PhotographThe Rose Series P. 1144 East Beach Port Fairy Victoriaeast beach

PhotographThe Rose Series P.1131 The Road to the beach Port Fairy Victoriabeach

Black and white photograph of craggy outcrops with turbulent seas washing into a bayThe Rose Series p. 1133 the Crags near Port Fairy Victoriabeach, sea, seascape, rocks

Black and white photograph of a rocky outcrop with two large holes through, sandy dune and sea in backgroundThe Rose Series p. 1132 The Crags near Port Fairy Victoriabeach, sea, seascape, rocks

ROSE SERIES P. 913 THE DANDENONGS FROM WONGA PARK, VIC.

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. This postcard is evidence of the location of one of the cannons relocated from Fort Gellibrand in 1906. They were removed from the Gardens in the 1960s. These same cannons remain a feature on the Williamstown waterfront in 2013. A sepia postcard depicting a winding path lined with rocks. There is a cannon on the right hand side of the card beneath a spreading palm tree. There is a tall pine and a cypress tree in the background. The cannons were relocated from Fort Gellibrand to the Gardens in 1906. Front: ‘THE ROSE SERIES, P. 1030 THE GARDENS, WILLIMASTOWN, VICTOORIA / copyright’. Reverse: Left side vertical ‘Published by the Rose Stereograph Co. / Armadale, Victoria’. Across the top of the card: ‘POST CARD / The “Rose” Series A Real Photograph / De Luxe Produced in Australia’. There is an image of a rose and stem with three leaves in the centre of the card. In pencil on top right hand corner: $5 [believed to be inserted by the vendor of the card]postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, garden-path, cannon, rose stereograph, rose-series, 1906

Sandra Pullman visited the Melbourne City Council Exhibition, 'Melbourne Parks and Gardens Through the Magic Lantern' in November 2012. Lex Nieboer, former Burnley student graduating in 1975, found a large number of glass lantern slides in a store room and took them home as he was concerned they would be thrown out. His family has a long tradition of being involved in photography, so he understood the value of the slides. He donated the ones that were of Melbourne City Parks and Gardens to the Council and they used them in their exhibition. Sandra contacted Lex and arranged with Jane Wilson (Archivist) to visit Lex on 12 April, 2013 at Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick where he works. After Lex showed them the slides, he, very generously, donated approximately 300 slides back to the Burnley Archives. There was already a collection of almost 100 glass slides in the Archives. They were in a wooden box containing glass lantern slides with label on outside, "Slides of Horticultural Objects and Views." Inside lid is handwritten, "Mr Bailey Botanic Gardens Adelaide." (John Frederick Bailey, Director Adelaide Botanic Gardens 1917-1932.) and, "Mr Isaac 9 pla? 2 ficifolia." (Probably Mr Isaacs Mayor of Adelaide 1917.) Also, "Purchased from Estate of Reeves Late Malvern Gardens, AWJ." (F.L. Reeves, Malvern Council's Park Curator in the 1920's died in 1933. AWJ, A.W. Jessep, Principal Burnley Horticultural College 1926-1941.) These were numbers 61-85 "History of the Rose." Geoff Olive, former Staff member, remembered taking a number of glass slides to a photographic processor to have 35mm slides made from them. 60 of these are also in this collection. Also see B10.0057 for Melbourne City Council collection and, 11.0039, 12.0033 for photograph prints of lantern slides lost to the collection.Collection of approximately 400 glass lantern slides used for teaching at Burnley Horticultural College during the first half of the twentieth century. Some were made specifically for Burnley. Some images would not upload. The images include: overseas views of gardens, historical sites and geographical features (some hand coloured from Japan); a series of hand coloured images of roses with notes for teaching the history of the rose; school gardens of the early 1900's; fruit and vegetables; miscellaneous horticulltural; Australian native plants; cells; 'Living Races'; plants, trees and grasses; parasites, organisms and fungal diseases; miscellaneous horticultural scenes; parks; cattle; agricultural data.sandra pullman, lex nieboer, melbourne city council exhibition through the magic lantern, john frederick bailey, mr isaacs, f l reeves, a w jessep, history of the rose, plants, trees, diseases

Made by Janet West in the 1970s when she lived in Nunawading. Blanket material left over from making a blanket for her baby in 1972. Janet is the niece of Margaret Skey member of the Whitehorse Historical Society and resident of Mitcham. The embroidery was an examination piece for the Embroiders Guild of Victoria. Janet, now Janet Green, is a tutor at the Embroiders Guild.Tea cosy made of beige blanket material with apricot satin edging and two pink satin bow ties. Lined in blue cotton material with small daisy pattern in pale apricot. Front of tea cosy has a wool embroidered bunch of flowers pink roses and blue/mauve daisies and tied with a silk satin bow. Two sprigs of roses are on the front and 5 sprigs scattered on the back.handcrafts, embroidery, domestic items, food & drink consumption

Black and White postcard, c1906 view of Charing Cross, Bendigo looking towards the west - Mitchell St. Has three tram cars in the view, the fountain, centre poles and a tailors shop on the south west corner of the area. Reproduced by the Rose Stereograph Co of Glen Waverley. Photo courtesy of Rod Aikman. Has the Rose Co. symbol on the rear of the car, along with areas for the stamp and address block.Has "24" in a circle in the top left hand corner of the front of the card and on the rear, a "William F Scott" address label on the bottom left hand corner.trams, tramways, bendigo, mitchell st, charing cross

Colour postcard of Sturt St Ballarat looking across a floral display to the Town Hall. Has tram No. 37 travelling westbound along Sturt St. in the right hand side of the view. Also has part of the Fletcher Jones & Staff shop in right hand of the photograph, above the tramcar. Tramcar has an SEC Roof Ad, regarding electric cooking. In blue type under the photograph is the caption "The Gardens and City Hall. Ballarat. Vic." in caps. On the rear of the postcard is "Rose Series Colourview No. 509", published by Rose Stereograph Co. Glen Waverley Vic. Has the outline drawing of a rose in the centre of the postcard. Duplicate of Reg Item - 4279 trams, tramways, sturt st, fletcher jones & staff, gardens, town hall

A small black cardboard box with a red rose on the lid containing newspaper clippings of Cr. Tom Flood's column from 'The Bendigo Advertiser titled, 'Mayor Speaks.' 1966,67.Mayor T. Flood Speaks 1966, 1967newspaper, bendigo advertiser, major speaks, lydia chancellor, collection, newspaper, mayor t. flood, cr. flood, 'mayor speaks, ' 'the bendigo advertiser, ' bendigo

Hardback book with attractive art-nouveau 'rose' design on cover in brown, cream and green. "Decisive Battles of the World" by Sir Edward Creasy. Published by Blackie and Son Limited

Ladies wooden high heeled scuffs. Dark brown rose painted on instep. Has yellow and cream leather strap tacked on bottom "Bad Khoa" stamped on instep.shoes ladies

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. Colour postcard (portrait orientation) with image of a young girl reading a book beneath a round window adorned by pink roses and above a birthday greeting. Handwritten message on back.album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, 1917, birthday, birthday card

Letter from Arthur Rose giving details of his life in Mitcham after being brought to Australia by the children's overseas reception board during the 2nd world war.churchward, (mrs), rose, arthur, woodger, jean, batory (ship), wellington, keith, till, alwyn, miller, children's overseas reception board, mitcham state school, no. 2904, world war, 1939 - 1945

See abovesee aboveB&W Photo of the Numurkah Red Roses Marching Girls Team (early 1960's). On back of photo: names and description of why photo was taken. (see above)(see above photo)marching girls, numurkah, red roses marching girls team, 1960's

The Kew Historical Society’s fashion and design collection is comprised of costumes, hats, shoes and personal accessories. Many of these items were purchased or handmade in Victoria; some locally in Kew. The extensive hat collection comprises items dating from the 1860s to the 1970s. Most of the hats in the collection were created by milliners for women. There are however a number of early and important men’s hats in the collection. The headwear collection is particularly significant in that it includes the work of notable Australian and international milliners.A dusky pink straw woman’s hat with a wide brim. The hat features a fitted pink ribbon at the base of the crown and a white rose (sic) attached to the flat bow of the ribbon.Nilheadwear, women's hats, clothing

An item from an outstanding and diverse collection, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew.Hand-tinted studio photograph of a man, Orlando Henry Beater Christian seated holding a brass cornet, Hair centre parted, moustache and pink rose. Pink mount.orlando henry beater christian, christian-washfold collection

A tall slim gold vase with two handles decorated with pink roses, gold embossed leaves and trimmed with a raised gold pattern around the fluted top edge and bottom.containers, vases, objects

The hand mirror is part of a vanity set owned by a woman who lived in the Harbour Master's house at Warrnambool in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The set was possibly a wedding gift from her mother-in-law, Caroline Edwards, a local business woman who was an importer of 'china and fancy goods' along with her husband Thomas Myers Edwards. The Edwards owned Staffordshire House a business in Timor St (and later Liebig St) from 1876. The hand mirror is an example of a valued possession of women at the time and could signify social standing. It was also a functional accessory used on a daily basis.The item is significant socially as an example of accessories available to and used by women in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Historically, it is linked to a local import business ‘Staffordshire House’ in Liebig St Warrnambool, where it most likely came from. A pewter (or possibly silver-plated) hand mirror that is part of a vanity set. It features a beautiful ornate moulded rose/flower design on the back, handle and front edge of mirrorflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, vanity set, hand mirror, pewter, silver plate, toilet set, harbours master's house, staffordshire house

Postcard of The Nerve Test, The Grampians,Vic. ---The Rose Series,P617. Published by the Rose Stereograph Co. Armadale, VicYoung man in suit standing on an outcrop of a rocky ledge,mountain scenery in background.scenery, grampians ranges

Royal Princess Theatre, Bendigo. Programme ''Iolanthe'' or the Peer and the Pearl. Main actors: Mr. Alex Hamilton, Mr. S. Horwood, Mr. W. Cahill, Mr. E. Allen Bindley, Mr. R. Eddy, Mr. Tom Pritchard, Miss Eva Crowther, Miss Rose O'Mahoney, Miss Addie Campbell, Miss Lillian Orchad, Miss Rose Spargo, Miss Addie Keating and Miss Florence Quinn.program, theatre, concert

Document. Greeting Cards. Small whitish card, bookmark size with 2 holes at the top and a piece of pink cord tied in them. At the top and printed in red with gold edge is: Mizpah. Below this is a pale pink rose, a darker pink rose, some yellow flowers and some violet buds. At the bottom, printed in brown is: The Lord watch between Me and Thee. Gen. 31.49. Embossed in the bottom left corner is: Made in Germany.person, greeting cards, malone collection, malone collection, greeting cards

Three people a grouped around a computer monitor. The man wearing a tie is John Mildren M.P., standing next to him is Peter Kellock, and student Rose Douglas sits at the computer. computer, john mildren, peter kellock, rose douglas, avr centre

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. 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 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. The Life of Napoleon 1 Vol 1 Including new material from the British Official Records Author: John Holland Rose Publisher: George Bell and Sons Date: 1902Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 NAP 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 Servicewarrnambool, 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, the life of napoleon vol 1, john holland rose

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. 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 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. The Life of Napoleon 1 Vol 2 Including new material from the British Official Records Author: John Holland Rose Publisher: George Bell and Sons Date: 1902Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 NAP 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 Servicewarrnambool, 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, the life of napoleon vol 2, john holland rose