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 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 Complete Works of Robert Burns Peoms Songs and Letters Edited from the best printed manuscript authorities by Alexander Smith Author: Robert Burns Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: 1884Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 821 BUR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a 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, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, peoms songs and letters, robert burns

Elector's Right (No. 2681560) Reidential Qualification for Alexander John Hamilton, Hargreaves Street. Manager. Dated 19.4.1904. Electoral District Bendigo West. Division Golden Square. State of Victoria Assembly.

Colour photograph of two older women standing in front of door of a building numbered thirty eight, Rita Alexander on left and Eileen Vinicombe on right both nee Wills. Sale Victoriagenealogy, recreation

Diggers & Mining: The Digging - The Diggers. Slide depicts areas of Forest Creek, Mount Alexander, 1852. Timber Buildings and miners. Markings: 15 994.LIF:6. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Page 648 of Harper's Weekly (24 Sept. 1881) features a colour lithographic print by Alexander, entitled: A GAME OF LAWN TENNIS, STATEN ISLAND CLUB GROUNDS. Materials: Paper, Inktennis

Typed welcome from councillors and Mayor of the Borough of Portland. To Sir Reginald Alexander Dallas Brooks, Govenor of Victoria, and his wife. It is signed by the Mayor, A. L Patterson and councillors and town Clerk.civic history, govenor of victoria

Extract from unknown source re Charles Sherrett, Mount Alexander. This typewritten two paragraphs related to a letter from Captain Lonsdale to the Colonial Secretary (1840) re depasturing of stock on Crown Land at Port Phillip, licences and the mention of Charles Sherrett ''travelling to Mount Alexander'' as place of residence. In a handwritten (crossed out??) note to the side of this typewritten extract is the following: ''Letter of the Town Clerk Bgo 1929 re correct date to celebrate centenary''.document, memo, report, captain lonsdale. licences. charles sherrett..

There is an undocumented photocopy of original enclosed. Item in the collection re Alexander Norman Cummin No 18, 38th Batt AIF. Refer 2535P for his service details. Alexander Cummin seatedFaded black & white portrait of 3 Australian Soldiers, 2 standing & 1 seated. All wearing great coats, have slouch hats on & carrying gas mask bags.Handwritten on rear: 3 Bugers (sic) Armentieres 1916 photography-photographs, documents - postcards

Barkers Creek Birthplace of the Mount Alexander Goldfields. Publisher: Howard Carr, Barkers Creek. ISBN: 0-646-37984-4. 168 pages. Photographs, illustrations & maps. Signed by Howard CarrHoward A Carrgoldfields, barkers creek

A white booklet with brown print. On the front are the words, ' Souvenir Annotated Programme 1926-27. Alexander Chehalis Concert Season. At the Piano: Miss Annette Hillhouse. Price 6d.' Swift Print, Sydney.program, music, alexander chuhaldin, lydia chancellor, collection, event, music, piano, violin, concert, programme, program, souvenir, event

Typed notes titled 'Let us Turn Back the Pages'. Notes tell the story of the Abriginal inhabitants, the Jajawerong Tribe, the effect the white settlers had on them and Mt. Alexander Sheep Run.document, names of bendigo pioneers, jajawerong, let us turn back the pages, john hattam, jajawerong tribe, goulburn tribes, loddon tribes, campaspe plains massacre, mr grice, latrobe library, mr charles sherratt, dr william barker, heape & grice, commissioner powlett, stewart & robert ogilvy gibson, frederick fenton, robert moffatt, dr hugh atkinson

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. - - - shepherds left their flocks, public servants resigned. Slide shows men travelling through Forest Creek, Mt. Alexander. Markings 7 994.031 GOL:5.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Quarry in the vicinity of Goldfields Cairn, near Forest Creek, taken 19/08/1989 22A Cairn to mark Gold Discovery (the first ) on the Mount Alexander Goldfields at Forest Creek in 1851 22B At the site of the Cairn to mark gold discovery at Forest Creek in July 1951 22C the quarry near Goldfields Cairn 22D quarry in the vicinity of Goldfields Cairn, near Forest Creek 22E Quarry near Cairn to gold discaovery on Mount Alexander , Forest CreekEdith Lunn

Black and white photograph, of MMTB W5 839 at the roundabout at corner of Mt Alexander Road and Fletcher St. Essendon, Essendon Station late 1950's or early 1960's. In the background is the railway bridge over Mt. Alexander Road. All blinds drawn. Tram showing destination "CITY". On the sides of the tram are advertisements for "Bluo" and "XLO Sponge cloth". On the front of the tram is an advertisement for radio station 3AW, Amateur Hour, Terry Dear. Photograph not well focused. trams, tramways, essendon, mmtb, mt alexander road, tram 839

Property of Robert Alexander Mitchell, PY1879; Black fabric covers with textured front and lettering on front cover and spine; plain end pages, red edges.Inscription on flyleaf: Robt. A. Mitchell / Ballarat College / Jany 1880ballarat-college, 1880, r-a-mitchell

Donor formaly Mrs Graeme AlexanderBlack and white of Mirs Charles Wills and grandson Graeme beside a tourer cargenealogy

John Alexander Young 3739 GunnerVictory Medal The medal is bronze with a winged figure of Victory on the obverse. The reverse has the words ‘THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION’, all surrounded by a laurel wreath. The ribbon has a ‘two rainbow’ design, with the violet from each rainbow on the outside edges moving through to a central red stripe where both rainbows meet.J.A. Young 13th F.A.B

YOUNG, John Alexander V82835 LieutenantAustralian Service Medal The medal features an effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words "THE AUSTRALIAN SERVIE MEDAL 1939-1945". Ribbon The ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes and edge stripes, one of dark blue and one of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian nature of the award and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Army, Navy and Air ForceJ.A. Young V82835

Brown covered book of 80 pages. Topics include gold, McIvor diggings, Tarrangower goldfields, Maldon, quartz reefs, Chinese, land selection, Mt Alexander, Castlemaine, gold licence agitation, glossary. gold license, gold licence, castlemaine, goldfield agitation

Diggers and miners. Diggers and Miners. (Tulloch) Forest Creek, Mt. Alexander . . . But the digger worked at or near the surface. Picture shows lots of diggers at work. Markings: 4 994.5 WAL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Certificate of Title dated 4 April 1884 in the name of John Penny Starling. The land is between Whitehorse Road and 'Clarkes Road'. The land was leased to Edward Alexander and passed to Elizabeth Jane Starling in 1886.starling, john penny, alexander, edward, parish of nunawading, elizabeth jane, land sales, john penney

Sepia toned photograph taken during John and Rita nee Wills, Alexander's camping holiday at Whiters Lakes Entrance showing family and friends around open flap tent. Lakes Entrance Victoriagenealogy

Diggers & Mining: The Digging - The Diggers. Miners at Golden Point, Mt. Alexander, 1851. They are erecting tents, appear to be many miners and tents in background. Markings: 4 994. LIF:6. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Photograph of 1915 wedding of Alexander Gordon Dixon & Clara Louisa Redfern.|Back: John Whelpdale; Alexander Dixon; Clara Dixon (Redfern);Minister; Edward Poole; Letitia Redfern (Poole); Violet Redfern.|Front: Bertha Whelpdale (Redfern); Ismay Redfern (on ground); Agnes Dixon; Isaac Poole; John Redfern.|Birth Certificates of Clara Louisa Redfern & Alexander Gordon Dixon.photography, photograph, slides, film

This letterhead was used in the business of Alex Black, a Warrnambool house painter and decorator. Alexander Black (1862-1918) came to Warrnambool in the late 1880s and established his business in Timor Street. He was a Town Councillor and a Trustee of the Friendly Societies Park. Kinross Court in Warrnambool was originally called Blacks Lane and was named after Alexander Black. In 1962 it was renamed Kinross Court after Alexander Black’s birthplace in Scotland. This letterhead is an attractive one and is a good example of a letterhead from the early 1900s. It is also a memento of Alex Black, a Warrnambool businessman in the 19th and early 20th centuries.This is a buff-coloured piece of paper which has crease marks from being folded. The top left hand corner has an image in red of a building and red printing. The left hand corner has four ruled lines for inserting an address.Memorandum 190.. From Alex Black House Painter & Decorator Importer of Paper Hangings and Painters Materials Timor Street Warrnambool (near Western Hotel) Sign Writing, Graining, Glazing, Paper Hangings &c. alex black, warrnambool house painter

St John's Presbyterian Church is in Chapel Street, Cowes. The time span of the photo appears to be 1920s-1940s.HistoricalLarge sepia photo, mounted on cardboard, of produce including pumpkins, apples and potatoes displayed surrounded with sheaths inside hall. There is a plaque on the wall behind, the heading of which reads " In memory of the Rev. Alexander Robb D.D."st john's presbyterian church, rev alexander robb, photograph, churches- phillip island, lifestyle