Surrey College was opened in early 1892 by Reverend Dr Frederick Darling who had been the first minister of the Presbyterian Church in Canterbury Road. He resigned this position to open the school which operated until 1905 with additional premises at 12 Vincent Street. The main building fronted 219-233 Union Road. The school had 40 boarders as well as day boys. Courses included algebra, euclid, history, typewriting, shorthand and drill. In the 1930s, Nethercourt Private Hospital took over the site. Later it became St Jude's Hospital. Land in front of the building was sub-divided off in the 1970s. The building is still extant as a private dwelling with York Street, Surrey Hills as the address. This is one of 3 photos donated by Susan Hobbs, whose grandfather Rev. George Edward Downton is thought to have been a student at the college. George E. Downton was born in Avoca in 1885. He was later a missionary in New Guinea and Secretary to the Australian Board of Missions in Adelaide. He died in 1926 or 1927. This photo is one of two that were originally in the Box Hill Historical Society collection. They were transferred to us in 2024. The third photo could not be located. There was also a rough family tree and notes for the Downton family with correspondence regarding the donation but this was not found.Sepia photograph on grey mount board of 15 men and boys. Eleven of the boys are dressed in whites, 5 wearing ties and 1 a bow tie, one with a boater and one with a cap. The boy seated on the right is holding a cricket bat and the boy seated on left is wearing cricket pads on his legs. There are stumps and bails in the middle of front row. Three young men are in suits and boaters with one in the back row holding items in his hands. On the right hand side of the back row is Reverend Frederick Darling, Principal of the College, who wears a top hat and tails. There is a brick building behind with windows and blinds, and some foliage and plants behind and in front of boys. "Surrey College - Surrey Hills/Principal: Rev Fredk. A Darling, Melb. Unib./Cricket Team, 1899"schools, sport, cricket, 1899, surrey hills, surrey college, rev frederick a darling, george edward downton, susan hobbs, union road, nethercourt hospital, st jude's hospital, 219-223 union road, york street, 1890-1899

Blue sift covered book of 23 pages. Includes photographic reproductions of Rev. William Hall, Captain William Henry Bacchus, Catherine McLeod, William Henry Bacchus Jnr, Rev. A.J. McCausland, the iron church.bacchus marsh, holy trinity church of england, william henry bacchus, iron church, simon memorial, graveyard, bacchus grave

This book, edited by Donald MacLeod, was given in 1883 as a prize to Annie Egerton by the Rev. W.H. Scott for Bible Knowledge. Annie Egerton was a pupil at the Allansford State School. John Jones was the Head Master at this school from 1867 to 1891. The school was opened in December 1856 as a National School and is still operating. No other details concerning Annie Egerton have been found.This book is of importance as it is a 19th century book given as a prize to a pupil of the Allansford School in 1883 for her Bible knowledge. It is particularly interesting that a prize for religious knowledge was given in the 1880s to a pupil at a secular State School. It is also interesting to note the type of book given to a primary school girl in the 19th century – a book with strong moral overtones and some heavy instructional articles. This is a hard cover book of 836 pages. It has a dark green and black cover patterned with an ornamental pattern and gold lettering contained within a square box on both the cover and the spine. The inside front and back pages have a mottled green flower pattern. The edges of the pages have a gilt finish. The book has a bookplate on the inside cover and the book contains an Index of Contents, short stories, articles on various topics and an Index of Authors. There are many black and white illustrations and sketches throughout the text. The first illustration has a piece of tissue paper in front of it. The cover is a little frayed at the edges and somewhat blotched. ‘Allansford State School No.3, 1st Prize given by the Rev. W. H. Scott awarded to Annie Egerton, Bible Class, Senior Division, for Bible Knowledge, 21st December 1883, J.E. Jones Head Teacher’. allansford state school, education in the warrnambool area, annie egerton, john jones, rev. w. h. scott

Very light green hard cover, print is dark green ink. Image of 2/4th Battalion cover patch. 364 pages, illustrated with black & white photos, drawings & maps.Label: Rev A J & C E Kendallbooks, military history, biography

Six cylinder Bell 47G - 3B1 Piston Engine72011 Rev-AT Equip - 8ZJ2, AVCO Lycomingengine, sioux, bell 47g - 3b1

Photograph taken at the Tasmanian Synod.Head and shoulders photograph of Reverend Joe Rankin and Reverend Rob Kirwood."Rev. Joe Rankin & the ex Moderator 1984"rankin, joe, kirwood, rob

Extract from The Spectator of June 12, 1946: "From the Queensland 'Methodist Times'. Dreams do come true. At any rate, that is what the Rev. Cliff Lanham believes, who after the lapse of several years finds that his early dream of a Flying Patrol for the Inland is now an actuality. The Methodist Inland Mission Board has purchased from the Disposals Commission of the R.A.A.F. a De Haviland Fox Moth Biplane. Indeed, two machines have been bought, but one will be broken up for spare parts. This 'new angel of the air' is fitted with a 130 h.p. engine and possesses a cruising speed of 100 miles per hour. The petrol consumption is only that of a big six-cylinder car—18 miles per gallon. In addition to the pilot there is room for three passengers, and a stretcher is installed whereby urgent cases of sickness or accident can be flown to the nearest hospital. In this machine, Mr Lanham proposes to cover the whole of S. W. Queensland and a portion of the Northern Territory from his headquarters at Mt Isa. It takes little imagination to realise what a boon the 'flying parson' will be to those of the great outback." …. "Before [Mr Lanham] inaugurated the scheme [the idea of a flying parson] he spent his first furlough from inland mission work (and incidentally £60) learning to fly. 'In a month,' he says whimsically, 'I was a pilot of sorts.' Mr Lanham is a son of the Church. His parents were staunch Methodists, and their home offered generous hospitality to mininsters and preachers. His brother, the Rev. Percy Lanham, M.A., died in Libya when on active service as a chaplain. His widowed mother must be proud of her tall, stalwart son, whom the Church now sends forth on his flying mission for the Lord. May he ever be wafted through inland skies on two wings and a prayer." It is of interest to note that although Cliff Lanham's brother, Percy, is listed in the Methodist Church of Australasia's Ministerial Index (9th Edition, Revised to 1961) Cliff Lanham himself is not listed as either active or deceased.Three B&W identical photographs of Lanham standing next to a Methodist Inland Mission bi-plane. Lanham and an unidentified man are holding a stretcher between them with a boy of about 10-11 on it. They seem to be exiting the plane. The original photograph F69-1 is a 110x65 mm Kodak print; the other two are 195x145 mm enlargements. Lanham is wearing a white shirt and grey trousers, the other person is wearing a safari helmet.All three photos identify "Rev. Cliff Lanham" on the back. They seem to have been originally used or intended for use by The Spectator.lanham, cliff, queensland, methodist inland mission, flying parson

Program of the proceedings of the official opening of the Methodist Church, Springhurst 22nd March 1964"by Rev. H.B. Freeman M.A., President of Conference | Superintendent Minister, Rev. George T. Goldsmith | Minister, Pastor W.J. Kelly"churches, methodist church, springhurst methodist church, rev freeman, rev george goldsmith, pastor kelly

Relates the history of St Katherine's Church and the Beale family of St Helena.The Beales were amongst the earliest pioneers in the Greensborough area.Newspaper article on Rev Jock Ryan and St Katherine's Anglican Church in St Helena.st katherines church, st helena, anthony beale, jock ryan

B & W photograph of Rev. and Mrs. A.K. Wilhelms standing in front of the Cudgewa parsonage.methodist church, cudgewa, rev. a.k. wilhelms

Ordained 1973, Presbyterian then Uniting Church minister. Colac-Cororooke until 1976, Gippsland Youth Leadership Training Officer 1976-1979, Mansfield 1980-1983, Division of Field Services 1984 to 1992, Malvern 09/92-12/95, AS 01.96 to 10/96, Chaplain Billanook College 11/96. Retired.B & W photograph of Rev. Ron Townsend, seated and wearing a Uniting Church sweatshirt.rev. ron townsend; presbyterian minister 1973-1977; uniting church minister 1977-; colac; cororooke; gippsland youth leadership training offer

Chan-Young Choi, minister, religious organization administrator. Ordained to ministry Presbyterian Church Korea, 1952. Chaplain Republic of Korea Army, 1952-1955. Missionary to Thailand Presbyterian Church Korea, 1955-1970. General secretary Bible Societies in Thailand, Bangkok, 1962-1970. Distribution secretary American Bible Society, 1971-1974. Consultant marketing Asia Pacific region United Bible Societies, Manila, 1974-1977, coordinator marketing, 1977-1978, regional secretary Hong Kong, since 1978. Chairman Printing Limited company of United Bible Societies, Hong Kong, since 1987. Vice chairman Amity Printing Limited company, Nanping, Republic of China, since 1987. Missionary to Thailand Presbyterian Church Korea, 1955-1970. General secretary Bible Societies in Thailand, Bangkok, 1962-1970. Distribution secretary American Bible Society, 1971-1974. Consultant marketing Asia Pacific region United Bible Societies, Manila, 1974-1977, coordinator marketing, 1977-1978, regional secretary Hong Kong, since 1978. Chairman Printing Limited company of United Bible Societies, Hong Kong, since 1987. Vice chairman Amity Printing Limited company, Nanping, Republic of China, since 1987. Fraternal delegate Christian Church of Asia., Hong Kong, 1991, others. Speaker, lecturer various professional meetings. Principal Korean school for Korean children, Bangkok, 1962-1966. [https://prabook.com/web/chan-young.choi/203634] Head and shoulders portrait of Rev. Chan Young Choi, who is dressed in suit and tie.Spectator 12/5/1976 p.8presbyterian minister chan-young choi, presbyterian church korea

Re. Albert H Horton (1887-1942) was a pioneer home missionary in Tasmania and introduced the American “Go to church Sunday” movement.Matte, sepia, head and shoulders, studio portrait of Rev. Albert H. Horton on card."Very gratefully yours Albert H Horton"methodist, horton, ah

The class of '84 – Happily Settled. "Barry Baker has been mixing wheat farming with theological studies for several years. And now from his Rupanyup farm he's moving to Cavendish. He's 48, married with three children. His wife, Helen, married a farmer, and is working through her new role as a minister's wife. Barry is looking forward to going back to the country. He found the five years of study, the first three as a private student, a pretty long drag, although he's immensely enjoyed the privilege of theological study. He considers the ministry will be very much a pastoral one. "I've go to know my people before I can preach to them," he told me. He's interested in cricket and music."B & W head & shoulders photo of Rev. Barry Baker, wearing a skivvy and jumper.C&N identification.baker, barry, theological hall graduates 1984

William Abraham Quick (1820 - 1915). Born in the U.K. Methodist minister at Liskeard Cornwall, Tiverton Devon. In 1843 went to Sierra Leone. Upon returning to the UK was stationed at Bridport, South Shields, Glasgow. Arrived in Australia in 1856. Stationed in N.S.W. then at St. Kilda, Ballarat East, Richmond. President of the Australasian Conference 1866. President of Horton College at Ross, Tasmania. Founder and President of the Council of Queen's College, University of Melbourne. Died at Brighton 12 November 1915.B & W printed etching of the Rev. William Abrahm Quick in three quarter profile."Revd Willam A. Quick President of the Australasian Conference 1866"william abraham quick, wesleyan, methodist, minister, horton college, queen's college, liskeard, tiverton, sierra leone, bridgport, south shields, glasgow, st. kilda, ballarat east, richmond, brighton, president of conference

Ordained as Methodist Minister 1952; Minister at Derby Tas 1945-46; Zeehan Rosebury 1950-51; Kyabram Vic 1951-52. Returned to Tasmania to Sprent 1952-1955, Sth Launceston (Lawrence Vale) 1955-1960; Mt Waverley 1960-1966; DCE and lay Training 1967-1977; Div of Field Services 1977-1979; Vic Council of Christian Education 1979-1982; w/s 1982 TO 12/1989; Supply at Frankston 1983 to 1986, Hobart City 1986, East Derwent 1986-87; Perm retired 01/90B & W head and shoulders photograph of the Rev. Murray J Allen standing outdoors.allen, murray j; methodist/uniting church minister; derby tasmania; deehan rosebury tasmania; kyabram victoria; mt waverley; department of christian education methodist church; division of field services uniting church; victorian council of christian education; frankston victoria; hobart city tasmania; east derwen tasmania; retired 1990

Mounted b/w photograph of Rev. Goyen and his family in front of the manse at Bulla.Printed on face: Matson and Frazer / 264 LITTLE COLLINS STREETgoyen, - (rev), goyen family, bulla, george evans collection

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF MIXED CHOIR. METHODIST CHOIR 1912. REV. LLOYD WITH CHOIR.local history, photographs, choirs, methodist

Original owner Nora O’Connor the donor’s adopted aunt migrated to Canada during WW2 and also worked as volunteer at the Vancouver Mission to Seamen where she met her husband Edward O’Connor who later migrated to Australia.Newspaper clipping from the 'Vancouver Sun' dated Friday, March 31st 1950. Clipping shows an a black and white photograph of W. Wootton Mascall, treasurer; Rev. John W. Leighton, chaplain; president Captain G. Lancaster and Margaret Ross, head of the Lightkeepers Women's Auxiliary. They are tying bundles of magazines at the Vancouver Seamen's Institute.SAILOR'S KNOT is expertly tied on bundles of magazines at Vancouver Seamen's Institute by Margaret Ross, head of the Lightkeepers Women's Auxiliary, Missions to Seamen. Aiding her bundle up the reading matter are, from left: W. Wootton Mascall, treasurer; Rev. John W. Leighton, chaplain , and president Capt. G. Lancaster.vancouver, canada, lightkeepers' auxiliary, mission to seamen, nora o'connor, edward o'connor, british columbia, overseas missions

Seven pages booklet. In an ornate frame an oval drawing of Rev Dean Backhaus. Backhaus bicentenary commemoration. Rev. Dr. Henry Backhaus, dean of Sandhurst. Born 15 February 1812 - Died 7 September 1882. Bendigo 2012.church, celebration, catholic church

William Webster was born in England in 1848. He was ordained into the Presbyterian ministry in Melbourne for Middle Darling-Wilcannia, N.S.W. in 1880. He served in Inglewood Vic. from 1884; Kerang from 1889; St. Andrew's Oakleigh from 1900-1912. He was demitted in 1912 and died in 1919.Matte, sepia toned head and shoulders studio portrait of Rev. William Webster. The photograph is mounted on a textured and patterned grey card which bears the photographer's details. The Rev Webster is looking directly at the camera and is wearing his clerical clothes.On the front "Talma & Co. 119 SWANSTON ST. MELBOURNE."rev william webster presbyterian minister, st andrew's presbyterian church oakleigh

"Cricket was well established in Tatura by 1880, but it was not until 1889 that the Tatura and District Cricket Club was formed, with Charles Wilson as its first President". Early matches were played at the old Police paddock next to the Station, and later, much hard labour produced "one of the nicest grounds I have ever played on (Rev. C.H. Zercho, 1921), out of the original town rubbish depot at the Public Gardens."Cricket was well established in Tatura by 1880, but it was not until 1889 that the Tatura and District Cricket Club was formed, with Charles Wilson as its first President".|Early matches were played at the old Police paddock next to the Station, and later, much hard labour produced "one of the nicest grounds I have ever played on (Rev. C.H. Zercho, 1921), out of the original town rubbish depot at the Public Gardens.tatura, recreations, sports, games

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 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. 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. Cicero Author: Rev. W Lucas Collins Publisher: William Blackwood & Sons Date: 1871 The label on spine cover with typed text PAT 875 CIC Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service flagstaff 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

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. Herodotus Editied by the Rev. W. Lucas Collins Publisher: William Blackwood & Sons Date: 1870Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 888 HER Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker 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, herodotus, rev. w. lucas collins, lucas collins