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. 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 Complete Works of Robert Burns Peoms Songs and Letters Edited from the best printed manuscript authorities by Alexander Smith Author: Robert Burns Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: 1884Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 821 BUR Pastedown front endpaper 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, 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, peoms songs and letters, robert burns

A studio portrait of Prudence Partington of Greensborough. the family lived at Willis Vale from the 1870s.One of many studio portraits of the Partington familySepia studio portrait of woman in dark dress and bonnet, seated and holding a book. flowers to her left. Mounted on white card with studio name: M.Allan 278 Smith Street Collingwood..On back: Prudence Partington. Born 1858-1930.willis vale, partington family, prudence partington

Cabinet wooden varnished office bureau. Open fronted shelves and centred writing space. 7 pigeonholes across top, 4 down. Made by E P Smith and Son, Warrnamboolflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Short typed notes on the Wesley College Dramatic Society performances. Mentioned is The Monkey's Paw, Captain X and The New Boy. Mentioned are Stuart Hall and Winks Smith who played the xylophone.document, wesley college dramatic society, the monkey's paw, captain x, the new boy, shakespeare, stuart hall, winks smith, ?erry

Victoria Brewery notepaper dated 7th May 1891 addressed to E P Hastings handwritten re calling meeting with balance sheet to show Mr Smith. Initialled M Cbendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery

Individual Income Tax Return for Departing Aliens for Taxable Year 1936 in the name of Richard H. Smith Abbott. Purple U.S. Int. Rev. stamp dated Jun 27 1936.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, individual incomne tax return 1936, richard h smith abbott, guy t helvering, william welch

Printed Cohn Bros Memorandum dated 20th May 1895 with handwritten addressed to the Chairman & Directors of Victoria Brewery Bendigo re: examination of company books signed B. W. Smith.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery

White piece of paper. Recd from W. B. Evans the sum of Twelve shillings for attending Funeral (with ?) of Late Bro. Goehler. March 15th /72. Signed by George C. Smith.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - receipt, a b evans, bro goehler, george c smith

This group used to meet after school or work for a swim at Princes PierB&W photo of men, women and two little girls, most in swimming costumes, on the beach and Princes Pier in the 1940s. Margaret Smith is the taller of the two little girls centre front.piers and wharves - princes pier, sport, swimming, margaret smith

Black and white photograph. Students are examining daffodil flowers and another plant, some using microscopes in a Biology class. Same group as B91.172-B91.173 including Margot George, Peter Smith.margot george, peter smith, daffodil flowers, plants, microscopes, students in class, biology class

Photograph appeared in Lakes Post Newspaper page 6, 4 December 1996.Black and white photograph of members of A O G Community Church, during community activities. Lakes Entrance Victoria, Norma Smith, Pasha McDougal, Carol Key, Glenn and Caroline Simpsonchurch, buildings

Typed carbon copy of a letter to the Honourable Commissioner General of Immigration from Richard Hartley Smith Abbott asking for an extension of his re-entry permit. Dated 21 February, 1939.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, richard hartley smith abbott, mariposa, abbott supply company bendigo

These shoes were worn by Emily Cock (nee Smith), the daughter of wealthy early settler John Matthew Smith. From 1856 until 1931 the Smiths lived at 'Castlefield', a mansion on a vast estate that at one time stretched along South Road from Bluff Road to Hampton Street. The land was gradually subdivided, and the house is now a part of Haileybury College.Pair of flat black kid leather indoor shoes decorated with pale blue silk, cut-away applique and embroidery.shoes, embroidery, applique, castlefield, emily smith, brighton

One of 4 photographs donated by Norma Smith. On back of postcard is an order sent to Mrs Smith of Rhyll from Mrs Eva Richardson of Bay View Cowes, for eating apples and pears. Black & White postcard of Bay View Guesthouse."Bay View Cowes, Phillip Island"bay view cowes phillip island, bayview guesthouse cowes, mrs richardson, mrs smith, norma smith

Mrs. Smith Snr. on horse drawn buggy outside Pleasant Creek Court House now called Stawell Court House where Mrs. Smith lived. c 1912-1920Small photograph of a horse drawn vehicle with a female driver and male standing at horses head. Pleasant Creek courthouse in background of photo with a tall timber fence in front of the courthouse. An enlargement has been made of the original photo.stawell transport

One of a Jessie Smith Collection. Photograph of the Ventnor Football Team Back row: D Grayden, W J Jeffery, Garnet Dixon Third row: C Clarke, E W Dixon, J B Grayden, A Troutman, Rex Dixon, Rees Jones Second row: Les Jones, R T Harris, R Dixon, G Bruton, W Dixon, C Little, H V Jones. Front row: A Little, ? Johnson, H Justice E Skyles.local history, photography, ventnor football team, black & white photograph, sport, football, ventnor football club

From Jessie Smith's collection.View of Sail boat at left of very crowded pier at Cowes with back view of three young people at left foreground. local history, photographs, foreshore & pier cowes phillip island, black & white photograph, foreshore cowes phillip island, recreation on foreshore facilities, jessie smith collection, stan mcfee

Possibly the Bassett-Smith propertyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numbering

Possibly the Bassett-Smith propertyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numbering

Possibly the Bassett-Smith propertyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numbering

Possibly the Bassett-Smith propertyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numbering

Possibly the Bassett-Smith propertyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numbering

Possibly the Bassett-Smith propertyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numbering

Possibly the Bassett-Smith propertyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numbering

Possibly the Bassett-Smith propertyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numbering

Possibly the Bassett-Smith propertyRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numbering