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. The International Scientific Series Vol 16 The Life and Growth of Language Author: W D Whitney Publisher: Keegan Paul Trench & Co Date: 1882 Label on spine with typed text RH 400 WHI Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, w d whitney, the international scientific series vol 16

2 of VC Rice bowls c/w carry bag (green with yellow star & draw string EQ377) listedasEQ359 1/2 & 2/2equipment, vietnam, general

Bendigo Advertiser '' The way we were'' from 2002. Leaders: Lieutenant W. J. Symons with the then mayor of Eaglehawk Cr. D. Oswald. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from February 2001. In tune: Eaglehawk Male Choir, W. Perry conductor. Date unknown. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Esma Turner Collection - (Esma Turner - Secretary of the Huntly and districts Historical Society) Amalgamated Society of Engineers / photo of W Wainhouse 10x15mm see 4737.1.photograph, person, male, esma turner collection - ( esma turner - secretary of the huntly and district' s historical society ) amalgamated society of engineers / of w wainhouse

Esma Turner Collection - (Esma Turner - Secretary of the Huntly and District Historical Society) Amalgamated Society of Engineers / photo of W Donald 10x15mm - see 4737.1.photograph, person, male, esma turner collection - ( esma turner - secretary of the huntly and district' s historical society ) amalgamated society of engineers / f w donald - see 4737.1

Letter of apology from James W. Long to the Chief Ranger, Court King of the Forest, for being unable to attend Court that night. Written on blue paper.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, james w long

Engraving reproduction ('Attack on Gold Escort between McIvor and Melbourne') by W Hathirell, 1887. Apparently taken from a series of illustrations (book??) with this being #6.topic, mining, mcivor

The Centre of a Community, a brief history of the Eaglehawk and Long gully Community Health Centre. 68 pages. B&W photos and illustrations Ray Wallace EditorRay Wallace ( editor )eaglehawk, health, community health centre, eaglehawk, long gully, health, community health centre.

B&W family studio photograph of three chilfdren (two girls and one boy) seated on an ornate cane chair Photo taken by A Verey, Castlemainephotograph, portrait

B&W Photograph of Mrs Lydia Chancellor . Newspaper photo for the article about sale of Taraxville/Lydia Chancellor (Bendigo Advertiser, 22/2/1975).Bendigo Advertiserperson, individual, lydia chancellor, mrs lydia chancellor, taraxville.

Card issued by the State Emergency services Victoria, stating that W. C. Harry has been appointed an Air Raid warden. The number on the card is 39574.State Emergency Services Victoriaorganization, military, air raid warden, victoria state emergency services, air raid warden, world war 2

Invitation to wedding of John W. Boland to Naomi Pound. Silver lettering on cream card with circular fold out pieces showing initials of bride & groom.person, greeting cards, malone collection, malone collection, greeting cards

Envelope with writing: photos from Miss E. W. Wells. Photos are of Miss Wells parents, (the Rotherhams), also Miss Wells great aunt and associates.

Note to W. B. Evans, Sec. of Court King of the Forest, from ? Le Franz informing him that he is married and his wife's name is Mary.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, w b evans, court king of the forest, mary le franz, ? le franz

Gummed label from W. Brown, pastrycook & Confectioner. Mitchell and View Streets. Bendigo. Printed in dark blue on white paper with a diamond pattern border.business, printers, cambridge press, cambridge press collection, w brown

B&W Photograph of California Hill Methodist Church mounted on light card. Inscription in pencil on reverse. No date. Shows front of church from road.church, history, methodist church california hill, california hill methodist church.

Blue coupon, dated March 21 1877, asking Mr. Lewis, Treasurer, to pay W. Daniel the sum of 13/- for ? Signed by Wm. Rowe, Secretary.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no 3770 collection - to pay, court king of the forest, mr lewis, w daniel, wm rowe

1870 B&W photo of Murdoch's general store in Bay St. Later to become Faram Brothers. Image shows shopkeepers and horse-drawn wagon.built environment - commercial, business and traders - general store, murdoch, faram brothers hardware

These photographs form part of Dugga Beazley's original photograph album and scrapbookOne from a group of B&W lasercopies of original photographs of the Beazley family: 'Dugga' Beazley with very big fish; 'Northern Star' and 'Ronsai' in backgroundindustry - fishing, leonard george 'dugga' beazley

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 9): .01 6 x 8.5 B&W photo of cows grazing on Butcher's farmfishermans bend, business and traders - dairies, gladys butcher, butcher family dairy

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 9): .02 6 x 8.5 B&W photo of calf & lamb on Butcher's farmfishermans bend, business and traders - dairies, gladys butcher, butcher family dairy

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 9): .03 6 x 8.5 B&W photo of goats grazing on Butcher's farmfishermans bend, business and traders - dairies, gladys butcher, butcher family dairy

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): .06 6 x 8.5 B&W photo of children and goat on Butcher's farmfishermans bend, business and traders - dairies, gladys butcher, butcher family dairy

Fisherman's Bend photos from Butcher family (set of nine): .08 7 x 11 B&W photo of child & lamb on Butcher's farmfishermans bend, business and traders - dairies, gladys butcher, butcher family dairy

City of Port Melbourne Councillors, Town Clerk and Electrical Engineer at a PMG presentation of the new concept of Subscriber Trunk Dialling. (STD). L - R Cr Les TURNER, Cr Ray JULIER, Jack ANDERSON (Electrical Engineer), Cr Cyril LETTS, Andy AANENSEN (Town Clerk). Probably taken in the mid to late 1960s. Andy Aanensen was Town Clerk 1959-1968 and Cyril Letts served on Council 15 May 1954 until he resigned on 24 Sep 1968.B & W photograph of City of Port Melbourne Councillors & staff. Behind the group is map of Australia inside the dial of a telephone labelled Subscriber Trunk Dialing.Names on the reverse of photo are listed right to left.engineering department - city of port melbourne, leslie stanley turner, ray julier, cyril letts, andreas (andy) t aanensen, local government - city of port melbourne, jack anderson

B & W photograph of three adults and two children in a rowing boat with Station Pier, Port Melbourne, in the background. One other child stands in the water.transport - shipping, piers and wharves - station pier