Displayed in History House.Slate tile used to cover lid of George V Monument time capsule (June 1911).

Myths of The Norsemen Author: H A Guerber Publisher: George G Harrap & Co Date: 1914warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, myths of the norsemen, h a guerber

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. Lessons in Elementary Anatomy Author: St George Mivart Publisher: MacMillan and Co Date: 1873 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 611 MIV Pastedown front end page has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker 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, lessons in elementary anatomy, st george mivart

The Native Flowers of Victoria Author: Edward Pescott Publisher: George Robertson & Co Date: 1914 Label on spine with handwritning in white ink reads RS 581.9945 PES Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, edward pescott, the native flowers of victoria

New Victorian Counties Atlas Produced by Hiscocks and Co Published by George Robertson Date: 1874Front loose end paper has the name Emanuel Wilde, Hawkesdale written in hand writing flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, new victorian counties atlas, hiscocks and co

Photo of John George "Geordie" Johnson 81st Field Regiment Royal Artillery 459 Batteryphoto, army

Photograph: hand-tinted image of Conservatory Gardens, with King George V statue prominent in centre.bendigo, parks and gardens, conservatory gardens, bendigo, conservatory gardens, king george v

White cardboard Cadbury's King George chocolate box with brass clasp & gold lettering on lid.Cadbury, Bournville, Engdomestic equipment, food storage & preservation, container chocolate box

Note from H. L. Atkinson mentioning that George Nicholson can now resume work.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, george nicholson, h l atkinson

Small head and shoulders portrait photograph of a male, photographer Wood 314 George Street Sydney.Woodphotograph, portrait, male

Colour slide in a mount. Rupertswood, Sunbury, Victoria, Australia, 1876. (Architect: George L. Browne.)Mount Made in Englandvictoria, slide

Colour Photograph of Main St, Victoria St & St Georges Street with Cato Lake In the Background

Obituary of Andrew George, a keen sportsman and Mitcham resident who died 14 July 1998Obituary of Andrew George, a keen sportsman and Mitcham resident who died 14 July 1998george, michael, janet, stephen, kevin, paul, heather, tim, kathy, professional engineers association, professional officers association

Coloured Photograph of Cr. George Savage, Mayor, City of Nunawading, August 1949 to August 1950savage, george, city of nunawading, mayor

Black and white photo of Mr. George Ireland and son, Donald. Orchardist of Gillies Street, Mitcham.ireland, george, donald

Genealogy of the Geal family and their employment as potters and service in WW 1 of Albert Geal and George Geal.Genealogy of the Geal family and their employment as potters pottery, geal family, geal, albert, albert jnr, alice, bros, george, sidney, world war 1914-1918

Coloured photo of Mayor Cr. Brown, George Cox and Mrs W. Williamson at Museum openingbrown, albert, cox, george, williamson, mrs w.

Used by Robin Da Costa in 'Blackburn - a Picturesque History'Black and white photo of group outside St. Georges Anglican Church Middleborough Road, Blackburnst. georges anglican church, blackburn

Norman Armstrong was elected a Nunawading Shire Councillor in 1924, Shire President in 1929 and Mayor in 1945Black and white photograph of Norman Armstrong taken at the Evening of Nostalgia by George Cox. (2 copies)armstrong, norman, cox, george

george ward cole, the honourable george ward cole, st ninians, brighton, politician, merchent, horticulturalist., captain, g.w. cole, portrait, st ninian's, male, john irvine, member of the victorian legislative council, royal navy officer, shipping agent

Wright & Ditson 'George Wright' model wood tennis racquet. Materials: Metal, Wood, Leathertennis

VA 2825 Attorney-General's Department (previously known as the Law Department)Eureka Stockade:Depositions taken against George Goddard for Breach of the Peace charge/Gravel Pits Riottrial