardboard, then food cans.Digital copy of black and white photograph.Written on back: “Wheelbarrow race at Greensborough”gadsden and co., picnics in greensborough -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, L & W Bennett's Post Office in Longfield Street Stawell West 1960's
L & W Bennett Post Office Longfield Street Stawell and Ed Ham Milk Bar 1960's post office, milk bar -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Port Melbourne Cricket Club 1934, W CROFT, 1934
The photograph of the Port Melbourne Cricket Club team of 1934 is mounted on grey striped card. Each corner above the photograph has an ornate scroll in darker grey. The Club had not won a premiership since the 1918/19 season. It received a well needed boost in 1934 when Tom LAHIFF was captain and coach and went on to win the premiership in the 1937/38 season.In pencil on reverse '1934 PMCC'sport - australian rules football, port melbourne cricket club, tom lahiff -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mr Frank Bennett & Mrs Kathleen Bennett nee Egan from Deep Lead with family from L to R is Charles, Neil, Lesley & Lawrie 1940's -- Studio Portrait
Deep Lead Portrait Frank and Kathleen Bennett's family L to R Charles Neil Lesley Lawrie 1940'sstawell deep lead -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Salvation Army Citadel Official Opening December 1934
Salvation Army Citadel Opening 1934. People in front of Citadel. Front Row from Left Mrs. Wilkinson, Mrs. Haines, Capt. Morris, Brig. Smalley, Col. Henry Mrs. Maxwell, Comm. Maxwell, Cr. Freeland, (Mayor), Col. Haines, Cr. R. McCracken, Rev. Ewin, Rev. Graham, Mr. Sharpley, Major Wilkinson. Black and white photograph of a group of people in uniform at an entrance to a brick building. The man in the center of the group appears to be opening the door to the building.. W.J. Chapman Photo artist Stawell. Col. A. Henry, Commissioner Maxwell, Col. W. Haines, Brig. F. Smalley, Mr. S. Freeland, Mayor of Stawell, Mr. R McCracken, Capt. F. Morris, Mrs. Col Haines, Mrs. Major Wilkinson, Town Clerk Mr. Sharpley, Major F. Wilkinson.stawell religion -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Cooper’s Hollowing /Jigger Knife, William Greaves & Sons, 1823 -1850
William Greaves was once a prolific company that highly prospered in the 19th century during the boom of the tool and cutlery trades in Sheffield England as steel became more commercially available. William Greaves's works were situated at the Sheaf Works in the heart of Sheffield, at Maltravers Street, opening in 1823 and was known to be the largest business in this area at this time. The Sheaf Works made a range of tools and saws including cutlery, penknives and razors and also even made its steel in-house. The factory used its perfect position for water power being built on the edge of the Sheffield canal and also used the railway line nearby giving them the perfect opportunities for transporting its goods. The factory itself was also a revolution because it attempted to bring together as many cutlery manufacturing processes as possible together in one place, something that had not been attempted before. The money to build these huge works came from Greaves' trade with America, where they sent razors, table cutlery and sturdy Bowie knives. This allowed the Greaves’ to build the factory and expand their production, which made them even more money. This made William Greaves very rich indeed, and it was reported that when he died in 1830 he left each of his five surviving daughters £30,000 each, an astronomical sum at the time. In today’s money that is approximately £2.3 million. The firm finally dissolved in 1850, but Sheaf Works continued to be used by many cutlery manufacturers until the 1980s. With most of the buildings still standing today.A significant item made by a successful cutlery manufacturer in England during the first half of the 19th century. This company undertook many new processes to streamline cutlery production and introduced innervations regards working with steel that are still in use today. This item is now regarded as a collector's item given the company ceased trading in 1850. jigger/hollowing knife with internal bevel, Electro Boracic Steel. Stamped 3.1/2″ William Greaves, Sheaf Works, Sheffield flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, cooper's jigger, howeling knife, wm greaves & sons -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Life and Adventures of William Buckley
Life and Adventures of William Buckley Author: John Morgan Publisher: McDougall Date: 1852Label on spine cover with typed text RH 923 BUC Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public 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, life and adventures of william buckley, john morgan -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, William Dampier
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 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. William Dampier Author: W Clark Russell Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: 1889 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 DAM Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, 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, william dampier, w clark russell