This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1942 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Introduction to The Natural History of Language Author: T G Tucker Publisher: Blackie & Son Ltd Date: 1908Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 400 TUC Pastedown end page has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered with one 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, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, introduction to the natural history of language, t g tucker

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1942 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. A History of Inventions Discoveries and Origins Vol 2 Author: John Beckmann Publisheer: Henry G Bohn Date: 1846Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 621.4 ROB Pastedown front end page 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, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, a history of inventions discoveries and origins vol 2, john beckmann

The new home of Eltham District Historical SocietyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, harry gilham, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre

The new home of Eltham District Historical SocietyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, diana bassett-smith

The new home of Eltham District Historical SocietyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, diana bassett-smith

The new home of Eltham District Historical SocietyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre

The new home of Eltham District Historical SocietyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith, john graves

The new home of Eltham District Historical SocietyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, harry gilham

The new home of Eltham District Historical SocietyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith

The new home of Eltham District Historical SocietyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith

Opening Ceremony of Local History Centre, 728 Main Road, Eltham, Sunday, July 12th, 1998Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith

Opening Ceremony of Local History Centre, 728 Main Road, Eltham, Sunday, July 12th, 1998Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith

Opening Ceremony of Local History Centre, 728 Main Road, Eltham, Sunday, July 12th, 1998Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith, diana bassett-smith

Shire of Eltham Historical Society Community Banner on display in the front room of the local history centreRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, banners, community banner project

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre

from EDHS Newsletter No. 122, September 1998 - There is a new display in our local history cabinet in the Eltham Library. This time we have used our growing collection of material on Eltham, England. It includes the painting by Lionel Backhurst presented to us on behalf of Eltham Society by Clifford Crate. The booklet on the Eltham town sign that Clifford also brought is in loose leaf format so we have been able to include the whole of that which really presents an excellent summary of the important historic buildings of Eltham. Also on display is another painting by Lionel which was presented to Russell and Marion Yeoman. (Much of this material was presented to the Society during a visit by Margaret Taylor and Clifford Crate of the Eltham Society during Christmas/New Year 1997/98.)Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, art, clifford crate, displays, eltham library, eltham society (london), lionel backhurst, local history, margaret taylor

Just prior to be becoming the Local History Centre and home to Eltham District Historical Society.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak Gold 200-6eltham district historical society, main road, local history centre

The new home of Eltham District Historical Society.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 of 7 stripsFuji 100eltham, eltham district historical society, harry gilham, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, russell yeoman

The new home of Eltham District Historical Society.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 of 7 stripsFuji 100eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith

The new home of Eltham District Historical Society.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 of 7 stripsFuji 100eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith

The new home of Eltham District Historical Society.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 of 7 stripsFuji 100eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith

The new home of Eltham District Historical Society.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 of 7 stripsFuji 100eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith, russell yeoman

The new home of Eltham District Historical Society.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 of 7 stripsFuji 100eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith, diana bassett-smith

The new home of Eltham District Historical Society.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 of 7 stripsFuji 100eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith, diana bassett-smith

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 of 7 stripsFuji 100eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, peter bassett-smith, john graves, mary ryan

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 of 7 stripsFuji 100eltham, eltham district historical society, main road, opening ceremony, local history centre, mary ryan, jo mccormick, opal smith, doug orford