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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Weapon - Cannon, circa 1825
HISTORICAL INFORMATION In an article dated 26 March 1963, the Warrnambool Standard reported: “A cannon which has lain on the ocean floor since the barque, Children, was wrecked at Childer’s Cove on January 15, 1839, was raised by three Warrnambool skindivers at the week-end…The cannon, weighing about 750 lb. and 4-ft. 6-in. in length…is in excellent order considering the length of time it has remained under-water”. No conservation measures were taken at that time, other than chipping off the marine growth with hammers and cold chisels. The minutes for the 4 February 1974 meeting of the Flagstaff Hill Planning Board recorded that “a cannon recovered some time ago was lying in the garden of [one of the three original divers] and that it could be picked up at any time”. Peter Ronald, past Manager and Diver for Flagstaff Hill, notes that the CHILDREN cannon would have been recovered by the other divers around 1964. When the cannon came into care of Flagstaff Hill it was given basic conservation relevant to the time. (At the same meeting the Board was advised of the recovery of an anchor from the wreck of the CHILDREN by Flagstaff Hill divers (Peter Ronald, Colin Goodall and Gary Hayden, and Hank Howey and Andrew Coffee), and its interim relocation in the sea at the end of the Warrnambool Breakwater while awaiting conservation). The CHILDREN was owned by the pioneering Henty family of Portland. She was en route from Launceston to Adelaide, when she foundered in rough conditions at Childers Cove on 14 January 1839. The CHILDREN was a small three-masted barque, only 29 metres long and 254 tons weight, with 14 crew members and 24 passengers (including 9 children) on board. The ship was also carrying an awkwardly ballasted cargo of 1500 sheep, 8 bullocks, 7 horses, 5000 London house bricks, 6 whaling boats, and general trade goods. When the CHILDREN was driven into the limestone stack at the entrance to the cove, the seas smashed her into pieces within half an hour, and 16 lives were lost. The CHILDREN was an all-wooden ship, built in 1825 at Liverpool, and her shipwreck in 1839 is one of colonial Victoria’s earliest and most significant maritime disasters. There is little left to mark the tragedy on the seabed now, apart from some of the house bricks intended for the Henty’s Portland Bay settlement. Despite its poor condition, the CHILDREN’s signal cannon remains an important and interpretable record of her demise, (along with her anchor, the bottom half of her ship’s bell, and portions of a brass porthole - artefacts that are also in the Flagstaff Hill collection). In 2015 the CHILDREN cannon will undergo further conservation. (Conservation Management Plan for Victorian Guns and Cannon, South Western Victoria, May 2008, ref W/F/06) The shipwreck of the CHILDREN is of state significance — Victorian Heritage Register No. S116.A 1.3 metre iron 6pdr cannon recovered from the wreck of the CHILDREN. The shape of the cannon tapers from a thick round breech to a flared muzzle, with an 8 centimetre bore, and two side trunnions for pivoting on a wooden gun carriage. It was recovered from the shipwreck site of the CHILDREN by local divers in 1963. This small muzzle-loading signal cannon is in poor and unrestored condition. The cannon’s upper profile of smooth grey metal casing has corroded off, leaving an extensively oxidised rough red surface of crumbling iron. The bottom half of the cannon remains intact although the outer smooth casing also appears to be separating from the iron core of the barrel. Original grey casting is also missing from the breech and muzzle ends of the cannon. Corrosion and spalling of the upper surface layer of the cannon has removed the maker’s marks and specificationsflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, the children, ship’s cannon, signal cannon, childers cove, 1839 shipwreck, conservation of marine artefactsm, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, cannon, 6pdr small bore cannon, children cannon, defence, children, shipwreck, 1839 -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, School Camp, 1988
The children were on a school camp at Beechworth. During their time at the camp they visited various places of interest as well as engaged in various activities. One of the activities was hiking to the Woolshed Falls and looking at the terrain. Bulla and MIckleham Primary School combined and attended the camp.A non- digital coloured photograph of ten children with an adult standing on a rocky outcrop above a waterfall in bushland.school camps, beechworth, bulla primary school, mickleham primary school -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, Holmbush picnic, 194X
Photos of what appears to be a picnic in the bush with Holmbush children and legatees, possibly in the 1940s. The matron is the lady in the hat and is believed to be Dorothy Farmer, names of the children and legatees are not known. One photo shows a tripod of branches that had been erected to hold a pot over the campfire. Also some of the cars that took them on the outing. From a photo album which contains photos of Holmbush and some of the excursions and events that happened there, appears to have been put together in the 1940s. Including trips to the zoo and picnics. Holmbush at 1267 Burke road, was one of the properties that Legacy used for Junior Legatees. It was purchased 1942. In 1957 Holmbush was renamed Blamey House until it was sold in 1977.A compilation of photos of the matron and junior legatees from the Legacy residences on an outing with legatees.Black and white photo x 2 of Matron, children and Legatees on a bush picnic pasted to the page of an album.residences, holmbush, matron, picnic, junior legatee outing -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - PORTRAIT OF THREE YOUNG CHILDREN, 1850
Black & white photo of 3 children. 1 child boy, sitting on wicker chair, wearing shirt with white lace collar, shorts, black socks & black shoes. I child girl standing, wearing white dress with white lace collar, long hair tied back, black tights, black shoes. 1 child girl sitting on wicker couch, wearing black shirt, white dress, black socks & black shoes. Carpet on floor. Embossing on frameperson, group, children -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Open Family To Help Young People In Crisis, 1990
Article on placement of children in Community Placement Homes.Article on placement of children in Community Placement Homes to provide secure and stable environments for children between 13 and 17, after family breakdown. Brigitte Hammer of 'Open Family' Organisation said the Programme offers young people a chance to become part of a new family for a short time.Article on placement of children in Community Placement Homes.youth services, open family -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Photograph, 1995
Children named as Jessica Rogers, Elise, Brody Dawe, Zoe. (Names don't match picture, two boys and two girls)Black and white photograph new Director Yvonne Unthank with four named children on outside playground equipment at kindergarten at Swan Reach Victoriachildrens services -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, Bulla Primary School - Colonial Day
The children were encouraged to join in singing Australian ballads as part of their Colonial Day celebrations. The day was also included in their history studies.A coloured photograph of a man seated in the school courtyard playing a guitar while children dressed in colonial dress gather around to listen to him.bulla primary school, colonial days, history studies -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, Bulla CFA
The children are from Bulla Primary School. The local Bulla CFA fire truck is from Region 14 and they were invited to attend the school to talk to the students and to show them some of the workings of the trucks and the role of the CFA in their region.This is yet another extra-curricular activity that the children who attended the Bulla Primary School enjoyed before it was closed down in 1995.A coloured photograph of a CFA firetruck parked in the school ground with firemen preparing to demonstrate its features to some children. bulla cfa, fire trucks, bulla primary school -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, Bulla Primary School, Gundiwindi School camp, 14th - 18th August 1989
The photograph was taken in 1989 when the children in grades 4 an 5 attended a school camp at Gundiwindi, which is in the Yarra Valley on the border of Wandin and Nth. Silvan. At the camp the children were acquainted with the skills used by the local indigenous people. The children the photograph attempted to construct a bark shelter along the lines of those build by the local indigenous people. While the children from Bulla Primary School attended the camp at Gundiwindi they were introduced to skills used by local indigenous people.A coloured non- digital photograph of three children sitting at the entrance of a primitive bark shelter. The immediate surrounding area has been cleared but native woodland is growing beyond the fence line. school camps, gundiwindi, bulla primary school, indigenous culture -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter - Correspondence, Ballarat Children's Home to Kevin Murray of the Ballarat Junior Technical School, 1968, 05/04/1968
Ballarat Children's Home was previously known as the Ballarat OrphanageHandwritten letter from Ballarat Children's Home secretary and superintendant Ray J. Jenkins to Ballarat Junior Technical School Principal Kevin Murray concerning Brian Harris.ballarat children's home, ballarat orphanage, ray jenkins, kevin murray, ballarat junior technical school, brian harris, dr lopert -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Book, No Mean Destiny : The Story of the War Widows' Guild of Australia 1945-85, 1986
Author was a Surrey Hills resident. 288p; illus. This is a story of the War Widows' Guild and the story telling of energy released through grief, of women fighting for their children and their spouses.288p; illus. This is a story of the War Widows' Guild and the story telling of energy released through grief, of women fighting for their children and their spouses.war widows' guild of australia, societies and clubs, women, widows, (ms) mavis thorpe clark -
Linton and District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hornby, Clunes, Linton State School Concert, Miss Barry's Cantata Group, circa 1908, 1908
This is one of several copies of the photograph of Miss Barry's cantata group in the LDHS collection. This copy of the photograph was in Mag Gorman's collection. None of the children are identified on this copy of the photograph.Black and white photograph of large group of children in costume outside Linton State School. Photo is mounted on dark grey card.linton state school, school concert, miss barry's cantata group -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, Bulla Primary School - Dress-up Day, c1993
The children were trying out a variety of outdoor activities on their dress-up day. These group were practising a variety of ball-handling skills.A coloured photograph of a teacher showing a boy how to dribble a ball around a witch's hat with two other adults and four children watching.ball handling skills, bulla primary school dress-up day -
Federation University Art Collection
Painting, Diana Nikkelson, 'My Family, My Life Goes On' by Diana Nikkelson
Diana NIKKELSON (c1943-30 December 2022) Diana Nikkelson is a Ballarat-based Gunditjmara elder. Her grandfather was Watchobaluk. A part of the stolen generation, Diana Nikkelson was one of 10 children, and she had nine children of her own. A founding member of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative in the late-70s, Diana Nikkelson was a board director for 16 years and chair for six years. She worked on the Bunjil the Eagle installation at the Koorie Playground at Lake Wendouree, and designed the goanna which was etched into the paving along Police Lane in 2006, and has painted murals across Ballarat. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.AboriginalThis work by Ballarat-based Gunditjmara elder Diana Nikkelson was commissioned by the University of Ballarat (later Federation University) for use on the Aboriginal Employment Strategy brochure. The central figures in this painting represent the artist and the fathers of her children. The outer groups are Diana Nikkelson’s children and their families. art, artwork, diana nikkelson, aboriginal, dreaming, nikkelson, gunditjmara, aboriginal employment strategy -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, Bulla Primary School, 1984
Portable classrooms being brought into a school was how many schools accommodated children when there was an increase in student enrolments and there were insufficient classrooms available at a school. This portable room was transported from Macedon Primary School in September 1984 and it became known as Room 1 at Bulla. The use of portable classrooms was widespread across Victoria especially from 1945 to the end of last century.A coloured photograph with school children sitting and standing on a fence watching a portable classroom being transported to their school. bulla primary school, bulla, schools, portable classrooms -
Linton and District Historical Society Inc
Certificate, Standard Print, Linton, Linton Horticultural Society, Second Prize, 1896, 1896
Second prize awarded to Miss Ethel Bersey on March 26th, 1896, for Bouquet by children under 14 years. Date awarded March 26, 1896. C. Stratton, Sec.Cream and red card awarded as prize certificate.Text: " LINTON / HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. / SECOND PRIZE / for Bouquet by children under 14 years / Awarded to Miss Ethel Bersey. "linton horticultural society, ethel bersey, c. stratton -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Wells Gardner, Darton & Co. Limited, Chatterbox, 1918
A vintage 1918 Chatterbox collection of puzzles, poetry and stories for children with black lined illustrations and coloured plates throughout.A vintage 1918 hardcover children's book with the title Chatterbox printed in white lettering at the top of the front cover which has a green coloured background with an illustration in a large circle showing a boy and girl playing in hay. The publisher details are printed at the bottom. It is bound on the left side with red tape. The cream and red coloured back cover has an advertisement for "Pears" soap 'This only is the witchcraft I have used' showing a smiling woman talking to a man. Both are dressed in Victorian Era style clothes. The frontispiece coloured illustration inside depicts four Egyptian black men on a Dhow boat chasing another boat next to it. 'Chasing Gun-Running Dhows' is the name of the illustration. The title page has the title plus Founded by J. Erskine Clarke, M.A and publisher details with a black lined illustration of children, a woman with children at her knee reading and flowers. There are further coloured plates in the collection. There are many puzzles, poetry, and stories for children. Pp. 316. The end papers have several advertisements related to children, their health, food and sweets included.fictionA vintage 1918 Chatterbox collection of puzzles, poetry and stories for children with black lined illustrations and coloured plates throughout. children's books, books, children's stories, adventure stories -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, School Camp, 1988
The photograph was taken when the students from Bulla and Mickleham Primary Schools combined to attend a camp at Beechworth in 1988. During that time the children were engaged in a number of different outdoor activities as a component of their outdoor education. Recognising some of the native birds of the area was one of their activities where the children experiences the birds actually landing on them.The varied activities that the children engaged in at the school camp helped to give them a better appreciation and understanding of the natural environment. A non-digital coloured photograph of a group of children with some adults in a bushland area, trying to encourage a flock of crimson rosellas to come closer by feeding them.school camps, beechworth, native birds, crimson rosellas -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Mrs Marsella
Internee women and children from Camp 3. Mrs Marsella and Ricardo, in pram; Gisela Koch and nephews Beinssen boys.Sepia photograph of two ladies standing in front of a hut with 4 children in front of them, one in a pram and one in a toy car. On foam backing.camp 3 internees -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, Vogue Knitting Book no. 61
This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was published by English Vogue and contains knitting patterns for men, women and childrens garments.Vogue / knitting / BOOK No. 61 / For you .. / For men .. / For children .. / All you need / to knit now / Instructions inside / 2'6knitting fashion, vogue - english, knitting, fashion -
Dutch Australian Heritage Centre Victoria
Puzzle Game, Mixed Up, Probably 1970s
Example of children's pastimes before the age of TV. Dutch families tended to play boardgames during the long winter nights.It was brought to Australia to continue old customsRectangular white box with black lid on which information is printed in orange. Inside box is a plastic moulded container holding the various puzzle pieces. Puzzle pieces are made from variety of materials including metal, wood and possibly plastic Some items are missing judging by the diagrams.Seven language on top of box all saying "play it anywhere". Images of the various puzzles. The manufacturer logo and name (Jumbo) all featured prominently on side of lid. "Made in Holland by Jumbo, Hausemann & Hoette nv Amsterdam" Has recommended play age of 8 and higher. On sides of lid feature multi-coloured title of the game. Price tag on side of lid shows value of 9.75 The box features on all sides puzzle piece diagrams and also the statement "that the solution can be found in the box" in Dutch, English, German & French. (No solution documentation found in box) On the bottom of the box is another manufacturer's logo (JUMBO) surrounding by the words Spellen-Jeux, Games-Spel, Giochi-Juegos", Spiele-Spil Also repeats Made in Holland family, games, children, pastimes -
Kilmore Historical Society
Book, THE VICTORIAN READING-BOOKS - EIGHTH BOOK, 1929
First edition The Victorian Reading-Books, Eighth Book.Brown, cloth-bound, ink-stained cover, worn at extremities, torn at lower spine. Pages discoloured, binding intact. Fair condition. 260pp.fictionFirst edition The Victorian Reading-Books, Eighth Book.reading, children, textbook, glanville -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Job advertisements, 1976
Photocopy of copies of advertisements for positions in municipal councils.Photocopy of copies of advertisements for positions in municipal councils. Includes positions of City Engineer in the City of Nunawading and for a Children s Librarian and Senior assistant in the Nunawading Library.Photocopy of copies of advertisements for positions in municipal councils. city of nunawading, council staff, nunawading library -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, Bulla Primary School - Playground, c 1994
In the early 1990s a number of upgrades and improvements were made to the buildings and the playground at the Bulla Primary School. The climbing frame which these children are using was one of the items installed in the school's playground.A coloured pre-digital photograph of four children playing on a climbing frame in a playground. There are trees growing behind the boundary cyclone fence.playground equipment, bulla primary school, climbing frame -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Methodist Sunday School Pupils 1912
Methodist kindergarten Sunday School Pupils in a garden c 1912. It was custom to take the kindgarden Sunday School children (Methodist) before the older senior Sunday school. The picture was taken beside the Anglican church in Dr. Aitkens Garden. Dr. Aitkens dwelling later became the Anglican Manse now demolished and replaced by a new Manse. Adult center back row. Left to Right Triss Phillips (Later Mrs. Mac Neil) Back row Ruby Peart, XX Shepherd, Fred Smit, Jean Smith, Jean and Win Langsford, Vernon Hill, Jean Tomlinson, Mary Moulden, Phyliss Wood, Richards (Female), Kit Wilson, Jim McLeod, Eric Phillips, Ann Leyshon, Wilfred Waters. XX Female Phillips, Female Collins, Amy Lewis, Thelma Williams, XX Williams, Muriel Shepherd, Bob Phillips. Black & white photograph depicting a group of children in a garden.stawell religion -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Camp 3 Internees
Camp 3 Internees from Palestine. Back: Rudolf & Helene Hoefer. Front: Ann Sawatsky; Uli & Traude Hoefer with Frau Guntner & her Children.Black and white photograph of several internee families, two adults standing and two adults and 4 children sitting. Hut behind them.rudolf hoefer, helene hoefer, ann sawatsky, uli hoefer, traude hoefer, frau guntner, guntner children, palestine internees, camp 3 internees -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, Schol excursion
As the school is close to Tullamarine Airport, they children had an excursion there as part of their local area studies.A coloured photograph of the children from Bulla Primary School at the Tullamarine Airport. They were taken on an excursion to the airport which is situated about 5 kms from their school.bulla primary school, school excursions, tullamarine airport -
Orbost & District Historical Society
black and white photograph, 1919
Ian and Jean McDonald were the children of Mr and Mrs Norman McDonald of 42 Gladstone Street, Orbost. This photograph was taken in late January, 1919 on Jean's first day at school.. It was taken at the home of John Rowe, the former headmaster of Orbost Primary School. He was then living opposite the school. Norman Alexander McDonald was a book-keeper at Macarthur‟s and was very musical. He was proprietor of the Capitol Cafe, Nicholson Street, Orbost, selling the business to Mr Coad on 4th December 1947. This photograph record an important event in the life of an Orbost family in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of two young children, a boy and a girl, sitting on the verandah of a house.mcdonald-ian mcdonald-jean education-orbost -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Childrens Encyclopedia Vol 4
Presented to Warrnambool Children’s Library by Fletcher Jones Esq. in 1950 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 be 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 Children's Encyclopedia Vol 4 Label on spine with typed text PAT 032 CHIwarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, the childrens encyclopedia vol 4, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Childrens Encyclopedia Vol 5
Presented to Warrnambool Children’s Library by Fletcher Jones Esq. in 1950 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 be 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 Childrens Encyclopedia Vol 5 Label on spine with typed text "PAT / 032 / CHI"warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, the childrens encyclopedia vol 5, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library