This book 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. Australia in the War of 1939-1945 South-West Pacific Area-First Year Kokoda to Wau This volume describes the fighting on land in the South-West Pacific from mid -1942 to March 1943 Author: Dudley McCarthy Publisher: Australian War Memorial Date: 1959Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 994.04 AUS Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker 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, australia in the war of 1939-1945 south-west pacific area-first year kokoda to wau, australia in the war of 1939-1945, australian war memorial, dudley mccarthy

BookletSoldiering in the Tropics (S.W. Pacific Area) 1 Copy to all ranks in the tropics, Prepared by the General Staff, LHQ; Australia, and issued under the direction of the Commander; Allied Land Forces Headquarters, SWPA> (Revised Edition January 1943)

A blueprint of drawing 01 of the South Pacific Electric Railway showing 1960 proposal for the layout of the SPER Museum area, scale 1" = 32'. Drawing No. 01, Shows NSWGR railway. Scan added and entry updated 19-8-13trams, tramways, sper, loftus, museum plan

Sepia toned photograph of a bark roofed house, walls possibly also bark, wattle fence corrugated iron tank at corner of house two six paned windows either side of doorway, believed to be Lake Tyers area Victoriaagriculture, buildings

Taken during Yarra Batman Area Scout Stage III training at Eltham. Eltham was part of the YBA. Donated by Lewis Tulk, former Scout Area Training Commisioner for Leaders.scouts victoria, scout leader training, lewis tulk collection, 1st eltham scouts, eltham, yarra batman area, youth road

Gold Reef Mall Stawell looking East from area in front of Post Office. Showing lawn area of Mall near Wimmera Street on right. L.C. Langsford's Pharmacy .stawell streetscape

Three colour photographs of roads in the Thompson Crescent area, Research 1. Reynolds Road looking south from Thompson Crescent North 2. Reynolds Road/Thompson Crescent South 3. Reynolds Road/Thompson Crescent North, Researchthompson crescent, reynolds road, research

Record of early industryColoured photograph (and b/w print) of detail, interior of Boiler House, Whykes & Sons' Slaughter House and yards, showing railing and washing area for carcasses, functioned for Whykes Butchers from 1863-1994, situated at Slaughterhouse Rd. Durham Leadbuninyong, whykes, butchers, slaughterhouse, industry, farming, boiler house, washing area

Charcoal Burning in Fyans Creek areastawell

Shopping Area Halls Gap 1985businesses

Charcoal Burning in Fyans Creek areastawell

Charcoal Burning in Fyans Creek areastawell

Charcoal Burning in Fyans Creek areastawell

Charcoal Burning in Fyans Creek areastawell

Charcoal Burning in Fyans Creek areastawell

Folder of information including a list of Military Camps in the Eltham area 1930-1940. Including photocopy of pages from unknown book, printout of photo from State Library Victoria and various copies of historial newspaper articles researched by Jim Allen in 2008HG Booklet 4harry gilham collection, military camps, eltham

Cricket Team - Sugarloaf Great Western Areastawell sport

Town Scene from Wakeham Street areastawell

Bob Hymans Collection Bob (Herman) Hymans (a former member of the Royal Netherlands Navy) was born in Bloemendaal, Holland on 30th September 1922. During World War II he fought against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was imprisoned in Changi and on the Burma Railway. After gaining qualifications as a Ski Instructor, Bob arrived in Falls Creek in July 1950. Working as an Instructor and Supervisor at Bogong Lodge, Bob decided his future was in accommodation. He was successful in negotiating an indenture for land from the State Electricity Commission (SEC). It took Bob two years to build his Grand Coeur Chalet but, tragically, it was burned down in August 1961. Bob also built the first Chairlift in Australia. This was a single chairlift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. He was constantly full of new ideas and proposals for the village. Bob Hymans died on 7th July 2007. This Collection of documents and letters tells the story of Bob's endeavours to develop Falls Creek into the ski village it is today.This document is significant because it outlines plans for the development of the Falls Creek Tourist Area.A three page document from the Falls Creek Tourist Area Management Committee outlining the location of Falls Creek, the role of the Committee, and inviting applicants who may desire to establish much needed facilities to apply to do so. The procedure for applying is briefly explained.falls creek tourist area management committee, development plans

From A.W Jessep file "Improvements (Completed)"Hand drawn. (1) Includes Memorandum dated 25.7.30 to the Agricultural Superintendent from the Principal. (2) Levels over Proposed Drainage Area. From A.W. Jessep file, "Improvements (Completed)." Additional memorandum from the Agricultural Superintendent to Principal (1 folio page)burnley school of agriculture, drainage, drainage pipes

Scout training course held at Meruka Park Lewis Tulk was Training Commisioner for YBA training leaders Pictured is Vern Brookes Area Commissioner for Scouts Donated by Lewis Tulk, former Scout Area Training Commisioner for Leaders.scouts victoria, scout leader training, lewis tulk collection, eltham, yarra batman area, meruka park, vern brookes

North Western Woollen Mills Scene Mills Areastawell industry

North Western Woollen Mills Scene Mills Areastawell industry

North Western Woollen Mills Scene Mills Areastawell industry

North Western Woollen Mills Scene Mills Areastawell industry