The Ballarat College of Advanced Education was a predecessor institution of Federation University AustraliaA number of Ballarat College of Advanced Education staff sit behind a desk during a promotional display. Standing is John E. Brown, Technical Officer in Electrical Engineering Seated is Norm Barling, Jim Quinn, Bruce Gardner and John Van Der Schoor (Registry)ballarat college of advanced education, john e. brown, norm barling, jim quinn, bruce gardner, john van der schoor

Display at 'The Knuckle' at Gippsland Campus Orientation Day If you can assist with inforrmation on this photograph please use the email link below. gippsland campus collection, orientation day, flags, display

Gippsland Campus Scholarship & Gippsland Internet Program If you can assist with inforrmation on this photograph please use the email link below. gippsland campus collection, gippsland campus scholarship & gippsland internet program, display

Gippsland Campus Scholarship & Gippsland Internet Program If you can assist with inforrmation on this photograph please use the email link below. gippsland campus collection, gippsland campus scholarship & gippsland internet program, display

A agreement relating to the loan and ongoing custodianbship of three items from the Ballarat School of Mines Museum. The Model Dray, Model Phoenix Locomotive, Model Battery and Model HV McKay Smithy are to remain in the custody of Sovereign Hill, plaques to be placed in each model to display Ballarat School of Mines involvement in their creation, and if Sovereign Hill no longer requires the models ownership to be returned to the Ballarat School of Mines (nor Federation University Australia)model, agreement, museum, model dray, model phoenix locomotive, model battery, model hv mckay smtihy

20 photographic transparencies, 18 individual student images and 2 group photos. The individual student photos were enlarged and mounted as lifesize, card-mounted cut-out display figures with stands. Fuji RHPIII 208 transparencies. Possible photographer was Peter Swan.Item photographed by Elise Whetteruniversity of ballarat, federation university, graphic design, multimedia, camp street campus, new north

A black and white photograph of the Marysville display taken at the Victour Holiday and Leisure Show. The year the photograph was taken is unknown.A black and white photograph of the Marysville display taken at the Victour Holiday and Leisure Show.marysville, victoria, australia, victour, holiday and leisure show, photograph

A colour photograph of a sign showing the mythical "Gunni" from Marysville in Victoria.A colour photograph of a sign showing the mythical "Gunni" (pronounced goon-eye) from Marysville in Victoria. A mythical creature believed to exist in the Central Highlands in the 1860s. There were unsubstantiated sightings in the late 1990s and a representative animal was created and displayed at the Marysville Visitor Information Centre. The Visitor Information Centre was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.marysville, victoria, marysville visitor information centre, gunni, goon-eye, 2009 black saturday bushfires

A colour photograph of the mythical "Gunni" that was displayed in the Marysville Visitor Information Centre in Victoria.A colour photograph of the mythical "Gunni" that was displayed in the Marysville Visitor Information Centre in Victoria. A mythical creature believed to exist in the Central Highlands in the 1860s. There were unsubstantiated sightings in the late 1990s and a representative animal was created and displayed at the Marysville Visitor Information Centre. The Visitor Information Centre was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.marysville, victoria, marysville visitor information centre, gunni, goon-eye, 2009 black saturday bushfires

A colour photograph of the mythical "Gunni" that was displayed in the Marysville Visitor Information Centre in Victoria.A colour photograph of the mythical "Gunni" that was displayed in the Marysville Visitor Information Centre in Victoria. A mythical creature believed to exist in the Central Highlands in the 1860s. There were unsubstantiated sightings in the late 1990s and a representative animal was created and displayed at the Marysville Visitor Information Centre. The Visitor Information Centre was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.marysville, victoria, marysville visitor information centre, gunni, goon-eye, 2009 black saturday bushfires

An entry ticket to Manical Mechanicals in Marysville in Victoria.An entry ticket to Manical Mechanicals in Marysville in Victoria. Manical Mechanicals was owned and operated by Marg and Alistair Mackie in Murchison Street in Marysville in Victoria. It offered a display of various engineering wonders of the world all made from Meccano. There was also a selection of models, toys and other items that all moved. The Meccano models were all built by Doug Wilson who lived in Wangaratta in Victoria. In 1937, when he was 12, Doug won first prize at Brunswick Technical School for making a Meccano model aeroplane with three rotating propellers. Manical Mechanicals was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.manical mechanicals, marysville, victoria, meccano, doug wilson, brunswick technical school, 2009 black saturday bushfires

An advertising flyer for Manical Mechanicals in Marysville in Victoria.An advertising flyer for Manical Mechanicals in Marysville in Victoria. Manical Mechanicals was owned and operated by Marg and Alistair Mackie in Murchison Street in Marysville in Victoria. It offered a display of various engineering wonders of the world all made from Meccano. There was also a selection of models, toys and other items that all moved. The Meccano models were all built by Doug Wilson who lived in Wangaratta in Victoria. In 1937, when he was 12, Doug won first prize at Brunswick Technical School for making a Meccano model aeroplane with three rotating propellers. Manical Mechanicals was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.manical mechanicals, marysville, victoria, meccano, doug wilson, brunswick technical school, 2009 black saturday bushfires

A colour photograph of Manical Mechanicals in Marysville in Victoria.A colour photograph of Manical Mechanicals in Marysville in Victoria. Manical Mechanicals was owned and operated by Marg and Alistair Mackie in Murchison Street in Marysville in Victoria. It offered a display of various engineering wonders of the world all made from Meccano. There was also a selection of models, toys and other items that all moved. The Meccano models were all built by Doug Wilson who lived in Wangaratta in Victoria. In 1937, when he was 12, Doug won first prize at Brunswick Technical School for making a Meccano model aeroplane with three rotating propellers. Manical Mechanicals was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.manical mechanicals, marysville, victoria, meccano, doug wilson, brunswick technical school, 2009 black saturday bushfires

A colour photograph of Manical Mechanicals in Marysville in Victoria.A colour photograph of Manical Mechanicals in Marysville in Victoria. Manical Mechanicals was owned and operated by Marg and Alistair Mackie in Murchison Street in Marysville in Victoria. It offered a display of various engineering wonders of the world all made from Meccano. There was also a selection of models, toys and other items that all moved. The Meccano models were all built by Doug Wilson who lived in Wangaratta in Victoria. In 1937, when he was 12, Doug won first prize at Brunswick Technical School for making a Meccano model aeroplane with three rotating propellers. Manical Mechanicals was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.manical mechanicals, marysville, victoria, meccano, doug wilson, brunswick technical school, 2009 black saturday bushfires

A colour photograph of a display in Manical Mechanicals in Marysville in Victoria.A colour photograph of a display in Manical Mechanicals in Marysville in Victoria. Manical Mechanicals was owned and operated by Marg and Alistair Mackie in Murchison Street in Marysville in Victoria. It offered a display of various engineering wonders of the world all made from Meccano. There was also a selection of models, toys and other items that all moved. The Meccano models were all built by Doug Wilson who lived in Wangaratta in Victoria. In 1937, when he was 12, Doug won first prize at Brunswick Technical School for making a Meccano model aeroplane with three rotating propellers. Manical Mechanicals was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.manical mechanicals, marysville, victoria, meccano, doug wilson, brunswick technical school, 2009 black saturday bushfires

A newsletter article regarding the donation of Meccano models to the Marysville & District Historical Society.A newsletter article regarding the donation of Meccano models to the Marysville & District Historical Society. Manical Mechanicals was owned and operated by Marg and Alistair Mackie in Murchison Street in Marysville in Victoria. It offered a display of various engineering wonders of the world all made from Meccano. There was also a selection of models, toys and other items that all moved. The Meccano models were all built by Doug Wilson who lived in Wangaratta in Victoria. In 1937, when he was 12, Doug won first prize at Brunswick Technical School for making a Meccano model aeroplane with three rotating propellers. Manical Mechanicals was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.manical mechanicals, marysville, victoria, meccano, doug wilson, brunswick technical school, 2009 black saturday bushfires, melbourne meccano club, melbourne meccano club newsletter

A newspaper article reflecting on the success of a display to promote Marysville and Lake Mountain. This display was the first of four displays over two weeks which was organised by Mrs. Connie Pannan from Nanda Binya Lodge in Marysville; Counselor Malcolm Reed from the Shire of Healesville and Marylyn Guest House in Marysville; Mrs. Val Cockerell from Blackwood Holiday Flats in Marysville; and Mr. Michael Cheshire from the Westernport Healesville Regional Tourist Authority. The display saw the release of a new full colour tourist brochure on Marysville produced with the co-operation of the Marysville Tourist and Progress Association and Westernport Healesville Regional Tourist Authority. It was deemed to be a most successful promotional event for Marysville and Lake Moutain.A newspaper article reflecting on the success of a display to promote Marysville and Lake Mountain. The Association was formed in November 1907 to promote tourism within the area. This included the physical creation of signage, parklands, roads and walks to various attractions. marysville, victoria, lake mountain, marysville tourist and progress association, newspaper article

This item is historically and socially significant because A E Bolger had enlisted at Frankston and is recorded as being the first Frankston soldier to die at Gallipoli. Bolger was wounded and killed during the landing at ANZAC cove on the 27th April 1915. This plaque and medallion was awarded to his family who have subsequently donated them to this collection.This circular, bronze commemorative plaque was presented to the family of Private Arthur Ernest Bolger, who was killed in action at Gallipoli on 27th April, 1915. The plaque is mounted on a wooden display stand with a 1914-15 star (another medal issued to Australian service personnel) and a label describing the item. Colloquially known as 'Dead Man's Penny' or 'King's Penny', this plaque was given to the next of kin of service personnel who died on active service in WW1. refer to link below http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/memorial_scroll/plaque.asp see item 00014.2

Wycheproof Historical Society has the Charlton Independent newspaper report Clip of Friday, November 27,1885 of the Opening of ANA Branch Number 45, Wycheproof, in Supplementary file box,Room 1,also ANA Display folder in Upper Level Room 4,Cabinet 2B Many Australian Natives' Association subscribers' details are found in our collection of old A.N.A. books.These record books give names, occupations,locations and transfer information.The formation of the Wycheproof Branch made this historical data possible. This is an original charter dated 1885 - an old historical document. In 1993 Austalian Natives' Association(ANA)joined forces with Manchester Unity to create Australian Unity. A.N.A. Charter signed by chief President and General secretary; seal of A.N.A. 24-11-1885. Wycheproof Branch Opening Number 45 for Australian Natives' Association. Contents of 24 lines, commercially printed documentation - wooden ornate frame.On back: Donated to the Wycheproof/ Historical Society 6.8. 2008/ by Eddie Molloy.australian natives association, a.n.a., wycheproof, charter, 1885

Friday, September 28, 1883 was a memorable date for Wycheproof as on that day was the long-awaited official opening of the railway. It was recorded that no less than 23 parishes would act as feeder to the rail line. The Railway Station closed in December 1990 but the building was renovated in 2010 with plans for a community focus and cultural events.The arrival of rail opened up the Mallee. Local farmers began sending wheat, sheep and wool by rail. Improvements to transport stock was ongoing and the eventual rail extension north of the town, resulted in a well patronised passenger service for years. Railway families and workers added to the culture of the town.Display Book of A3 size with 20 pockets of Wycheproof Rail information. It includes a collection of newspaper and magazine articles, photos, rail drawings, train calendar, paint colour legend and other rail references.sea lake, railway, rail-drawing, last-passenger- train, centenary- train, train - calendar, steaming- up- broadway, wycheproof - rail

Mr Dempsey and family were the first selectors to arrive at Mt Wycheproof 1872 or early 1873. One Dempsey Land Application is dated 15-3-1873.Factual documents obtained from a Melbourne archive show settler,John Dempsey,securing land at Wycheproof. Several official Lands Department correspondence provides evidence of Dempsey's early land acquisition at the beginning of the town's farming history and settlement from 1872 - 1882. This is an A3 sized Display book with grey spine. Comprises official Lands Department Papers detailing Mr John Dempsey's Land Applications and acquisition at Wycheproof. Dated documentation is from 1872 through to 1882.Locally researched references give an overview about the Dempsey family.dempsey, land -act, bunguluke

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. WARRNAMBOOL'S 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. 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. Miscellaneous Contributions to Punch 1843-1854 Author: W M Thackeray Edited by George Saintsbury Publisher: Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press Date: 1864Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC THA Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, miscellaneous contributions to punch, punch, w m thackeray, george saintsbury

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. WARRNAMBOOL'S 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. 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 Irish Sketch Book and Contributions to the 'Foreign Quarterly Review' 1842-4 Author: W M Thackeray Edited by George Saintsbury Publisher: Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press Date: 1864Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC THA Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, the irish sketch book, w m thackeray, george saintsbury, foreign quarterly review 1842-4