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 Historians History of The World Vol 17 Switzerland Russia A comprehensive narrative of the rise and development of Nations as recorded by the great writers of all ages Edited by Henry Smith Williams Publisher: The Times Date: 1911Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, the historians history of the world vol 17, henry smith williams

Gathering of seafarers and MTS clergy and LHLG members, at Heidelberg property, 1906. On the left standing are Reverend Gurney Goldsmith and in front of him Ethel Godfrey.Small monchrome photograph depicting a large group (around 50) of seamen, ladies from the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild, and children. Some are standing up, some are kneeling, some are seated on the grass.heidelberg, cup day, 1906, ethel augusta godfrey, rev gurney goldsmith, lhlg

Ladies Visitors Card Holder. Inside Ladies Hairnet, 4 Visitor Cards Mr D Telford Stawell, 1 Black edged card Mrs David Telford "Glenariffe"3rd Thursday. stawell

Trevor and Margaret Dunn and Sue Barnett are the three people who were invited to attend the official opening of the Alister Clark Rose Garden in Bulla on the 12th December 1999. At the time Sue Barnett was the curator at the George Evans Museum in Sunbury and Margaret and Trevor worked there as volunteers.A non-digital photograph of two ladies and a man standing in a garden at an official function. A display board with photographs is behind one of the ladiesehind one of the ladies and a small grey cement brick outbuilding is in the background.alister clark memorial rose garden, bulla, trevor dunn, margaret dunn, sue barnett

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 1999. Watches: J. Picken's premises, situated at High Street, Sailors Gully Road Junction. In 1901 he was listed as "atch anc clock maker, English and Colonial jewlerry made to order and repaired"newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Ladies wrapping socks laid on a tennis table as Christmas gift for seamen.

Part of a collection of Rose & Valentine Series of Postcards. Copied by John Jansson 1984View of Main Street, Cowes. Ladies & Children in foreground. Approx. 1890.Main Street, Coweslocal history, photography, photographs, postcards, phillip island, black & white postcard - copy, thompson ave cowes, cowes

COLOUR PHOTOGRAPH OF building / landscape /4 ladies. Possibly at Werribee Mansion.photograph, person, female

Ladies silk parasol with bamboo handle, cream silk with grey stripes.costume accessories, female, parasol

One pair of ladies black wrist length gloves. Synthetic fabric.Label inside LH glove ;''Size A '' Paper label attached with adhesive(Split in half) ''Hand wash only Made in Hong Kong''.costume accessories, female, ladies short black cotton gloves

Slide. Bendigo Easter. A float depicting 100 with 3 young ladies.slide, bendigo, bendigo easter., bendigo easter.

Black and white photograph of six of the ladies in the production of "The Merry Widow" 1953.performing arts, music, gertrude perry

Ladies cream kid gloves with three rows of plaited patterning on the back.

A sepia photograph of some ladies standing behind soldiers seated at a table.Typewritten on front: SOLDIERS BEING ENTERTAINED AT RUPERTSWOOD 1915 Handwritten on back: GROUP OF SOLDIERS BROUGHT TO RUPERTSWOOD BY RED CROSS 1 DAY Stamped on back: FROM / F. W. TOLRA / 79 GLEN EIRA ROAD / RIPPON LEAworld war 1, soldiers, rupertswood, red cross, tolra, f. w., uniforms, clothing and dress, george evans collection

Ladies Decorative Hair Clip. Two decorative ovals Gold Colouredstawell

Ladies Flannelette Pants. Square Leg. Band at Waist. Buttons & Tapesstawell clothing material

Back P Robson, M Langdon, ,S McKay, H Dryburgh, Graham, Vann, F Pert, June Clark, B Granville, M O'Sullivan, M Hutton, , L Paulett Middle Pat Dunston, B Howden, H Duxson, E Martin, I Neumann, L Loyd Front E Tweddle, J Start, J Balchin, Carter, ,Earle B/W photograph of large group of ladies in front of wooden blindsGrampians Division Christmas Party Retirement of E Martin Welcome H Duxson Dec 1971

Two ladies walking across the trotting track, with a Stagecoach approaching, with passangers. stawell show

Purchased at Op Shop in Healesville for the CollectionLadies beige nylon gauntlet gloves, self embroidered and ruched at the wristFownes 7 1/2 100% nylon made in Hong Kongcostume accessories, glove accessories

Four photos of owners of Shamrock Hotel corner of Seaby Street and Longfield Streets Stawell West. Clockwise from top left Agnes Jenkins nee Keegan. William John Jenkins. Agnes Jenkins nee Keegan. Agnes Jenkins nee Keegan on left Four Photos of people. Woman, man, two ladies and older lady Owners of Shamrock Hotel stawell business

Marketing used to inform reader of bequestsColour printed brochure about wills with two ladies and a girl on the cover.wills, bequests

Used by Alice Gibson. Handmade by May Clarke.Ladies white wedding handkerchief. White cotton with lace crocheted edging.handkerchiefs, wedding accessories

"The Laurel" ladies boudior safety razor in purple tin with cameo on lid.shaving equipment, razor blades

A photo of a group of female junior legatees in an elocution class. The photo appeared in the July 1954 Legacy Newsletter with the caption. "Here is a group of Intermediate Girls being tutored in Speech training by Miss Winifred Williams. Though not spectacular Speech Training is an important part of class work." Miss Williams also wrote a piece in a newsletter about the benefits of speech training. Melbourne Legacy ran many classes for boys and girls in their care. The speech training or elocution was one aspect.A record of an aspect of the classes provided for the girls.Black and white photo of Miss Williams speaking to a class of young ladies.junior legatee, girls' classes, miss williams

Digital image of Port Melbourne Football Club Ladies' Committee 2011sport - australian rules football, port melbourne football club, pmfc