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 King's England - Kent The Gateway of England and its Great Possessions Edited by Arthur Mee Publisher: The Caxton Publishing Co Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 914.2 MEE 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 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 king's england - kent, the king's england, kent

Charles Emerson Blunt built the motor boat, the Souther Cross for the Mission in 1906 when the workshop was in Geelong.The Blunt workshop is heritage listed and has Links with the Mission; they visited the Mission in 2019 and depictions of the workshop are often entered at the Maritime Art Prize.Series of 4 digital photographs depicting the Blunt Boatbuilders workshop in Williamstown, its interior and a portrait of Charles Emerson Blunt.blunt boatbuilders, williamstown, motor boat, southern cross

This electric kettle/Jug is shaped in the style of the Art Deco period 1930's to 1950's (in Australia). It was at the beginning of the wave of creative kitchen ware to stimulate and impress visitors and uplift what used to be a boring kitchen environment.This "art deco" electric kettle is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because it highlight that rural families and areas where in step (fashion wise) to their city "cousins". In the mid 1900's "the fashion" in Australia was (on the whole) always some years behind that of England and Europe. The years after World war II reduced the time lag between the "advanced fashion" of Europe and England and came in step with the emerging modern American fashion. American "film stars" started have their fashion projected onto the silver screens.This electric Fowler ware is a ceramic hot water jug. Its shape is in the "Art Deco" style of the early 1920's.On base "240V - 1650W" below this "AC ONLY" below this "MODEL No. EEJ" "APP. No. N550" below this "JUG BODY BY" under this and in script style "FOWLER WARE" below this "1583"kitchen appliances, tea/coffee preparation, light refreshments, hospitality offerings, art deco styles in appliances

Colour photos taken by Paul Shire. Excelsior Hall interior images prior to its adaptation as housing Rear roombuilt environment - civic, excelsior hall, rsl, returned services league

Colour photos taken by Paul Shire. Excelsior Hall interior images prior to its adaptation as housing Back of barbuilt environment - civic, excelsior hall, rsl, returned services league

8446.1 - Unhinged wooden box of "Noble's Explosives Company (Limited)" explosives with a significant split in the lid, running its length.- Nobel Glasgow - 50 lbs net - With care - Keep dry - This side up - Made in Australia - Nobel's explosives company (limited) Glasgow - Explosive class III division I - Alfa Nobel - Nobel's explosive company limited - Trademark

Slide, ALLAN BUDGE COLLECTION, Polychrome Brickwork, Eaglehawk. A house notable for its cylindrical chimneys with the helical pattern of brickwork.house, public, allan budge collection, allan budge collection

Oval communion token. One side has a number 4 at its centre the other a chalice. There is text on both sides."PARISH CHURCH FORFAR 1855" "4" "I.COR.XI 23-2"

The convention was held in the Yarra Street Methodist Church, Geelong on the 18th, 19th, 29th June 1938. It was arranged and convened by the Methodist Local Preachers' Association.Souvenir program for the 23rd Holiness Convention. The program is pale green with a painting of four red and orange roses on its cover. Front cover: "Souvenir of Geelong HOLINESS CONVENTION Yarra Street Methodist Church, Saturday, Sunday, Monday March 18,19 & 20 1939"" methodist local preachers' association melbourne branch, yarra street methodist church, geelong

Round, dark blue, light blue, white and red enamelled badge which depicts the Mayflower ship in its centre."CONGREGATIONAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP"congregational youth fellowship

Colour slide in a mount. Building, unknown location. Given its creation date, it is either Montreal, Canada or New ZealandMade in Australia / 31 / APR 67M7slide, robin boyd

The series of 9 photographs were taken to be included in a study of archaeological sites and Aboriginal rings in the Sunbury area. Five earth rings which are thought to be associated with male initiation ceremonies have been identified in Sunbury. Only 3 others have been found in the rest of Victoria. Despite rapid development in the area, those sites are protected heritage sites.A view of the Aboriginal ring and sacred site and its close proximity to a proposed housing estate at Sherwood near Racecourse Road.aboriginal culture, aboriginal rings, sacred sites, george evans collection

Black and white photograph showing the back of the school in 1915. Before second building. Note the school bell on its stand.

Nunawading's University of the Third Age (U3A) enrolment and information days for its 1993 program will be held on February 15 and 16.Nunawading's University of the Third Age (U3A) enrolment and information days for its 1993 program will be held on February 15 and 16.u3a nunawading, southwell, brian, smith, winifred, gist, jenny, williams, rosemary

Mitcham Technical School re-union, 3rd December 1990 for students prior to its amalgamation with Mullauna Secondary College,schools, mitcham technical school, mullauna secondary college

The City of Nunawading opened its new library with Mayor Frank Taylor in attendance. The article includes a detailed description of the features.nunawading library, liddicut, joan, taylor, frank, pavey, constance, public libraries, city of nunawading

192 page book outlining 50 years of the Waverley Forklift Company with its origins dating back to August Schwerkoltnon-fictionHistory of Waverley Forklifts over 50 yearsschwerkolt august, schwerkolt carl benno, schwerkjolt wilhelmina, waverley forklifts, schwerkolt charles clarence victor, schwerkolt charles thomas, daley paul

The Nook in Sunbury is situated on a wide and deep bend in Jacksons Creek. Today the area is a popular site for passive recreation with a walking path along the Jacksons Creek. The house on the RHS of the photograph was situated near Powlett Street.Before the Aquatic Centre was built in Sunbury the swimming pool at The Nook was the town's swimming pool for many years. Seats and a change area were at the site.A black and white photograph of a large bend in a river with a house built on its riverbank and another dwelling on the hillside in the middle distance.the nook, swimming, jacksons creek