A page from 'Century' magazine, advertising tennis products from Wright & Ditson. Materials: Paper, Inktennis

A page from 'Century' magazine, advertising tennis products from Wright & Ditson. Materials: Paper, Inktennis

A page from 'Century' magazine, advertising tennis products from Wright & Ditson. Materials: Paper, Inktennis

A page from 'Century' magazine, advertising tennis products from Wright & Ditson. Materials: Paper, Inktennis

A Wright and Ditson 'Championship' tennis ball, with handwritten signature of former owner. Materials: Rubber, Felt, Inktennis

Charlton Foundry established 1885 by C. Munro, owned and operated by the Dabrons 1899 - 1965.Black & white photograph of the front of the Charlton Foundry. Alf and Ted Dabron and a dog sitting outside their business. Parked car on RH side of photo.The Charlton Foundry, Dabron Bros and Terry. Taken by Win Wright 1963

Leather purse with hand written note to "Mrs. Steele" from "Mrs Wright". Also old coins and tokens insitu. Brass clips. Coins; UK 1943 threepence, 2 X UK 1907 halfpenny (one with hole in it), French 1952 twenty franc, USA one cent, UK 1906 one shilling. Card -presented to Miss Steele by her old shop mates. "Bush" March 27, 1907. Newspaper cutting - in back pocket, T.W. Bull, disease reader and herbalist - advertisement. Card: Presented to Miss Steele, by her old shop-mates on the occasion of her leaving for the "BUSH". March 27, 1907. Card: Dear Miss Steele, Please accept this small gift with best wishes for your happiness in your new home. With love N. Wrightleather purse, coins

A Wright and Ditson "The Club" tilt-top tennis racquet, with: solid, convex throat; smooth, rounded handle; and leather end wrap and butt cover. Inscription across crown and throat on obverse: "THE CLUB"/WRIGHT & DITSON/BOSTON. Materials: Wood, Gut, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Leathertennis

An R.M. Co. (or M.R. Co.) West End flat top tennis racquet, with solid concave throat, and rare inlaid cork handle. Manufacturer and model details, in and around the image of a tennis racquet, feature on throat on obverse, and is a very early use of decal. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Gut, Ink, Corktennis

Colour slide in a mount. Lobby, Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan, 1919-23. (Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright.)Made in Australia / Inscribed 4japan, slide

Shield prepared to recognise winners of a Geelong West Cycling Club road race in memory of Russell Wright.This perpetual trophy spans 3 decades on road racing with the GWCC.Wooden shield with small shield shapes in plated silver placed around the shield. These small plaques are inscribed with winners of this event. The shield also has a plated silver banner with inscriptions on it, plus the shape of a cyclist in a medallion at the bottom of the shield."Geelong West Cycling Club/Russell Wright Memorial Shield/ Donated by his Loving Wife/1967 R Dillon 68m59sec/1968 J Elsworthy 54mins 55secs/ 1969 T Ryan 70mins 3secs/ 1970 R Edwards 53mins26secs/1971 Geo O'Dwyer 82mins 17secs/1972 K Bunting 51min 50 secs/1973 W Mahoney 54min 20secs/ 1974 W Crookshanks 83min 28secs/ D Ferguson 83 mins 47 secs/ 1976 S Jennings/ 1977 R Bunting 51mins 50 secs/ 1978 - /1979 Don Wilson/1980 Rodney Baker/ 1981 David Carnegie/ 1982 -/ 1983 Neville Williams/ 1984 Tony Pickles/ 1988 Ian Hendry"geelong west cycling club; gwcc; russell wright memorial shield; 1967; r dillon; 1968; j elsworthy; 1969; t ryan; 1970; r edwards; 1971; george o'dwyer; 1972; k bunting; 1973; w mahoney; 1974; w crookshanks; d ferguson; 1976; s jennings; 1977; r bunting; 1978; 1979; don wilson; 1980; rodney baker; 1981; david carnegie; 1982; 1983; neville williams; 1984; tony pickles; 1988; ian hendry;

A Wright and Ditson 'Prize Cup' tennis racquet, with: string whipping around shoulders and shaft; cane-reinforced hexagonal shaft; and, W&D 'Autograph' brand leather grip over octagonal handle. Wright & Ditson Eagle trademark features on throat on obverse; Wright & Ditson player on ball, within shield trademark on throat on reverse. 'WD' trademark features on butt cover. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Ink, Leather, String, Gut, Adhesive tape, Enamel, Canetennis

A Wright and Ditson tennis racquet, with: laminated convex throat; double screw through shaft; and, fine-grooved, thick octagonal handle. Decal inscription along left side of shaft: WRIGHT & DITSON, MAKERS/BOSTON, MASS. U.S.A. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Paint, Ink, Leathertennis

The Claxton Memorial consists of a white marble bust and pedestal set on a cement rendered base with pressed cement dolphins, the whole being set on a basalt plinth in a rendered brickwork pond surrounded by a wrought iron fence.The F.M. Claxton Memorial is a significant memorial structure and is of primary significance to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. It is one of the relatively few sculptures which recognise the work and dedication of one of Ballarat's leading figures in the nineteenth century.A coloured gloss photograph of the F.M Claxton MonumentOn the back of the photograph in blue biro is written, "Claxton Monument and Fountain. Photo taken by R.M (R.Mosman, very likely) after extensive restoration work and reopening on 15.8.1997.john garner, doctor, frederick moses claxton, ballarat botanical gardens, claxton memorial, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, lake wendouree, public subscription, restoration, jude schahinger, george seddon., claxton, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat

Photograph showing Mrs Wright the toll keeper and two children outside the new toll gate at Shelly Beach 1929toll gate, tollgate keeper, mrs. wright 2 children

Picture of un-named workmen and Mr. and Mrs. Wright (later toll-keepers) inspecting work at Devil's Elbow. G.O.R g.o.r, devil's-elbow: toll-keepers: mr.& mrs.-wright

A Wright & Ditson 'Championship' tennis ball. Printed on ball '1934/APPROVED BY U.S.L.T. ASSN/PERMAWELT'. Materials: Wool, Rubbertennis

A page from 'Century' magazine, advertising tennis products from Horsman, Wright & Ditson, and Granbery. Materials: Paper, Inktennis

Wright and Ditson wood tennis racquet. Green painted throat and green strings. Materials: Metal, Wood, Leather, Guttennis

staff, burnley, stuart burns, dr magali wright

A Wright and Ditson 'Gold Star' tennis racquet, with: string whipping around shoulders and shaft; hide strips along underside of shoulders; and, fine-grooved, short, octagonal handle. Decal inscription across base of head on obverse: GOLD STAR. Wright & Ditson cursive logo along shaft on obverse, and across base of head on reverse. Wright & Ditson Championship logo with tennis player on ball trademark feature on shaft on reverse. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Ink, Leather, String, Hidetennis

One page photocopy. White Hills Technical School year 1961. Principal: Mr. E.C. Thompson (Senior School), Senior Assistant: Mr. G. Fountain (Feb to Jun), Headmaster: Mr. R.M. Wisemen(July onwards), Mothers' club President: Mrs. D. Yates, Top academic student in form 1 was Gregory N. Welshe.school, history, white hills technical

Letter accompanies the Official handbook of Rutherglen Scotland, 1970 edition, which would have been presented to a relative of the donor when John F. MacKay, a member of the Town Council of the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen in Scotland, was visiting his son in Australia.Letter of introduction, written on letterhead paper of the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen, with their coat of arms embossed on the top left corner.Letter is to introduce John F. MacKay, on the occasion of his visit to Australia, is dated 9th June, 1971, and is signed by James Hutchinson, Provost, and R.M. OSullivan, Town Clerk.rutherglen scotland, royal burgh of rutherglen, john mackay

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 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 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. 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 it's 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 has 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 1850’s 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. Poetical Works of Henry Lawson Author: Henry Lawson Edited by David M Wright Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1944 The label on spine cover with typed text PAT 899.1 WRI Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Serviceflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, 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, poetical works of henry lawson, henry lawson, david m wright