Blue coupon, dated April 4 1877 asking Mr. Lewis, Treasurer to pay Murray & Wilson the sum of 30/- for Auditing Books. Signed by G. Murray, C.R. and Wm. Rowe, Secretary.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no 3770 collection - to pay, court king of the forest, a.o.f., b.u.d., mr lewis, murray & wilson, g murray, wm rowe

This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927. This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction.DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, N.S.W. RIVER MURRAY WATERS SCHEME. HUME RESERVOIR. 5. Foundations for core wall of earth embankment in New South Wales in September 1921. The River Murray in flood.hume reservoir australia, river murray waters scheme, hume weir diagrams, hume plan details

Pink foolscap report of 12 pages, includes geological map from Pine Creel to Sturt's Creek by H.Y. L. brown; geological map between Mucka and Gordon Downs Station and Tanami by W.R. Murray; geological map of Tanami and surrounding country by W.R. Murray, and Plan of Lawne's Gold Prospecting Claim at Tanami by W.R. Murray pine creek, sturt's creek, tanami, northern territory, tanami gold country

Ordained as Methodist Minister 1952, Minister at Derby Tas 1945-46; Zeehan Rosebury 1950-51; Kyabram Vic 1951-52, Returned to Tasmania to Sprent 1952-1955, Sth Launceston (Lawrence Vale) 1955-1960; Mt Waverley 1960-1966; DCE and lay Training 1967-1977; Div of Field Services 1977-1979; Vic Council of Christian Education 1979-1982; w/s 1982 TO 12/1989; Supply at Frankston 1983 to 1986, Hobart City 1986, East Derwent 1986-87; Perm retired 01/90B & W head and shoulders photograph of Rev. Murray J Allen.allen, murray j; methodist/uniting church minister; derby tasmania; deehan rosebury tasmania; kyabram victoria; mt waverley; department of christian education methodist church; division of field services uniting church; victorian council of christian education; frankston victoria; hobart city tasmania; east derwen tasmania; retired 1990

Ordained as Methodist Minister 1952, Minister at Derby Tas 1945-46; Zeehan Rosebury 1950-51; Kyabram Vic 1951-52, Returned to Tasmania to Sprent 1952-1955, Sth Launceston (Lawrence Vale) 1955-1960; Mt Waverley 1960-1966; DCE and lay Training 1967-1977; Div of Field Services 1977-1979; Vic Council of Christian Education 1979-1982; w/s 1982 TO 12/1989; Supply at Frankston 1983 to 1986, Hobart City 1986, East Derwent 1986-87; Perm retired 01/90B & W head and shoulders photo of the Rev. Murray J Allen.allen, murray j; methodist/uniting church minister; derby tasmania; deehan rosebury tasmania; kyabram victoria; mt waverley; department of christian education methodist church; division of field services uniting church; victorian council of christian education; frankston victoria; hobart city tasmania; east derwen tasmania; retired 1990

Ordained as Methodist Minister 1952; Minister at Derby Tas 1945-46; Zeehan Rosebury 1950-51; Kyabram Vic 1951-52. Returned to Tasmania to Sprent 1952-1955, Sth Launceston (Lawrence Vale) 1955-1960; Mt Waverley 1960-1966; DCE and lay Training 1967-1977; Div of Field Services 1977-1979; Vic Council of Christian Education 1979-1982; w/s 1982 TO 12/1989; Supply at Frankston 1983 to 1986, Hobart City 1986, East Derwent 1986-87; Perm retired 01/90B & W head and shoulders photograph of the Rev. Murray J Allen.allen, murray j; methodist/uniting church minister; derby tasmania; deehan rosebury tasmania; kyabram victoria; mt waverley; department of christian education methodist church; division of field services uniting church; victorian council of christian education; frankston victoria; hobart city tasmania; east derwen tasmania; retired 1990

Colour photograph of the Yarrawonga Pre Olympic Swimming Pool in the Murray River. swimming pool, sport, swimming, pre olympic, natural, lake, yarrawonga, murray river

Bilson and Co. operated a general store in Murray Street, Colac with its history dating from 1884 to 1955. Originally founded by the Tulloh family it became known as Bilsons after 1889 when Franklin Bilson came from Allansford where he had operated a general store. Bilsons store became one of the largest stores in country Victoria. In 1952 Bilsons merged with Foy and Gibsons. and in 1955 the Foy Bilson business was sold. This label is of interest firstly because it is a memento of Bilson's stores an important 20th century business in country Victoria and secondly because Franklin Bilson and his wife, Fanny, both have their place in Warrnambool's history.Rectangular white label with dark blue text and some scroll decoration. It is adhered to a piece of pink card .DIRECT IMPORTERS OF DRAPERY DRESSMAKERS & MILLINERS TAILORS & OUTFITTERS GROCERS & GENERAL STOREKEEPERS WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS From Bilson & Co. MURRAY STREET, COLACcolac, drapers, tailors, dressmakers, milliners, grocers, wine and spirit merchants, general store, bilsons, foy bilson, fanny bilson captain of the allansford womens cricket team, franklin bilson

Framed Copy of Apprenticeship Indenture Certificate for Jonathon Murray 1829, under glass in thin wooden frame with brown mount, Jonathon Murray's history is on the back, Donated by Mr Atkinson related to Mary Reibyperson, individual, employee, jonathon murray

These 10 photographs were taken over two decades from the late 1950s to 1979 at the Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo. The two photos taken in 1961 are annotated with named personnel and the date. The other photos are not annotated with dates, locations and names of personnel, although the technicians in the last three photos taken in 1979 are positively identified. The photos were most likely taken in the Ballroom, Ante Room and Attic, Cartographic Squadron’s main production rooms on the top floor of Fortuna Villa. Scribing was the cartographic process of drafting topographic features such as drainage, relief, vegetation, roads and culture on specially coated map reproduction material. The cartographic technician scribed out the map feature such as a creek to a specified line width on the map sheet, using a tool affixed with a metal or sapphire tipped cutter.This is a set of 10 photographs of technicians scribing topographic features at the Army Survey Regiment, Bendigo. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) - Photo, black & white, c1950s. unidentified personnel in Cartographic Squadron .2) - Photo, black & white, c1960s. unidentified personnel in Cartographic Squadron .3) - Photo, black & white, c1960s. unidentified personnel in Cartographic Squadron Attic .4) - Photo, black & white, c1960s. Cartographic Squadron Attic .5) - Photo, black & white, Oct 1961. L to R: PTE P. Carseldine, PTE H.S. Pasley, PTE C.A. Brown, WO2 M.A. McLaren, CPL Jennifer H. Murray. Cartographic Squadron .6) - Photo, black & white, Oct 1961. CPL Jennifer H. Murray. Cartographic Squadron .7) - Photo, black & white, 1979. SPR Mick Ellis in Cartographic Squadron .8) - Photo, black & white, 1979. SPR Mark Casey in Cartographic Squadron .9) - Photo, black & white, 1979. SPR Sharon (Jones) Treble in Cartographic Squadron .10) - Photo, black & white, 1961. PTE BJ Madex. Cartographic Squadron.1 to .4 - annotated “Scribing” .5 – annotated “Scribing PTE P. Carseldine, PTE H.S. Pasley, PTE C.A. Brown, WO2 M.A. McLaren, CPL Jennifer H. Murray. Oct 1961” .6 - annotated “Scribing CPL Jennifer H. Murray. Oct 1961” .7 to .9 - annotated “Scribing” .10 – annotated “PTE Madex Oct 61”royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr, carto

The Origin of Species Author: Charles Darwin Publisher: John Murray Date: 1860Label on spine cover with typed text R.H. 575 DAR Pastedown end page has 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, the origin of species, charles darwin

Black and white photograph of Murray's Pass, aggerty River, Marysville, 1924-25.photograph, landscape

Framed and laminated colur photograph featuring the Murray Goulburn Dairy Co-operative.

Three empty tobacco tins. One square Country Life cigarette tin (reddish colour). One rectangle Erinmove Flake Murray's Yellow/red. One round Erinmove Mixture Murray's Yellow/red writingtobacco tin

The Beveridges pioneered the Swan Hill area on the Murray River and lived among the People of the Murray River. They learned the Aboriginal dialects, lore and customs. Peter Beveridge faithfully recorded these and his book was published posthumously by his family.maps, b&w illustrations, b&w photographsvictorian history, murray river

ProgramContemporary Portraits: Stories by Murray Bailaustralian ballet, ballet, walsh st library

G01.1 Wooden gavel with engraved metal plaque. G01.2 Sound block.'Presbytery of Goulburn-Murray'.'UCA symbol'goulburn-murray uca presbytery

ECHUCA HISTORIC MURRAY RIVER PORTechuca, victoria

This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927. This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction.DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, N.S.W. RIVER MURRAY WATERS SCHEME. HUME RESERVOIR. 7. Quarry plant (New South Wales) being erected, September 1921. Murray Flats (in foreground) and Mitta Mitta Flats (beyond) flooded.hume reservoir australia, river murray waters scheme, quarry plant hume

The North-Eastern Dairy Company was established on 14th December 1892 as a butter factory and built in 1893. In 1928 a new butter factory was built and a milk products factory in 1952. Whole milk sales commenced in 1951, with pasteurised, homogenised milk in both bottles and cartons being sold in the 1980's. Devondale / Murray Goulburn was established in 1950. Cartons enabled the safe transportation and storage of milk. The North East Dairy Company enabled the dairy farmers in the Kiewa Valley to send their milk and milk products eg. cream to the factory at Kiewa. The factory bought its own cream carting vehicles during WW1. The 'full cream / homogenised / pastuerised / milk' is an example of the milk available in the 1980's as many different varieties of ingredients followed in later years.Blue, red & white waterproof sealed cardboard box used for storing fresh milk from the Kiewa factory 'Murray Goulburn'. The large box contains 2 litres and the smaller box, 1 litre. Each of the 4 faces have print - 2 have the title, 1 has advertising and 1 has instructions on how to store the carton of milk2 litre - Use by Date stamped at the top: 'Un Ed Oct 19' 1 litre - Use by Date stamped at the top: 'Ned Feb. 13'milk, murray goulburn, kiewa butter factory, kiewa milk products

This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927. This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction.1. Locality Plan and Plan of Dam. The dam is about ten miles by road upstream from Albury and about three-quarters of a mile below the confluence of the Mitta Mitta River and the Murray River. Its main features consist of a concrete portion across the bed of the river with earth embankment at both ends. The foundations throughout are on hard granite, found at an average depth of about 40 feet below the surface, the centre line being located to take advantage of the most favourable rock levels.Heading on page "WORKS UNDER RIVER MURRAY WATERS AGREEMENT/HUME RESERVOIR" Beneath top diagram "FIG. 1. ELEVATION" Beneath second diagram "FIG. 2. PLAN" On map "LOCALITY PLAN"hume reservoir australia, river murray waters scheme, hume weir diagrams, hume weir location

This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927. This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction.DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, N.S.W. RIVER MURRAY WATERS SCHEME. HUME RESERVOIR. 3. View of site on 28th November 1919 when the first sod was turned by the Governor General Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, now Lord Hovar. The view is taken from the New South Wales end of the dam looking across the Murray to Victoria. The Murray flows from left to right.hume reservoir australia, river murray waters scheme, hume weir diagrams, hume plan details

Pattison Collection 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. 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. 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. They Seek a Country Author: Francis Brett Young Publisher: John Murray Date: 1935 The label on the spine with typed text PAT FIC YOU Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, they seek a country, francis brett young

Pattison Collection 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. 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. Warrnambool Public Library 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, and to 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. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally, the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. Beau Ideal Author: Percival Christopher Wren Publisher: John Murray Date: 1929 The label on the spine with the typed text PAT FIC WRE Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp that reads "Cancelled" in red ink warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, beau ideal, percival christopher wren