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. 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 Cattle Chosen Author: E O G Shann, M.A. Publisher: Oxford University Press Date: 1926Label on spine cover with typed text R.A. 994.1 SHA Pastedown end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, warrnambool library, cattle chosen, e o g shann

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 1942 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. Introduction to The Natural History of Language Author: T G Tucker Publisher: Blackie & Son Ltd Date: 1908Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 400 TUC Pastedown end page has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered with one from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, introduction to the natural history of language, t g tucker

Websters New International Dictionary Editor: W T Harris Publisher: G & C Merriam Date: 1910flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, book, websters new international dictionary, dictionary

a.Typewritten note from Andrew Balsillie to G Mackay. b Handwritten notes about the Bendigo Philosophical Societydocument, memo

Colour photograph of greyhound No 1, winner of heat 6 in the time of31.73seconds. Chuckie Finstar, trained by G. Connell.clubs and associations, sport, greyhound racing

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of quarries alongside the road entering Villers Bretonneux. Copy G 7postcard, postcard, ww1, villers bretonneux, france, quarries

Object. Silver serviette ring with fluted edges. Embossed leaf pattern with initials E G (Elizabeth Graydon).domestic equipment, table setting, silver serviette ring

See NP4162Coloured photograph of Mrs Markham's brass 'PAID' stamp. Manufacturer's name on the side- G. ROESZLER & SON, MELBOURNEmarkham, bertha, post offices

Ian Bishop of President of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat in its centenary year. Negatives of a number of photographs showing Ian G. Bishop wearing the President's collar of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat.old colonists' associaiton of ballarat, ian bishop, ian g. bishop, collar, centenary

Digital scan of black and white photograph. G Smith and T Goss at the entrance of the Power House Rowing Club.lake, men, river, riverbank, rowers, rowing, sports, sportsmen, victoria, power house rowing club, black and white

Blue cardboard with a note written on one side dated 23 October 2015. The note is signed by G. Jordan.bendigo, history, businesses

Stawell Homing Club Honour Board, Life Members, C Dunn, H J Dunn, G Fry stawell

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Thursday, April 7, 2005. Champs: Golden Square Thirds eightenn, 1955. Back: M. Carter, R. Pollard, T. Tonzing, C. Thomas, N. Tarr, G. Hall, R. Meeking and L. Bourke. Centre: O. Petri (trainer), P. Rodda, B. McConville, R. Lane, G. Moore, G. Thmpson, L. Phillips, S. Cowling, E. McConville, L. Marshall (trainer). Front: J. Rassumas, J. Morwood, G. Teasdale (coach), R. Lee (captain), K. Hunt (manager), N. Grosse and A. Doyle. Sitting: L. Wilkinson and J. Bowden.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Black and white photo mounted on cardboard of the B.U.C.C. Eleven , 1890-1 - team members - G.H.Freeman , J. Devine (ump.) R. Manallack , A. Mackay , J. Beswick , Wyn Murray , G. Alldy , E. Wright , W. Barbour , G Mackay , T. Hall , W.T. Osborne , A. McGregor /clubs, cricket, bendigo united cricket club, bendigo united cricket club / records collection 1872 onwards /of the b.u.c.c. eleven , 1890-1 - team members - g.h.freeman , j. devine (ump.) r. manallack , a. mackay , j. beswick , wyn murray , g. alldy , e. wright , w. barbour , g mackay , t. hall , w.t. osborne , a. mcgregor /

Letter dated Decr 20/71 naming the members who have been on the funds of the Court and have received Medical attendance during the past fortnight. There are five names and the readable ones are: Jno Sloan, F Pohl, G Heinz, G French. Signed by H L Atkinson.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, jno sloan, f pohl, g heinz, g french, h l atkinson, court king of the forest

The buildings and courtyards shown in this collection of photographs are the first buildings at the new educational facility at Mt Helen. Students first started using the facility in 1970.Nine colour photographs showing the courtyard between the first two buildings at the University of Ballarat (then Ballarat Institute of Education). .1) and .2) show 'G' building interiors .3) to .5) show the 'G' building courtyard looking towards 'F' building. The bluestone garden retaining walls are bluestone from the former Yendon Railway Station. .7) 'F' building exterior looking to the site of the first library at Mt Helen (in Building 'F') .8) and .9) are 'G' building lecture theatresuniversity of ballarat, ballarat institute of advanced education, yendon, railway, bluestone.ballarat school of mines stamper battery, mount helen campus, brutalism

New Oswald Gold Mining Company No Liability to Miss G. Alice Jones. Pink paper dated from Nov 10, 1924, to April 8, 1925, and 30/6/25. Paper details work and costs involved in Oswald Co. to you Freeholds & G. M. Lease, Oswald G. M. N. L. Security, Bill of Sale, Mortgage and Agreement with Oswald Co. Total cost £14.4.6. r389 Delivered MCW 1/7/25.miss g alice jones - solicitor - account, new oswald gold mining company no liability, oswald co, mr stanistreet, mr kingsley, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, bank of nsw

Nell Gwynne Reef NO Liability to Miss G. Alice Jones. Pink paper dated Feb. 3 to June 4, 1942, 9 June 1942 and 9th June 1942. Re Central Nell Gwyne G. M. Co. N. L. to you Gold Mining Lease No. 11171 Bendigo. Account for costs for transfer, registration fees and exchange. Total cost £5. 7. 0. "R710" written in top left corner. Signed by G. Alice Jones.miss g. alice jones collection - account, nell gwynne reef n. l., central nell gwynne g. m. co n. l., lease no 11171

North Deborah Gold Mining Co. N. L. to Miss G. Alice Jones. Pink paper dated Oct. 9, 1939, to Mar 5, 1940, and 28 May 1940. Re You to Deborah Co. - G. M. Lease No. 11012 Bendigo. Deborah Co. to You. - G. M. Lease No. 11014 Bendigo. Account is for work involved in transferring leases to each other. Total cost £4.17.11. "R688 delivered 29/5/40" written in the top left corner.miss g alice jones - solicitor - account, north deborah gold mining co n l, deborah co

This named photograph is an excellent record of the 80 strong student cohort of 1923. There are 6 adults in the photograph. Principal Major A.S.M. Polson is clearly identified. Top row (Left to right) G Den – E Beacham – J B Coutts – J C Besemeres – G Naismith – M Levy – G N Witter – J C Loughrey – G Bredby – A P McLean – B Currie – W A Kilpatrick – G Clark – E Wearne – R Monteith 2nd row from top L T Wotherspoon – W A Stickland – E Campbell – A Bell – H Thomas – W A Paterson – E? Lyne – J Leishman – E J Forbes – J M Gray – J H Burr – J Creer - ? – C? Morgan – J Hammon 3rd row from top D A Miller – A G Shaw – W John – J Moorhouse – G L Scott – A Levy - ? Ford - ? Gill – T G Dowling – D Campbell – W McLean – J E Coutts - C? Carthew – D Douglas – A L McLean 4th row from top A M Greenfield - ? - M Featonby – G Leishman – J Woodward – Mr F R Potts BSc – Mr D S Coutts BA – Mr A S M Polson Principal – Miss Gilbert – Mr G Hay – A J Besemeres - ? - ? – R G Bradby – H F Brind 5th row from top R Buchanan - ? – M Symons – J Riddle - ? Goon - ? Symons - ? Komesarook - ? Fairey - ? – B Ronaldson - ? Buchanan - ? - ? – M Whiteside – Pat Shaw – J Groat - ? Front G P Jeffrey - ? Goon – R G Dowling – H M Greenfield – G Dale – A Hall-Jones – A Baker – J L Price – K McLean – E M Price Mounted black and white photograph of the Ballarat College student cohort in 1923. Cohort are arranged on tiered rows in front of timber external staircase. First row sitting cross-legged on ground. Second and third rows seated. Fourth, fifth and sixth standing on tiers. The photograph is mounted on grey cardboard. J. M. Gray written in ink on back of mount. Pencilled initials 'J.M.' also on back of mount. Photograph is accompanied by photocopy of photograph and handwritten papers detailing names of those in photograph. These papers are signed by Grant Coutts. J. M. Gray is identified as tenth from left on second top row. J.M. ballarat, 1923, college, j m gray, major a s m polson, student cohort

The current building was opened on Friday 28th February 1969 by the Premier of Victoria, The Hon. Sir Henry E. Bolte, K.C.M.G., M.P. The Shire of Orbost was a local government area about 380 kilometres east of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994. Originally, Orbost was part of the Bairnsdale Road District which was created on 30 April 1867. Splitting away as part of the Shire of Tambo in 1882, Orbost was first incorporated as a shire in its own right as the Shire of Croajingolong on 30 May 1892. It received its present name on 17 February 1893. On 3 January 1913 part of its western riding was annexed to Tambo as its Cunninghame Riding. Local governments play an important role in the lives of citizens in Australia. Local government authorities exist to provide services and amenities to local communities, and are also responsible for regulating and providing services for land and property in their district. This item is representative of a time when Orbost had its own Shire Council. A stapled program and invitation to the official opening of the new Orbost Shire Council Municipal Offices. A light blue card with the Orbost Shire Council insignia and gold print on front. The invitation is addressed to the secretary of Orbost Historical Society Judith Walcott.handwritten in blue pen - "Judith G Walcott"orbost-shire-council

this gold chain and medal pendant was presented to W M sansom after he and three other members won the representative race at the demonstration held in Melbourne in 1878. it was stated in the Sansom estate that it be returned to the Ballarat Fire Brigade of which he was a member.Engraved gold medal pendant attached to gold neck chain. Pendant is sheild shaped with 2 points either side of chain attachment at top and one point at centre of base. Won in 1878(engraved on front of medal) "PRESENTED / To / G. Sansom" sansom, gold, medal, pendant, chain, sansom g, 1878, representative race, demonstration melbourne, demonstration, sansom w m, ballarat fire brigade, ballarat, fire brigade

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1918 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This diary shows the daily entries over a long period of time with activities ranging from fencing, visiting neighbours and weather details. It mentions many local people and many properties he visited. Augustus Bostock along with a number of his brothers was one of the earliest pioneers in the Western District of Victoria. This diary sheds considerable light onto the life of Augustus and people of his era. There is a wealth of information on a range of topics relating to early life in Warrnambool and district.Brown, blue, yellow and white wavy pattern cover with black binding. Edges of pages have a multi coloured pattern. Entries are handwritten in black ink.G. Bostock, Coomite Jan 1st 1871 warrnambool, augustus bostock, marramook hawkesdale, bostock brothers, pioneers warrnambool