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 - Warwickshire Shakespeare's Country 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 - warwickshire, the king's england, warwickshire, arthur mee

Christmas card - flowers and reference to Shakespeare Twelfth night ' This and my good wishes , Take from my mouth the wishes of happy yearsephemera, mementoes, christmas card - flowers and reference to shakspere twelfth night

Pages of William Shakespeare's Hamlet from his second folio. Printed in 1632. This item is a part of ex-teacher Ian Marryatt's travel collection

A book titled ' The Life of Shakespeare Personal and Literary. Greatest Glory of English Literature and Pre-eminent Poet of the World.' Published London: Ward, Lock & Co., Salisbury Square, E.C. 129 - 144 pgs. This booklet is one of a series of 53 ' Ward and Lock's Penny Books for the People.' Biographical Series.' Price one penny. There are also advertisements of note.books, biography, william shakespeare, lydia chancellor, collection, shakespeare, willliam shakespeare, ward & lock's penny books for the people, biographical series, penny books, literature, english literature, the life of shakespeare, biographies, novel, drama, famous people, person, male, advertisements, ward, lock & co. biographical sketches, ward, lock & co. biographical series, book, books

The Parade College drama group performed a "A midsummer night's dream" in 2003.Newspaper clipping, text and colour imageparade college, shakespeare, drama performances

The City of Ballarat unanimously resolved to erect a Civic Hall in 1951. The architects, Gordon Murphy, of Melbourne, and H.L. and L.J. Colburn, of Ballarat, were commissioned in 1952. The Council constructed the foundations and footings for the building under the supervision of the former City engineer, Mr L.H. Finch, in 1953. These footings are of massed concrete. The design for the building took advantage of the cross fall of the land, providing for the Small Hall to be entered from the Doveton Street frontage through a foyer under the Main Stage, the structure is steel with brick panels, with accommodation for 1,592 persons in the Main Hall and 440 persons in the Lower Hall. Black and white photograph of a brick building known as Ballarat Civic Hall. It is located on the corner of Mair Street and Doveton Street North. The Shakespeare statue out the front of the building was unveiled on 17 November 1960. ballarat civic hall, civic hall, colburn, finch

Greeting Card All Happiness To You: Embossed greeting card with scalloped edges, cream in colour with green and red flowers. Red border one end Printed All Happiness To You 'and Shakespeare. Box 625ephemera, mementoes, celebrations, greeting card

Anne Hathaway was married to William Shakespeare.Colour photograph of Anne Hathaway's Cottage. anne hathaway's cottage, stratford upon avon, england, thatched roof

2008, 368, youth production, shakespeare

Students in school uniform standing with teachers and the principal in the garden of the Shakespeare Grove campus, 1963. One of the students is about to raise the Australian flag on the flag pole during the opening ceremony celebrations of Shakespeare Grove. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.celebration, 1960s

Panel from the exhibition held to celebrate the College's 70th anniversary in 2012. Photograph 1: Opening of Shakespeare Grove on the 17th of February 1963. Photograph 2: Bialik College Students in the grounds of Shakespeare Grove in 1963. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.shakespeare grove, 2000s, history

Shakespeare. This book was presented to R. D. Mackay Esq. by W. D. C. Denovan in Bendigo on 7th September, 1897. Also a notation to J. Glen Oliphant from Angus and Girlee Mackay. The works of William Shakspere, his plays and poems.cottage, miners, literary history, literary history

Staff, Shakespeare Grove, 1969. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.kindergarten, 1960s

Shakespeare Grove staff, 1995. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.1990s, hawthorn

Shakespeare Grove Opening Ceremony, 1962. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.elc, early learning centre, 1960s

Shakespeare Grove opening ceremony, 1962. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.1960s

Kindergarten students, Shakespeare Grove, 1969. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.elc, early learning centre, class photograph, 1960s

Prep class, Shakespeare Grove, 1963. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.1960s, class photograph

Prep class, Shakespeare Grove, 1968. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.1960s, shakespeare grove

Grade 2, Shakespeare Grove, 1970. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.1970s, primary school, shakespeare grove, class photograph

Students at Shakespeare Grove, c. 1970s. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.

Staff at Shakespeare Grove on Yom Ha'atzmaut, 1995. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.1990s, judaism

Students in costume for Purim, Shakespeare Grove, 1968. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.1960s, shakespeare grove, purim

Students in costume for Purim at Shakespeare Grove, 1975. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.purim, shakespeare grove, 1970s, judaism

Three copies of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria's ' R.H.S.V. History News. No. 142 October 1993.' Royal Historical Society of Victoria Royal Mint, 280 William Street, Melbourne. Printed by G. Whitehurst Richmond Chronicle, 3 Shakespeare Place, Richmond.8 pgs.photos.victoria, history, people and places in victoria., royal historical society of victoria, history news, history, victoria, victorian history, australia, australian history, magazines