This plan is associated with former Ballarat School of Mines Student Richard Squire (1875-1876). Gift of the Squire FamilyParish Plan of Doroq in black ink printed on cream paper. It includes the township of Inverleigh and Barwon Rover. Some of the names on the plan are William McRobie, William MacRobie, Thomas Russell, W.C. Smith, John Bell, J. Moffatt, Thomas Moffatt, John Anderson, George Synnot, Charles Lloyd, William MacRobie, J. Flack, Alexander Campell, T. Maher, William Berthon. Thomas Jewell, James Carstairs, D. MCInnerney, F.H. Holland, Robert Morrison17 7/9 18 9 miles handwritten in pencil Photo lithographed at the Department of Lands and Survey Melbourne by T. E. McGauran 28.6.11 Price 1/-carrunge-murnong, murdeduke, carrah, shelford, inverleigh, barwon river, hesse, wingeel, george russell, george russell's pre-emptive section, john moffatt, w. c. smith, macrobie, john bell, thomas russell, t.f. mcgauran

Framed portrait of Thomas Marks who was President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind 1900, 1935-1937. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Marks sits at a table, wearing black tails and pants, a white pleated dinner shirt and black evening dress bow-tie. One hand rests next to a cup and saucer, the other rests on his lap. Tom Marks was educated at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. He was a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now Vision Australia) at its establishment in 1895. He went on to serve as President of organisation in 1900 and was later appointed as a part time paid secretary – an office he occupied from 1904 to 1927. He again served as President from 1935 to 1937 during which time he celebrated his 80th birthday. As the living conditions of many blind people were deplorable at this time – they were often confined to a room or shed without any social contacts – it was realized that support for blind persons was needed to serve as a refuge for the oppressed, a home for the indigent, a rest home for the sick and a convalescent home to provide both respite care and permanent accommodation. Mr Marks had a reputiation of having good contacts and being able to use people with more knowledge than himself. An able musician, Tom Marks was often employed in the homes of wealthy families. As a result he met Mr and Mrs Grimwade who were already supporters of Vision Australia. They organized a gymkhana to raise money for the nucleus of a building fund. From this time Tom Marks was involved in the finances of the centres at Brighton, Ballarat and Bendigo, which were the ultimate result of the fund. He was also part of a team that negotiated the financial agreement between the RVIB and Vision Australia over fund raising and the allocation of money, which lasted from 1930 to 1939. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr Thomas Marks / President 1900, 1935-1937/ Association for Advancement of the Blind'. association for the advancement of the blind, thomas marks

The Boyds purchased their record player and sound system from Thomas’s in Melbourne. Patricia Boyd (later Davies) was very interested in opera and was later appointed to the Board of the Australian Opera.Facade: An Entertainment. LP 33RPM vinyl, Catalogue Number: NMLP1, Paper Packaging Cover (opens like a book), 1 Vinyl disc, Cover notes, author unknown, Limited Edition of 400 copies (this is copy no. 102). Kevin McBeath - reciting poems written by Edith Sitwell, Music by William Walton, Conducted by Harry Hutchins. Orchestra ensemble: Richard Chugg (flute), Audrey Walklate (Piccolo), Thomas White (Clarinet), Charles Crawley (Saxophone), Standish Roberts (Trumpet), Don Howley (Violoncello), Valarie Awburn (2nd Cello), Ernest Lighton (Percussion).lp, sound recording

These catalogues come from the firm of Thomas Lang and Company of 52 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne and Bridge Street, Ballarat. They list the seeds and plants for sale in the early 1870s. This company sold seeds and plants to all parts of Australia and to India, China, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Ceylon and Fiji. These catalogues have no known local provenance but have considerable antiquarian value and are of interest as they tell us what plants and seeds were sold in Australia in the 1870s.These are three booklets - catalogues of plants and seeds for Thomas Lang & Co, Nurserymen and Seedsmen, of Ballarat and Melbourne. The booklets are printed in black on a white background and are bound or stitched with fine string. They are a little foxed and dog-eared. Catalogue One is dated 1870 and is numbered No. 27. The cover has an ornamental border. Catalogue Two is dated October 1871 and is Number 36. Catalogue Three is Number 30 but undated and contains prices of seeds and current postal rates.thomas lang & co.,, nurserymen and seedsmen, plant and seed catalogues, 1870s, warranmbool, history

A biographical gallery of "Who's Who" in public, political, official, judicial, patriotic, naval, military, charitable, professional, scientific, artistic, journalistic, ecclesiastical, religious, temperance, industrial, clerical, mercantile, commercial, aerial, scholastic, social club, musical, dramatic, friendly society, fraternal, athletic and sporting life, with Ballarat associations, past or present.Small hard covered brown book of 142 pages including advertisements.Stamped "The School of Mines Industries & Science Ballaratballarat district citizens and sports, m. m. mccallum, ballarat, citizens and sports at home and abroad, citizens and sports, political, official, judicial, patriotic, naval, military, charitable, professional, scientific, artistic, journalistic, ecclesiastical, religious, temperance, industrial, clerical, mercantile, commercial, aerial, scholastic, social club, musical, dramatic, friendly society, fraternal, athletic and sporting life, ballarat associations, clarendon college advertisement, wiles cooker, e. rowlands, koomah spa, thomas a. williams, leslie coulter, lela lake, margaret mcnanamny, leslie morshead, alice thwaites, james wiles, alfred williams

Bendigo Tramways compiled by H Biggs. A short history of Bendigo's Tramways. Also some events and the year they happened. On the back is Early Bendigo Hotels, Compiled by L C Bennetts. Mentions the supply of liquor in the early days. Some early hotels were: The Criterion, The Royal, The Bendigo, The Black Swan, The Hibernian, The Sandhurst, The Freemasons (now the Courthouse), and The Shamrock. Also mentioned is Hazards of the Field including Mr Arblaster and his powder factory which had a few explosions, illness and accidents with cages.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - bendigo tramways, mr a o'keefe, the sandhurst and eaglehawk tramway company, j taylor, j hanson, electric supply company, coliban water supply, cr a harkness, constable thomas ryan, art gallery, miss broadfoot, victorian women's franchise league, ana hall, the bendigonian, law courts, post office, temperance hall, trades hall (old wardens court), roman catholic cathedral, shamrock hotel, bendigo philosophical society, bendigo fire brigade, mr arblaster, powder factory, meurer, sandhurst bee

A studio photo of an officer standing next to a chair with tassles on arms and seat in front of a potted palm.Black and white unframed studio photo of Reggie Clarke. Mounted with some marking on LH side.clarke, reggie, rust, thomas a., photographers, uniforms, george evans collection

Small greyish? Covered book with green inside front and back titled ' Victorian Police Guide' by John Barry, Senior-Constable, Sandhurst. Printed in Sandhurst by J. W. Burrows, Printer, Williamson Street. 1888. Written in pencil at the top of the front page is: William Kerr's Police Guide. On the page next to the index is written in ink is: Presented To William Kerr, Cons By John Barry Senior Constable Bendigo 1st May 1889.John Barry, J. W. Barrows, printer Williamsons Street, Sandhurst.essential services, police, victorian police guide, john jones collection - victorian police guide, john barry, j w burrows, william williams, john johnson, robert thomas, a bee, william jones, thomas brown, john richards, james williams, j h abbott, william kerr

The Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria, now known as Vicdeaf, (the Victorian Deaf Society), was founded in 1884 as the Victorian Society for Promoting the Spiritual and Temporal Welfare of the Adult Deaf and Dumb. The provisional committee being Mr W Bates, Mr J M Bruce, Mr J D Gowan, Mr Edwin Newbiggin, Mr C M Officer, M. L, A., and the Rev. W. Moss. The Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission's objects were: 1. To provide the means for religious worship and instruction for the adult deaf and dumb of Victoria 2. To visit the deaf and dumb in their homes, especially when sick or in distress 3. To assist the deaf and dumb of good character in obtaining suitable employment 4. To provide technical and other education for the adult and dumb 5. To give pecuniary assistance to adult deaf and dumb who are in needThe Annual Reports of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society are historically significant providing insight into the history of the evolving Deaf Community in Victoria. They are a annual 'snapshot' of the year with references not only to the progress of the Society but also to the significant people and events within the Deaf Community.Green Cover, Size 21.5Hx13.5W, 80 pagesthomas david gibson carmichael, f. s. grimwade, e. r. peacock, harold kent, h. sumner martin, m. l. miller, h. w. h. adeney, george brown, w. a. dickins, f. e. frewin, s. mauger, s. g. martin, g. g. mercy , j. e. muir, f. j. rose, f. tudor, henry weedon, ernest j. d. abraham, mrs e. j. d. abrahamj. mrs boortz, e. connell, e. empson, a. foster, mrs, mrs s. luke, mrs j. e. muir, mrs h. s. martin, m. potter, mrs a. williamson, mrs a. wilson, alex williamson, a. muir, w. j. craig, john cronin, s. moss, m. g. b mortimer, captain olden, blackburn, w. a. watt, a. t. danks, thomas mcpherson and sons, m eady, george brown, rev j. j. halley, julia mccombe, our monthly letter

"The Gesture" was an independent organ of the Deaf and Dumb having no direct connection with any single organisation. Its aim was to help all agencies established to promote the advancement of the Deaf and Dumb. The aim was to be the "Voice" of the Deaf and Dumb of Australasia". To educate the public as to the real condition and needs of the afflicted brothers and sisters, to bring prominently before the hearing and speaking community the peculiar difficulties and obstacles that Deaf Mutes have to encounter in the battle of life. The magazine was named "The Gesture" with the single object of impressing upon the minds of the hearing friends the uncontrovertable fact that whatever the system of instruction the Deaf Mute invariably resorts to the manual alphabet and the language of gesture as the only expedient means of communication with those similarly afflicted.The "Gesture" is significant as the first national newsletter of the Australasian Deaf.No. 3; Pink Cover; Size 28Hx22W; 16 pageshelen keller, ernest abraham, m. miller, j. charles, r. k. beattie, j. anderson, g. stubbs, j. mclean, j. e. muir, w. p. muir, w. a. patterson, r. h. luff, j. dempsey, e. r. w. smith, e. burke, f. e. frewin, l. downes, g. mortimer, a. c. muir, mrs frank frewin, mr and mrs i. a. tenney, melbourne deaf mute cricket club, deaf young men's mutual improvement society, m.miller, young women's society, mrs j. e. muir, miss a. foster, mrs luke, mrs a. wilson, mrs j. martin, captain olden, rev h. kelly, mr hood, mr williamson, john e. muir, w. p. monahan, thomas h. monahan, mrs leslie downes, new south wales institution for the deaf and dumb and blind, g. a. f. lentz, thomas pattison, australian deaf and dumb congress, matthew l. miller, blind deaf and dumb institution in queensland, tasmanian school for the blind, deaf and dumb, western australian school for the deaf and dumb, south australian institution for the blind, deaf and dumb, j. a. gibson, c. hawkins, mr showell

Item commonly called by soldiers, “bum pack”Small pack, webbing, canvas & inside lining waterproof. Has adjustable straps, buckles, metal, on rear metal clips for attachment to webbing belt & harness.“018465-823-7622 RP 1969--C105961” “Written: 3798215 THOMAS”military equipment - army, uniforms - accessories, metalcraft

Painting of Soldier in Jungle Greens by a river. A Village shack and two helicopters are in the background. "Vietnam" and The Flags of the seven participating Nations sits aboveDonated by H.G. Thomas 3793326 - 5 BN RAR - 2nd Tourh.g thomas, framed painting, 5 bn rar

Instituted by King George V in 1919 to mark the end of World War I and record the service given. The British War Medal 1914-20 was awarded as follows: Navy: 28 days mobilised service in Australia, at sea or overseas during prescribed periods. Army: Entered theatres of war during specified periods or left places of residence and rendered approved service overseas. Mercantile Marine: Awarded to the men and women of the Mercantile Marine who served at least six months at sea between 4th August 1914 and 11th November 1918. Licensed Pilots, Fishermen and crews of Pilotage and Lighthouse Authorities' Vessels, and of Post Office Cable Ships were also eligible. Those eligible also included members of women's organisations; persons on the staffs of military hospitals and members of recognised organisations who handled sick and wounded; and members of other duly recognised or other authorised organisations as specified in medal regulations. The qualification period of service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 was later extended to cover post-war mine clearance and service in Russia during 1919 and 1920. The ribbon has a wide central watered stripe of orange, flanked by two narrow white stripes, which are in turn flanked by two black pin-stripes, further flanked by two outer stripes of blue. The colours have no particular significance. The medal is cupro-nickel with the effigy of George V on the obverse. The reverse has an image of St George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the Central Powers, and a skull and cross-bones, the emblems of death. Above this is the risen sun of victory. The years 1914 and 1918 are contained on the outside edge medal.GEORGIVS V BRITT OMN:REX ET IND:IMP: 2186 FRASER, Thomasbritish war medal, medal, first world war, world war one, ww1

Hilda Horne (b 06/05/1888 in Yendon) was the 10th child of Thomas William Watson and Emma Eliza Jane Phillips (who was one of the first white children born in the Barrabool Hills area (Geelong). Thomas worked on the Victorian Railways and was stationed at Yendon where they acquired a small farmlet named Graceland. Hilda married George Horne in. They lived in a small cottage in Windermere Street, Ballarat.Three black and white photographs of the Horne family .1 Hilda Horne b Watson 06/05/1888 at Yendon, the daughter of Thomas William and Emma Eliza Jane (b Phillips)Watson. .2 Three Watson sisters - Emma Jacka b Watson 30/08/1866 - 03/04/1904, died in childbirth in South Africa (standing); Hilda Horne b Watson 06/05/1888 (seated L); Eva Watson b 4/06/1890 - 08/07/1959 (seated R) married Leo Wise. .3 George Horne aged 6 months, married Hilda Watson..1 Verso: upper Hilda 1910 Horne; Jack in pencil (her brother John Richard Watson) .2 Verso: upper L - The Yeoman Studios ; C- POST CARD; R - postage stamp outline. CORRESPONDENCE / ADRESS ONLY LHS - handwritten "To Jack with love from Eva"; All Watson sisters; RHS Emma Batt( believe incorrect surname) Eva Watson Hilda Horne .3 Verso: Upper L - Eden Studios; C POST CARD; R - postage stamp outline CORRESPONDENCE / ADDRESS ONLY LHS - EDEN STUDIO Sturt Street Ballarat; handwritten in biro -George Horne; in pencil - Georgie 6 months hilda horne, hilda watson, eva watson, emma jacka, emma watson, eden studio, the yeoman studios, yeoman & co

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. Tales by Musaeus Tieck Richter Vol 1 Translated from the German by Thomas Carlyle Publisher: Chapman & Hall Date: Label on spine cover with typed text R.H. 833 CAR Front loose endpaper has in hand writing " Frank Shann July 11, 1901"warrnambool, 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, tales by musaeus tieck richter vol 1, thomas carlyle

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. The Life and Correspondence of Thomas Arnold Vol 1 Author: Arthur Penrhyn Stanely Publisher: John Murray Date: 1881Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 Arn Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by 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, the life and correspondence of thomas arnold vol 1, arthur penrhyn stanely

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. The Life and Correspondence of Thomas Arnold Vol 2 Author: Arthur Penrhyn Stanely Publisher: John Murray Date: 1882Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 Arn Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by 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, the life and correspondence of thomas arnold vol 2, arthur penrhyn stanely