Nine girls in the uniform of the Ballarat Girls' Technical School. From left: Maureen Carroll, Sandra Tait, Jeanette Cameron, Wendy Gasterstadt, Coralie Crabb, Wendy Widgery, Suzanne Hall, Janette Smith, Heather O'Brien. ballarat girls' technical school, ballarat girls' junior technical school, maureen carroll, sandra tait, jeanette cameron, wendy gasterstadt, coralie crabb, wendy widgery, suzanne hall, janette smith, heather o'brien, class

Hard covered cheque forwarding receipt book with orange cover, including addresses of those receiving cheques. Three quarters of the book as been used. On cover "Memo. Enclosing remittance"ballarat school of mines, frederick j. martell, h.h. smith, m.c. young, a.b. campbell, gordon and gotch, p.g. tait, w.h. steane, chamber of mines melbourne, h.b. silberberg & co., engineering magazine, london, f. penhalluriack, l.l. simpson, h. wardle and son, a.e. white, eyres bros, w. cornell, g. clegg, clegg and miller, l. williams, j. ewins, peter g. tait, doepel and chandler, berry anderson & co, r. sim and co, j. ritchie, t. scarff

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. 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 Despatch Publisher: James M Tait Date: From May 21 1864 to October 1864 Further Information:Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library.flagstaff hil, warrnambool, 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, the despatch

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2000. This 1908 photograph shows the original delivery cart for George Pethard's soft drink firm, which started in Panton Street, Golden Square. The Tarax ale wagon belonged to Harry Tait. (Photograph courtesy of the Bendigo Historical Society)newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

A green programme with black print. On the front cover is a border and inside it are the words, ' Direction J. & N. Tait The Orchestra of The State Conservatorium of Music New South Wales Musical Festival Programme Conductor: Henri Verbrugghen Price 6d. Sydney W. A. Gullick, Government Printer.' On the inside is a photo of Henri Verbrugghen, a history of his life and the programme. October 1920. 11 pgs.program, music, orchestra, lydia chancellor, collection, music, orchestra, concert, programme, program

A booklet with a photo of Chaliapin on the front cover. Also on the front cover are the words, 'CHALIAPIN CONCERTS Auditorium Direction: J. & N. Tait Souvenir Programme Book of Words.' Inside is an advertisement for Buckley's Elizabethan Tea Rooms, Melbourne. Inside is the programme of his concerts, books of songs by famous composers, photos and advertisements. Saturday, July 24, 1926, Melbourne. 56 pgs. The Specialty Press Pty., Ltd., Melbourne.program, music, chaliapin concerts, lydia chancellor collection, collection, music, entertainment, programme, program, concert, event, individual, person

A light brown programme with blue print. On the front cover are the words, ' Messrs. J. & N. Tait present Madame Evelyn Scotney the brilliant Australian Prima Donna. Mr. Howard White the popular basso. Supported by Mr. Harold Elvins, Pianist, Mr. John Amadio, Flautist. On the inside cover is the programme and on the back cover is an advertisement for 'Allan's' pianos. Page & Bird Pty. Ltd., Printers, Melbourne.program, music, singing, lydia chancellor, collection, music, entertainment, concert, program, programme, event, singing

A small white programme with black print. There is a black and white photograph of Benno Moiseiwitsch on the front. Under the photo are the words, : Direction J & N. Tait. Analytical Programme Price Threepence. On the inside cover is the programme of Benno Moiseiwitsch's piano recital and the date Tuesday, August 21, at 8 p.m., and place, Princess Theatre, Bendigo.program, music, piano, lydia chancellor, collection, piano, concert, recital, entertainment, event, program, programme, music

A soft covered booklet with a picture of a Scottish band on the front. The words above it are, ' Australian and New Zealand Tour, 1951, THE BLACK WATCH BAND. Direction J. & N. Tait.' Souvenir Programme.' On the inside is the ' Programme of Music by the Band of His Majesty's 1st Battalion, The Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment. By kind permission of Lieutenant-Colonel G.P. Campbell-Preston, M.B.E.' Apart from the 14 programmes of the tour the programme includes many advertisements.program, music, black watch band, lydia chancellor, collection, music, bands, royal highland regiment, entertainment, leisure, program, programme

Contract of sale of land dated 23rd May, 1956 between Mrs. M. A. L. Tobin - Mrs N. McMahon as executors of estate G. C. La Franz - deceased (sellers) and Mr. A. C. & Mrs. M. E. Tait (purchaser). Property: land being part of Crown allotment 6 section 12B Parish of Sandhurst City of Bendigo, land described in certificate of title volume 2592 folio 274 and having a frontage to Violet Street, Bendigo, together with all buildings thereon, fly wire doors, window screens and gas stove and blinds. Price: 4,075 pounds. Office copyorganization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 23rd May, 1956 between Mrs. M. A. L. Tobin - Mrs N. McMahon as executors of estate G. C. La Franz - deceased (sellers) and Mr. A. C. & Mrs. M. E. Tait (purchaser). Property: land being part of Crown allotment 6 section 12B Parish of Sandhurst City of Bendigo, land described in certificate of title volume 2592 folio 274 and having a frontage to Violet Street, Bendigo, together with all buildings thereon, fly wire doors, window screens and gas stove and blinds. Price: 4,075 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Newspaper clipping. Bendigo Advertiser. Saturday October 14, 1961. Early Railway Picnics Recalled. Article includes photo of souvenir tram ticket number 3588. Springtime, 1905 was Railway picnic time. And what a time it was - with packed trains from the metropolis and country towns, and Bendigo, thronged with the crowds of gay holiday-makers. Souvenir ticket belongs to rear Mrs. A. Bolitho, 5 Webster Street, Bendigo, issued by Electric Supply Coy. Of Victoria Ltd., Bendigo Tramways. Railway Picnic September 16, 1905. The ticket belong to Mrs Bolitho's father, the late Mr J H P Ellis, who lived in McIntyre Street. Post card size, printed in sepia on cream, bears photographs of the power house, engine room, a tram (we presume one of the first models) and the boiler room. Down the sides are listed cemetery, railway station, Rodney St, Charing Cross, through to California Gully Bridge and Eaglehawk. The fare was 2d. On the back a Beehive advertisement. 'Half-Century With Trams' is a history as remembered by Mr W J Evans of Mt. Korong Road, California Gully. 'Boisterous' is a history as remembered by Mr W Bolton of the firm of Bolton Bros. recalled the early picnics as 'boisterous' affairs. 'riff-raff' used to gather at Spencer St Station, arriving in Bendigo-after having spent the night drinking. The picnicers certainly had a right royal time in those early days. Railway Picnic was also boronia time, Mr Bolton said - and bunches of fragrant West Australian borania were sold on the streets. Bolton Bros always printed the tram tickets in Bendigo in those early years. A report in the 'Bendigonian' of the 1903 Railway Picnic period told that 20 special trams came to Bendigo on Saturday morning, September 15, 1903. Railway Picnic Committee: J Southern, Mrs Tait, Mrs Hudson, Mrs Fitzpatrick, Cr J H Curnow, Sir John Quick and many members of parliament. Fare from Melbourne costing 5/ for a day return, or 7/6 for the week.organization, business, bendigo trams

A photocopy of the programme of The Tour under the Direction J. & N. Tait. On the front page of the programme are the words, ' The Tour under the Direction of J. & N. Tait.. Artists Miss Amy Castles soprano, Mr. Anderson Nicol tenor, Mr. Peter Dawson Basso, Mr. Victor Busst solo pianoforte. On the inside and the back is the programme. Date unknown.program, music, singing, lydia chancellor, collection, ephemera, music, singing, event, concert, amy castles, anderson nicol, peter dawson, victor busst

A yellow paper programme with red print. On the front cover are the words, ' Country Tour Direction--J. & N. Tait The Famous Brussels Concert Party Mdlle. Alice Viceroy--Soprano Mons. Albert Goossens From Grand Conservatoire, Brussels. Violinist Mons Arthur Baroen Winner of Gold Medal at Royal Conservatoire, Brussels. Violincello Mons. H. Penn Pianist.' On the inside is the programme with both the First Concert and the Second Concert. On the back of the programme is an advertisement for Allan's pianos. Page Bird Pty. Ltd. Printers, Melbourne. C19151915?program, music, brussels concert party, lydia chancellor, collection, ephemera, programme, program, music, singing, event, entertainment, brussels concert party

electric street railway, public transport, st kilda, brighton, mayor, councillors, thomas bent, premier, opening, celebration, cr. t. wilson, cr. h.b. gibbs, hon. d.e. mcbryde, mr goddard, mr j.n. browne, town clerk, mr bradford, electrical engineer, mr tait, railways commissioner, hon. j.c. campbell, mr rees, mr r.g. mccutcheon, sepia, photograph, tram

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. A number of the latter are by noted photographers such as J.E. Barnes.In November 1917, the Ermington Estate was advertised as an ‘Executor’s Sale’. It included the 10-roomed villa residence, ‘Ermington’, home of the late Mrs. Lorimer, and 10 ‘magnificent allotments’. The plan in the Kew Historical Society Collection is a little more specific. Ermington is described as having 9 Rooms &c. and there are 11 lots shown on the west side of Hillcrest Avenue. In the plan, the latter is named as ‘Hill Crest Avenue’. The plan indicates that the subdivision was based on the surveying work of Johnson & Tait. Opposite Ermington, the existing house ‘Parkhill’ is identified. A faded stamp on two parts of the plan indicates that it was in the possession of Jas. [R.] Mathers, Financial Agent, [136] Cotham Road, Kew.subdivision plans - kew, ermington heights estate - kew heights

Provides background and history of the fifteen non-government (independant) schools in Surrey HillsProvides background and history of the fifteen non-government (independant) schools in Surrey Hills 124pschools - boroondara, st joseph's home and residential school, campden ladies college, surrey college, hessle school, ormiston college, ladies high school (jessie tait), surrey hills preparatory grammar school, surrey hills kindergarten and preparatory school, tower house school, craighall, milverton ladies college, our holy redeemer school, our lady's primary school, st andrew's presbyterian school, miss mccleverty's girls high school, (mr) ken james, st brigids, jessie tait

A biographical history by Dorothy Selby (nee Emerson) recollecting the people she came into contact with during her time in Surrey Hills from 1915-1937.A4, comb binding, 9 pageshouse names, kookaburra, albany crescent, surrey hills, (miss) dorothy emerson, (mrs) dorothy emerson, warrigal road, boundary road, st stephen's presbyterian church, (mrs) - gillies, (mr) tom ward, dentist, (mrs) - bowen, edwardian style, royal hotel, broughton road, (mrs) - brogan, (mr) - brogan, (mr) - tuckett, tacey's butcher, (mr) james tait, draper, (mr) alfred rose, state savings bank, surrey college, tower house college, balmoral crescent, (mr) - clewett, (mr) percy blood, stenning and holyoak, grocers, (mr) - pell, greengrocer, confectioner, fishmonger, (mr) tommy everon, (miss) beatrice bligh, (mr) - lyons, (mr) - ray, surrey hills station, transport, (ms) kitty mcewan, golfer, taxis, (mr) - collins, surrey hills primary school, (dr) (mr) - forsythe, (dr) (mr) - gandever, windsor crescent, valonia avenue, victoria avenue, (mr) john blogg, progress association, rechabite hall, (mr) claude wardle, (miss) beatrice oakley, empire day, (mr) robert gordon menzies, girl guides, (ms) nancy steele, (ms) hattie steele, (dr) (mr) - blaikie, (mr) - richards, stationmaster, crime, (mr) - cockerill, (mr) horrie breedon, first enlistment, (mr) (rev) brazier, (mr) (rev) - oakes, (mr) (rev) - gillies, (mr) (rev) - mudford, (mr) (rev) - millikan, (mr) (rev) - cockett, (mr) (rev) alfred gifford, (mr) (fr) david gleeson

Panther Place and Shillinglaw Cottage visible through bridgeDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of print317m, george coop collection, hurstbridge railway line, panther place, red rattler, shillinglaw cottage, tait train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of printgeorge coop collection, hurstbridge railway line, montmorency railway station, red rattler, tait train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of print473m, eltham railway station, george coop collection, hurstbridge railway line, red rattler, single motor carriage, tait train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of printeltham, george coop collection, hurstbridge railway line, overpass, red rattler, silver street, tait train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of printeltham, george coop collection, hurstbridge railway line, overpass, red rattler, silver street, tait train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of printeltham railway station, george coop collection, hurstbridge railway line, red rattler, tait train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of printeltham trestle bridge, george coop collection, hurstbridge railway line, red rattler, tait train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of printeltham railway station, george coop collection, hurstbridge railway line, red rattler, tait train

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5035 colour transparencyKodak Safety 5035 March 1981 process date of print438m, eltham trestle bridge, george coop collection, red rattler, tait train