Showing 8539 items matching "a thomas"
-
Clunes Museum
Postcard - POST CARD
CHRISTMAS POST CARD FROM NORMAN THOMAS SEND TO HIS SISTER HANNAH FROM FRANCE IN 1917 DURING W.W.1 WITH FABRIC INSERT HOLDING A CHRISTMAS GREETING.WITH BEST WISHES FROM YOUR LOVING BROTHERXXXXX A MERRY XMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. WRITE SOON.local history, document, post card, w.w.1 memorablia -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, Mitcham, 1/03/1915
Contract of sale of part Crown Portion 119,05 Mitcham, Parish of Nunawading, County of Bourke being Lot 6 on plan of subdivision No. 5339, by Thomas Keogh to Jessie Wathenland sales, wathen, jessie, keogh, thomas, mitcham -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Map, Plan of locality, 1855-60?
'Plan of locality, showing the whole line of route to the district from Melbourne by way of Nunawading and Bulleen. 2,000 acres for sale... Thomas Ham, Land Agent [ 1855 - 60?]nunawading, bulleen, barkers track, land sales -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Heritage Battle, 2016
Thomas Street Mitcham has a heritage overlay covering the majority of the street of Edwardian-era Californian bungalow-style houses and its owners are preparing to fight development proposals.thomas street, mitcham, heritage overlay, californian bungalows, edwardian style -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - Family Photograph, Luke Family Home, C. 1903
Black and white photograph of Luke Family. Back row L-R Edith, Margaret, and Thomas Samuel. Front row L-R Frida, Alan and Nero (dog).luke, edith, luke, margaret, luke, thomas samuel, luke, alan, luke, frida, families, homes -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Black and White, Ellen Theresa Carroll
Black and white photograph of the Fitzgerald family. Left to right: Patrick Fitzgerald, Catherine Fitzgerald, Thomas Fitzgerald, Doreen Fitzgerald (Gavin), Mary Fitzgerald (Carroll), Gregory Fitzgerald.patirck fitzgerald, catherine fitzgerald, thomas fitzgerald, doreen fitzgerald, mary fitzgerald, gregory fitzgerald -
Mt Dandenong & District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, A View Over Mountain Grange 1921, 1921
A view of Mountain Grange Homestead built by Thomas Hand with buildings and ground covered in snow. The photograph has historical information on the back handwritten by John Lundy-Clarke in 1976.1921 A view over “Mountain Grange” from the side of Mt Kalorama above where Grange Road is now. On the left of the homestead is the avenue of pine trees under which the annual Sunday School picnic was held. On the right is the giant pine that still stands (1976) and the great barn. The separate kitchen of the homestead can be clearly seen. mountain grange, snow, john lundy-clarke, thomas hand -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - CONSTABLE RYAN COLLECTION: ANNALS OF BENDIGO, 1886
Annals of Bendigo: photocopy of article regarding the disappearance of Constable Thomas Ryan of White Hills Police Station, Service No. 1098. 1886. The photocopy only show part of the article.bendigo, history, police history, https://tpav.org.au/about_us/honour_roll.html. (the police association of victoria) -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Registration of Birth form, 1871
A large lot of papers, including this and many other birth and death registration forms, were apparently found in the ceiling cavity of the Sandy Creek/Tarnagulla Post and Telegraph Office in the later 20th Century, during building works. Donald Clark Collection. Registration of Birth form for: Child's name: William Lanyon Date of Birth: 13th February, 1871 Place of birth: Waanyarra Father: Thomas Lanyon Mother: section lost -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Registration of Birth form, 1871
A large lot of papers, including this and many other birth and death registration forms, were apparently found in the ceiling cavity of the Sandy Creek/Tarnagulla Post and Telegraph Office in the later 20th Century, during building works. Donald Clark Collection. Registration of Birth form for: Child's name: Thomas Roberts Date of Birth: 13th October, 1871 Place of birth: Newbridge Father: George Roberts Mother: section missing -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Photograph - Cancer Council, Lakes Post Newspaper, 2002
number in album 03345.02Colour photograph Susan Thomas and Betty Gray holding basket of goodies, raffle prize for fundraising for Cancer Council, presenting prize to Jan Clarke. Lakes Entrance Victoriafundraising, cancer council -
Clunes Museum
Document - DOCUMENTS
1. Notice of death of Mr Thomas Davies placed in brown paper 2. Wedding photo and list of names of people in photo 3. 2 x cemetery certificatesdeath notice, thomas davies, wedding photographs, cemetery certificates -
Clunes Museum
Card - TICKET
GRAND CONCERT TICKET CONCERT AT THE TOWN HALL, CLUNES CONCERT BY ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, CLUNES TUESDAY 16TH MARCH, ADM. 3/- CHILDREN 1/6ticket, grand concert, aquinas church -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - CRUSHING BATTERY , ENGINEERS DRAWING, August 17th 1874
Engineers Drawing, Part of a Crushing Battery for G. Lansell Esq. Thanet Claim, Back Ceek. William Ruddock, contractor for Ironwork only. William Emmett, Thomas Edwards.Wm. Middleton Engineers, Sandhurstbuildings, commercial, crushing battery, mining equipment, crushing battery, g. lansell, thanet claim, back creek william ruddock, wm. middleton, william emmett, thomas edwards -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Photograph - Golf, Lakes Post Newspaper, 1996
Mary Renehan first ever lady PresidentBlack and white photograph Mary Renehan standing under umbrella, Pam Thomas putting on green, during Mixed Par event at Golf Club. Lakes Entrance Victoriagolf club, sports -
City of Ballarat Libraries
Australian Historical Record Society papers, Thomas J. Bath J.P
The Australian Historical Records Society existed in Ballarat between 1896 and 1906. They were one of Australia's first historical societies, and were in the position to still be able to talk to early pioneers. They invited such pioneers to either submit letters or memoirs, or to address the Society's meetings, where their reminiscences were taken down in shorthand and later typed up. The Society also attempted to preserve memorabilia from Ballarat's early days, but on the disbanding of the group in 1906, materials were stored at the Ballarat Town Hall and were later lost. It is not known how the papers made their way to the then Ballarat Municipal Library, but they have been part of the Library's collection for many years.Thomas Bath came to Australia in 1849, establishing a butchering establishment at Geelong. He mined during the rushes at various sites, eventually coming to Ballarat where he established a hotel now known as Craig's Royal Hotel. He held the first publican's license on Ballarat (1854) and his hotel was known as The Ballarat, later changed to Bath's Hotel; after the sale to Mr Craig in 1857 Thomas Bath established his farm Ceres, at Learmonth. Thomas Bath was instrumental in the formation of Ballarat and was a champion of all public institutions. He died in 1901. These reminiscences appear to have been recorded by the AHRS rather than Mr Bath writing them himself.goldrush, sailing ships, coach fares -
Mont De Lancey
Book, J.D. Morell, M.A., LL.D, A Grammar of the English Language, c1861
Written by an Inspector of Schools, this book approaches grammar from logic principles, with the stated aim to be clear and brief so as not to confuse the young scholar.A dark green homemade hardcover book, title - A Grammar of the English language together with an exposition of The Analysis of Sentences by J.D.Morell, M.A., LL.D. It has tables, lists, exercises as well as an appendix. 130p. plus an appendix of 63p. pencil and ink markings throughout. Foxing, stains and discoloration noted.non-fictionWritten by an Inspector of Schools, this book approaches grammar from logic principles, with the stated aim to be clear and brief so as not to confuse the young scholar.education, english, grammar -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Household, Scales - Grain tester, Early 20th century
This grain scale tester was used to work out the percentage weight of a sack of grain after the grain husk, dust and dirt were removed, thereby allowing for the calculation of the true value of the sack. The parts were attached to the box via the screw on top of the box and the cleaned grain went into the funnel to measure a fixed grain amount, before being released from the bottom of the funnel into the barrel which was then hung on the end of the scale. The weight was then slid down the graduated ruler until the scale balanced. Grain scale testers would have been used in farming in the Western District in the past and similar objects may still be in use. This grain scale tester is retained as a good example of an agricultural item from the past.This is a grain tester scale in a wooden box. .1 The wooden box has two metal hinges and wooden inserts inside with blue felt on the tops of the inserts. The box has a metal plaque on the lid and a round metal hole section for inserting a piece of equipment. .2 This is a metal flask on a stand. Part of it is rusty. .3 This is small metal cylinder with a lid. .4 This is a metal bar with measurements, a hook at the top and a slide or weight fitting on to the bar. .5 This is a small metal screw. ‘Lbs per bushel’ ‘Australian Manufacture by Australasian Scale Co. Ltd., Thomas Street, Sydney N.S.W.’ agricultural instruments, history of warrnambool, grain scale tester -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Original Coach and Horses Hotel, south side of Whitehorse Road, Ringwood 1875
Inscription below photograph reads, "Original Coach and Horses Hotel, Whitehorse Rd. 1875". (Thomas Wiggin) -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Black and white photograph, 12-1933
A black and white photograph of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.Peggy Branchflower/ Thomas Branchflower/ Alice Branchflower/ Gerald Branchflower/ Kenneth Branchflower/ Marysville/ Dec 1933the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor -
National Wool Museum
Certificate, Certificate of Registration of Trade Mark
Certificate of Registration of Trade Mark, "Alexana", 6/12/1961 Made by the R S & S mill. Mr Lau worked with Mr Schofield untill the fabric was acceptable to all concerned.THOMAS EDWARD ASHTON...Assistant/24 seven... tenth../October...sixty T E Ashton A162,875woollen mills - history textile mills - operation, alexander lau pty ltd returned soldiers and sailors mill, woollen mills - history, textile mills - operation -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Souvenir - Tableware, Platter Hamel Day 1995
Presented on anniversary of battle of Le Hamel 1995.Large Plater with Ornate Design and inscription in centre. Leaf design and grooves around edge.Presented to 5/6 RVR Officers Mess by Lt Col. & Mrs Thomas. Hamel Day 1995officers mess, 5/6 rvr, regimental property, silver ware -
Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society Inc.
Information Folder - St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, Ferntree Gully and St. Thomas' Anglican Church, Upper Ferntree Gully
Information folder containing items pertaining to the history of St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, Ferntree Gully and St. Thomas' Anglican Church, Upper Ferntree Gully. Contents: -letter, Bob Collie to Susan Heywood-Downard, dated 12 October 1995 -photo, Rev. W. M. Robertson -photo, "Rev. W. G. Thomas 1913-1918" -photo, "St. Bartholomew's/Ferntree Gully/Station St -Lower FTG/No longer there" -photo, aerial shot of Ferntree Gully township, "Mr Curlewis, Gacidal (?) St, North Bayswater. The clergy house is at the extreme RH of photo, on top of hill. It is no longer there on 'The Avenue'" -booklet, "The Anglican Church of St. Thomas, Upper Ferntree Gully. A Short Guide & brief history" by Brian Kennedy, June 1993 -booklet, "The Church of England, St. Bartholomew's Ferntree Gully Lower, St. Thomas', Ferntree Gully Upper. Combined Funds Canvass - 1957"st. bartholomew's anglican church, ferntree gully, st. thomas' anglican church, upper ferntree gully. -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Certificate - Certificate of Baptism - James Ward and Thomas Ward, 1854
Displayed in History House.Certified Extract of the Baptism Certificates of James Ward, 12th May 1838 and Thomas James Ward, 4th May 1836 Framed certificate. Page 21 of baptism register for Parish of Launceston in the County of Cornwall, Van Diemen's Land, 1838. Framed with 933.2, Baptism certificate of Thomas James Ward, 4th May 1836. Certified extracts from the Baptismal Registry, 28th June 1854. Carved acorns in frame.Back: Henry Ward Goldsmith/Late of Portland (black pencil, centre)baptism, family record, ward family -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - H.A. & S.R. WILKINSON COLLECTION: CONTRACT OF SALE
This business was owned by father and son, Henry Archibald Wilkinson and Samuel Ronald "Ron" Wilkinson. Henry (1882-1954) was born in Shepparton and died in Bendigo. He was married to Grace Hovendon in 1908. Samuel Ronald "Ron" (1914-1995), Henry's son, was married to Florence Jean McKerlie in 1937.Contract of sale of land dated 24th October, 1956 between D.E. Thomas & G.L. Thomas (sellers) and K.P. Robertson (buyer) part of Crown allotment 228A and 228B section A being the whole land described in certificate of title volume 6230 folio 888 and situate at the corner of Creeth and Arms Streets, Long Gully, together with all improvements thereon and all lines, blinds and light fittings. Price 2,300 poundsorganization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate -
Federation University Historical Collection
Correspondence, Thomas Stephen Hart, Thomas Hart writes to Frederick Martell of the Ballarat School of Mines, 1891, 25/11/2015
Thomas S. Hart was a member of the Ballarat Field Naturalists.Daylesford Nov 25th 91 Dear Mr Martell I have been out at the Stony ck Basin this afternoon and have obtained several good specimens well worth coming for. Leaves at least 5 species. Eucalyptus - another [Dicohptreter?) apparently a monocotyledon perhaps [illegible] than one species + 2 or 3 [illegible] (small) insects. At least 4 species of beetles [illegible} very good specimen insects other more doubtful [illegible] of insects - Also some plant stems layer that I had noticed before. I intend going out again tomorrow morning and getting more specimens. There is nothing of my subjects on till Saturday. I will be at the school first thing on Saturday. Thompson has, I think enough to keep him busy. I intend to exhibit the [illegible] at one one of the societies so as to have them recorded even if I cannot get a short [illegible] written for the meeting. Yours sincerely Thomas S. Hartfield naturalist, thomas hart, t.s. hart, daylesford -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Certificate, Special Tabacco Ration for Ex-Service personnel, 1945 (estimated)
Part of a collection for Thomas Henry Anderson VX 34767Consummers copy of rationing certificate for tabacco to Ex-Service personnelConsumer's Copy/ National Security (Tabacco Rationing) Regulations 1942/ Specil Tabacco Ration for Ex-Service personnel/ Surname Anderson Christian Names: Thomas Henry/ Address: P.O. Red Cliffs/ Male or Female/ Service Number: VX 34767/ Identity Card No/ R(unreadable) No./ Monthly Quota Selected- Cigarettes... 8oz Tabacco/ see details on other side/Nominated Retailer x Stracos..(Unreadable)..P/L/ John..L (unreadable) & Co/ (to be filled in bt retailer)/ Quota to operate on and from ....../ National Security (Tabacco Rationing) Regulations 1942/ I declare that I am a genuine smoker, that all supplies to be/ drawn as above are for my own personal use/ and that I have no other source of supply./ ...... signature of Applicant/ c.812/9.45-c.5491/ Authorized by (faded Signature)/ Chairman, Tabacco Distribution Committee/ Place Melle Ror Date: 20 Feb 1946 (More details on back of sheet but it is glused to a board)discharge, thomas, 1942, anderson, tabacco, rationing, henry, cigarettes, regulations, nation, security -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Hunniford, 2009-2010
Initially collated by Harry Gilham as part of a file on Eltham Cemeteryeltham cemetery, anne hunniford (nee hamilton burgoyne), anne jane hunniford, brenda mary burgoyne, post office, postmaster, thomas hunniford -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Life of Lorenzo De Medici
This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, 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 WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. 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 when Pattison accepted the 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 areas 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 from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY 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 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. 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 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 November 1884 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 fundraising 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 courthouse 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 historical 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 Historical 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 artworks 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. The Life of Lorenzo De Medici Author: William Roscoe Publisher: Henry G Bohn Date: 1851 Further Information: Tenth Edition, revised by his son Thomas Roscoe The label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 LOR Pastedown front endpaper has a 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 Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, the life of lorenzo de medici, william roscoe, thomas roscoe -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph, late 19th century
Loch Ard was bound for Melbourne in 1878 loaded with passengers and cargo when it ran into a rocky reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: an apprentice, Tom Pearce and a young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island and much of the cargo has been salvaged. Some was washed up into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge following the shipwreck. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. The photograph is significant for its association with the wreck of the Loch Ard. This wreck has been protected as a Historic Shipwreck since 11 March 1982, under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976) Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from Loch Ard is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register. The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Loch Ard. The Loch Ard collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The Loch Ard collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the Loch Ard, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. The Loch Ard collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. Black and White photograph of Thomas Pearce. Taken on July 22nd 1878 by the Photographic Society of Victoria. Registered copyright July 24th 1878. Reverse has printed maker’s information.Printed green text “PHOTOGRAPHIC / SOCIETY OF VICTORIA / MELBOURNE / REGISTERED COPYRIGHT / JULY 24th 878” and “NONE ARE GENUINE UNLESS WITH / SIGNATURES THUS” and “PRESIDENT / VICE PRESIDENT / SECRETARY” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, photograph, thomas pearce, loch ard, photographic society of victoria