Faye recounts stories about growing up in the Partington home "Alwyn" in the mid 20th century. At this time agriculture played an important role in the Greensborough district and the land around Alwyn was used for poultry, vegetables and cut flowers.A primary source recollection of Greensborough in the mid-20th century.2 typed pages. partington family, greensborough, alwyn, alan partington, farming

Brian and June Roberts moved to Hume Street Briar Hill as newlyweds. June's story recounts the development of their home on the Plenty River and the friendships with neighbours. A primary source recollection of Greensborough in the mid to late 20th century.11 typed pages.june roberts, brian roberts, briar hill, blackjack, hume street, suburban life

Bill Cecil moved to Greensborough in 1944 aged 14. His family ran the post office and Bill became acquainted with most Greensborough families as he delivered the mail on horseback. Bill recounts his life both in Greensborough and other parts of the country.A primary source recollection of Greensborough in the mid to late 20th century.2 typed pages.cecil family, bill cecil, william arthur cecil, greensborough post office

Mavis Solum (nee Thomas) recounts stories of her life and neighbours in Greensborough from 1932. The family lived in Sellars Street and ran a chicken hatchery. As told to June Hall 2011.A primary source recollection of Greensborough in the mid to late 20th century.2 typed pages.solum family, mavis solum, sellars street, thomas

Faye Fort recounts stories about growing up in the Partington home "Alwyn" in the mid 20th century. At this time agriculture played an important role in the Greensborough district and the land around Alwyn was used for poultry, vegetables and cut flowers.A primary source recollection of Greensborough in the mid-20th century.2 typed pages and handwritten manuscriptfaye fort, partington family, alwyn, whatmough park

A short history of Watsonia told in the oral history style. Written in July 2010.5 pages, typed.watsonia, john kellow

Norman Wightman recounts his story of life in Greenhills from 1939-1961. He tells of the many neighbours and the difficulties of life "in the bush".6 pages text.norman wightman, greenhills

Ian Gilbert recounts his life in Greensborough from 1950.Five p., typescriptgreensborough, ian gilbert

Reminiscences of growing up in Greensborough and Briar Hill in the 1940s and 1950s, written by GHS member Val Wilson.13 p., typescriptgreensborough, briar hill, wilson family, val wilson(nee rolfs)

Recollections of Watsonia in the 1950s and 1960s, written by Patricia Hogan.2 p., typescriptwatsonia, patricia hogan, crellin street kindergarten

This oral history by Lesley Hooper (nee Hills) recounts her reminiscences of people and places in Greensborough between 1936 and 1957. 6p. typescriptlesley hooper, oral history, greensborough

First hand account by Arthur Woodley of his time with Melbourne Legacy as a Junior Legatee and its influence on his life. He was a boy that stayed at the children's home, Holmbush in the 1940s. It has a foreword written by Legatee F H Wood who was involved with the residences committee. The introduction says the purpose of the following story, written in plain simple terms, is to put on record for Legacy, the life, times, achievements, and experiences of just one grateful Junior Legatee.An authentic description of what it was like to be a Junior Legatee in a Melbourne Legacy residence, exemplifying the work of Melbourne Legacy in the 1940s.White A4 with black type x 26 pages and an A5 handwritten memo on Melbourne Legacy letterhead.JL 13, Box 10, Arthur Woodley Author, Nov 1990residences, junior legatee, holmbush, arthur woodley

A comprehensive record of the first birthday party of Junior Legacy Girls Club, including the names of important guests. Lieutenant Colonel S.G. Savige DSO MC was guest of honour and cut the birthday cake. Typed account was from 6 May 1928. 00132.1) Copy of 'Memories of a Happy Birthday Party' but titled 'Legacy Girls' Party' 00132.2) Original account titled 'Memories of a Happy Birthday Party' 00132.3) Letter to Legacy house sending through the copy and original account of above from 17 March 1975 from Florence Moore the secretary of the ILLC.Another example of Stan Savige's close involvement with the work of Melbourne Legacy, and the large number of girls catered for by Legacy.Three pages of correspondence. A Personal account recalling a function at ANZAC house to celebrate the Legacy Girls Club’s first Birthday Party, plus a covering letter.Covering letter and memoir signed 'Florence Moore Hon. Sec.'girls' club, girls' classes, stanley savige, 100years

Memoir. Two page typewritten Memoir, ''Some Notes on Dudley House'' written by Geoffrey C. Ingleton.The author's father Henry Chapman Ingleton was appointed Town Clerk of Bendigo 1.1.1924. H.C.Ingleton had Dudley House restored as a residence for his family.document, memo, memoirs

Handwritten Memoir of Ethel Sertori, one of the original workers at Hanro when the factory opened in 1926. Three pages.Ethel Sertoriperson, individual, ethel sartori

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 Gloaming of Life: A Memoir of James Stirling Author: Rev. Alexander Wallace Publisher: Scottish Temperance League Date: 1876Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 STI Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by 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, the gloaming of life, james stirling, rev. alexander wallace