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. The King and People of Fiji Author: Joseph Waterhouse Publisher: Wesleyan Conference Office Date: 1866 The label on spine with typed text RA 996.11 WAT Inside Front, endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Inside front, endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum Handwriting on the Flypaper reads " Henty Findon 1866"warrnambool, 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, the king and people of fiji

Colour cigerette card depicting the discovery of John King, a member of the Burke and Wills Exploration team.king, burke and wills, explorers, john king

historic, social, buildingsB/W photo King Family home, Durham Lead, two sisngle story buildings.durham lead, king family

Colour photo, Gold King Festival, 1997, end of procession, from Crown Hotel Balcony.corner warrenheip and learmonth, colour photograph of gold king festival procession on 16 february 1997

This is a token to the value of a penny. It was issued by Alfred Toogood who had an hotel in Sydney called The Rainbow Tavern. Many shop keepers and merchants in Australia in the 1850s issued tokens because of the shortage of British pennies. Tokens could only be used in the business premises of the person whose name was on the token. Warrnambool in the 1850s had two businesses issuing tokens, one was issued by William Bateman who had a general store in Banyan Street. The other was William Jamieson who had a hardware store in Liebig Street. Nineteenth century tokens today are highly collectable items.This token is of minor interest as an example of a New South Wales token penny.Circular copper coloured token. The obverse features an image of a female representative of the scales of justice. he reverse features the details of the person issuing the token AUSTRALIA I855 A TOOGOOD MERCHANT PITT AND KING ST SYDNEY token pennies, warrnambool

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. King Edward 8th His Life and Reign Author: Hector Bolitho Publisher: Eyre & Spottiswoode Date: 1937Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 EDW warrnambool, 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, king edward 8th, hector bolitho

Souvenir of royal visit, 1949Butter dish souvenir plate commemorating the Royal Visit in 1949. Portrait of King George VI and Queen ElizabethSouvenir Royal Visit 1949royal visit, 1949

Colour print of a water colour by Albert Collins (1945) of a King St. Sydney with a Sydney cable tram set, titled "Another link with the past - King St. in the nineties", mounted onto textured card, lined on outer edges, with a piece of paper detailing the work attached to rear and an inscription.On rear "Compliments from Roy Field"trams, tramways, sydney, cable trams, king st

historic, social, familyB/W photo Elizabeth Emma King, nee Hutchinson, of Durham Lead, born 1850, photographed 1870-80durham lead, king family

This Bible was presented to Jane Richards, of Myrniong, by a cousin in 1875.She later married William Martin, father of Eliza Ford of "Hazeldeane" Mt. Major. This bible became the property of Eliza Ford, who was a longtime member of the Dookie district.Brown leather bound embossed King James Bible. First and second book and Gilded pages Part brass clasp missingHand written inscriptions, first in ink, second in biro. First inscription: "Presented to/ Jane Richards by her Cousin W.H.O./ 13th. Nov 7`11 1875" Second inscription: "E.E.Ford/ "Hazeldean"/ Dookie.religion, bible, jane richards, william martin, eliza ford, mt major, dookie, king james, 1875

historic re-enactmentColour photograph, Re-enactment of crowning of SeSoza as Gold King, Buninyong Festival 1991, Reg Carter (standing) as Mine Managerbuninyong, se soza, festival, gold king

Situated in King Street, Eltham, Alistair Knox built his home and office in 1962-1963 with mud-bricks made from the local soil and recycled materials blending the house with bush around it. Knox popularised the Eltham earth building movement, begun by Montsalvat founder, Justus Jorgensen. Alistair Knox (1912-1986) was also an Eltham Shire Councillor 1971-1975 and Shire President in 1975. He established the inaugural Eltham Community Festival in 1975. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p145This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, alistair and margot knox house, alistair knox design, mudbrick construction, eltham, king street

Melbourne : Municipal Association of Victoria, 1901 [16] p. : all facsims. ; 21 cm.non-fictionSix page facsimile, the original produced by the Municipal Association of Victoria on the accession to the throne of King Edward VII. A facsimile edition was printed and presented to each municipality, shire etc in Victoria.edward vii, municipal association of victoria, 1901, testimonials, facsimiles

Coloured Photograph of two APC's in heavy jungle. A casualty is being treated on top of the forward APC. A soldier mans a machine gun of the rear APC.My Vietnam Collection- Mick Kingphotograph, armoured personnel carrier, wounded serviceman

This is an early example of the Boyle's Anaesthetic Machine which was to become widely used throughout the world. The plaque on the wooden plinth suggests it was a display model from the medical equipment distributor Charles A King of London.The gas anaesthesia apparatus is mounted to a rectangular wooden base. It comprises two long, vertical glass cylinders held in place with metal brackets which are connected to a glass chloroform vaporiser container via metal tubes and associated valves and connections. The bottom of the glass flasks have outlet connections and inscriptions on the glass to measure volume. The chloroform vaporiser and adjacent glass ether vaporiser also have volume measurements etched on the glass, and the latter is the same height as the former but is larger in diameter. Both are connected via metal tubes and include outlet pipes that have associated cork stoppers. The maker's details are provided on a brass plaque attached to thewooden platform.A. Charles King Ltd. London, W1.henry edmund gaskin boyle, vaporiser, rotameter, chloroform, ether, anaesthetic apparatus, charles king ltd, plenum, sectioned, dr geoffrey kaye

Copy of Ernest E. King Testimonial on his departure from Stawell after 13 years employment at Stawell New & Pleasant Creek ChronicleReverse: Photocopy Stawell News & Pleasant Creek Chronicle article, 26/11/1907. Letter of donation from Terang & District Historical Society 1/3/ 2012 stawell

Newsletter launch written on reverse

Digital scan of black and white photograph. Opening of Power House Rowing Club with M O'Brien, CC W King, T Goss and C Gahan.

Murray Comrie Collection. This photograph is an original print. Black and white photograph depicting Company's Dam and King Street, Tarnagulla.tarnagulla, dam, water, company's dam, king street

Murray Comrie Collection. This is a reasonable copy of an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1970s. Monochrome photograph. View of Commercial Road Tarnagulla looking south from around King Street. At right is Victoria Hotel next to a weatherboard building at far right.Printed caption on original is 'Tarnagulla'.tarnagulla, commerce, stores, shopping, shops, hotels, victoria hotel and theatre, buildings, commercial road, main street

Lake King in Rutherglen Park is a man made lake and was the town's original reservoir for household water supplies. After the Water Tower was built, Lake King was used by the local children as a swimming pool. Since the Swimming Pool was built, Lake King has reverted to a beauty spot.Small black and white snapshot of Lake King and Pier and equipment used for Reservoir purposes - UnmountedOn back: "Lake King pre 1962 from Nokie Morrison"lake king, reservoir

In the early days of colonial Australia the governors and the land holders saw advantage in singling out certain First Nations people as leaders and distinguishing them in some way. This chest plate was issued to "King George" of the Koenghegulluk Clan of the Djargurd Wurrung whose Country was near Lake Colongulac. This chest plate is inscribed "King Colungulac" and is held in the Museum Victoria collection. ""King George"" is pictured wearing the chest plate in a photograph of First Nations people at Framlingham Mission in 1867.Colour photograph of brass chest plate inscribed "KING GEORGE COLUNGULAC" Front: "KING GEORGE COLUNGULAC"; Back: XP49214 Museum Victoriabreast plate, cdhs, cdhsfirstnations