This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, 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 WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. 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 when Pattison accepted the 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 areas 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 from 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 NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY 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 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. 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 it's 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 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent 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 have 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 1950s 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. Southern Lights Author: John Rymill Publisher: The Travel Book Club Date: 1939 Further Information: The Offical Account of the British Graham Land Expedition 1934-1937 With two chapters by A Stephenson and a Historical Introduction by Hugh Robert MillThe label on spine cover with typed text 919.9 RYM Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, southern lights, john rymill, a stephenson

John G Jennings & Robert K Whitehead publication titled ' Seymour A Railway Town' reprint July 2005. Published by Seymour and District Historical Society. Seventy-five pages. White coloured cover with blue diesel train engine.books, technical, railways

Document. Invitation to a Social Evening at the ANA Hall 30/11/03 to Mr Hamilton to attend to farewell Miss Ethel Collins, who was departing for W.A. to marry Mr Robert Salter. Newspaper report of the evening posted inside the invitation.performing arts, elocution, invitation

A5 Hardcover book with a browny orange under cover. Outer cover has a dark picture of a Queen cell. Title is in Yellow writing, author is in orange writing. On the back are listed books & descriptions published by Robert Hale 156 pagesOn the inside front cover is a blurb about the book. The inside back cover is a blurb about the author

BLACK & WHITE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF CORPORAL R.R. MITCHELL. M MEDAL. TAKEN IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES. FEATURES ANOTHER TYPE OF CELULOID COLLAR. ROBERT WON THE MILITARY MEDAL FOR BRAVERY IN FRANCE. HE WAS IN 5TH. BATTALION C COMPANY A.I.F.STUDIO HORNBY CLUNES/POSTCARD TO ELIZA WITH LOVE 2415 BOB. CORPORAL R.R. MITCHELL MM 5 BATTALION C COMP .A.I.F KODAKlocal history, photography, photographs, military

Photocopy of photograph with accompanying notes identifying Sir Robert Menzies and Mr. Norman Armstrong, at that time President of the Shire of Blackburn and Mitcham Council. Picture was taken in 1930 at a Gymkhana to raise funds for improvements to the Vermont Recreation Reserve. 2 copiesmenzies, robert gordon, sir, armstrong, norman, vermont reserve

Black and white photograph of students John Padasian (Jesselton, North Borneo) and Ral Lian Sum (Chin Hills, Burma) showing Prime Minister of Australia Robert Menzies the kitchen equipment at the official opening of International House, The University of Melbourne.students, events, official opening

Black and White Photograph Of E.G. Shire delegation to China 1996 . Robert Sing, Mark Grove, Shane Murphy, Keith Bell, Matt Somers, Chris Egen, Tony Baxter, Bruce Connally, Dominic Xu Lakes Entrance Victoriamuincipal history

Horticultural Society trophies from the 1950's 3 x Cactus Dahlia trophy (small, medium, large) Robert Maher Memorial trophy (medium) R H Bennett Miniature Cactus R H Maher Medium Cactus trophies, horticultural society

Framed print titled: "Faunal Emblem of the State of Victoria/The Leadbeaters Possum" by Robert Ingpen. One of a set of 5 prints. Feature descriptive text and a coloured image of the Leadbeaters Possum perched on a tree stump. Gold painted wood frame.

Black and white photograph of seven women. On the back: Mabel Levershia, Alma Wiegard, Pat Flood, Bill Levershia, Olive Wiegard, Jess Levershia. At back to school E. Sh. With older back to lady (Roberts) Mrs. Jean Brotherton.education, bendigo, shelbourne east

While many recruits could already drive when they joined 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles it took many hours of instruction and training before they were licenced to drive heavier, more complex army vehicles both on and off road and under combat conditions.Two colour photographs of two soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles, one holding a dislodged guide post. Line of trucks behind them. probably a driver training exercise. Corporal M. Roberts is wearing beret.

Donald Clark Collection. A monochrome photograph depicting miners on the Waanyarra Goldfields in 1902. Main trio: Standing right is Robert Scholes, seated is George Lockett. Other subjects names not known. Notice on tree is for Waanyarra Boxing Day Sports, 1902. Copy photograph. mining, gold

A black and white photograph taken at Nui Dat June 1970. Cpl Roberts 2 RAR/NZ Battalion based on Route 15 training a Sth Vietnamese bushman scout in the art of weapon handling with the M-60 machine gun.photograph, nui dat, cpl roberts, 2 rar/nz, route 15, m60 machine gun, gibbons collection catalogue, south vietnamese bushman scout

The Ballarat Junior Technical School opened in 1913 as a division of the Ballarat School of Mines. The first location was the Dana Street Primary School, and the first principal was Albert W. Steane. In 1921 a custom built building was erected on the grounds of the Ballarat School of Mines. A number of the students enlisted in the Australian Infantry Forces (AIF) during 1913, 1914. They were Robert Borradale, Albert Burge, Howard Bennett, Norman Carmichael, Reginald Crick, Herbert Collins, Frances Davis, Arthur Dixon, Frank Edwards, George Gilbert and Sydney Townsend. Frances Davis was killed while serving. Those who enlisted have been remembered with an Honour Board with their names. This is at SMB.Book is charcoal blue cloth on hard cover with red leather spine and corners. End papers are brown/grey "stone" patterned thick gloss paper. Name of school and type of book stamped on gold on the spine - REGISTER, BALLARAT JUNIOR TECHNICAL SCHOOL" It is the first Ballarat Junior Technical School Roll Book. The book includes handwritten names, age, date of birth, address, school last attended, grade, qualifications, date of entry, cause, results and remarks. The remarks includes workplaces, whether they joined the AIF, etc. Records A.I.F. service. 309 Trompf, Percival Albert 344 Moy, Richard James E. 376 Serjeant, Robert M 380 Tippett, Edgar John T. 447 Skilbeck, John E.Book plate on inside of front cover. "BERRY, ANDERSON & CO Bookbinder Lydiard St and Dana St Ballarat" Reordering information and reference number given - 24176ballarat school of mines, ballarat junior technical school, roll book, enrolments, albert steane, a.w. steane, albert w. steane, trades, apprentices, world war one, alchin saddlers, ronaldson and tippett, newport workshops, ballarat brewery, cutter coachbuilder, ballarat woollen mill, jelbart's foundry, eureka pottery, robson's leadlighter, long's biscuit factory, a.i.f. service, enrolment register, ballarat junior technical school enrolments, john dufler, robert borradale, albert burge, howard bennett, norman carmichael, reginald crick, herbert collins, frances davis, arthur dixon, frank edwards, george gilbert, sydney townsend

Robert H> Baron initially enlisted in the 57th Battalion before joining the 14th Training Battalion on arrival in England. Part of the Robert H. Baron, No. 3596 and Cooper Collections. See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.Rectangular enamelled two colour metal badge with pin fastener. The badge is positioned vertically with the black bar on the left and the red on the right.robert h. baron, cooper collection, badge, 57th battalion

Robert Mitchell attended Ballarat College 1879The book was printed in 1878 year, The place of publication of the book is W & A K Johnston, Edinburgh and London, 1878. A School Atlas of Physical Geography. Book in English language. Book has cover wear and fading, modest foxing to plates. Some plates are missingHandwritten on flyleaf: R. A Mitchell July 1878 / Ballarat / RAM

Horses of Robert Anderson Snr. on farmland - grazingThree brown horses grazing on farmlocal history, photography, photographs, slides, film, horses, sepia photograph, mrs emma anderson jacobs

Glen Isla Homestead. Home of Robert Anderson.Close up of back entrance to Glen Isla Homestead. Figure of unidentified woman at back door. bush on right. Out-building semi attached to house, shed door open. Dog-leg path.local history, photography, photographs, slides, film, buildings, historic, glen isla homestead, phillip island, coloured photograph, mrs emma anderson jacobs

Evelyn Roberts on the porch at Scotland Avenue 1939.Digital copy of black and white photograph.evelyn roberts, roberts family, scotland avenue greensborough

Pupils identified; Robert Butterworth, John Campbell, Blackburn South State School. Class of 1955 2B. 43 pupils.blackburn south state school, class photo, 1955, grade 2b

Robert Henderson Croll speaking at Town Hall stawell