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 Geography of South Australia including The Northern Territory Historical, Physical, Political and Commercial Author: Walter Howchin Publisher: Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd Date: 1911Label on spine cover with typed text RA 911.942 HOW Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library

Photograph attached to cardboard. Owen Walter Williams standing at the front of his shop in Mitchell Street Bendigo. Late 1890's-Early 1900's.bendigo, business, owen williams

Document. Various legal papers. 1889 - The National Bank of Australasia V Simpson Walter Peacock and Calvert James carrying on business as L McPherson & Co.cottage, miners, connelly, tatchell & dunlop, the national bank of australasia, simpson walter peacock, calvert james, l mc pherson & co.

Black and white photograph Lions Club members, David Otter, Andy Baker with Joe Walters of Kinkuna Country Fun Park. Lakes Entrance Victorialions club, volunteering

The orthodox version of the origins and history of the Kew Elder(ly) Citizens’ Association was established by Cr. W. D. Vaughan in his book Kew’s Civic Century (1960), when he wrote that: "When Mrs. C. H. Simpson was Mayoress in 1952 she set up the Elderly Citizens’ Association to care for the needs of ages persons in Kew. The idea was strongly supported and a start was made by providing social afternoons for elderly folk at Southesk. Visiting sick people in their homes, providing firewood where needed, and other activities were undertaken by the Association. The aid of Council was sought to further the work. It was decided that a social unit for elderly folk be established at Southesk." (p.126-7). In the following pages, he describes in detail Council’s role in formally establishing the Association. This ‘official’ version was reasserted in the later Thematic Environmental History of the City of Boroondara (2012). However the origins and gestation of community of organisations is rarely straightforward. In 1965, five years after Vaughan’s book was published, the author of East Kew Women’s Club : Twenty Years : 20-7-1945-30-7-1965, writing about the period July 1947 to July 1950, described the role the Club played in establishing the Kew Elder Citizens Association. The author wrote: "At a meeting of the Kew Community Aid, the plight of many elderly people in Kew who were dependent on pensions was raised and in order to ascertain their needs the practice was begun of serving morning tea at the Masonic Hall in Walpole Street, where pensions were then paid. From this beginning the Kew Elder Citizens Association was formed in Kew with wide support, and Club members gave willing support on the committee, in helping serve afternoon tea and in entertainment." (p.4) Photographic evidence also leads to questions about Vaughan’s version of events. A framed photograph in the Society’s Collection shows a Public Meeting to form the Kew Elder Citizens Association in a room at Southesk a year earlier in 1951. Whatever version of the origins of the Association is correct, a later framed photograph in the Society’s collection shows the opening of the completed Clubrooms of the Kew Elder Citizens at South Esk by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, on 12 November 1956. The Association is still active in Kew and is currently located at Hamer Court, opposite the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery in High Street, Kew.Framed, inscribed photograph of the opening of the Kew Elder Citizens Club at Southesk in 1954. The ceremony would appear to be conducted on the western side of the house.‘Opening of the Kew Elder Citizens Clubrooms “South Esk” by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, 12.11.1956. Cr. W.A. Comeadow O.B.E., J.P. (Mayor).’southesk, kew elder citizens club, kew elderly citizens club, kew senior citizens club

Illustration - colour printed onto white card, titled "Collins Street - Melbourne" from a painting by Donald Cameron. Shows a tram arriving west bound at corner of Swanston and Collins St, with the Town Hall in the background. Card produced by The Anti-Cancer Council for sale. Produced as a Christmas Card, two fold vertical with details of the artist and the producer on the rear. Also a second copy of just the illustration only. Card used by Clive Mottram for 1992.trams, tramways, collins st, town hall, illustrations, greetings cards

This was used by the Cameron family on their dairy farm at Orbost. The Cameron families were early farmers at Orbost and Marlo.This was used by the Cameron family on their dairy farm at Orbost. The Cameron families were early farmers at Orbost and Marlo.A rectangular shaped iron bell with a clapper inside. bell sheep-bell agriculture stock iron

This postcard seems to have been written by Grace Cameron to Annie (Cameron) Gilbert. There is mention of a harvest festival.The Cameron and Gilbert families are early settlers of the Orbost area. This photograph is a pictorial record of dress in the late 19th and early 20th century. It depicts the the high standards of dress at informal occasionsA photograph / postcard which shows a group of men and women in a large forest clearing. The women are dressed in white(?) dresses with ribbon bows at the neck. The men are in suits. Most are wearing hats. In the back right corner are two horse - drawn carriages.on the back is a hand -written lettercameron-annie celebrations-outdoor

see item d/0202Bronze bust of Roy Longmore With photo of Roy in uniform and a photo of the presentation ceromony showing Mal Carson Sub-branch president Roy Longmore's son Eric and the sculptor Cameron McFarlane

BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPH -PANORAMA OF CLUNES, TAKEN FROM HILL IN CAMERON STREET; BUILDINGS INCLUDE WESLEY CHURCH, POST OFFICE, TOWN HALL, R.C. CHURCH AND BUILDINGS IN FRASER STREET.local history, photography, photographs, clunes township

Compiled by Walter Hall Soft cover - Khaki green with yellow border photo of New Guinea refreshment post Subtitle " Red " Shield Services during WWII"Written on first page "Francis W Dean BEM."books, military history

Black and white photograph of Walter Stewart a sympathiser of the Kelly Gang. Photograph shows a seated man with a bushy beard wearing a jacket with checkered pants, facing leftwalter stewart, kelly sympathiser, kelly gang, edward kellly, ned kelly

Colour slide in a mount. Kuomintang Club Building, 109 Little Bourke St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1922 (damaged slide). (Architect: Walter Burley Griffin.)Made in Australia / 20 / JUN 67M6slide, robin boyd

This photograph shows Orbost's first cricket team in the Lochiel paddock - C 1880's.Included are: Alec Cameron; Harry Richardson; Jo Swallow; Matt Lynch; Joe Roderick; ? Hatton; Alf Richardson; Janes Cameron; John Cameron;John FarquharSport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia. Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Australia at international, domestic and local levels. It has been played in Australia for more than 200 years. This photograph is a pictorial record of an Orbost cricket team in the nineteenth century.A black / white photograph of a group of men standing in front of a cricket pitch. Two men are holding cricket bats and are wearing pads. One man is crouching.sport-cricket recreation-cricket

Item is re Pte W. Williams No 1442 2nd Bn AIF. Refer Cat No 4342P for his service details also Cat No 1859P for medals and photo.Black and white photo on photographic paper of a cross on a grave in foreground, background shows a partial cross and bushes.On back of photograph hand written in black ink, “Walter, grave killed 29th/15”photographs, graves, ww1

Penleigh Boyd, Robin and Patricia Boyd's son, writes “Prior to 1950 Robin, like most other amateur or hobby photographers, took black and white printed photographs. The oldest slides date from 1950 when Robin and Patricia travelled to Europe on Robin’s Robert Haddon Travelling Scholarship.” In 1948 Robin Boyd was awarded ‘joint first place’ in the Robert Haddon competition for his design of Mildura art gallery. The scholarship helped fund their first overseas trip. Robin and Patricia were passengers on the Greek ship “Cyrenia” departing in May 1950, passing through the Suez Canal and landing in Genoa five weeks later. For six months, they travelled extensively throughout Europe (predominantly driving themselves) - France, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain.Colour slide in a mount. Edinburgh, ScotlandScotland / Edinburgh / From Walter Scotthem To Gallery To Castle Princes Street (All Handwritten)haddon travelling scholarship, haddon, robin boyd, slide

The Practice of Divine Love; Being an exposition upon the Church Catechism: to which are added directions for prayer.Green cloth-bound hardcover book, embossed decoration to front and back covers. Cover totally detached from body, tear to spine. Foxing throughout. 140 pp. Fair condition.On 2nd flyleaf, 'Mrs. Hanniford/With Walter's, Best and/Kindest Wishes/May 25, 1859'.religion, mrs. hanniford

Set of two digital images of Paul Mong and Warrington Cameron receiving a model of Geelong No. 27/10/2019 at the BTM AGM. The model was made by Greg King and an associate - mainly 3D printed.trams, tramways, btm, geelong, models, agm

Document, W.D.Mason Collection, Receipt from The Bank of Australasia, Commonwealth Bank of Australian Consolidated , Treasury Bonds to the value of ten pounds on account of Walter David Mason.dated 11.10.1945.Sands & McDougall Pty. Ltd., Printers, Melbourne.business, retail, w d mason

Duke of Gloucester's carriage photographed in Beach Street during visit for Centenary of Melbourne, 18 October 1934; on dais, Town Clerk Syd ANDERSON and Mayor George WALTERcelebrations fetes and exhibitions, royal visits and occasions, sydney sims anderson, town clerks, george samuel walter, mayors

Photographs attached onto cardboard. Title: parents of Alan and Melva Mason. Walter David Mason (1897-1963) and Wavertree Ellen Mason nee Williams (1900-1976).person, family, mason

St. Mary's College, Tatura, Basketball Team 1928.|Anne Hogan, Tup Hunter, Eva Johnstone, Ann O'Brien, Grace Cussen, Kath McGonigal, Olga Walters.tatura, recreations, sports, costume, female