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 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. Handbook of Fungus Diseases of the Potato in Australia and their Treament Department of Agriculture, Victoria Author: D McAlpine Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1911Label on spine cover with typed text R.A. 633 .491 MAC Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Fly paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museumwarrnambool, 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, handbook of fungus diseases, handbook of fungus diseases of the potato in australia and their treament, d mcalpine

The Kiewa Valley has been a farming district from early settlement of white people. This has continued until the present although the nature of farming has varied over the years. Access to information has improved with transport and technology. The journals kept the farmers informed and up to date.These booklets and journals were one of the few sources of information during the 1950s for the isolated farmers of the Kiewa Valley. The Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme improved both transport and technology during the scheme's construction from the 1940s. It provided the township of Mt Beauty at the upper end of the valley where shops and schools were constructed, roads were improved out of the valley and the supply of electricity for milking etc. became available. 1. 14 articles each bounded by 2 staples, and each reprinted from Dept. of Agriculture Journal on a particular topic relating to Agriculture. All black & white and c1950s. 2. 4 Journals with colored covers 3 from Victoria Dept. of Agriculture (1932, 1974 & 1975) and 1 from Sth. Australia.1. "J.H.Wallace" hand written top right corner of covers of pamphlets titled 'Diseases Affecting /Young Cattle' and 'Mastitis'. "AHW" hand written top right corner of cover of pamphlet titled ' Grading Land for Irrigation' 2. Nonefarming, agriculture, cattle, pasture, kiewa valley, department of agriculture in victoria, kiewa hydro electric scheme,

Potatoes are known for their great liability to disease, suffering more from the ravages of fungi than any other crop, and this is largely owing to the fact that they are propagated from tubers which are just swollen portions of underground branches of the stem. Portions of the parent plant in the form of tubers or cuttings are planted year after year, so that any inherent weakness in the original is transmitted to the offspring, and therefore, without a process of selection, deterioration is sure to occur sooner or later. When the tubers are raised from seed and a good selection made from them, they are less liable to disease at least for a number of years. Handbook of fungus diseases of the potato in Australia and their treatment. D. McAlpine. 1st ed. Department of Agriculture, Victoria; Melbourne (Vic); 1911. x, 314 p.; illus., map. Hard cover.potatoes; disease; fungus; agriculture;

Dr Harry Jenkins owned Churchill Island from 1936 to 1963 and bequeathed it to Margaret Campbell on his death. Sister Campbell had been nurse to his disabled son and wife and she lived on the island from the time of World War Two. The item was given to Arthur Evans, a family friend, on the day of the auction sale of artifacts when she sold the island, approximately 1973. The document demonstrates Harry Jenkins interest and committment to farming and provides information on farming of the era.Typed letter on Department of Agriculture, Victoria letterhead, addressed to Mr. E.H. Jenkins, regarding improvement of pasture land at Churchill Island, signed 'R.L. Twentyman,' Agrostologist, dated 9th April, 1941R.L. Twentyman [bottom right hand corner]department of agriculture, mr. e.h. jenkins, harry jenkins, churchill island, farm

Administration Building: Part of driveway to Principal's Residence in foreground. 1. Mounted on board. 2.Framed enlargement. Plaque attached "Burnley School of Horticulture 1962 Presented to the Victorian College of Agriculture and Horticulture by the Department of Agriculture, Victoria"administration building, driveway, burnley gardens

Bronze wall plaque created by the Department of Agriculture, Victoria to commemorate the opening of the Student Amenities Building on 13th December, 1973 by the Premier of Victoria, The Honourable R. J. Hamer, E. D.., M. P. The plaque is attached to the wall on the right side of the entrance to the SAB.student amenities building, opening, r. j. hamer, commemoration

Two guides or leaflets: 1. A Cherry Growing in Victoria Bulletin 67 from The Department of Agriculture, Victoria, Australia. Pp. 24. It has full details and photographs for cherry growing contributed by several writers. Advertisements for agriculture are inside the front and back covers. Price 3D. is printed towards the bottom of the front cover. 2. A very damaged four page leaflet titled, Fruit Spraying Guide for the Home Gardener compiled by two contributors, (Reprinted from The Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Victoria.) It has several tables for various fruits, diseases, symptoms and treatment. (It is reprinted from The Journal of the department of Agriculture, Victoria.) Two Invoices are included in this entry: 1. F.W. Britton & Son Timber and Hardware Merchants. Invoice No. 2441 12 June 1948 for three items sold. 2. An account Sales Note Barrow Bros. Commission Agency Proprietary Limited Produce & Dairy Produce merchants and Manufacturers in Melbourne. Four items were sold, plus cartage on 23.3.50.non-fictionThe Cherry Growing in Victoria booklet and Fruit Spraying Guide for the Home Gardener leaflet were useful for understanding how to grow the local produce in Victorian conditions at the time. dockets, receipts, sales records, leaflets, information sheets, information booklets, instruction leaflets, fruit growing, fruit pests

Archibald G. Campbell completed a four year course in horticultural training at the Royal Horticultural School in 1898. He later lectured at the School. He married Amy Dethridge (1903). Donated by Bryan Campbell, grandson.Colour photocopy of a Diploma awarded by the Department of Agriculture Victoria to Archibald G. Campbell for having completed a four year course in horticultural training at the Royal Horticultural School. Dated 1st Dec 1898. he later lectured at the School. Married Amy Dethridge (1903). Donated by Bryan Campbell, grandson.certificates, diplomas, students, archibald g. campbell, amy dethridge, bryan campbell

The poster is a call by the Department of Agriculture Victoria, in conjunction with local councils, for home gardeners to produce vegetable seeds to be sent to Britain.White card, discoloured with age, printed in black on one side, with red and blue borders.world war ii, wwii, food for britain, home gardeners overseas vegetable seeds gift scheme

Red hard cover reference journal of the Department of Agriculture of Victoria Volume V 1907 published for and on behalf of the Government by direction of the Hon. George Swinburne, M.L.A., Minister for Agriculture.

Photographs of plants at Burnley and in the Biology and PSL Departments. Publicity Branch Victorian Department of Agriculture 1960, handwritten annotations: (1)Ref. No. C.1768.C. "Thuja plicata aurea, Golden Willow, Pinus radiata." (3) A485 "Garden notes Sep Jul. The Chrysanthemum is a popular garden perennial." (4) A500 a rose in winter. (5) C.1767.F "Eucalyptus torquata." (7) C.1768.G, 2 copies, "Rex Begonia." (8) C.1767.E, "Angophora 5-6 years." (9) C.1767.D, "Seedling beds in Nursery." (C.1769.C, 2 copies, "Ginko." Department of Agriculture Victoria Biology Branch: (2) Neg. Number ORN.2 Date 30.4.54, "Nandina domestica a very useful plant for ?." (6) Neg Number ORN.1 Date 30.4.54, "Adiantum. Maidenhair. Fern. Grows well in a glassed in verandah." (13) Neg. No. P3006 Date 9.5.57, ?. (14) Neg. No. 0.3 date 4.6.57, ? Department of Agriculture Victoria Plant Research Institute: (11) Neg. No. M197 date 24.6.66, 2 copies, ? (12) Fern? (15) Colour negative of an azalea in a pot.handwritten annotationsplants, burnley, biology, willow, chrysanthemum, perennials, roses, eucalyptus, begonia, seedling, nursery, ginko, fern, verandah, azalea

Awarded to S. Hudson 1956 1957: (1) Department of Agriculture, Victoria Certificate of Merit, Class 1 White Leghorns - Wet Mash, Total First Grade Eggs 263, Bird No 144. 1957-1958: (2) Department of Agriculture, Victoria, Certificate of Merit, First Class, Section A Class 1 White Leghorns, Dry Mash. Total First Grade Eggs 240 Bird No 44. Government Champion Certificates, First Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns (3) Dry Mash. Total number of First Grade Eggs 1401. (4) Dry Mash, Individual Birds Total number of First Grade Eggs 269. Winter Test, First Prize (5) Total number of First Grade Eggs 95. (6) Total number of First Grade eggs 491. Government Certificates, (7) Winter Test, Third Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns - Dry Mash Total number of First Grade eggs 92. (8) Second Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns - Dry Mash - Individual Birds Total number of eggs 255. For G. Hudson: (9) to G. Hudson, 1958-59, Winter Test, Equal Third Prize Section 4 Class 1 White Leghorns Dry mash (Individual Bird) Total number of First Grade Eggs 81.egg laying, competition, s. hudson, g. hudson

Dark green cover, embossed on front 'Department of Agriculture Victoria' enclosed in circular design. Report to the Minister of Lands and Agriculture, 1874 on the proceedings of the Department, 363 pages. Written on front page in black ink "Mr H.P. Smith, Strathfieldsaye' Includes information on agricultural education, Australian grasses, diseases among stock, orange cuture, wood boring beetles, apples meteorologyof Victoria, worm diseased in sheep, sericulture, white eyebrowed woodswallow, flax, vines and wine industry, fencing and impounding. Contains information about Strathfieldsaye vigneron Messrs Bruhn and T Strachan of Axedale. Extensive metereological data for 1873 included; Sandhurst data described in depth.Variousgovernment, state, department of agriculture

Possibly used for testing students plant knowledge. Four botanical specimens as follows: .1) Unidentified dried plant specimen with attached handwritten tag ' I Grade/ No. 3' and tied with pink ribbon. .2) Originally housed inside buff coloured envelope, printed on front 'On His Majesty's Service' (underlined) and 'Department of Agriculture,/ Viticultural Station,/ Rutherglen / / 190'. .3) Unidentified dried plant specimen with attached handwritten tag ' Grade 1/ No.5' and tied with pink ribbon. .4) Originally housed inside buff coloured envelope, printed on front 'On His Majesty's Service' (underlined) and 'Department of Agriculture,/ Viticultural Station,/ Rutherglen / / 190'. .5) Unidentified dried plant specimen with attached handwritten tag ' Grade 1/ No.7' and tied with pink ribbon. .6) Originally housed inside buff coloured envelope, printed on front 'On His Majesty's Service' (underlined) and 'Department of Agriculture,/ Viticultural Station,/ Rutherglen / / 190'. .7) Unidentified dried plant specimen (possibly identical to .2) with attached handwritten tag ' Grade 1/ No.13' and tied with pink ribbon. .8) Originally housed inside buff coloured envelope, printed on front 'On His Majesty's Service' (underlined) and 'Department of Agriculture,/ Viticultural Station,/ Rutherglen / / 190'. .9) Leather covered board with remnant elastic. Possibly used for displaying specimens. Envelope printed on front top centre 'On His Majesty's Service' (underlined), Bottom left 'Department of Agriculture,/ Viticultural Station,/ Rutherglen / / 190 ', Top right 'Department of Agriculture. Victoria. Frank Stamp', top left, 'This envelope can only be lawfully used by Government officials on public business. Any use by officials on private business, or by others under any circumstances, is punishable'. Embossed on envelop seal with the word 'Victoria' enclosed in a buckle and belt, crown in centre.botanical specimen,, department of agriculture, rutherglen, school of mines, ballarat, ballarat school of mines, botany, rutherglen, speciman, plant, plant identification

Annual Report by C. Bogue Luffmann, in the Department of Agriculture Annual Report 1900 pp 262-311. 2 copies This is a photocopy of the original report. The report is headed "Department of Agriculture, Victoria." At this time the Burnley School of Agriculture was under the jurisdiction of the Dept. of Agriculture. The report was prepared by the Principal C. Bogue Luffmann. It is 54 pages in length, contains an annual report and prospectus, an examination paper, eight essays on horticultural subjects, 4 of these by Mr Bogue Luffmann and the remainder by students. Essays contained in the Annual Report are: Profitable Branches of Agriculture for Victoria - C Bogue Luffmann (Principal) Trunks and Branches - C Bogue Luffmann Girdling Cincturing Lancing Bandaging & Hardening of Bark - C Bogue Luffmann Humus - Tessa Smith (2nd year student) An examination paper - I Higgins (2nd year student) The Requisite Qualifications of the Commercial Fruit Grower - M.W. Thompson (2nd year student) Fruit Tree Stocks - M.W. Thompson An Examination Paper - H.R. Ward (1st year student) and M. Thatcher (1st year student) charles bogue luffman, principal, student essays, c b luffmann essays, horticulture essays, 1900 horticulture writing, cincturing, girdling, lancing, bandaging horticulture, humus, fruit growing, horticulture turn of the century, horticulture school report, luffmann