Saturday 6th, August "Grand Parade, 10.30 a.m., Main Rd., Eltham. Dozens of local groups will be participating. Entries include ponies, Scouts, elderly citizens, bands, athletic clubs, life-be-in-it display, schools and many many more." - 1977 Festival ProgramDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Tri-X black and white transparencyKodak Tri-X1977, eltham festival, george coop collection, main road, parade, lions club eltham

Saturday 6th, August "Grand Parade, 10.30 a.m., Main Rd., Eltham. Dozens of local groups will be participating. Entries include ponies, Scouts, elderly citizens, bands, athletic clubs, life-be-in-it display, schools and many many more." - 1977 Festival ProgramDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Tri-X black and white transparencyKodak Tri-X1977, eltham festival, george coop collection, main road, parade, eltham primary school

Saturday 6th, August "Grand Parade, 10.30 a.m., Main Rd., Eltham. Dozens of local groups will be participating. Entries include ponies, Scouts, elderly citizens, bands, athletic clubs, life-be-in-it display, schools and many many more." - 1977 Festival ProgramDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Tri-X black and white transparencyKodak Tri-X1977, eltham festival, george coop collection, main road, parade

Saturday 6th, August "Grand Parade, 10.30 a.m., Main Rd., Eltham. Dozens of local groups will be participating. Entries include ponies, Scouts, elderly citizens, bands, athletic clubs, life-be-in-it display, schools and many many more." - 1977 Festival ProgramDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Tri-X black and white transparencyKodak Tri-X1977, eltham festival, george coop collection, main road, parade

Saturday 6th, August "Grand Parade, 10.30 a.m., Main Rd., Eltham. Dozens of local groups will be participating. Entries include ponies, Scouts, elderly citizens, bands, athletic clubs, life-be-in-it display, schools and many many more." - 1977 Festival ProgramDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Tri-X black and white transparencyKodak Tri-X1977, eltham festival, george coop collection, main road, parade

Saturday 6th, August "Grand Parade, 10.30 a.m., Main Rd., Eltham. Dozens of local groups will be participating. Entries include ponies, Scouts, elderly citizens, bands, athletic clubs, life-be-in-it display, schools and many many more." - 1977 Festival ProgramDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Tri-X black and white transparencyKodak Tri-X1977, eltham festival, george coop collection, main road, parade

Saturday 6th, August "Grand Parade, 10.30 a.m., Main Rd., Eltham. Dozens of local groups will be participating. Entries include ponies, Scouts, elderly citizens, bands, athletic clubs, life-be-in-it display, schools and many many more." - 1977 Festival ProgramDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Tri-X black and white transparencyKodak Tri-X1977, eltham festival, george coop collection, main road, parade

Black and white photograph, athletics. photograph of an elderly man named Cyril 'goldie' Heath in 1994 wearing his old victory gear that he earned in the Castlemaine Athletic Club 1936 Boxing Day 130 Yards & 41/4 Yard Handicap race. Bendigo Advertiser description: Castlemaine City 6/3/94 Cyril "Goldie" Heath won the gift 1936recreations, sports, athletics

Dot Browne was President of the Doncaster Womens Athletic Club for 11 years. She represented Australia in the 1982 World Veteran Ocean Games in Fiji, winning 4 Gold Medals and in the 1987 World Veterans Games in Melbourne winning 3 silver Medals.In 1952 Dot was presented with the Order of Australia for her contribution to athletics.Black & White photo of Dot Browne running on an athletics track.browne dot, doncaster women's athletic club

Dot Browne was President of the Doncaster Womens Athletic Club for 11 years. She represented Australia in the 1982 World Veteran Ocean Games in Fiji, winning 4 Gold Medals and in the 1987 World Veterans Games in Melbourne winning 3 silver Medals.In 1952 Dot was presented with the Order of Australia for her contribution to athletics.Black & white photo of Dot Browne during an athletic event beside a public road.browne dot, athletics, doncaster women's athletic club

Card Cover various with B/W Photos of the Stawell Gift, with a Colour Photograph of four runners finishing the Stawell gift.Stawell;s Gift Sprinting through 125 Golden Years Australia Post (In Logo) The Wimmera Mail Times (In Logo) On rear Cover To The Stawell Athletic Club Congratulations & Thank You Congratulations to the Stawell Athletic Club and all the volunteers and competitors who have contributed to the legend of the Australia Post Stawell Gift. This historic carnival has not only grown to become one of Australia's most prestigious sporting events, it makes a real contribution to the region's economy and spirit. We are proud to be part of your success. Happy 125th Anniversary from your partner. POST Principal Sponsor 1995 to 2002stawell athletic sport

Photograph of 15th Victorian two mile walk championship in 1966. Won by Robert (Bob) Gardiner in 13 min 57.4 sec. Bob was a member of Collingwood Harriers Club. Cinder track replaced by synthetic track at Olympic Park, Swan Street, Melbourne Railway Building where Vodaphone Arena now located. Gardiner, Robert - No 1 Lucas, Alan - No 15- Coburg Harrier Henderson, Jim - No 6- University Athletic Club O'Dwyer, Jim - Finish Recorder| Olympic Parkgardiner, bob, lucas, alan, henderson, jim, o'dwyer, olympic park

Stawell Cycle Club in front of Slattery's Railway Hotel Lower Main Street Stawell 1931 or 1936. Built in Lower Main Street in 1873 opposite Central Pank and the Stawell Athletic Club Rooms. First licensed by W. O Callaghan in 1878. Many others have held this license since. In 1939 it was badly damaged by fire and rebuilt with many improvements. The Kyhat family held the license from 1939 to 1953. Peter McBean held the licensee from 1980.Large group of cyclists lined up in front of railway Hotelhotel

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post" 18-5-94 P9 Ringwood Mayor's Column. Cr Margaret Cheevers.Cr. Cheevers hosted a "thank you" function for many volunteers . The Ringwood Blues football team, a team of intellectually disabled people had a member, Damien Kilner, represent Victoria in a state match in Adelaide. A member of the Ringwood Professional Athletic Club, Rodney Lewis, won the 1994 Stawell Gift. Cr Cheevers also thanked many more Ringwood volunteers in all different areas.`

Program for the Bendigo Thousand, dated Monday, March 12th, 1951. It has a pale blue cover with a map of Australia and some foot runners on the front. Inside the map is a sketch of Pall Mall showing the Post Office and Memorial Hall. Contents include the names of Officials, the contestants in the races, 130 Yards Time Chart, Honor for Champion, Bendigo's Gift Track, Bookmakers' Names and Stand Numbers, a Trotting Race, Scratchings and Red Cross Emergency. Photos include Lloyd La Beach - Competitor, Mr. J. J. Fewster - Secretary, and S. P. Baldwin Winning 1950 Thousand. Included are advertisements: Romney Tailored Knitcraft for Men and Boys, Hearn's Newsagency, Hanro, and B.C.X. Commonwealth Athletic club brochureevent, sports, athletics, bendigo thousand program 1951, commonwealth athletic club, lloyd la beach, albert matthews, barney ewell, j j fewster, hon l w galvin, a e matthews, a j wearne, a w hogben, c michelsen, g wearne, m spencer, the rt hon mr w j mckell, w tovey, a grierson, j trengrove, c hall, w exelby, b pierce, a monagan, l white, b d mcfadyen, b frayne, e johnson, n l hammill, m spencer, j bull, j baker, h leed, j lonergan, j leslie, j mcgregor, g daniels, f porter, w rodda, a graham, l vernon, w foley, r c graham, f marchingo, r conolan, j scott, j hart, red cross emergency service, l killian, d pain, e killian, w beckwith, v a l board, j a troup, dr g p jeffrey, n mcl young, r mcgann, f mccarthy, b monaghan, l harris, j schafe, w bowtell, j hadlington, w g hampton, f price, b ashford, k grose, p slattery, h sandiford, f schilling, l hindson, w mcgrath, a farrar, w l lamers, george pethard, albert matthews, hanro, bcx, s p baldwin, hearn's newsagency, romney tailored knitcraft, paterson laing & bruce ltd, w p lamers, lamers' foot parlors, complaints, ed sayer, cambridge press

This cup was awarded in 1880 to James Dickson Junior for winning a 400 yards race. The cup was awarded by the South Norwood Athletic Club. There is a Norwood in South Australia and Scotland and a South Norwood in London. James Dickson Junior (1859-1949) was born in Warrnambool to James and Susan Dickson. His father had established a general store in Warrnambool in 1855 in partnership with John Cramond. This store, known as Cramond and Dickson, was a prominent one in Warrnambool until its closure in 1973. James Dickson managed the London branch store of Cramond and Dickson from 1870 to 1880 and James Dickson Junior lived in London during that time and went to school in Scotland. So the cup could have been won in Scotland but it is most likely from a London athletics meeting. James Dickson Junior became a senior partner in the Cramond and Dickson business and was a leading citizen in Warrnambool as a director of the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory, a committeeman on the Warrnambool Hospital Board for nearly 50 years and a president of the Warrnambool Racing Club. This cup is of considerable significance as it was won by James Dickson Junior in 1880. James Dickson Junior was a prominent businessman and active community worker in Warrnambool for more than 50 years.This is a silver cup or trophy with a maker’s symbol and four other hallmarks. It is in the shape of a goblet and has the race and winner’s information etched on the side of the cup. It has some small dents.‘South Norwood Athletic Sports 12 June 1880 400 Yards Maiden Race won by J. Dickson Jnr.’cramond and dickson store, warrnambool

This cup was awarded in 1880 to James Dickson Junior for winning a 600 yards race. It was awarded by the South Norwood Athletic Club and was apparently donated by local ladies. There is a Norwood in South Australia and Scotland and a South Norwood in London. James Dickson (1859-1949) was born in Warrnambool to James and Susan Dickson. His father had established a general store in Warrnambool in 1855 in partnership with John Cramond. This store, known as Cramond and Dickson, was a prominent one in Warrnambool until its closure in 1973. James Dickson Senior managed the London branch store of Cramond and Dickson from 1873 to 1880 and James Dickson Junior lived in London at that time and went to school in Scotland. So the cup could have been won in Scotland but it is most likely to have come from a London athletics meeting. James Dickson Junior became a senior partner in the Cramond and Dickson business in Warrnambool and was a leading citizen as a director of the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory, a committeeman of the Warrnambool Hospital Board for nearly 50 years and a president of the Warrnambool Racing Club.This cup is of considerable significance as it was won by James Dickson Junior in 1880. James Dickson was a prominent businessman and active community worker in Warrnambool for more than 50 years. This is a silver cup in a goblet shape mounted on a circular stand. An inscription is engraved on one side of the cup. The cup is a little dinted and tarnished.‘South Norwood Athletic Sports 12th June 1880 600 Yards Ladies Prize Won By J. Dickson Junr.’james dickson, history of warrnambool

Has a strong association with the work of the Royal South Street Society, who published a handbook/guide or manual for their competitions. Used a photograph published at about the same time.Set of 15 photocopies of pages from the Royal South Street Society Guide showing trams in Sturt St Ballarat. .1 - Sturt St Looking East - with an ESCo tram outside the town hall and other horse drawn vehicles - 1907 .2 - Sturt St Looking West - same image as in Reg item 2688 - 1907 .3 - Sturt St Looking East - with many vehicles and people - 1910 and the "Chef" kitch range stove advertisement sold by Middleton and Morris of Sturt St. .4 - Sturt and Lydiard St, with a tram turning from Sturt into Lydiard St, 1910 with the post office in the background - 1910 and an advertisement for Woderine medicine sold by Jas. A. Gear, herbalist. .5 - Sturt St looking West - tram turning from Sturt into Lydiard St, taken from near post office corner - 1911 and a advertisement for Williams the Shoeman. .6 - Sturt St. West - with an ESC0o tram outbound - the only vehicle - 1913. .7 - same photo as .3, with a Monster Military Carnival Advertisement for Nov. 8th - 1913 .8 - Sturt and Lydiard St from next to post office, looking west with two trams, one horse trailer and many people - a busy scene - 1914 .9 - Sebastopol tram No. 21 at Grenville St - 1928 - with the Ballarat Gas Company Show rooms in the background, the Sturt St shelter. The tram has a Suttons Organs roof advertisement. .10 - View of Sturt Street, showing City Hall Buildings, with an ESCo Sebastopol type tramcar crossing the street, taken from the post office stops. - 1928 - Advertisements for G. Ludbrook Furnishing Undertaker (Motor Service and Horse drawn vehicles) and R. Young Grocer. .11 - Sturt St looking West, looking west, with a Sebastopol type tram at Grenville St and the big shelter removed. Has many buildings and many people in the background - 1928. .12 - same photo as for .10 and Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies Collection, Ballarat photograph - 1929. .13 - Advertisement for Ballarat Tramways - cars for Coliseum, fare box, route numbers and route colour scheme - 1929. .14 - as for above, no date, but opposite is the is an item for the Mouth Organ Band Contest, "A" Grade - c1933, notes the Coburg Tramway Athletic Club Harmonica Band and the Malvern Tramways Harmonica band amongst the contestants. .15 - same as .9, with a advertisement for the Melbourne Coffee Palace - Bourke St. Photocopies made by Neville Hasket for the BTM 10/2008. See also Reg item 675 for alternative source details.Handwritten note on photocopiestrams, tramways, ballarat, sturt st., royal south street society, lydiard st, town hall, post office, esco

In 1858 Hugh Wallace , undertaker and cabinet maker, moved from the Assembly Rooms at the corner of Gipps street, and opened his new Bank Hotel in Sackville street, next door to the grand Bank of Australasia. The hotel seems to have been the favourite meeting place for many of the sporting organisations of the time , including the Football, Rowing, Athletic and Gymnastics clubs . The second licensee was Thomas Pearson, who came to Belfast in 1855, working first for the Harbour master Capt. John Mills , then as the first Assistant Lighthouse keeper when it was built in 1859 . He was promoted to Lighthouse keeper 2 years later. The hotel continued in business with a further 8 licensees until it closed in 1918. Since which it has housed a diverse number of businesses, collecting a veranda along the way. It is still in use in Sackville street today. Quite a few of the Licensees of Belfast seem to have also had an interest in the Funeral business. Possibly, it was a good commercial undertaking, the same people providing them with a living selling spirituous liquor, and when they died of the effects , paid again for their burial. Image of a hotel that no longer exists in this formBlack and white photograph of Two story hotel with multi panel window two men and a boy posing on footpathhotel, building, hugh wallace, bank of australasia, thomas pearson, sackville street

Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival 1991, Souvenir Programme, March 14th - 24th. Programme. Debutante Ball x2 Debs presented to Mayor of Eaglehawk Cr. W Carney. Music 'Gaytones'. Gala Fair, Canterbury Park. Organised by Y's Men and Menettes of Eaglehawk. Porcelain Art and Craft Show, Art Show, Stafford Ellison & McKern Awards. Display of Memorabilia, Cornish Association. Children's multi-Dimensional Art Exhibition. Flower Show, sponsored by North West Country Credit. Children's Photographic Display. Photographic Print Competition. Historic California Hill Church, open. Victorian Police Display Unit caravan open to public. Official Opening His Excellency, Dr. Davis McCaughey. A.C. Governor of Victoria. Dahlia and Arts Street Procession. Presentation of Art, Craft Photographic and Literary Awards. 9th Annual Dahlia and Arts Half-Marathon, conducted by Eaglehawk Athletic Club. Ecumenical Church Service, Combined Clergy. Speaker: Rev. Lindsay Faulkner, Eaglehawk Citizens Brass Band. Their Excellencies, the Governor of Victoria, Dr. McGaughey and Mrs McGaughey. Picnic Lunch. Free Concert. Cycling Criterium, Featuring the Tony McCaig Memorial Wheelrace. Barry Kenny Country Roundup. Family Mini Fair. Borough Bingo. Indoor Garden Party. Celebrity Concert. Rotary Club Dinner. Children's Fancy Dress Parade, sponsored by Bendigo Advertiser. Gala Charity Old Time Ball, 'Premiers Orchestra'. Traditional Cornish Concert, Eaglehawk Citizens Brass Band, Val Broad, Annette Beckwith, Steven Higgs. Traditional Cornish Service. Genealogy Society, Cornish Association Display, Walk Tours of Eaglehawk, Ray Wallace. Picnic in the Park followed by family reunions and entertainment. Aussie Clean-up Day. Croquet and Bowls Tournaments. Official Guests: His Excellency, Dr. Davis McCaughey A.C. Governor of Victoria, and Mrs McCaughey. Mayor of Eaglehawk: Cr. W Carney J.P. Festival President: Cr Lola Miller B.E.M. Vice Presidents: Alan Bull & Kevin Herdman. Executive Officer: Ruth Claridge. Treasurer: Mary Mills. Committee Members: Alan Pearce, Harold Trahair, Wendy Holland, Trevie Dineen, Wayne Evans, Rebecca Evans, Jean Tebb, Lois Locket, Pam Wright Ron Dineen, Sandie Morris, Wayne Morris, Joyce Shelton, Dot White, Ric Norris, Ron Watts, Noel Thomas, Lorna Thomas, Ted Brown, Heather Bull, Dennis Cock, Edith Mudford, Ron Mudford, Anne Scott. Acknowledgements: Councillors, Officers and Staff of the Eaglehawk Borough Council, and by members of the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk. Lions Club of Eaglehawk. Judges of various awards. Sponsors, donors of procession prizes, voluntary workers, dedicated community of Eaglehawk. Sponsors: Stafford Ellison, Borough of Eaglehawk, Bendigo Bank, KcKern Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Bendigo Advertiser, State Bank of Victoria.event, entertainment, eaglehawk dalia and arts festival, eaglehawk dahlia & arts festival 1991, programme, march 14th - 24th. programme. debutante ball x2 debs. music 'gaytones'. gala fair, canterbury park. organised by y's men and menettes of eaglehawk. porcelain art and craft show, art show, stafford ellison & mckern awards. memorabilia, cornish association. children's multi-dimensional art exhibition. flower show, sponsored by north west country credit. children's photographic display. photographic print competition. historic california hill church, . victorian police display unit caravan open to public. street procession. presentation of art, craft photographic literary awards. 9th annual dahlia and arts half-marathon, conducted by eaglehawk athletic club. ecumenical church service, combined clergy. rev. lindsay faulkner, eaglehawk excellencies, the governor of victoria, dr. mcgaughey and mrs mcgaughey. picnic lunch. free concert. cycling criterium, featuring the tony mccaig memorial wheelrace. barry kenny country roundup. family mini fair. borough bingo. indoor garden party. celebrity concert. rotary club dinner. children's fancy dress parade, sponsored by bendigo advertiser. gala charity old time ball, 'premiers orchestra'. traditional cornish concert, eaglehawk citizens brass band, val broad, annette beckwith, steven higgs. traditional cornish service. genealogy society, cornish association display, walk tours of eaglehawk, ray wallace. picnic in the park family reunions and entertainment. aussie clean-up day. croquet bowls tournaments. official guests: his excellency, dr. davis mccaughey a.c. governor of victoria, and mrs mccaughey. mayor of eaglehawk: cr. w carney j.p. festival president: cr lola miller b.e.m. vice presidents: alan bull & kevin herdman. executive officer: ruth claridge. treasurer: mary mills. committee members: alan pearce, harold trahair, wendy holland, trevie dineen, wayne evans, rebecca evans, jean tebb, lois locket, pam wright ron dineen, sandie morris, wayne morris, joyce shelton, dot white, ric norris, ron watts, noel thomas, lorna thomas, ted brown, heather bull, dennis cock, edith mudford, ron mudford, anne scott. acknowledgements: councillors, officers and staff of the eaglehawk borough council, and by members of the rotary club of eaglehawk. lions club of eaglehawk. judges of various awards. sponsors, donors of procession prizes, voluntary workers, dedicated community of eaglehawk. sponsors: stafford ellison, borough of eaglehawk, bendigo bank, kckern manufacturing pty ltd, bendigo advertiser, state bank of victoria.

Childers Cove is situated about 15 ks east of Warrnambool in the area known as Mepunga. It is named after the shipwreck of 'The Children.The documents relate to the running of the Childer's Cove Progress Association. There are a number of social activities including gymkhanas, racing meetings, making of roads and improving with planting trees There are many names which are still familiar with the area nearly 100 years later, including Wallace, McDowall, Burleigh, Murnane, Bonnett, Abraham Laidlaw Keogh Holloway and Palmer. Some of the meetings were held at the Mepunga South School with others held at Eckers Hotel Warrnambool and some at the race course. Fundraising events were held also from athletic meetings and district school children's races. This collection of papers is representative of many small communities around Australia where people came together and worked to improve their community facilities. It therefore has strong social and historic significance.This is a collection of papers most of which relate to the Childer's Cove Progress Association. Included are: .1 Minute Book/ Exercise book Childer's Cove Progress Association.May 1928-1932 .2 Minute Book/ Exercise book Childer's Cove Progress Association. 1924-1926 .3 Letter from Warrnambool Football Club 1930. .4 Account Archibald MacFarlane & Co March 1929 .5 Western District Racing Association Oct 1929. .6 Federal Taxation Dep Re Entertainment Tax 11/02/1930 .7 Chief Secretary Office re Racing Permits March 1923. .8-.9 Warrnambool Standard Invoices Jan 1930's .10 Archibald MacFarlane & Co Jan 1930. .11 Chief Office for Stamp Duties 12/02/1928 .12 Flyer - Childer's Cove Progress Association April 17 1926. .13 Flyer- Monster Gymkhana 12/02/ 1927. .14 Handwritten Invoice Charles Palmer Nov 1929. .15 Cheque Book Childer's Cove Progress Association 1929-31. .16 Deposit Book Childer's Cove Progress Association 1932-1942 .17 Bundle of invoices. .1 C J Caddy & Sons.2 Western Ice & Ice Products .3 Department of Lands & Survey Aug 1923 .4 J S Tait re Licence April 1924 .5 Warrnambool Standard31/12/1923 .6 Warrnambool Standard 31/03/1924 .7 Devenish & Co August 1924 .8 Warrnambool Standard 31/06/1924 H J Paynter & Co 03/05/1924 .10 Chief Secretary's Office Melbourne 01/05/1924 with receipt. .11 Permit for a race meeting April 19 1924 .12 Commonwealth of Australia Entertainment Tax 06/09/1924.13 Commonwealth of Australia Entertainment Notice 27/08/01924 .14 Commonwealth of Australia Entertainment Tax notice 12/08/1924 .18 William Ardlie handwritten letter 28/03/1928 .19 Envelope Addressed to W R Abrahams .20 Final notice Handwritten Charles Palmer Jan 1930. .21 Balance Sheet Childer's Cove Racing Club 18/03/1929 .22 H J Paynter & Co Account and receipt 25/02/1930. .23 Raglan Parade Timber Yards Alex Donaldson Feb 1930. .24 The School Paper Feb 1964 No 741 childer's cove, mepunga, childer's cove progress association

James Albert Rintoule entered Ballarat College 1888; son of Robert Rintoule of Nhill and previously educated at Nhill State School to the 5th Form. James was a significant sportsman winning medals for high jump in 1888 and 1891 as well as hurdles in 1891. He continued his sports after leaving the school, winning the 1893 Albion Football Club Best Place Player. James' great nephew and niece James (1962) and Helen (1967) also attended the school. Such elaborate rewards for athletic events demonstrates the significance of sports in the school's culture at the end of the 19th century. Gold shield medal on fine gold link chain; engraved border around face and verso of shiled; inscribed on face and verso.Face: J Rintoule / 1st HIGH JUMP / UPPER 15 / 1888 Verso: Ballarat College crestballarat-college, james-rintoule, high-jump, 1888, medal

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. Handbook of Athletic Sports Vol 8 Gymnastics and Indian Clubs Edited by Ernest Bell Publisher: George Bell & Sons Date: 1891Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 790 BEL Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a 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, handbook of athletic sports vol 8, indian clubs, ernest bell