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 November1884 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 fund raising 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 court house 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 historic 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 Historic 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 art works 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 Science and Practice of Butter Making in Australasia Author: William Brown Publisher: McCarron Bird & Co Date: 1889Label on spine cover with typed text RA 637.2099 BRO Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, the science and practice of butter making in australasia, william brown

This was manufactured by Doulton at their Burslem factory at Stoke-On-Trent in England and imported by Feldheim Gotthelf & Co who were hardware merchants and importers in Sydney. The registered design number 188386 dates the item to 1892. The platter features an Australian theme showing Australian native flowers in 'Wattle' pattern. White rectangular platter. It has a slightly wavy edge with the brown 'wattle' design bordering around the outside of the platter.Marked DOULTON BURSLEM, ENGLAND WATTLE Rg No 188386. Below this is F C & Co. SYDNEY domestic items, platter

This demijohn was made for Sharpe Bros., brewers of non- alcoholic drinks such as Dandelion Ale, ginger beer and cordial. Sharpe Bros began in New Zealand and expanded to Australia in the early 20th century. The company was taken over by Cadbury Schweppes in 1972. The likely manufacturer of this demijohn was Hoffman's Pottery of Brunswick.This item was recovered from the abandoned barn of the Pope family in 1971, when the property was sold to the Shire of Diamond Valley. This barn was located on the northern side of Pope Place and sketched by Ron Reynolds for the book "Greensborough and Greenhills".Glazed stoneware jar with dark brown glaze to top, narrow threaded neck with wire handle. Stopper missing.Transfer text on front: "This jar is the absolute property of and must be returned to Sharpe Bros. Australia and New Zealand"sharpe bros., hoffman pottery, stoneware jars

This demijohn was made for Sharpe Bros., brewers of non- alcoholic drinks such as Dandelion Ale, ginger beer and cordial. Sharpe Bros began in New Zealand and expanded to Australia in the early 20th century. The company was taken over by Cadbury Schweppes in 1972. The likely manufacturer of this demijohn was Hoffman's Pottery of Brunswick.Glazed stoneware jar with dark brown glaze to top, narrow threaded neck, wire handle and stopper missing.Transfer text on front: "This jar is the absolute property of and must be returned to Sharpe Bros. Australia and New Zealand"sharpe bros., hoffman pottery, stoneware jars

Razor strops are used to sharpen single-sided (cut-throat) razors. Still used by some men's hairdressers.Double leather strap, brown polished leather handle and joiner/hook holder, nickel plated suspension ringBenwill stamped on joinerrazor strops

Book with blue cloth covered spine and cardboard covers. Text and graphics in gold, brown, dark blue and faun.portland free library, armed forces, the royal navy

Minutes of the Parents and Friends Association at Watsonia High School from 1975-1984. Contains minutes of meetings and various reports.Foolscap minute book with brown cardboard cover; handwritten notes throughout, with various loose typed pages of reports.watsonia high school, watsonia high school parents and friends association

Displayed at History House.339.1 - Square box camera, black 339.2 - Brown leather case with long strap and two press studs.Front: J.B. (embossed, front of case) Six-20 'Brownie' C/ Made by Kodak (printed on front of camera)

A brown glass bottle with a metal screw top for ‘Dolcin’ arthritis tablets / For prompt relief from / the painful symptoms of / 100 / TABLETS / DOLCIN / REGD, TRADE MARK / PATENT NO. 147249 / ARTHRITIS / RHEUMATISM / SCIATICA / NEURITIS / LUMBAGO / DOSAGE .................. / PROPRIETORS / DOLCIN LTD / TORONTO CANADA Written in biro on label ; 20/8/ 68pharmacy, medicines, dolcin pty ltd, athritis, glassware, bottles, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham

The Jacket and Trousers were issued to a member of the AIF in 1942/1943. The Jacket has no name in it. The Trousers were issued to a person named SERPELL.Field Dress Shirt and Trousers, Drill material, khaki in Colour. Brown buttons on the Jacket, metal buttons on the trousers.Inside the Jacket on a white tag V241 1943 Size Made in Australia. On the trousers Regimental No, Name SERPELL, Q106 Made in Australia Size, 1942.aif, serpell, ww2, 1942 1943

Made as bitter ale container in the 1930s to 1940s, World War 11 era.Found near the former WW2 WAAAF base, north west of Greensborough.Brown glass bottle, 26 fluid ounce capacity. MBCV in small spade on shoulder, Carlton "C" on base.MBCV (Manufacturers Bottle Company of Victoria)beer bottle, mbcv, world war ii, glass, spade mark

These type of gaiters were used by soldiers who would have been attached to the Light Horse Regiments. No other men other than soldiers in the Light Horse Regiments wore these gaiters as they were part of their uniform and added protection of their lower legs when riding their horses. All levels for AIF people wore these gaiter from Privates to Officers. There seems to be several types of gaiters which were lace ups or had straps over the outside of the gaiters or some were just done up with the buckles at the top. It is unknown it the ones we have would have had straps on the outside or if this was a choice of the wearer. Towards the end of WWI many of the light horse regiments combined with each other as their numbers became less and eventually with the advancement of military weapons the use of horses in war battles become less and were not needed in consequent world wars. These gaiters are historical significant to world war one and the light horse regiments especially the 4th and 13th Regiments. Men from the the Kiewa Valley went off to war and fought with the these regiments. Henry Higginson fought with both the 4th and 13th LHR in France. Sydney Stewart fought with the 4th LHR in France and was killed in France aged 20 years of age. A few of the young men that left from Tawonga in the Kiewa Valley went into the Light Horse Regiments as they were farmers that had experience with horse. Even though the AIF said they just did not automatically put country men into the LHR . Despite not having provenance of these gaiters the fact that men from Tawonga were in the light horse regiments, and only men from the LHR wore these gaiters it would be safe to say they would have been from some one in the local area that fought in WWI who owned these. Therefore they are representative of gaiters from the LHR and have excellent interpretive capacity as KVHS have a photo of Henry Higginson wearing his uniform which clearly shows his gaiters similar to these ones.One pair of brown leather gaiters with buckle at top. Seam at ankel. Left gaiter has strap missingmilitary, army, horse, gaiters

Thompson collectionStudio portrait, sepia photograph mounded on brown card; man age (40-50) dressed in suit and tieNone, but manufacturer's details on card; Melba, Melbournethompson collection, nightingale

This bag belonged to Harry Perry and was donated by his son Trevor Perry. Harry Perry was the son of Jacob Perry, Shire Councillor, a farmer and Boer war veteran. Harry Perry's father, Jacob Perry, was a member of the inaugural Orbost Bowling Club. The Bowling Club was founded in 1929, by a group of farmers and businessmen. They set about providing a sporting icon for the town. Six rinks were constructed on the current site using horse drawn scoops and drags. The "Back to Orbost” 1937 book, describes the greens as "a bit rough for the first two seasons but now compare favourably with most country greens". Funds for the construction were raised by the issue of debentures at £5 each, and subscriptions were £1/1s/0d ($2.10). (info. Margaret Smith)Lawn bowling” is an outdoor game that has been popular for centuries. Bowling clubs play a significant role in community recreation needs. Members of the Perry family were inaugural members of the Orbost Bowling Club.A brown leather bowls bag. It has a zipper around the sides and metal studs on the bottom. There are carrying straps at the top.bag personal-effects bowling-bag recreation sport perry-harry

Australia was not self sufficient in glass making until the turn of the 20th century and many bottles were made overseas and shipped to Australia with their contents and when emptied were re-filled with other company’s products. These bottles have an aesthetic element in that the shapes , colours and textures are visually appealing. They reflect the type of glassware that was in circulation in the first half of the 20th century.. Four glass bottles. Three are clear and one (1528.3) is brown. They have non threaded necks with molded rims.bottles

Councilor J.C.Walton was elected to council in 1940 until 1955. He served two terms as Shire President, 1945 - 46 and 1951 - 52.This photo, which is part of a collection of photos, was taken to commemorate the 1954 visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, and was presented by the Shire President, G.A.Fraser, to mark the occaision.Section of the Original Historical Photo of Councilors For The financial year 1954. Sepia/brown photo of Councilor J.C.Walton, Situated middle of second row of composite photo of Councilors for the year 1954. PRESENTED TO BALLARAT SHIRE COUNCIL BY SHIRE PRESIDENT TO COMMEMORATE THE VISIT OF HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH 11,1954ballarat shire council, visit of her majesty queen elizabeth 11 1954, councilor j c walton

Councilor P.F.Henderson was elected as a member of council in 1946 until 1957,He served one term as Shire President in 1954-55.This photo, which forms part of a collection of photos, was taken to commemorate the 1954 visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11,and was presented by the Shire President G.A.Fraser, to mark the occaision. Section of the Original Historical Photo of Councilors for the financial year 1954.Sepia/brown photo of Councilor P.F. Henderson,middle of bottom row of composite photo of Councilors for the year 1954. PRESENTED TO BALLARAT SHIRE COUNCIL BY SHIRE PRESIDENT TO COMMEMORATE THE VISIT OF HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH 11,1954.shire of ballarat 1954, visit of queen elizabeth 11, p f henderson

Councilor John Dickie was elected to council in1896-99 and 1908-14.He served one term as Shire President in 1911-12.Original Historic Photo.Sepia photo of Councilor John Dickie, set in brown frame, pinkish and grey mount surounding a rectangular photoJohn Dickie 1901.ballarat shire council, dickie john, 1896 99, 1908 14

A buff coloured with brown print on the cover. A border of fine lines surrounds the text. There are explanatory diagrams throughout the book.The Murray Vacreator Vacuum Pasteuriser/A Manual for Buttermakers/Covering Type 'M', 'Junior' and 'Baby' Vacreator Vacuum Pasteuriser Units/with Compliments of Murray Deodorisers Ltd/CPO Box 885- Auckland, New Zealand/designed to treat the Cream of the world's butter

Portrait of Johann Gottlieb Adler, farmer, c1880. Adler came from Silesia in Germany to Port Phillip in 1848. His story is recorded in the Uebergang family history (The Uebergang Families in Australia 1848-1985, pp.43-48) which includes a list of descendants.Black & white photograph of barded man in suit with bowtie, mounted in oval mat in brown frame with plaster decorations.uebergang, allansford, adler, johann gottlieb, germany, farmers, farmers, costume, male, portraits, selectors

3 sheave wood block with diamond shape plate on side. Has top ring. Rust brown colourflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Hardcover. Cover is brown with the title in gold lettering. Underneath the title is a symbol of a solid wreath surrounding the head of a ram.non-fictionThe Picturesque Atlas of Australasia-Volume 1atlas, australasia, history