Circulated between 1966 and 1988, the two dollar bank note was issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia following Australia's switch to decimal currency. It was later replaced by the two dollar coin. Legal tender throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and the Territories of the Commonwealth. Signed by J G Phillips, Governor of Reverse Bank of Australia, and R J Randall, Secretary to the Treasury. Each note is assigned a unique serial number, this notes serial number reads GJJ 982843.Demonstrates the two dollar note as it was circulated in Australia between 1966 and 1988. It represents currency used by Ballarat passengers to pay their tram fares and received by SEC Ballarat Tramway crews/staff in wage packets. Green and yellow minted note on treated white paper. Obverse depicts John Macarthur, a merino ram and a "2" denoting its value. The reverse depicts William James Farrer, alongside ears of wheat and the "2".btm, ballarat tramway museum, cash, bank notes, australian currency, money, two dollar bank note

Box set of six minted medallions re 50th anniversary of Vietnam War. Each medallion features a coloured photo replica of Navy, Air Force, Armour, Artillary, Signals. Certificate of authenticity included. No. 00248 of 2000Courage, service, mateship. 50 1962-2012vietnam medallions, 50th anniversary

Advertising brochure from Macquarie Mint re 'The First World War Gold Collection' Brown and gold brochure, soldier on front blowing trumpet. Brochure details coins that have been struck to celebrate events during WW1.event, war, macquarie mint coin brochure, world war 1, macquarie mint

Circulated between 1966 and 1984, the one dollar bank note was issued following Australia's switch to decimal currency. It was later replaced by the dollar coin. Legal tender throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and the territories of the Commonwealth. Issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia, with the signatures of both the Governor of the Reserve Bank (J.G.Phillips), and the Secretary to the Treasury (R.J.Randall) noted on the obverse. Australian one dollar notes carry individual serial numbers.Demonstrates the one dollar note as it was circulated in Australia between 1966 and 1984. It represents currency used by Ballarat passengers to pay their tram fares, and received by SEC Ballarat Tramway crews/staff in wage packets.Orange, yellow and brown minted note on white treated paper. The obverse depicts Queen Elizabeth the II, the Australian Coat of Arms and the "1" denoting value. The reverse depicts Aborginal drawings, including animals and people, as well as the "1".btm, cash, bank notes, australian currency, ballarat tramway museum, australian one dollar note

These are souvenir medals of the Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition of 1896-7. This exhibition organised by a local committee under the chairmanship of the Mayor, Walter Hickford was one of the most important events in Warrnambool's history. It ran for three months and was said to have attracted 70000 visitors. It was held in Liebig Street and utilised both the civic centre buildings and temporary buildings erected for the event. It had several exhibition courts featuring art worksand business exhibition stands, competitions,entertainments and visiting experts in various fields. These medals were made at the exhibition at the stand of Stokes and Son. Visitors to the exhibition were able to get a gold silver or bronze medal made while they watched and the medal was then perforated ready to put on a watch chain or pendant. Thomas Stokes came to Australia in the 1850's and established a successful business in Melbourne manufacturing buttons, medals and tokens. The business was called Stokes and Son following a fire in 1893.These medals are of great significance as a memento of an important event in Warrnambool -The Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition of 1896-7. Medals such as these would have been in the homes of many residents of Warrnambool and district and beyond after 1896..1 This silver circular medal has text around the outer rim and an image of Queen Victoria on the reverse. On the obverse is text and an image of the Warrnambool Exhibition building erected for the occasion. The medal is secured by a red thread , button and clear tape to a piece of card. On the card is a hand drawn sketch the Warrnambool Exhibition building and a hand drawn sketch of a profile of Queen Victoria . .2This silver circular medal has text around the rim and an image Warrnambool Exhibition building on the reverse and on the obverse a stylised coat of arms topped by the rising sun . Inside the field is a sailing ship, a pick and shovel , a sheep and sheaf of wheat .1 on the Reverse : around the rim, Struck at the Exhibition mint. On the obverse : Industrial exhibition 1896 Warrnambool. .2 On the obverse : Industrial exhibition 1896 Warrnambool.warrnambool, great exhibition of warrnambool, 1896 exhibition warrnambool, warrnambool exhibition medal

Distinguish Flying Cross medal awarded to John Hudson WILKINSON 400444 born 18/2/1914 at Rutherglen. He was a Pharmaceutical Chemist prior to enlisting in the RAAF on 2/9/1940 He was reporting missing during air operations over East Prussia and later presumed to have lost his life on 30/8/1944 Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross - citation reads Pilot Officer Wilkinson is an air gunner of great ability and determination. He has taken part in a large number of operational sorties many of which have been against some of German's most heavily defended targets. On one occasion in March 1944 when engaged n an attack on Stuttgart a Junkers 88 attacked his aircraft five times but Pilot Officer Wilkinson by his accurate directions to his captain and coolly aimed return fire drove ff the enemy aircraft in a badly damaged condition. At all times his unwavering devotion to duty and constant alertness have inspired confidence in his crew. The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to other ranks, of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy"Black case which opens out from right side. The top affixed by two side hinges on the left and push in pin on the right side. Inside case the top is lined in satin fabric imprinted with a black crest and the base is lined in felt containing a silver metal medal in the shape of a cross attached to a purple and while diagonally striped ribbon.On Top - DFC impressed in gold colour paint. Inside Top - Royal Mint Medal inscriptions -400444 Flt Lt Wilkinson Stuttgart 1944 pilot officer john hudson wilkinson, dfc, ww2, raaf, kia

This coin was minted in the time of Queen Victoria whose young image appears on the coin. It is a bronze coin mainly composed of copper with traces of tin and zinc. From 1825 English coins were minted in countries of the Empire where they were used as currency. In 1862 pennies would have been one of the more common denominations in circulation.A common item which relates to the 19th century with historical and social significance.Round copper coloured coin with head of young woman on the obverse and the image of Brittania on the reverse. There is text around the edge of both the obverse and reverse.The rim is flat.On the obverse is 1853 with Victoria Dei Gratia. Reverse has Brittannia REG FID. DEFwarrnambool, english penny, 1853 penny

This coin was minted in the time of Queen Victoria whose young image appears on the coin. It is a bronze coin mainly composed of copper with traces of tin and zinc. From 1825 English coins were minted in countries of the Empire where they were used as currency. In 1862 pennies would have been one of the more common denominations in circulation.A common item which is well worn and as such has historical and social significance.Round copper coin with image of woman on the obverse with letters EG. F D. The reverse side is extremely worn with only the date 1862 legible.There is a small section of dotted edge also below the date.1862warrnambool, english penny

Documents: Brown wrapping paper held closed with string, Documents from the Royal Mint: Melbourne Branch, Deposit buts: The English Scottish & Australian Bank Limited, The School of Mines and Industries, Bendigo J.R.V. Anderson, B.M.E. Licensed Gold Smelter.organization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, central napoleon

Ten commemorative Florins George V issued 09/05/1927 commemorating the opening of parliament house, Canberra. Composition 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper. Two millions of these coins were minted all with mintmark M (Melbourne). All in excellent condition.numismatics, coins - australian, florins

In 1938 Jessie Clarey won first prize for the 'empire-wide' King's Police Gold Medal Essay Competition - the set topic for that year was 'Juvenile Crime - Its Causes and Treatment'.Gold medal in red presentation case given to police woman, Jessie Jemima Clarey for winning the King's Essay Writing Competition for police in all parts of the British Empire. Presentation case has inscription for George VI on outside and emblem of Royal Mint on inside.Obverse - "GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP" Reverse - "POLICE ESSAY COMPETITION"clarey, jessie jemima 8507, police women, writing, essay, empire, royal mint, george vi, police woman, policewomen, policewoman

Two copies of ' The Royal Historical Society orf Victoria newsletter. No. 193 November 1998.' Royal Historical Society of Victoria Royal Mint, 280 William Street Melbourne, 3000. Printer: George Whitehurst Richmond Chronicle 98 Rokeby Street, Collingwood. 8pgs.victoria, history, people and places in victoria., the royal historical society of victoria, history news, history, victoria, victorian history, australia, australlian history, magazines

Two copies of 'The Royal Historical Society of Victoria newsletter. No. 177 May 1977.' Royal Historical Society of Victoria Royal Mint, 280 William Street Melbourne 3000. Printer: George Whitehurst Richmond Chronicle 98 Rokeby Street, Collingwood. 8 pgs.victoria, history, people and places in victoria., royal historical society of victoria, history news, victorian history, history, australia, australian history, magazines, victoria

Three copies of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria's ' R.H.S.V. History News. No. 142 October 1993.' Royal Historical Society of Victoria Royal Mint, 280 William Street, Melbourne. Printed by G. Whitehurst Richmond Chronicle, 3 Shakespeare Place, Richmond.8 pgs.photos.victoria, history, people and places in victoria., royal historical society of victoria, history news, history, victoria, victorian history, australia, australian history, magazines

The first British gold sovereign was minted as long ago as 1489 under the reign of Henry VII. Subsequent monarchs issued their own gold coins until the reign of James I, crowned King of England and Scotland in 1603 when the practice died out. The modern use of the sovereign and half sovereign coins as common currency in Britain began in 1817. In Australia, the Sydney Mint was established as a branch of the Royal Mint in London in 1855. Its primary role, together with the mints of Melbourne (1872-1931) and Perth (1899-1931) was to strike Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns from the gold that had been discovered in the goldfields of Victoria and New South Wales in 1851. During the First World War, the Sovereign - like most gold and silver coins - was gradually withdrawn from general circulation, although special limited issue coins have frequently been minted for special events, such as the Platinum Jubilee and recent death of Queen Elizabeth 11. Sovereign cases were small portable boxes usually in cylindrical shape and made from various metals with snapshut covers to contain the coin. The spring in the base allowed several coins to be stored in a small container. These fob holders were particularly common in the late 19th to early 20th century and were frequently used by men who could then safely carry coins in their suit pockets. This case was used by a member of the Raper family of Wodonga, Victoria. This item is from the Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper.A small silver case with a fob attachment designed to hold sovereign and half sovereign coins. Inside the case are 2 circular spring loaded receptacles to hold the coins. The lid is lined with velvet. A clip and fob is attached to the front of the case.currency, predecimal coins

Book: Light brown Bullion book with black cloth spine. Pages printed in an account system includes Weight, Amount of Advance, Weight after melting, Mint Charges, Standard weight, Value, Balance of Assay, Pyrites, Plates. In 1939 includes Names of Tributors and Cattery cleaning etc.MCCOLL RANKIN & STANISTREETorganization, business, gold mine accounting., mccoll rankin & stanistreet

Three copies of the Victorian Historical Society of Victoria's ' R.H.S.V History News. No 141 September 1993.' Royal Historical Society of Victoria Royal Mint, 280 William Street, Melbourne, 3000. Printer G. Whitehurst - Richmond Chronicle, 3 Shakespeare Place, Richmond, 3121.8 pgs., ill., photos.victoria, history, people and places in victoria., royal historical society of victoria, history, victoria, victorian history, australia, australian history, magazine, history news

Colour photograph of copy of Flora Minters painting of the PS Murray in Cunninghame Arm, 1860s/1870s. Below Merrangbaur Hill near old natural entrance to the lakes. Tug boat beside it, and row boat with people. Cottage on bank far left. Photographed from a book. Lakes Entrance Victoriaships and shipping, waterways, vegetation

Ten receipts from the Royal Mint for gold delivered from the Central Nell Gwynne gold mine. Dated from 13th October 1941 to 14th March 1944. The payment slips are from the English Scottish and Australian Bank Limited. Found in Gold Book for the Central Nell Gwynne Mine.gold, mining, english scottish & australian bank, bendigo, gold mines, central nell gwynne, royal mint

Certificate of Authenticity confirms that the item is no. 119 of no more than 1,000 issued.A limited number of this item has been released.The medallion is minted from brass alloy and finished in highly frosted and polished silver, over-printed with a full colour image from the painting "Signals in Vietnam" by Ken McFadyen. The medallion is 50mm in diameter and 4.5mm in thickness. Number 119 of a guaranteed limited release of no more than 1,000 individual medallions.A description of the medallion including a Certificate of Authenticity.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

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. 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. A Dictionary of Chemistry and Mineralogy Vol 1 Authors: A & C R Aikin Publisher: W Phillips Date: 1807 The label on spine cover with typed text RA 540.3 AIK Fly paper has a boomerang shaped stamp that reads Royal Mint Library, Cat. No. 540 A 1, Acc No. (no number)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, a dictionary of chemistry and mineralogy vol 1, a & c r aikin

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. 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. A Dictionary of Chemistry and Mineralogy Vol 2 Author: A & C R Aikin Publisher: W Phillips Date: 1807 The label on spine cover with typed text RA 540.3 AIK The fly paper has a boomerang shaped stamp that reads Royal Mint Library, Cat. No. 540 A 1. Acc No. (no number)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, a dictionary of chemistry and mineralogy vol 2, a & c r aikin

The pennies and half pennies were Australian currency minted prior to the introduction of decimal currency in Australia on 14th February, 1966. The one cent coins post dated the introduction of decimal currency.These coins are retained as examples of pre decimal currency in Australia. It is interesting to note that dating from 1951 to 1983 three monarchs are featured on the obverse.: King George V, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth 11..The one cent coins are retained as they are no longer in useSeven copper pennies : .1 Obverse profile of King George V1 and text around the perimeter. Small green stain. Reverse profile of a kangaroo, a star and text . Smooth edge ..2 Identical to .1 excepting stain .3 Identical to .2 .4 Obverse profile of Queen Elizabeth 11. and text. Reverse -Profile of a kangaroo, a star and text . .5 Identical to .4 .6 Identical to .4. .7Identical to .4 Five copper half pennies: .8 Obverse Profile of King George V and text around the perimeter. Smooth edge.The coin has a small chip on one edge. Reverse A circle containing text and an outer ring containing text . .9 Identical to .8 .10 Obverse Profile of King George VI and text Reverse Profile of kangaroo,star and text .11 Obverse Profile of Queen Elizabeth 11 Reverse Profile of kangaroo, star and text .12 Obverse identical to .11 Reverse Identical to .11 .13 Obverse identical to .11 Reverse identical to .11 Two copper one cent pieces: .14 Obverse Profile of Queen Elizabeth 11 and text .15 Obverse identical to .14 . .1Obverse GEORGIUS VI D;G;BR OMN; REX FIDEI; DEF. Reverse AUSTRALIA 1951.PENNY .2 Identical to .1 .3 Obverse identical to .1 .2 Reverse AUSTRALIA 1952 PENNY .4 Obverse ELIZABETH.11.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA.F;D;+ Reverse AUSTRALIA 1955 PENNY .5 Obverse identical to .4 Reverse AUSTRALIA 1958 PENNY .6 Identical to .5 .7 Obverse identical to .4 Reverse AUSTRALIA 1962 PENNY .8 Obverse GEORGIUS V D G BRITT OMN: REX; D; IND IMP Reverse ONE HALF PENNY .COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA The date is obscured by the chip. .9 Obverse identical to .8 Reverse Identical to .8 but the date is 1929 .10 Obverse GEORGIU VI D; G; BR;OMN REX;F;D;IND;IMP Reverse AUSTRALIA HALF PENNY 1948 .11 Obverse ELIZABETH .11. DEI. GRATIA. REGINA + Reverse AUSTRALIA HALF PENNY 1955 .12 Obverse identical to .11 Reverse AUSTRALIA HALF PENNY 1955 .13 Obverse identical to .11 Reverse AUSTRALIA HALF PENNY 1959 .14 Obverse ELIZABETH 11 AUSTRALIA 1985 Reverse Feathered Tail Glider and herbage ,1 .15 Obverse identical to .14 date 1983 Reverse Identical to .14penny, half penny

This flagon was produced to celebrate Sunbury's 150th anniversary 1836-1986. Similar ones were filled with wine and were for sale or given as presentations at the time of the anniversary. This one is unused and therefore is in mint condition.Cream and brown small ceramic wine flagon with Sunbury 150 and a logo printed on the front and on the back is a short printed history of Sunbury. It has a small handle near the top and a cork in the top opening of the flagon."SUNBURY 150/Living today 1836-1986/AUGUST 9TH TO 17TH"1980s, shire of bulla, souvenir, wineries, sunbury, george evans collection

This Bateman & Co penny token was given to Les O'Callaghan by his workmate and neighbour Roger Walsh. This is the story which accompanied the gift. 'This penny has been in my possession since 1946. Was obtained at Koroit Races that year -Royal Gem winner of the Caulfield Cup. This penny was wrapped in silver paper and was accepted by the bookmaker Mr Harold James whom I clerked for as a wager. I in turn payed [sic] my wages for working for this bookmaker and received same. Incidently [sic] the custom of this bookmaker in those days was the clerk usually was paid with silver, which was left in the bag as he did not wish to carry the silver home as he lived in Melbourne.Circular coin -obverse has name of company (William Bateman) in an inner circle with the word Victoria across the centre; within outer circle the type of trade engaged in and the year minted. The reverse has a female figure in flowing gown holding scales in the right hand and cornucopia in the left; the value of the coin is stamped around the top edge.WILLIAM BATEMAN WARRNAMBOOL/IMPORTERS AND GENERAL MERCHANTS 1855/VICTORIA (obverse) ONE PENNY (reverse)william bateman, les o'callaghan, penny tokens, horseracing, roger walsh, bookmakers, harold james