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. 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 its 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 have 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 1850s 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. The Australian Race Vol 4 Author: Edward M Curr Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1887 Further Information: Map in pocket at the back of vol Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library. Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum. Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum.flagstaff hil, warrnambool, 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, the australian race vol 4

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2000. Agency: Bank of New South Wales, corner of High and Victoria Streets, Eaglehawk. Construction of the building began in 1866 and it opened as an agency of the Sandhurst branch in 1867. It closed as a branch in 1919, after which it was used as a grocery store and residence. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2000. Pioneers: Charing Cross in 1861. Gold buyer Henry Jackson occupies the site where Aussie Disposals now stands, and beside his shop is the first building of the bank of NSW. Photo courtesy Bendigo Historical Society. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Photographic display - The Bendigo Post Office 'A Landmark in the Landscape’ Dudley House - Bendigo. April 14 - 17, 1995. Also includes a Brief History of the Bendigo Post Office, Building Notes, Description, and the Post Office Clock has a small picture of the Post Office Clock on the front. From notes compiled by Mr. L. Bennetts. Bendigo Historical Society (Inc.) at the top of the front page.bendigo, institutions, bendigo post office, document, the bendigo post office, bendigo historical society (inc), dudley house bendigo, cenotaph, alexandra fountain, survey office, sandhurst trustees, post office savings bank, cohn family, temperance hall, telegraph office, railway station, 1882 directory, sub-treasury, sandhurst public offices, state government department offices, postal department, sir henry brougham lock, mr j nimmo, bendigo advertiser 25.9.1971, keen's cement, mr t gaunt melbourne, j w horwood's foundry castlemaine, w lowden, mr l bennetts

Photo album, brown hard cover, writing in gold leaf ' Victorian Centenary Illuminations 1934' Contains black and white images of Melbourne, taken at night. Includes, south bank of Yarra, Princes Bridge, Collins Street, Flinders Street, Elizabeth Street, Shrine of Remembrance, St. Kilda, Swanston Street, Hawthorn War Memorial, State Electricity Commission Head Office, Electricity supply Building, Electricity Commission and Port Authority buildings, South Melbourne Town hall, Hotel Windsor, Parliament House, Town hall, Fire Brigade building, State Savings Bank, National Bank, Melbourne town hall, Bank of Australia, Port Authority Building, Steam Tower. All the photographs in this album pertain to the City of Melbourne, and have NOT been scanned.cottage, miners, melbourne, melbourne, centenary

a. 7 handwritten pages (author - Grahame Robertson, 24 Duneba Avenue Pymble 2073 NSW, date?) re ''History of the Young family in Bendigo''. George Young and J B Young; detailed genealogical information about both families; b.Copy of newspaper cutting (10/9/1936) re Mr and Mrs J B Young - Golden Wedding . Portrait photographs of both people. J B Young was son of George Young, one of the earliest pioneers of Bendigo (printing and stationery business). Mrs Young was daughter of Rev Joseph King, Minister of Congregational Church, Bendigo, 1874-1881. Further details in two columns of print. Other names; Anne Beale Young, John Beale Young, Frederick George Young, George Gibson Young, Miriam , Charlie Seymour, George Bolton, Fred Tuckerman, Mr Jennings, Mr. R. Gerdeson, Mr. Ron Hilton, Edith Dunlop, Sir. Michael Young.person, individual, young family, congrational church bendigo, st andrews college myers street, bendigo high school, austtralian natives association, ffederation league, mr alfred deakin, bendigo nenevolent asylum, bendigo mechanice institute, bendigo royal bank, bendigo gas company, bendigo and eaglehawk star permanent building society, bendigo stock exchange.

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Two typed pages titled : Article 11. On New Zeeland for Melbourne Herald. By Emerald A. Goetzee. Dated : Wellington. May 25th 1952. The article includes a detailed description of the building and operations of the Wellington Central Library and mentions the other two Wellington libraries and other important buildings. Signed (typed) at the bottom of pl 2 Emerald. A. Goetzee. c/- A.N.Z. Bank, Box 31. P.O. Auckland, N.Z. In pencil on the back of p. 2 is written, ANZ Bank, Box 31 Auckland. Norman Oliver was a member of the Library Board of Victoria at one stage.cottage, miners, norman joseph oliver , norman oliver. library board. wellington (nz). wellington central library.

Document, Bendigo Football League , Sponsors.Hartley's Sporting Goods (J.L.Shoosmith); Dennis & Bowe View Point, Bendigo, Newsagents & Stationers;D. Cleary & Sons, Tailors, 358 McCrea St, Bendigo; Murray's Motor Garage, 58 Bull St, Bendigo; R.S.Howard's Ladies & Gentlemen's Hairdresser, 114 Mitchell St, Bendigo;Park View Hotel Right Opp. Top Gates; W. Irving & T.Doble , The New Bootery, Andrew's Buildings Williamson St., Bendigo; A.N.Ward & Les. Makepeace, Ladies & Gents Tailor(In Conjunction) Charing Cross, Bendigo;South Bendigo V. Sandhurst,game; 6 O'Clock Lager - Ginger Tonik;Webster's Williamson Street, Bendigo; Suttons, Pall Mall, Bendigo; Brasier & Co, Railway Station, Bendigo, Heavy Machinery & Houses Removed; ''Dug Out'' Thomas & Newell, Complete Home Furnishers, Opp. Savings Bank; Capital Theatre, Book at Suttons or Ring 696.F.H.Sparkman, Printer, Arcade.document, names of bendigo pioneers

Black and white image copy: image shows Theatre Royal, three storey building, on corner of Williamson Street. On opposite corner Bank of Australasia. Dirt Roads, horse and carriages on roadway. Horse trough on LH side on side of road.Batchelderplace, bendigo, theatre royal, bank of australasia, bendigo, sandhurst, bank of australasia, theatre royal

Black and white photograph. Single storey building with verandah. Two storey brick building at L. At least 12 adult males standing under verandah. L foreground wooden bridge / walkway. Photographer's car CF. In image on building 'Finlay & Co/Jackson's Gold Office, H Jackson'. On cart in image 'Photographer, Pall Mall'. Inclusion in envelope - typewritten is 'Henry Jackson, gold buyer of View Point, Charing Cross where Aussie Disposals are now operating. On the right is the first building of the Bank of New South Wales. The railing marked where the creek then meandered. Photograph by Batchelder, taken in 1861. (Bendigo Historical Society Inc.) History of object James Lerk 28.2.2000 Batchelder photo (copy) 1861, View Point. See Mosaic 1228 for further information.buildings, commercial, henry jackson, gold buyer

Sepia photograph of the Bendigo Gaol looking across from Barnard Street, Mining dam in foreground. . Conifers along Northern bank of creek with gaol buildings in the background. All buildings are of masonry. Inscriptions: '37' in red ballpoint ink top RH corner. On back of mount: stamped in circle 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch' In blue ballpoint ink above circly '1959' In red ballpoint ink above circle '37'. In blue ballpoint ink in one corner '1880'. Inclusions in storage envelope: Bendigo Gaol, J Lerk, 28/02/2000. The Bendigo Gaol looking across Commissioner's Gully c1880. The grey granite cell blocks contrast with the red brick exterior walls. Photograph courtesy Bendigo Historical Sociery (No. 136, texta on back). Machine printed inclusion worded as above entry. Another inclusion written in pencil states ' Bendigo Gaol about 1880. Granite from Big Hill was used to construct the cell blocks about 1860. Prisioners did not have heating, beds, seats or eating utensils. A public meeting in 1862 called for the debtor's quarters at the gaol to be lit with gas, handsomely furnished throughout and that inmates be provided with a bottle of wine, one bottle of brandy daily and tobacco and pipes availabe at liberty. (from Butcher, 'Annals of Bendigo 1862, Vol. 1, 76B).buildings, government, watch house, sandhurst

Black and white photograph. Brick building (corner in Inglewood). The State Savings Bank of Victoria. Car in laneway at L. On back: MP 278, copy 2, 2 copies, 93, RHSV stamp. In image: 'The State Savings Bank of Victoria' Above windows on building. On each of two windows 'The State Savings Bank of Victoria'. On pillar near door 'Guaranteed by the Government of Victoria'.Alan Doney (ref. J Lerk, (10/03/2000)buildings, bank, state savings bank of victoria

Black and white photograph. Brick building (corner in Inglewood). The State Savings Bank of Victoria. Car in laneway at L. On back: MP 278 (copy 1); , RHSV stamp, 94Alan Doney (ref. J Lerk 10/3/2000buildings, bank, state savings bank of victoria, see also: 2000.551.01 (copy), 2000.554.01

Black and white copy of photo taken by Batchelder. Colonial Bank of Australasia. 2 storey rendered building, with parapet and orbs. 1st floor 3 rectangular windows, ground floor 2 arched windows and central arched doorway. 6 adult males on footpath at front. Single storey shop with verandah at left. Batchelder photographic cart at left front , at right, laneway with gas lamp above. At far right, double storey building. In image ' Manufacturing/Goldsmiths' On back in pencil '41'Batchelderbuildings, bank, colonial bank of australia

Black and white photograph of male group outside building ( with two horses ) 1 horse harnessed to passenger vehicle. Building at least 2 storey with iron lace on verandah and upstairs balustrade.W.H. Robinson ( ref. J. Lerk, 5.11.1999)buildings, bank, oriental bank

black and white photo mounted on same size board. Group of 30 men and boys outside double storey building with verandah with iron lace. At left man mounted on horse. At rigfht, horse and 4 wheeled vehicle. At centre 2 men, 1 each side of box with '1311' 4 pieces of smooth material piled on box ( smelted gold ? ) At far left, 2 girls, 1 bending down. On left hand window of building 'old' On RH window ' …. Mercial bank'? Above doorway at far left ' private entrance'organization, business, oriental bank, eaglehawk

B+W photo of Charing cross from a 'Valentine' postcard photograph c1910 (details J. Lerk) streetscape from elevated position looking from Charing Cross down Pall Mall towards White Hills. Depicts: Alexandra fountain; electric tram; horse drawn wagon, dray, vehicles; Hustlers Royal reserve No2 mine, poppet heads, chimney; post office; tram power poles; buildings fronting Pall Mall; Pedestrians; trees; Queen Victoria statue; Colonial bank. Inscription: Lower right '53464 JV'.place, bendigo, view over alexandra fountain

Hand tinted photo of Fortuna. Front view of property, palm tree in right front foreground, fir tree in centre. Pond with lilies on water in immediate foreground. Diving board on bank on left of pond. Photo is framed by tree branch.F.T. Kennedyplace, building, fortuna

The Sandhurst Building Society, a history. 63 pages, ISBN 0 0503074 Illustrated. With IndexFrank Cusackbendigo, banks, sandhurst building society, bendigo, sandhurst building society, banking, banks, frank cusack

Sepia photograph of early Bendigo streetscape, Stone building in in forefront LH side, now View Street. In Pall Mall on left is the Shamrock Hotel, then the building that now houses the Bendigo Bank, in the centre is 23 the sign below possibly reads ELVTA, to the right is Edmonds Horse Bazaar, 2 doors to the right is the 2 story building that housed the Colonial Bank, beside that is Victoria Hotel then the stables which became Allan's walk. Markings/Inscriptions: none.place, streetscape, pall mall

1. The Tarnagulla Presbyterian church was built in late 1863 at an estimated cost of 650 pounds plus bricks, and opened for services June 19th 1864. The first minister was Rev. Hamilton. A Sabbath School also opened at this time. The success of gold mining in the area and the resultant population fluctuations, had an impact on the church and in 1866 it was only operating on an occasional basis. It closed in the late 1870's, reopening in 1882 as a mission station. In 1912, repairs and improvements valued at 150 pounds were carried out. In 1926, when the Laanacoorie church closed, the building was transported to Tarnagulla to become the Sunday School Hall. In 1975 it became the Uniting Church. 2. The union Bank was originally a sub-branch of Melbourne and built a brick building in 1859. In 1866 the Union Bank bought the two storied building seen in the photo, from the Colonial Bank. where it remained until 1888. Two newspaper articles from the Bendigo Advertiser, one from 22/08/1953 and the other from 29/06/1950 relating to the presbyterian church and the Union Bank in Tarnagulla. The articles are glued to a piece of cardboard with three other articles not relating to Bendigo.20tarnagulla, union bank, presbyterian church, bendigo advertiser

The Commercial Bank of Australia was established in 1866. In Bendigo it was initially in Pall Mall but in 1875 a new building was designed by Vahland and Getzschmann in the Renaissance revival style and was erected at 11 View Point. In 1982 the CBA merged with the Bank of NSW to become Westpac.Photocopy of Cheques used in Bendigo in the 1880s. 20 assorted cheques on plain blue paper. Amounts on cheques vary - Commercial Bank of Australia - on the rear 'amounts in gold, notes, silver and copper to be listed. Purpose of these unknown.history, bendigo, cheques, commercial bank of australia

Four pages article on the history of the Bendigo Bank titled: Banking on a golden past. Several photos and drawing of the buildings and staff.bendigo, business, bendigo bank

Aulsebrook Collection: State Bank, Bendigo Opening Invitation Title: The Manager and Staff of Bendigo Branch of the State Bank cordially invite… to attend a function at the Bank: 337 Hargreaves Street, Wednesday, 22nd February 1978, Celebrating restoration of this historic building in its original style of 100years ago. Proceedings will begin at 4:30pm with arrival of Mayor and other members of the official party in horsedrawn coaches. -A4,5 white pages, typed -Detailed booklet of information regarding event, history of the bank, information about the restoration project, and photocopy of newspaper clipping relevant to Bank.

Black and white photograph. There is a weatherboard house with a high white picket fence on the left of a two storey brick building, a man in a white tunic is standing at the front door, on the window the sign Dr. Robinson. A man is standing near the window. Next to Dr. Robinson studio there is a bank, two more men standing,, On the back in red pen Dr. Robinson Surgery.buildings, commercial, dr. robinson surgery

Photographs taken from Bendigo Bank Board Room, towards the west of period buidings on Charing Cross, including the Sacred Heart Cathedraland Post Office 9A looking west from Board Roomto Sacred Heart Cathedral 9B Alexandra Fountain, Charing Cross and Rosiland Park 9C Looking north along Pall Mall towards Post Office 9D Looking north down Pall Mall 9E looking into rosiland park, and Infant Welfare CentreEdith Lunn

Photocopies. 12 x A4 size photocopies of scenes of early Bendigo. Includes, Randell's Café, Queen Victoria statue Rosalind Park, Francis Bros Beehive Stores, Colonial Bank of Australasia, Favalaro's Pall Mall, Gold Office (Wm Harris) Finlay & Co., R O Henderson, Alexandra Fountain, Art Gallery, Scenes of Charing Cross, Original Post OfficeVariousphotograph, buildings, randell's café, queen victoria statue, francis bros, colonial bank, favaloro, charing cross, r o henderson, alexandra fountain, jackson's gold office, original post office.

Banking on the Bendigo, the story of the Bendigo building society, published by Wright books containing 200 pages with black and white photographs & illustrations.Tim Hewatbendigo, banks, sandhurst building society, banks and banking, victoria, bendigo history.

Coloured picture of a boy wearing a blue & white sailor suit paddling across a stream. He is holding a girl's hand as she walks over the stepping stones in the stream. She is wearing a pink dress & hat and black stockings & shoes. The boy has a pole in his hand. On the bank of the stream is a large tree and some grazing sheep. At the back is a grey building. The picture is mounted on cardboard. 'Horner's Magazine, River of Life Series, MP274, MP275, MP276, & MP277 is written in pen on the back. The picture is titled 'Playmates'. At the top of the picture is printed 'zhorner's Penny Stories 'River of Life' Series No 1. 15.1.1910.personal effects, greeting cards, malone collection, malone collection, greeting cards, horner's magazine river of life series