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Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Savony Melbourne, George Leslie Rayment in civilian dress
George (1895-1976) lived in Middlesex Road, Surrey Hills. He was a clerk and aged 20 when he enlisted on 16 November 1914. He was the son of James Rayment Jnr and his wife Harriet Frances (nee Ratten). He was assigned to 3rd Light Horse Brigade, Headquarters and embarked on TRANSPORT A16 Star Of Victoria on 25 February 1915. He returned to Australia 22 March 1917. His brother James A Rayment also enlisted and was assigned to the 5th Field Company Engineers. Both are listed on The Shrine in the Surrey Gardens. One of his daughters was Dr Dulcie Rayment, obstetrician & gynaecologist.A digital copy of a formal photo of George Leslie (Les) Rayment in AIF uniform; no hat.world war 1, george leslie rayment, les rayment, shrine surrey gardens -
Federation University Historical Collection
Document, Hamilton "Spectator" print, Hamilton Memorial Service for King George V, 01/1936
The Hamilton service for the late King George V was held at Melville Oval on Tuesday 28 January 1936 at 3pm. King George V was born on 03 June 1865, and visited Hamilton in 1881. He ascended to the throne in May 1910, his coronation being held on 22 June 1911. The second visit of King George to Australia was in 1901, and his silver jubilee of reign was in 1935. he died on 21 January 1936. Hamilton Town Councillors in 1936 were James Young (Mayor), J.G. Stewart, E.R. Waters, H. Water, H.P. Sabelberg, G.C. Shilcock, J.W. Tulloch, C.J.B. Moodie, D.T.H. Fenton. Dundas Shire Councillors in 1936 were E.B. Niske (President), G.A. Christie, H. Crawford, W.J. Balkin, H.R.A. Bull, J. Kirkwood, J. McFarlane, J.J. Murray, R.B. Shilcock. The program was located in the book 'Passing of the Aborigines' by Daisy Bates.Four page paper programme for the Town of Hamilton Memorial service to the late King, his Majesty King George V. The centre pages include the order of service.chatham family archive, chatham, king george, royalty, hamilton, james young (mayor), stewart, waters, water, sabelberg, shilcock, tulloch, moodie, fenton, d niske (president), christie, crawford, balkin, bull, kirkwood, mcfarlane, murray, shilcock., r.b. shilcock, d. niske, s=g.c. shilcock -
Melbourne Legacy
Article, Legatee George W Blackwood, President 1975
A cutting from from a Melbourne Legacy President's report showing a photo of Legatee George Blackwood (President of Melbourne Legacy in 1975). It was collected to be a record of a photo of past presidents. In World War 2 Legatee Blackwood served in the AIF in the Middle East, New Guinea and Borneo in the Corps of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and was awarded an OBE for services whilst commanding the 2/1 Army Field Workshop with the 9th Australian Division in the Alamein Campaign. He achieved the rank of Colonel. He joined Legacy in 1964 on the nomination of Legatees John Summerton and AN Fraser. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of Legatee George Blackwood a past president of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Article with a black and white photo of Legatee George W Blackwood - President 1975past presidents, george blackwood -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph - A.I.F, Soldier George E Carter in Uniform -- Stiudio Portrait
Soldier in Uniform George E Carter 28th Battalion Ascot Camp Belmont W.A. POST CARD to Ruth from Rolleston England. Yours truly, George E Carter W.A. 17th Reinforcements 28th Battn. Belmontsstawell ww1 -
City of Greater Bendigo - Civic Collection
Souvenir - Mug, Burleigh Pottery, Coronation of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth, 1937
This mug was produced to commemorate the coronation of George VI and his wife, Elizabeth, as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on Wednesday 12 May 1937. On 26th April 1923 (as Duke of York) Prince Albert married in Westminster Abbey to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later to become The Queen Mother). Prince Albert, Duke of York, was the second son of King George V and Queen Mary and was born on 14th December 1895 on the Sandringham estate. On the abdication of his brother Edward VIII in December 1936 he was proclaimed King and took one of his middle name, George, on succeeding to the throne. Born 14th December 1895 King George died on the 6th February, 1937. Cream coloured ceramic mug with printed text and images. Outside of mug; Coronation of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth / May 1937 base; Burleigh / Made / in / England / Official design / Made in Englandmaking a nation exhibition -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, WIKOFF, Henry et al, Biographical sketches of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, first President of France, including a visit to the Prince at the Castle of Ham / by Henry Wikoff ; to which is added, A brief account of the French Revolution of 1848, and an appendix containing poetical and prose writings of Louis Napoleon / by George Grant, 1849?
Book from the Cleeland Bequest - a comprehensive collection of books relating to the History of England, Civil & Military, Religious, Intellectual & Social. Cleeland Bequest. Inscribed: Mrs D..... Richmond .. Sept 16/69 ...... ........napoleon iii, emperor of the french, cleeland bequest -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, HUME & SMOLLETT, history of England : from the invasion of Julius Caesar to the end of the reign of George II, 1854-1855
Labelled 'Cowes Free Public Library', 'Phillip Island Historical Society, Cleeland Bequest'. -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, HERBERT, George, Poetical works of George Herbert with memoir by J. Nichol ; ed. Charles Cowden Clarke, 1865
Labelled 'Phillip Island Historical Society, Cleeland Bequest'. -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, ELIOT, George, works of George Eliot : Daniel Deronda, v. 2, bks. 3-6
Labelled: Cowes Free Public Library. Labelled: Phillip Island Historical Society, Cleeland Bequest. -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Book, Reid, Sir George Houstoun, My Reminiscences Sir George Reid, 1917
Ex - Portland Free Library Museum and Literary Institute, purchased 1/6/1917.Dark green cloth-covered board covers and spine. Black text and graphics on front cover. 16 photogravure plates.Front: Portland Free Library Museum and Literary Institute....purchased 1.6.17 (inside front cover, label) Back: (no inscriptions) -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Changi Photographer : George Aspinall's Record of Captivity, 1984
George Aspinalls photography hobby during captivity has resulted in a unique visual diary.Index, ill, p.141.non-fictionGeorge Aspinalls photography hobby during captivity has resulted in a unique visual diary.world war 1939 – 1945 - prisons and prisoners – japanese, changi prison -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Book, George Bernard Shaw, The Complete Plays of George Bernard Shaw, 1957
Hardcover, No Dust JacketTwo flower clippings pressed inside between sheets of baking paperwalsh st library -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Ian D Clark, The papers of George Augustus Robinson, Chief Protector, Port Phillip Aboriginal Protectorate : volume one : Chief Protector?s Office Journal 1839-1850, 2000
Notes made mainly by the clerks of the Protector?s office. Includes lists of the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people living in the area at the time. -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Letter, George Leutchees, George Leutchees to Robin Boyd, 17.06.1971
Congratulation note to Robin Boyd for Commander of British Empire honour. -
Federation University Art Collection
Drawing - Artwork, 'Luigi' by George Lambert, 1954
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed drawing of a man.art, artwork, drawing, available -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, George Bell and Sons, Life of George Washington v.1, 1901
A biography of George Washingtonp.436.non-fictionA biography of George Washingtongeorge washington 1732-1799, presidents - united states - biography -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, George Bell and Sons, Life of George Washington v.2, 1901
A biography of George Washingtonp.471.non-fictionA biography of George Washingtongeorge washington 1732-1799, presidents - united states - biography -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, George Bell and Sons, Life of George Washington v.3, 1901
A biography of George Washingtonp.395.non-fictionA biography of George Washingtongeorge washington 1732-1799, presidents - united states - biography -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, George Bell and Sons, Life of George Washington v.4, 1901
A biography of George WashingtonIndex, p.401.non-fictionA biography of George Washingtongeorge washington 1732-1799, presidents - united states - biography -
Linton Mechanics Institute and Free Library Collection
Book - Novel, Vaizey, Mrs George de Horne, Cynthia Charrington by Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey (aka Jessie Bell, Jessie Mansergh), 1911
Hardcover book with a black fabric cover and brown leather spine. 344 pages. fictionfiction -
Linton Mechanics Institute and Free Library Collection
Book - Novel, Sims, George R, Biographs of Babylon by George R. Sims, 1902
A collection of stories.Hardcover book with a grey cover. A colour image of three men and a woman along the bank of a river on cover. 240 pages.fictionA collection of stories.george r. sims, fiction -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Poetical Works of George Crabbe
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 MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much-loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. 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 Poetical Works of George Crabbe Author: George Crabbe Publisher: Gall & Inglis Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute 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, the poetical works of george crabbe, george crabbe -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, George Leslie Rayment in AIF uniform
George (1895-1976) lived in Middlesex Road, Surrey Hills. He was a clerk and aged 20 when he enlisted on 16 November 1914. He was the son of James Rayment Jnr and his wife Harriet Frances (nee Ratten). He was assigned to 3rd Light Horse Brigade, Headquarters and embarked on TRANSPORT A16 Star Of Victoria on 25 February 1915. He returned to Australia 22 March 1917. His brother James A Rayment also enlisted and was assigned to the 5th Field Company Engineers. Both are listed on The Shrine in the Surrey Gardens. One of his daughters was Dr Dulcie Rayment, obstetrician & gynaecologist.A digital copy of a formal photo of George Leslie (Les) Rayment in profile in AIF uniform including hat.world war 1, george leslie rayment, les rayment, shrine surrey gardens -
Streatham and District Historical Society
Picture, George Davis & Eric Hamilton 1929
Both men are dressed in typical clothing of the time period. They are dressed for going out as they are attending the Stawell Gift which was very popular at the time for a annual outing.Demonstrates typical dress of the period for local residents.Rectangular Black & white. Two men dressed in typical clothing of the time period. Suit, tie and hat. They are standing together posing for the photo.In red ink stamped across the back Kodak Nov 85m. Written in blue ink "George Davis & Eric Hamilton ready to go to Stawell gift 1929"gift, george, streatham, nerrin, davis, stawell, eric, hamilton -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, George Cox's Shed, Cowes Beach, Phillip Island, 1914
George Cox was in Gibraltar with the British Navy when he heard about "gold" in Australia. In his latter days, as the mailman, he was granted a fisherman's license which enabled him to build a hut on the foreshore below the Isle of Wight and eastward of the Jetty. This is shown in the photograph.Scene of beach and tongue of land leading to the beach. The Jetty shed is mostly obscured by trees. George Cox's hut is tucked into the sweep of corner on the foreshore, large trees behind it.The Rose Series P 673 Near the pier Cowes, Phillip Island, Victorialocal history, photographs, george cox's hut, cowes foreshore, sepia photograph, betty kus collection, george cox, mailman, foreshore hut, phillip island, bruce bennett -
City of Ballarat
Artwork, other - Public Artwork, Wallace Anderson, George Houston Reid (Prime Ministers' Walk) by Wallace Anderson, c1940
George Reid was Prime Minister of Australia from 1904 to 1905 and was Leader of the Opposition for six of the first seven years of the Australian parliament. The Prime Ministers Avenue is a collection of bronze bust portraits of the Prime Ministers of Australia, located at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens in Ballarat, Victoria. The Prime Ministers' portraits are commissioned after the incumbent term of each Prime Minister by the City of Ballarat. The City of Ballarat has taken responsibility for commissioning the busts after funds set aside by politician Richard Armstrong Crouch were exhausted in 2014. Crouch originally donate money to pay for six busts, the first of which was unveiled in 1940. The collection of prime ministers' busts are unique in Australia, representing the only sculptural portrait collection of all past Australian Prime Ministers. The different styles used reflect the unique artistic practices of the selected artists; textures, sizes and features and proportions are used by the artists to interpret the characteristics of each of the subjects.The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of BallaratBronze bust cast on granite plinthGeorge Houston Reid Prime Minister 1904-05prime minister, australian pm, george reid, parliament of australia -
Melbourne Legacy
Article, Bulletin VALE Legatee George Blackwood
An article from the Melbourne Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee George Blackwood (President of Melbourne Legacy in 1975). The Bulletin published articles on Legatees when they passed away. Legatee Blackwood, born in 1907 and died in 1982. In World War 2 Legatee Blackwood served in the AIF in the Middle East, New Guinea and Borneo in the Corps of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and was awarded an OBE for services whilst commanding the 2/1 Army Field Workshop with the 9th Australian Division in the Alamein Campaign. He achieved the rank of Colonel. He joined Legacy in 1964 on the nomination of Legatees John Summerton and AN Fraser. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of Legatee George Blackwood a past president of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Typed copy of a page from the Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee George Blackwood - President 1975Bulletin No 1209. 17.6.1982. Page No 3 and 4past presidents, vale, george blackwood -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Document, Pioneering Days by George Everard
This is an extract from "The memories of an Itinerant worker [swaggie] by George Everard. Forward by Horace W. Gould MBE" This is a rare example of a diary of a swaggie. This extract is also called Pioneering Days : journal of G. Everard, Victoria 1977HistoricalFoolscap sized photocopy of a handwritten account of the life of George Everard when he arrived in Melbourne in 1851, describing the town and his employment and life on Phillip and French Islands working for the McHaffies. george everard, john david mchaffie, itinerant workers, french island, ballangiech ship, lifestyle -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, George Moore
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. George Moore Merchant and Thilanthropist Author: Samuel Smiles Publisher: George Routledge and Sons Date: 1878 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 MOO 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, george moore, samuel smiles -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Envelope, Packet: St Valentine's card given by Mr George Pratt (Ringwood Butcher) to Mrs Anne Pratt (Girlie), c.1958
St Valentine's card given by Mr George Pratt to Mrs Anne Pratt (Girlie). George Pratt was a butcher in Ringwood for many years. +Additional Keywords: Pratt, George / Pratt, Anne