A white catalogue titled ' Four Bendigo Watercolourists : Arthur T. Woodward 1865 - 1943, R.W. Bugg 1853 - 1937, T.H. Bone 1901 - 1953, Madge Freeman 1895 - 1977.' The exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery 7th March - 30th March 1985. Bottom left corner of front cover is a number sticker, 0414 ART.person, individual, watercolourists, arthur t. woodward, r.w. bugg, t.h. bone, madge freeman, artists, bendigo artists, watercolourists, bendigo art gallery, male, female, person, individual, australian art, artworks, painting, art. bottom left corner of front cover is a number sticker, 0141 art.

Wall calendar from 1937. Pink and white with a picture of a boy and a girl in a paddock, two rabbits looking at them few tree and a house in the background. At both side of the picture a box of robur tea. With compliments from R. A. Wilkinson grocer and provision merchant crn Mundy and Stenberg Streets, Bendigo. Telephone 1068 - Private 864business, retail, r. a. wilkinson

Photo of Scalebuoy set-up with the driving mechanism in factory. Also shown is the pipe work. On the back are two articles from Transport and Engineering in Australia December 16, 1937. One is about how the Scalebuoy came to be and the other is about Scalebuoy in the Victorian Railways locomotives. The name COCHRANE is embossed on two covers near the top of the large container.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, photograph of scalebuoy apparatus , victorian railways, kew gardens, mr abbott

Small card printed by Frank Every's book & stationary centre, Bendigo. Ornate and flowery edges with a bigger blue flower at bottom right. It reads: Epsom Methodist Sunday School, First prize awarded to Elsie Collins, first girls class. A.E. Jenkin Supt. - R. Sargeant Ser. dated July 15, 1937bendigo, church, epsom methodist

Grey covered auction catalogue with red and black printing for a sale of Mining Machinery, Tools, new Stores, Valuable Buildings, etc of The Lamplough No. 1 Gold Mine, Avoca, Vic. By Order of Lamplough Gold Mining Co. Ltd. (Incorporated in England). J. H. Curnow & Son were the auctioneers. Auction was held on the 2nd December, 1937.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - the lamplough no.1 gold mine, j h curnow & son, j l jamieson, bolton bros pty ltd

George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death on 6 February 1952. He was also the last Emperor of India from 1936 until the British Raj was dissolved in August 1947, and the first head of the Commonwealth following the London Declaration of 1949, He married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, and they had two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. KEELE STREET POTTERY (K.S.P) CO. LTD 1915–1958 Earthenware manufacturer at Keele St, Tunstall (to c.1958) and then at Meir Airport, Longton, as part of the Staffordshire Potteries Group.Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth c.1937 Commemorative Ceramic Mug. Individual Photo of King George and Queen Elizabeth surrounded by yellow wreath. 2 Flags either side. Crown in center of photos and G and E either side of Crown. Gold embossing on lip of mug. Writing at bottom of transfer is missing.KSP C England on basecoronation 1936, king george vi

Five raffle tickets for the Easter Fair Street Carnival 1937. Bolton Bros. Employees' Effort in aid of Mitchell St. popular girl (Miss Ivy Hogben). Stromberg-Carlson wireless set valued at 14 guineas. Ticket 3d. A drawinf of the wirelss set on the ticket. Tickets Numbers: 2310, 2313, 2318, 2324, 2325.event, easter fair, bendigo easter fair

The 1937 pattern equipment (also known as '37 webbing') was an item of military load-carrying equipment. Pattern 37 replaced the 1908 Pattern and 1925 Pattern—on which it was based—and was standard issue for British and Commonwealth troops from its introduction in 1937, throughout World War II, and in the post-war period until it was superseded by 58 pattern webbingKhaki webbing army infantry belt with brass clip buckle and brassretainers, also has rear brass buckles for attatchment of webbing straps for "basic pouches"

The photograph taken in 1988 before it was demolished shows the Art Deco style building also known as the King George V memorial Building, commissioned by merchant and philanthropist, Alfred Michael Nicholas (1881-1937) and designed by prolific Melbourne-based architect Harry A. Norris (1888-1966) in 1937 best known for his commercial work in Melbourne city centre. Architect Harry A Norris, one of Melbourne's early designers in the Moderne style had a strong relationship with the wealthy Nicholas family who made their fortune on the production of Aspro, a replacement for the German Aspirin when it was made unavailable during WWI. After the Nicholas Building on Swanson Street (1926), the Nicholas Factory in South Melbourne, and the mansion 'Burnham Beeches' in the Dandenongs (1931), the former Missions to Seamen building in Port Melbourne (1937) was a gift from Alfred Nicholas to the Church of England. “The new Institute will be a modern two story building in brick, with a high clock-tower, a memorial chapel, a hall for talking pictures, lounges, and billiard-rooms. It will stand in about an acre of ground between the two piers at Port Melbourne. The building of the mission has been made possible by a bequest of about£15,000 by the late Mr. A. M. Nicholas.” – The Argus 19th May, 1937. The building had a cruciform floor plan which contains a chapel, a large hall, other recreation rooms, sleeping accommodation on the first floor and a sundeck and living quarters for the chaplain and the caretaker. After being left derelict for years, it was demolished in 1994 to Colour photograph of Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen demolished in 1995.harry a. norris, alfred m. nicholas, art deco, 1937, missions to seamen, brick, king george v memorial building, 1988, zeitgeist, arts centre

Blazer, cap and pin all worn by Neil Webb (1940py). Neil was Cox for the 1937 Head of the Lake regatta. Boys black wool blazer with red trim. Pocket embroidered with crossed oars under crest. Pocket top has rowing colours and embroidered croosed oars. School pin in lapel has crossed oars . Red school cap with crest about narrrow peak. Inside school cap crown sewn name label: 'Neil Webb' rowing

William Troughton attended the Ballarat School of Mines, and became its instructor in Turning and Fitting from 1935-1937.Photographic portraitwilliam troughton, bill troughton, ballarat school of mines, alumni, turning and fitting, fitting and turning

Demonstrates communication methods to the staff of the SEC and magazine printing. Yields information about staff and the SEC benevolent system for its workers.Magazine - 32 pages printed on gloss paper with colour cover - titled 'SEC Magazine June 1936 Vol 1 - June 1936". Has a forward by the Chairman of the SEC, Mr. Francis Clements as the first magazine. Published 1 June 1936. Provides news about the SEC itself, personal Notes and Anecdotes on many people including clubs and societies. Includes notes on the late Mr. W. Knox, the ESCO Chief Accountant in Ballarat, the Electricity Supply and Tramways Employees Social club, Bendigo, Geelong, sporting clubs and fund raising for the Children's Hospital. See Reg Item 8036 for a 1937 timetable in a red folder marked G G Jobbins who became Chairman in 1937. 2nd copy added 22/6/2021trams, tramways, esco, sec, ballarat, publicity, sports, social club

Black and white photograph "Written on face of photograph" Presentation to Mr Horace Fenton to Chatham P S. With Mrs Fenton and son Ross (Later killed in R.A.A.F) Mr Fenton retired 1937. Died 1967, aged 93 years.

This photograph of the Orbost Municipal Band was taken for the 1937 Back To Orbost celebrations. The band is wearing new uniforms, bought especially for the occasion and for subsequent use. The double-breasted navy jackets have three pairs of silver buttons, three silver stripes on the cuffs and a silver lyre on each lapel. the bandmaster's stripes were gold. The jacket was worn with a white shirt and a bow tie. The caps were navy blue with a silver braided band and a central lyre. There were 29 members at this time. 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) The Orbost Municipal Orbost Band played a major role in the Orbost community activities. Charles Spink made sure each soldier returning home from the 1914 to 1918 war was welcomed home in front of the Shire Hall to the music of the Orbost Municipal Band. The band played in the main street on most Friday nights. The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members. A very creased and crumpled black / white photograph of a band in uniforms. The back row is standing, the middle sitting on a seat while a row of younger boys are sitting, cross-legged on the grass at the front. All have instruments. They are in front of a wooden building.on front - "Orbost Municipal Band 4.3.37"orbost-municipal-band music back-to-orbost-celebrations

THE CLUNES HOSPITAL WAS RE-MODELLED IN 1937 - SUBSEQUENTLY BURNT IN A BUSHFIRE IN 1944. A NEW HOSPITAL WAS BUILT IN ANOTHER SITE IN 1947.LARGE PHOTOCOPY OF CLUNES HOSPITAL WHICH WAS BURNT DURING THE 1944 BUSH FIRES. MATRON CLAIRE STEWART STANDING ON FRONT STEPS OF MAIN ENTRANCE. NURSES ROOMS ON RIGHT SIDE.local history, photography, photographs, hospital [old]

North Deborah Mine in Eve Street, Bendigo, operated between 1937 and 1954. In that time it produced 128,000 ounces of gold.Black and white photo mounted on grey board. Photo shows five rows of workers at the North Deborah Mine, some wearing hard hats, others felt hats and bareheaded. Men are pictured in front of a mullock heap. Written on bottom of image 'Nth Deborah Mine, 1946 Bendigo' and 'Pall-Mall Studio, photo'. Written on back of photo, "Hold pic for collection. Gorrie.bendigo, mining, north deborah mine bendigo

North Deborah Mine in Eve Street, Bendigo, operated between 1937 and 1954. In that time it produced 128,000 ounces of gold.Black and white photograph of the North Deborah Mine, showing the poppet head, mullock heap to the left, man at the end of railway at the first level, does not show cables from the engine house to the wheels on top of the poppet, water tank at the side of the engine house, farm style corner of a fence at left of photo, small shed housing a pump for water, right foreground is a dam for water waiting to be converted to steam to operate the cable winder.mining, surface equipment, north deborah mine

North Deborah Mine in Eve Street, Bendigo, operated between 1937 and 1954. In that time it produced 128,000 ounces of gold.Black and white photo of the North Deborah poppet head with associated buildings beside its feet. Name sign attached at level two has damage to the left side.mining, surface equipment, north deborah mine.

North Deborah Mine in Eve Street, Bendigo, operated between 1937 and 1954. In that time it produced 128,000 ounces of gold.Black and white photograph of the North Deborah mine showing the poppet head and surrounding infrastructure associated with the mining industry.mining, surface equipment, north deborah mine.

North Deborah Mine in Eve Street, Bendigo, operated between 1937 and 1954. In that time it produced 128,000 ounces of gold.Colour photograph of the remains of the Norfth Deborah mine; the rusty poppet head and steel cylinder, concrete foundation.mining, surface equipment, north deborah mine.

North Deborah Mine in Eve Street, Bendigo, operated between 1937 and 1954. In that time it produced 128,000 ounces of gold.Five colour photographs of North Deborah mine buildings at ground level, date unknownmining equipment, north deborah

North Deborah Mine in Eve Street, Bendigo, operated between 1937 and 1954. In that time it produced 128,000 ounces of gold.Copy of Prospectus of North Deborah Mining Company, Deborah Reef Bendigo. 1938.bendigo, mining, north deborah

North Deborah Mine in Eve Street, Bendigo, operated between 1937 and 1954. In that time it produced 128,000 ounces of gold.Newspaper article titled '24 Tons of Winding Gear'. It has a picture of the winding gear being held by two large cranes. There is a low loader behind it. Some men are looking on. The winding gear was moved from the North Deborah Mine to the California Gully Railway Depot. It was purchased by Mr Arthur Holt and could possibly be sold to a mining company in Western Australia. Article from the Bendigo Advertiser dated 16/12/1971. Written under the paper name and date is 'Harkness' Engine (Gt Southern). Albert Richardson Collection. newspaper, bendigo advertiser, north deborah gold mining co n. l., north deborah gold mining co n. l., 24 tons of winding gear from the north deborah mine, mr arthur holt

The booklet gives an overview of the history of the schools which occupied the site as well as information from newspapers and lists of staff at various times over the years.A large number of Warrnambool students would have passed through this school and hence this program would have social and historical significance to them. 16 page booklet with white cover. Front cover has black and white photo of the school with the five logos/ badges relating to each of five schools which have occupied it over the 100 years. The back cover has the words to the Warrnambool High School song written in 1937.The centre pages have photographs of various student groups.Appreciations for SEAL Work for the Dole program, Glen Morgan, Russ Goodear, Angeleen & Marlene Fogarty, Ray Welsford, Pat Varley, Jim & Ros Thomson, Committee of Management and staff of SEAL.warrnambool agricultural high school, warrnambool high school, warrnambool technical school, warrnambool special school

Black & white group photos of parts of 38th Battalion 1937 & 1938 - Officers of 38th Battalion & 1934 visit to Bendigo of HRH The Duke of Gloucester & military dance invitation to be held at Drill Hall Bendigo Saturday 27.11.1937 at 8 pm. Photographs framed with silver metal frame on cardboard backing with glass front & wire hanging strap at back.Front RHS, bottom corner & LHS back sticker bearing: "No 20" On back in biro trust sticker bearing: "No 13"passchendaele barracks trust, photographs, framed, 38th

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