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 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 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent 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 has 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 1850’s to the late 1950’s 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. 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. SIGNIFICANCE 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, and to 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. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. To-Night at 830 Play Titles 1)We Were Dancing 2) The Astonished Heart 3) "Red Peppers" 4) Hands Across the Sea 5) Fumed Oak 6) Shadow Play 7) Ways and Means 8) Still Life 9) Family Album Author: Noel Coward Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd Date: 1937Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 822 COW Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service Fly paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute 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, to-night at 830, noel coward, we were dancing, the astonished heart., red peppers, hands across the sea, fumed oak, shadow play, ways and means, still life, family album

Typed copy of a Bendigo Advertiser (21/9/1906) article mentioning 'The Fatal Wedding', a play held at the Royal Princess Theatre on 24/9/1906. It was for three nights only. Some of the players are also mentioned and a little about the play. Also is a typed copy of the Amusement advertisement in the Advertiser. This article was submitted by the Business manager G. Homan Barnes.bendigo, entertainment, royal princess theatre, royal princess theatre, bendigo advertiser 21/9/1906, 'the fatal wedding', the tin can band, tessie's birthday party, mr charles vane, miss may congdon, herbert leigh, tom cannan, c h stanford, olly deering, harry mclellan, dinah cooper, amy singleton, miss maisie posner, john little & son, flight's, claude meynell, john gunn, reeder's, g homan barnes

Bendigo Performance of ''Flexitime'' -comedy by Roger Hall. A. Booklet with Cvs of the players and production details (with ads!).; b. Extensive notes, press releases and correspondence relating to the Bendigo performance (March 1980) Performed at the Kangaroo Flat Tech School Auditorium. Newspaper item about Carl Bleazby (from the popular TV series Bellbird) to play The Boss in the play "Flextime".bendigo, entertainment, theatre

An e.21st century digital print on canvas, of an original e.20th century black and white photographic print. Image features a game of Men's Doubles tennis being played on a lawn court, surrounded by spectators. This image possibly depicts a tournament being played at Devonshire, England. Materials: Canvas/Cotton, Ink, Wood, Metal, Paper, Paint, Linentennis

Tin box printed with scenes depicting playing card characters and domino charactes. Scenes include characters playing tennis, boules, croquet & soccer. Inside of lid printed floral border containing words: 'HOUSE OF QUALITY/GREEN'S/OF/BRIGHTON/MANUFACTURERS OF/GREEN'S SPONGE MIXTURE, "NEWSTYLE" JELLIES/CHOCOLATE MOULD. ETC ETC'. Materials: Metal, Inktennis

Golf trophy awarded by the Thomastown Golf Club. The Susan Jones Memorial Trophy was donated by Robert and Evelyn Jones in memory of their decesed daughter Susan. It was awarded to the Junior Club Champion. Winners as inscribed on this trophy: 1979-1982 Gene Forde; 1983-1985 D. Lindrea; 1988-1989 S. Gibson; 1991 P. Gibson; 1992 and 1994 D. Banks; 1993 Not presented; 2001 S. Eldridge; 2002 G. Catterall; 2003-2004 J. Livock.Thomastown Golf Club was a social club formed in 1976. This is part of the Robert (Bob) Jones collection of Club memorabilia.Golf trophy, plastic golfer and 4 gilt plastic angels on timber trophy on timber base."Thomastown Golf Club. Congratulations Bob Jones on playing 351 games and attending 400 games 3-12-1995" engraved on plaque.thomastown golf club, golf trophies, bob jones, evelyn jones, susan jones memorial trophy

This photograph was taken inside St James Hall, Orbost at the 75th anniversary of the Orbost Municipal Band.on November 8, 1975. It was published in the Snowy River Mail on November 12, 1975 under the heading "ANNIVERSARY FOR BAND". "Some 250 people filled St James Hall on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the band, The evening began with a buffet dinner followed by a recital by the members of the band, The fitting numbers chosen were favourites throughout the different eras during the band's 75 years. A display of old brass instruments, photographs and a history of the band drew much comment. Bandmaster, Alf Barling, conducted the band during the celebratory recital." The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall This is a pictorial record of the Orbost Municipal Band. The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A black / white photograph of a bandmaster in uniform standing, conducting, in front of a group of musicians.sitting down playing their instruments. The photograph has been taken indoors. music-orbost recreation orbost-municipal-band barling-alf entertainment

Program, Bendigo Repertory Society presents ''Sixteen'' A play by Aimee and Phillip Stuart. Girton Hall Friday October 2nd, 1949. Programme 6d.Cambridge pressprogram, theatre, bendigo repertory society

Black and white photograph on back of photo: two boys kicking a ball while playing Soccer, Colts, Glen Bradley, City Tom Eybula.recreations, sports, soccer

Decorated mask. Red, black, white, blue, gold. Used in role playing - Catholic school, Ba Rai, Vung Tao prov. Handcraftedmask, hand crafted

Made by German internee from Palestine held in Camp 3. The dice are made from bone from the kitchen.Rectangular wooden board game, hinged in centre. Base is marked for playing a game of backgammon. Handmade. Pair of dice made from kitchen bone.toys, camp 3 entertainment, dice, backgammon board

Writing competition featuring stories, poems and plays by junior entrants. Encourages Indigenous people of the region to write well and develop good standards of literacy.Illustrationsgoulburn valley, creative writing, children, literacy, storytelling, rap, poetry, plays, articles

One of the ladies is Mrs. McLennan, wife of the Principal. One of several photographs submitted by Miss Isobel McLennan (see B91.73.)Copy of a photograph of 2 ladies playing croquet on the croquet lawn near the Principal's Residence in 1918. One of the ladies is the wife of the Principal, Mr. McLennan.On reverse, "Crockey (sic) Lawn-near Principal's House Mrs McLennan c 1918."principal's residence, mrs. mclennan, isobel mclennan, croquet lawn, croquet, principal, mclennan

Square tin with wavy edge and blue lid and picture of children playing cricket on two sides and ladies sitting drinking tea on the other two.Bushells Limited Edition 2005 Collectors Series. "Australian Communities"

Sympathetic treatment of creek banks and preservation and regeneration of bushland will encourage wildlife, development of wetlands has encouraged water birds, provision of play equipmentSympathetic treatment of creek banks and preservation and regeneration of bushland will encourage wildlifeparks and reserves, blacks walk, kalang park, furness park, city of nunawading, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, middleborough road, blackburn, pakenham street, blackburn road, gardiners creek, laburnum primary school no. 4863

Lesley Hogan (1892 - 1958) was adopted by Francesca (nee Both) and Louis Schwerkolt. He married one of their daughters, Frances Dora Schwerkolt. (1893 - 1962)Sepia photograph of Leslie William Robert Hogan looking as if he had been playing in the mud. He is wearing braces over a white shirt.hogan leslie, schwerkolt francesca nee both

Students identified as Anna Bassett (defence) and Sarah Radford (goalie)Black and white photograph two students of Lakes Entrance Primary School playing netball at Lakes Entrance Secondary College. Lakes Entrance VictoriaOn reverse: Anna Bassett guarding Sarah Radfordschools

Three children playing in snow covering bank and oval at Mt Dandenong Primary School 5th September 1995. Snow lasted three days.mt dandenong school, snow

Coloured photo of a middle aged lady with silver hair playing a piano. She is wearing glasses and a two tone blue and white stripe dress.photo, individual, female, peter ellis collection, lady playing a piano

Black and white photograph. Man standing playing violin. Fancy chair with violin case. Music stand. Photo has lines of adhesive on back.person, individual, artists

Black and white photo of an older man standing in a corner playing an accordion. Typed on a sticker on the back is: Richards, Fred, Wingham. Name on the accordion is Dallape.photo, individual, fred richards, peter ellis collection, fred richards

Colour photograph. Peter Ellis playing with Wedderburn Oldtimers. On stage. Back of photo reads: 18.2.99 St Arnaud Peter Ellis Wedderburn Oldtimersentertainment, music, bush band

Norman J Oliver was a chemist/pharmacist who offered photographic services from 498 Hargreaves St and later from 288 Hargreaves St. L. Mellor was later a mayor of Bendigo elected in 1939. He was the Country Party's endorsed candidate for the State Election in 1947.10564 photograph of the original B&W photo of an unknown boy playing on engines and unused metal works. Norman J. Oliver photograph packet.L. Mellor on rear of photographer's packetnorman oliver, bendigo photographer

Sports Clubs in Kew in the final decades of the 19th century and in the early 20th century were often umbrella organisations with facilities for a number of sports. Typically in Kew, this included teams in lawn bowls, tennis and croquet. The Kew Bowling Club was formed in 1880 while the privately owned Auburn Heights Recreation Club was opened in 1904. By 1998, the two Clubs decided to amalgamate at the Auburn Heights site in Barkers Road, forming the Kew Heights Sports Club. The combined club was itself taken over by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 2012 becoming MCC Kew Sports Club. In 2017 MCC Kew closed and its landholding was subsequently sold to Carey Baptist Grammar School. Both the Kew and Auburn Heights Clubs assembled important collections. These historically significant and large collections were donated to the Society in 2020. The collections include manuscripts, pictures, trophies, plans, honour boards etc. The combined collections of the four sporting clubs making up the collection number hundreds of items that are historically significant locally. They are also significant to the sporting history of the greater Melbourne area and to the sports of lawn bowls and tennis in Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection illuminates two of the Victorian historic themes - 'Building community life' through forming community organisations and 'Shaping cultural and creative life' by participating in sport and recreation.Perpetual trophy won by members of the Kew Heights Sports Club in 2001, playing against Albury in Junior Challenge matches during 1999-2001.KEW HEIGHTS VS ALBURY JUNIOR CHALLENGE / 1999 ALBURY / 2000 ALBURY / 2001 KEW HEIGHTSkew heights sports club - 397 barkers road - kew (vic), kew heights tennis club - competition trophies

Booklet: 'How To Play Lawn Tennis' fromthe Spaldings Athletic Library. Softcover. Issue number: 'Group IV No. 157'. Materials: Paper, Inktennis