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 a 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 a 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. 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. Aristophanes Edited by Rev W Lucas Collins Publisher: William Blackwood & Sons Date: 1872 Further Information: Ancient Classics for Enflish ReadersThe label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 882 ARI Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library. Pastedown front-end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library. 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, aristophanes, rev w lucas collins

Letter from Jos French to W B Evans dated 20/10/71 re arrangements to pay the Court during his absence.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, w b evans, bro philpot, mrs french, jos french

Page from White Hills Cemetery Register re McConnichee family children - James; Stillborn (un-named) and Henry W. 1876- 1899.person, individual, mcconnichee family

The Golden Years of Eaglehawk, Drawings of mining and Eaglehawk by the author. Blue sofyt cover with plastic cover. 28 Pages. B&W illustrations. With IndexDorothy Dempseyhistory, eaglehawk

Sepia coloured photograph of grade 5/6 California Gully in 1919. Under the photo W. Edmends, photographer 168 Donald Street Brunswick.school, history, california gully

Print of a painting called ' Action in the Vale of Tempe, Greece, 1941 ' by W. A. Dargie, from the original oil painting in the Australian War Memorial , Canberra.postcard, world war two, action in the vale of tempe, greece, world war two, w. a. dargie

Document: copy of photos: Bendigo wire works, premises of A. Frigerio, premises of Webster Bros., premises of Owen W. Williams, premises of R.A. Cousen.cottage, miners, bendigo, owen w. williams, r.a. cousen, a. frigerio, webster bros.

A calendar for the year 1986 showing twelve B & W pictures of Fortuna Villa with two pages of history about George Lansell and Fortuna villa.buildings, house

Letter dated 6 11 77 informing that W Matthews has fell ill and unable to follow his usual occupation. Signature illegible.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, w matthews

Piece of paper torn on an angle wirh 'Pay for Alfred Mason £0-10-0. W. S. Mason £0-8-0 written on it.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, alfred mason, w s mason

Document, W,D.Mason Collection, Envelope with Mason's letterhead on top left corner, and return address on lower left corner all in green ink.business, retail, w d mason

Copy of B&W photograph of David BEAZLEY and members of his family ('Dugga', centre) on the jetty at the Lagoon with sharks that were caught in the bay 1970sOn rear: 'D Beazley photo collection Neg No PM004/1'natural environment - fauna, piers and wharves - lagoon pier, industry - fishing, leonard george 'dugga' beazley, david beazley

B&W photo of first Holy Communion at St Josephs Catholic Church c1966. Priest seated centre front, children holding candlesreligion - roman catholic church (st josephs), antonio cannatelli, st josephs catholic church

Arthur Butcher and his wife Martha arrived at Fisherman's Bend in 1911and established a dairy, sheep and goat farmFisherman's Bend photos from Butcher family (set of nine): .07 6 x 8.5 B&W photo of house on Butcher's farm fishermans bend, business and traders - dairies, gladys butcher, butcher family dairy

Photograph of Dalma BARFOOT with new husband Frank POTTER after their wedding at Holy Trinity Church, Port Melbourne.B & W photograph of Dalma BARFOOT & her husband Frank POTTER taken on their wedding day outside Holy Trinity Church, Port Melbourne.Dalma Barfoot & Frankreligion - anglican (holy trinity), dalma barfoot, frank potter

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of the track to the baths between Erquinghem and Armentieres. A dirt track with bushes either side. Copy Z 33postcard, postcard, ww1, france, erquinghem, armentieres, baths

B&W photograph of the Myer Bendigo staff of the company's "Country Order Department". Undated the photograph shoes two males and seven female employees.social history, myer store

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of a group of captured German guns in a field at Longeau near Amiens. A large building in background. Copy A 38postcard, postcard, ww1, german guns, longeau, amiens

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of a landscape between Corbie and Daours. Hillside with a dam in foreground with what is probably a pump shed. Copy G17postcard, ww1, corbie, daours, france, dam

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of the ruined church at Neuve (Neuve Eglise). Published by J.M.Hamilton & Coy. Sydney, Australia Copy AZ 8postcard, postcard, ww1, neuve, france eglise, church

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of the ruins of Bailleul after a German offensive. View of Mont Kemmell from the Square. Copy Z 50postcard, postcard, ww1, bailleul, mont kemmel, france, ruins

These are a pictorial documentation of the early years of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution. B&W oval photograph pasted on cardboard and cut out from original board and a negative copy. The picture is of George Douglas, a member of the Board.deaf children australia, dca, victorian deaf & dumb institution, vddi, board member, george douglas