Main Road Eltham looking south from opposite John Street towards Pitt Street showing Eltham Hotelmain road, pitt street, eltham, hotels

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 1942 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. A History of Inventions Discoveries and Origins Vol 2 Author: John Beckmann Publisheer: Henry G Bohn Date: 1846Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 621.4 ROB Pastedown front end page 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, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, a history of inventions discoveries and origins vol 2, john beckmann

Yellow Invitation the the opening of the Ballarat School of Mines Brewery Building. The ribbon was cut by Prime Minister John Howard MP.brewery building, ballarat school of mines, prime minister, john howard, phil honeywood, ron wild, pam davies

Fragments of the Early History of Australia 1788 to 1812 Compiled by John McMahon Publisher: W and J Barr Date: 1913 Label on spine with typed text R.A. 994 MCM warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, john mcmahon, fragments of the early history of australia

Black and white images of farm stock at "Launchley Park", Derrinallum the property once owned by Henry John (Jack) Holmeschatham-holmes collection, farm, stock, cattle, angus, hereford, launchley park, derrinallum, henry john holmes, agriculture

The 175th anniversary dinner address was delivered by Clare Gervasoni, Curator of the Art and Historical Collection at the University of Ballarat (later Federation University Australia)White card program with programme events to celebrate 175 years since Captain John and Elizabeth Hepburn settled at Smeaton. anniversary, smeaton

``Newspaper clipping from the "Post", Tuesday March 18 1997, Page 1. By John Cooke - MIX OF OLD WITH NEWA recount of votes in Loughnan's Hill Ward failed to overturn the result in the most hotly contested ward of last weekend's first Maroondah Council elections.Despite attracting only 1014 first preference votes - fourth highest - Joe Cossari went on to win Loughnan's Hill by 247 votes from former Ringwood councillor Yvonne Kaukas after preference votes recorded by six other candidates were distributed.`

Pearce Collection: Eldridge & Burnet - Receipts (x2) and Account - John Danks & Son Bourke St, Melbourne 1911-12.ephemera, mementoes, eldridge & burnet

Documents relating to 1939 Bankruptcy of John Hunter Cresswell, café proprietor of Inglewood. Guarantee of Felix Lamaroo of Whycheproof enclosed.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery

Note to Court King of the Forest, dated Octr 1871. To Advertising. Funeral. 5/-. Signed by John Wallin and Thomas Exeter.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, t j wallin, thomas exeter

John Coghlan as a boy, dressed in father's police jacket and hat. In the backyard at 139 Station St. B&W photopolice, coghlan family, senior constable martin coghlan, john coghlan

Blue book with black printing: Twelfth Series, Choral Treasury - Beautiful tunes for school and home, edited by John Burnham

A letter from the Bendigo Art Gallery dated 20/11/1974 re the availability of photos of Sir John Quick.person, individual, sir john quick

Document. Invoice from Bush's Stores, Bendigo to Mr. John Guiney. Statement of part payments of account. Dated 12.2.1917.document, memo, invoice

Black and white photgraph of greyhound. Eaglehawk 3556. Greyhound. owner John Anderson and Stan Johannesen with their champion greyhound Enfield.clubs and associations, sport, greyhound racing

Slide. Bendigo & District P.O.I. John Cook at the Olympic Pool, Barnard Street, Bendigo (now the Bendigo Aquatic Centre).slide, bendigo, bendigo & district p.o.i., bendigo & district p.o.i.

Slide. Bendigo & District P.O.I. John Cook at the Olympic Pool, Barnard Street, Bendigo (now the Bendigo Aquatic Centre).slide, bendigo, bendigo & district p.o.i., bendigo & district p.o.i.

Slide. Bendigo & District P.O.I. John Cook at the Olympic Pool, Barnard Street, Bendigo (now the Bendigo Aquatic Centre).slide, bendigo, bendigo & district p.o.i., bendigo & district p.o.i.

Slide. Bendigo & District P.O.I. John Cook at the Olympic Pool, Barnard Street, Bendigo (now the Bendigo Aquatic Centre).slide, bendigo, bendigo & district p.o.i, bendigo & district p.o.i. john cook at the olympic pool, barnard street, bendigo (now the bendigo aquatic centre)

Colour Photograph of Bendigo/Golden Square area, looks like in the left hand of the corner is the St John of God Hospitalphotograph, landscape, bendigo, bendigo, golden square, st john of god

Storyboard of John Vincent OAM, Platoon Commander, Pleiku May 1969 - May 1970. Service Number 29581, AATTVstoryboard, behind the wire, aattv, pleiku, john vincent oam

Reference book. Fawn card cover Sketches of various scenes in brown. the title also in brown. Sketches by John Glover (Local Artist).R A Blachfordstawell