Showing 4619 items
matching 1931-1946
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Williamstown High School
Form 1D 1946
Black and white photograph of Williamstown High School's Form 1D, 1946. Mounted on board.See PDF above for inscription on the back of the photograph.williamstown high school, 1946, class photographs, students -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, Will of Francisco Schwerkolt and statement of lands, 1945
Will of Francisco Schwerkolt, 1945 and inventory of assets plus statement of lands comprised in assessment, 1946.schwerkolt family, schwerkolt, francesca -
Tennis Australia
Tournament Programme, Sep-46
Two programmes for the 1946 Pacific Southwest Tennis Championships. Materials: Ink, Paper, Metaltennis -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Large Gathering of Ex-service Personnel, 1946
A large gathering of ex-service personnel attended a 'Welcome Home' given by the Nunawading City Council on 20 Mar 1946.A large gathering of ex-service personnel attended a 'Welcome Home' given by the Nunawading City Council on 20 Mar 1946 where the Mayor read a letter from the Belgium Underground regarding the death of W/Officer A. V. Till.A large gathering of ex-service personnel attended a 'Welcome Home' given by the Nunawading City Council on 20 Mar 1946. city of nunawading, till, alwyn -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - VICTORIAN COUNTRY FOOTBALL LEAGUE - CONSTITUTION & RULES, 1946
Documents: 46 page small booklet, grey cover, on the Constitution and Rules of the Victorian Country Football League, founded in 1927. Issued in 1946. Includes list of Office Bearers and District Councillors. The Bendigo delegate is listed E. A. Hains.Printed by Richmond Chronicle Printorganization, club/society, australian rules football, football, victorian country football league, e. a. hains -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - BADHAM COLLECTION: THE VICTORIAN RAILWAYS INSTITUTE CERTIFICATE
The Victorian Railways Institute Central Station, Melbourne. Certificate Educational Classes Certificate showing JH Badham's attendance of the class in Westinghouse air brake. Senior for 2 terms during the year 1931 and passed that subject 79% dated Nov .1931. Certificate no. 204, on paper with red seal.document, certificate, man being sufficiently educated, the victorian railways institute central station , melbourne certificate educational classes certificate -
Lilydale RSL Sub Branch
Print - Portait, His Majesty King George V, 28 Febraury 1931
Photographic/Print of HM King George V in uniform of 2nd Btn King's Regt (Liverpool). King George V regimental oil painting - commissioned by 2nd Btn King's Regt (Liverpool) - One of three identical portraits King sat on 28 Feb 1931 - in gilt/timber frame. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Wood moulding Plane, Edward Preston & Sons, Early 20th century
By the end of the nineteenth century, the firm of Edward Preston & Sons was founded in 1825, becoming one of England's leading makers of hand tools and in many ways a British counterpart to America's "Stanley" for its wide range of quality utilitarian tools at affordable prices. Edward Preston Sr. (1798–1883) was first listed as a plane-maker at 77 Lichfield Street in the Birmingham Directory of 1833, but later listings and advertisements assert that the business was started in 1825. Preston is likewise recorded as a plane-maker living with his family in Lichfield Street in the 1841 census, at which time his younger son Edward was 6 years old. Around 1850, his son Edward left school to join his father's business and is recorded in the 1851 census as a plane-maker at his father's address. He appears to have been quite a talented and resourceful young man, as he had later been able to start up his own "wood and brass spirit level manufacturing business at 97½ Lichfield Street by 1864. By 1866, Edward Jnr had added planes, routers, joiners, coach, gun, cabinet, and carpenters tools to his line, and the following year he moved his shop from his father's address and relocated to 26 Newton Street, before moving again to much larger premises at 22–24 Whittall Street. This location became known as the Whittall Works and later was the office and factory of Edward Preston & Sons, Ltd. In 1889 Edward Preston Jnr and his three sons were brought into the firm and the name was changed to Edward Preston & Sons, becoming Edward Preston & Sons Ltd on incorporation in 1898. Part of the firm's output was a healthy line of malleable and gun-metal planes and patent adjustable iron smoothers, shoulder planes, bull-nose, and block planes - a range that was expanded in later years. The 1901 catalog shows several styles of planes that were unique to the Preston brand, along with the usual styles which had already been set by other makers. The death of Edward Preston Jnr was reported in the Lichfield Mercury of 26 September 1913. "Mr. Preston was decided of an innovative turn of mind," the newspaper wrote, "as many of the machines in use at his works, as well as of the tools produced were the invention of himself and his three sons, who now manage the business." The report noted that at the time of his death, the business was carried on at Whittall Works, Cheston Street, Aston, Birmingham. Falling on hard times, the firm of Edward Preston & Sons was sold to the Birmingham firm of John Rabone & Sons in 1932, and shortly thereafter manufacturing rights to some of the Preston range of planes were sold to the Sheffield firm of C. & J. Hampton, who would later merge with the Record Tool Company. Some of the Preston planes were directly added to the Record line by the Hampton firm, while others were modified or discontinued altogether. Generally, all Preston wooden planes are stamped on the front of the plane, the shape, size, and character type of the stamp indicating the age of the plane. On some metal planes, all the parts were stamped with a number or symbol during manufacture. This number was used to re-assemble the parts following a batch process. Not all Preston tools are trade-marked clearly. Early shoulder, rebate, chariot planes, and chamfer rebates commonly appear without trademarks but may have assembly numbers. The "E P" trade-mark was already in use by 1882. The trade-mark "Preston" also appears on some later tools that were manufactured in Sheffield, England. These are generally smoothing planes and appear modern and very similar in construction to other modern manufacturers' planes.The item gives a snapshot of one of England's premier tool manufacturing companies at a time when significant industrial changes were occurring in manufacturing and business structures in the World that were beginning to affect social changes.Ogee moulding Plane Maker E Preston & Sons sticker with date 1904 -1931flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Domestic Object - PERPETUAL CALENDAR
Small black wooden perpetual calendar showing month, date and day on canvas and paper rollers. With pointed top and 4 small winder knobs down each side.on back name unreadable 1/1/15 Wilson 1931furniture, office, caalendar -
Williamstown High School
Break-up Party 1931
Copy of black and white photograph mounted on board.Break-up Party, Form DC1 - 1931. Williamstown Gardens.williamstwon high school, williamstown botanical gardens, 1931, form dc1 -
Williamstown High School
Break-up party 1931
Copy of black and white photograph mounted on board.Break-up party Form DC1 - 1931. Williamstown Gardenswilliamstown high school, williamstown botanical gardens, 1931, form dc1 -
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Certificate - Order of Knights, Epworth Press, Charter The Hitchcock Court
The Hitchcock Court, Geelong was named after Howard Hitchcock, 1866-1932, businessman and civic leader. The Methodist Order of Knights was the official youth organisation of the Methodist Church of Australasia. It originated in Hurstville, NSW, on the 4th October 1914 by the then Mr and later Rev Alex Bray. Alex Bray was a Sunday School teacher and spoke to his class of the Knights of the Round Table. In 1917 the Order of Knights was officially recognised by the Sunday School Dept of the NSW Methodist Conference. Courts spread thoroughout Australia. In 1927 the High Court of NSW called for designs for a badge and in 1929 the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia recognised the Order as an approved Organisation. In 1938 the Senior Section was organised into Degrees of Sincerity, Service and Sacrifice; the Junior Section into Pages' Degree with advancement to Esquire. In 1954 the Junior Section was reorganised into two groups: Pages 8 to 11 years and Esquires 12 to 15 years. The Knight's Motto: "Live Pure, Speak True, Right Wrong, Follow Christ the King, else wherefore born?" Courts of the Order: General Conference Department of the Christian Education - General Court - Provincial High Court - District Court - Local Court - Senior Court - Intermediate Court - Junior Court . Regalia: All members of the Intermediate and Senior Courts wore regalia consisting of a cloth shield superimposed by a cross of light and dark blue ribbons, and supported by a cloth collar. Esquire and Degree of Sincerity regalia: White collar and white shield. Degree of Service regalia: Green collar and shield. Degree of Sacrifice: Scarlet collar and shield. District Court regalia: Blue collar and gold shield. High Court regalia: Gold collar and purple sheild. General Court regalia: Purple collar and shield. Officers of the local courts wore their symbols as part of their regalia. Methodist Church of Australasia Order of Knights Charter certificate. The card has the MOK symbol and a decorated border. "The Hitchcock Court 19th Day of May 1931 A. Vincent Ballard"methodist order of knights, order of knights, the hitchcock court, a vincent ballard governor -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Functional object - Buttons, 1940's
Made by Karl Kirsch at Camp 3.5 light coloured square/rectangle buttons; 2 darker coloured - 1 square 1 slight rectangle buttons; 2 holes in centre of each button; made of wood.Tatura Camp 3 1943-1946 Babette Kirsch buttons - wood, camp 3, sewing, kirsch -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Plaque - Neale plaque
Colonel John Neale enlisted in 8/13 VMR in 1948. He retired as Honorary Colonel after 28 years service.Wooden plaque with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles badge and presentation panel.Presented to Lt. Col J A Neale 1948 - 1946neale, vmr -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Slide, Alan L. Mitchell
Photo of Foundation Stone laid by Mr. McKenzie 1946.alan l. mitchell, burnley gardens, foundation stone, mr. mckenzie, 1946 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPHS, BCOF, 66BN, 1946 - 47
Items in the collection re Clarence Shearing, refer Cat No 7089.16P for his service details.Photographs B & W, various sizes covering a number of subjects in Australia and Japan with BCOF. Main items are: 1. General Northcote reviewing troops 1946 in Japan. 2. Troops arriving at Kure Japan. .3 Parade, 104th AGH Bathurst "VJ Day" Aug 1946. 4. Soldier "Cec Williams" outside "Salon White Bar". 5. Troops firing Bren Guns, soldier is "Peter Cook". 6. Australian troops parading in Tokio. 7. 66th BN Football Team. 8/9. Military Parades 1948.The inscriptions were written at various times in either pencil, red or blue pen.photographs, bcof, 66thbn -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Memorandum, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), Australia Day Celebrations - Olympic Park, 22/01/1946 12:00:00 AM
Australia Day Celebrations - Olympic Park Swan St Saturday 26, Sunday 27 & Monday 28 January 1946 Memo from JM Harry, Dist Traffic Supt SS regarding tram arrangements to Depot Masters, Hawthorn & Camberwell. Memo dated 22 January 1946 Letter from Manager to Mr W Darwin regarding the display publicity signs on trams for the event. Letter from City of Melbourne to MMTB dated 11.1.1946 advising that permission had been given for the ANA to conduct a procession, including assembly positions and the route to be taken."Mr Harry for your information" written in pencil top left corner. Numerous notes written in red and black pencil across the lettertrams, tramways, events, festival, australia day, ana -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Letter, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), 2/2nd Pioneer Batt. Women's Auxiliary at Wattle Park, 3 Dec 1945, 24 Jan 1946
2/2nd Pioneer Batt. Women's Auxiliary at Wattle Park Sunday 5 December 1943 Letter from RA Spencer to GC Garvin, Secretary 2/2nd Pioneer Batt. Women's Auxiliary granting permission to hold a picnic and sports meeting at Wattle Park on ANA Day, 28 January 1946. Letter dated 23 Dec 1945. Memo from JM Harry, Dist Traffic Superintendent SS to Mr Head, Depot Master Camberwell about required tram arrangements. Memo dated 24 January 1946Several comments written in red pencil. Black ink comments on letter.trams, tramways, events, field day, wattle park -
Federation University Art Collection
Drawing, Williams, Albert E, 'Drawing Human Figure from the Cast', 1931
Albert E. WILLIAMS (1899-1986) Victoria, Australia Albert E. Williams first studied art under Fred Foster after being awarded a scholarship to the Ballarat East Art School. In 1913 he became one of the first intake of 83 students to study the Merit Certificate at the newly opened Ballarat Junior Technical School. Williams was the second person to receive a certificate from that institution. He then studied under H.H. Smith for the Art Teachers’ Certificate at the Ballarat School of Mines Technical Art School between 1915 and 1920. Williams joined the staff of the Ballarat Junior Technical School in 1921, teaching sign writing, ticket writing and house decoration. He taught in other technical schools between 1923 and 1928, returning to Ballarat in that year to fill a vacancy left by John Rowell . Williams continued his teaching career at both the Ballarat School of Mines Technical Art School and the Junior Technical School until 1942. He taught in various other technical schools from 1943, retiring as Headmaster of the Brighton Technical School in 1964. Albert E. Williams continued producing artwork throughout his career, and was responsible for the education of generations of artists and art teachers. In 1937 he was living at 302 Drummond Steet South, Ballarat. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007. Unframed pencil drawing of a plaster cast of a human figure known as the Dancing Faun, a marble sculpture first recorded in 1665, when Albert Rubens listed it as in the collection of the Grand Duke of Tuscany in Florence (probably long owned by the Medici). By 1688 the sculpture was held by the Uffizi in Florence. In September 1800 the sculpture was sent to Palermo along with other treasures to avoid plunder by the French army, but it was returned to the Florence in 1803. By the 18th Century the Dancing Faun gained a reputation as one of the finest ancient sculptures in existence. A faun makes music by simultaneously playing the ‘crotala’ (similar to cymbals) in his hands and the ‘scabellum’ or ‘croupezion’ under his right foot. In Victorian Education Department examinations, this sculpture was sometimes called the "Clapping Faun".Written on the mount board below the drawing "Drawing Human Figure from the Cast. for art Teacher's Certificate 1931 by Albert E. Williams. Tech. Art School, Ballarat."art, artwork, albert e. williams, williams, ballarat technical art school, art teacher's certificate, a.e. williams, alumni, drawing from the cast, drawing from the antique, drawing the himan figure from the cast, dancing faun -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MCCOLL, RANKIN AND STANISTREET COLLECTION: CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION OF BOILER, 1946
Document: Mines Act 1928, certificate of inspection of boiler. Two certificates, pinned in LH top corner, for inspection of boilers at Deborah Gold Mining Company. Dated 31st Dec. 1946. Signed G. Hadden, Chief Mining Inspector.Department of Mines, Melbourneorganization, mining, deborah mines nl, mccoll, rankin and stanistreet: mining, gold mining, boilers, boiler, g. hadden -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Memorandum, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), May Day Procession, 5/05/1946 12:00:00 AM
Letter from HS Wootton, Town Clerk, City of Melbourne to Secretary MMTB about a procession through the city on Sunday 5th May, 1946. Memos from JM Harry, Dist Traffic Superintendent SS for tram requirements for the procession.Several handwritten notes on the letter, and dates underlined in red pencil.trams, tramways, tram services, parades, events -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - BERT GRAHAM COLLECTION: HEAD OF THE POOL BENDIGO EAST, 23 Feb 1946
Events, Bert Graham Collection, Head of the Pool Bendigo East Swimming Carnival, Eastern Park, Saturday February 23, 1946, in aid of the improvements to Eastern Park. To be Officially opened by His Worship the Mayor of Bendigo (Cr.A.Truscott) at 3 o'clock.bendigo, clubs, bendigo east swimming carnival -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - LHQ Cartographic Coy - Map Printing and Reprints 1 July 1942- 31 Dec 1947, LHQ Cartographic Coy, 1942-1947
The Land Headquarters Cartographic Company relocated to Fortuna Villa, Bendigo in 1942. With printing presses acquired from a number of civilian organizations it printed the maps needed for the Australian WW11 war effort. These records detail which maps were printed during those years. Photographs of the printing machines and the printers who used them are shown in Victorian Collections item 6148 LHQ Carto Coy Souvenir Booklet. 6352.1 Map Publishing and Reprinting Reports 1 July 1942 - 31 Dec 1943 6352.2 Map Publishing and Reprinting Reports 1 July 1943 - 31 Dec 1944 6352.3 Map Publishing and Reprinting Reports 1 July 1944 - 31 Dec 1945 6352.4 Map Publishing and Reprinting Reports 1 July 1945 - 31 Dec 1946 6352.5 Map Publishing and Reprinting Reports 1 July 1946 - 31 Dec 1947Five Manilla Folders containing Map Printing ReportsHand written on the Folder covers: 6352.1 Map Publishing and Reprinting Reports 1 July 1942 - 31 Dec 1943 6352.2 Map Publishing and Reprinting Reports 1 July 1943 - 31 Dec 1944 6352.3 Map Publishing and Reprinting Reports 1 July 1944 - 31 Dec 1945 6352.4 Map Publishing and Reprinting Reports 1 July 1945 - 31 Dec 1946 6352.5 Map Publishing and Reprinting Reports 1 July 1946 - 31 Dec 1947royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Photograph - Photograph and newspaper cuttings, Judith Cowley, Margaret Cowley (nee Doherty), 1931
margaret cowley nee doherty, garden week 1931, students working outside, female students, orchard -
Greensborough Historical Society
School Equipment, School satchel with exercise book and slate, 1931-1934
Slate and satchel commonly used in primary schools prior to World War 2; exercise book was produced by local traders in the Brunswick and Brunswick West area for free distribution to students.Leather school satchel, with slate and exercise book. Exercise book entitled "Brunswick West and North-West State Schools Homework Exercise Book", probably produced between 1926 and mid 1930s. The Advertised Bruce Small/Malvern Star business was located at 134 Sydney Road in the 1931-1934 period. Slate and exercise book marked "Doug Elliott"school slates, school satchels -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photo - Skiers 1946, August 1946
During winter skiers skied on the Bogong High Plains. During the 1940's the State Electricity Commission of Victoria was constructing the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and skiing was part of their employees recreation. Skippy St Elmo won ski races during the 1940's practising on the High Plains where she and her husband lived. Her husband worked for the S.E.C.V..Employees of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria were early skiers on the Bogong High Plains. The area is a well known tourist centre for skiers, bush walkers and bike riders.Black and cream photo glued onto thick cardboard with a label glued on at the bottom.L to R Wally Baldwin, Joyce Fisher, Dick Moore, / Chas Armada, Skippy St Elmo, Toni St Elmo / August 1946snow skiers; bogong high plains; state electricity commission of victoria; kiewa hydro electric scheme; skippy st elmo -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Certificate, 1946
Soccer team certificate awarded at Camp 1 to Gerd AberleHand drawn and coloured certificate of 8 different sports. From top left; soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, gymnastics, athletics, boxing, wrestling, each within a green laurel square separated by a green laurel wreath. Fawn colour picture frame.Unserem. Sport masseur. Kamerad. Gerd Aberle 3ur Erinnerung an Die. Sportwell Kampfe Pfingsten 1946. Internierungs Lager Tatura Vict Australiencertificate, sports (8), aberle g, camp 1, tatura, sport, gerd aberle, documents, certificates -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Photograph, 1946
Date made January 1946Black and white photograph of eleven people standing and sitting on the stern of a launch moored in the North Arm, Lakes Entrance, Victoria.boats and boating, waterways -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Life of Vice-Admiral William Bligh Vol 1
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. The Life of Vice-Admiral William Bligh Vol 1 Author: George Mackaness Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1931Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 BLI Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp 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 life of vice-admiral william bligh vol 1, george mackaness -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Life of Vice-Admiral William Bligh Vol 2
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. The Life of Vice-Admiral William Bligh Vol 2 Author: George Mackaness Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1931Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 BLI 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 life of vice-admiral william bligh vol 2, the life of vice-admiral william bligh, george mackaness