Colour photograph of the E.J. Barker Library on Mt Helen Campus on Open Day.e.j. barker library, library, open day, courtyard, mount helen

A black and white photograph of Phil Day and a woman at the Ballarat School of Mines Ball. ballarat school of mines, student activities, phil day

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 Day's Work Author: Rudyard Kipling Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: 1948Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC KIP Pastedown front endpaper has 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 day's work, rudyard kipling

Black and white photograph of a number of people seated for a Disability Awareness Day programme.disability awareness day, diasbility

"After the war Pipe-Major Duncan McLennan, moved to Ballarat and took up a position as cadet instructor and leader of the Ballarat Highland Pipe Band and the Ballarat Ladies Pipe Band. " (Victorian Historical Journal Vol. 85, No. 1, June 2014)Leaflet advertising Ballarat Highland Day as a part of the Ballarat Begonia Festival in 1956.ladies pipe band, ladies highland pipe band, begonia festival, highland day, pipe band

Polish Jews, D-Day, Hitler Falls, Pacific War 1942/5photo, general

Simpson & Donkey, Commemorating 75th Anniversary of ANZAC Day - Caulfield Central RSLplaque, general

Poster " Rememberance Day 2008 commemorating 90th Anniversary of Armistice" and several copies.poster, ww1, army

Poster " Rememberance Day 2008 commemorating 90th Anniversary of Armistice" and several copies.poster, ww1, army

Poster " Rememberance Day 2008 commemorating 90th Anniversary of Armistice" and several copies.poster, ww1, general

Poster Rememberance Day (Year not Known) Picture of Poppies in Flanders Field and Poemposter, ww1, general

Poster Australia Post promoting Australia Legends collection for Australia Day 2000poster

Poster Rememberance Day 2006 showing 1st Div attending Funeral at Poziersposter, ww1, army

Photo dated 16/05/1982 showing the mall after opening day.place, mall, hargreaves mall, bendigo hargreaves mall

Rev. Douglas James Gibson. Home Missionary at Werrimull 1946. Appointed to Berri (Alawoona) in 1950, Ceduna 1952, Kangaroo Island 1955, Elizabeth 1959, Home Mission Department Field Secretary from 1962.Informal B & W photograph of Rev. and Mrs Douglas Gibson on their wedding day.rev douglas james gibson, home missionary, methodist, minister

Honour to AIF E.V.D Gallipoli France Palestine Anzac Day 1918 (3)stawell, ww1

POSTCARD PHOTOGRAPH , PICNIC PARTY AT LAKE BURRUMBEET ON NEW YEARS DAY 1908local history, photography, photographs, events and celebrations, picnic party 1908

THE CONCERT WAS GIVEN IN THE TOWN HALL ON WEDNESDAY, 21ST JUNE 1911PROGRAMME FOR A CONCERT IN THE CLUNES TOWN HALL TO CELEBRATE EMPIRE DAY AND KING'S CORONATIONlocal history, documents, programmes

Black and white photograph showing an assembly at the front of school on Empire Day 1909

Part of collection of items related to the late Senator J.F. Guthrie, breeder of Corriedales. Senator James Francis Guthrie (1872-1958) was the founder and first president of the Australian Corriedale Sheepbreeders' Association in 1914 and was involved in the wool industry all his life. He worked for Dalgety's and was managing director of the Guthrie Corriedale Stud. He was a Senator for Victoria between 1920-38 and wrote a number of books about the Australian wool industry.Part of collection of items related to the late Senator J.F. Guthrie, breeder of Corriedales.Two sepia photographs of Mary Guthrie and Dr Oswald Gough on their wedding day.guthrie, senator james francis c.b.e. gilligan, mrs marguerite, melbourne, victoria

Collection of modern day jacks multi-coloured featuring funny faces on jacksFunny Facestoys, games