Transcript: Athenaeum building celebrates 170 years Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 11/11/2009 Reporter: Lisa Whitehead Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne’s Athenaeum building has, in one form or other, provided education and entertainment for the Victorian colony as it became a city; and along the way, documented its growth. Transcript KERRY O’BRIEN, PRESENTER: Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne's Athenaeum building has, in one form or another, provided education and entertainment. For the Victorian colonies it became a city and along the way documented its growth. The building's original library and theatre still draw devotees and as Lisa Whitehead reports, a loyal band of volunteers. KEVIN QUIGLEY, ATHENAEUM PRESIDENT: There's nothing like us that has been here from day one, four years after the boat pushed ashore, here we are. It's a thread that runs through the life of Melbourne. LISA WHITEHEAD, REPORTER: In the heart of Melbourne's CBD, the Athenaeum is a celebrity in disguise, the oldest cultural icon in the city, but barely noticed. MARJORIE DALVEAN, VOLUNTEER HISTORIAN: People of Melbourne walk past this area and they have no idea what it is. RAY LAWLER, PLAYWRIGHT: It seemed to me to be a place that absolutely, or breathes Melbourne, I suppose, culture. LISA WHITEHEAD: Just four years after Melbourne was founded, the colony built a Mechanic's Institution, one of the first in the world, a place where the working class could meet and learn. KEVIN QUIGLEY: People think of it as Wild West sort of place where these hearty types drank and rushed about, but Melbourne was freely settled. It was a city of people who wanted to better themselves - entrepreneurs. And the Mechanic's Institution was that innovative idea that had grown up in Edinburgh and London about providing an opportunity for education for the working people. LISA WHITEHEAD: Mark Twain lectured there. Later, other buildings were added and a theatre to host classic plays. And it adopted its more bourgeois friendly title of the Athenaeum. Crucially from the start there was the library, the first to offer affordable lending to the working man. And it still attracts devotees. Former University lecturer Margaret Bowman, 89, comes in every Wednesday, along with her dog to join an enthusiastic band of volunteers sorting through the archives. MARGARET BOWMAN, FORMER UNIVERSITY LECTURER: Doing research is something that I find actually I enjoy more than anything. Every old lady needs to have a project and now I've got a project. MARJORIE DALVEAN: Margaret, Christine has just found out that Alfred Deakin was a member here from 1874 to 1877. This place is not flashy, we've never been flashy. But book lovers walk in here and they know this is the place for them. ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: Old times and old names. The Athenaeum theatre in Melbourne for more than 40 years has been one of the city's best known cinemas. LISA WHITEHEAD: In the 20th century, the theatre surrendered to the new craze of talking pictures, and one particular fan was famous Australian playwright Ray Lawler. At 13, he dropped out of school to work in a Footscray factory and two years later his first trip to the glamorous Athenaeum cinema hinted at the education he was missing. RAY LAWLER: It just had a style about it which I responded to, I think. I was looking for something and this seemed to be part of it. Ray Lawler went on to write "Summer of the Seventeenth Doll" and found literary fame overseas. About a century after it had started as an educational place for the working man, Ray Lawler had, in effect, become an Athenaeum graduate. RAL LAWLER: If they had been looking for the sort of person that they were hoping to encourage along the way, I suppose I would have been somebody that might have fitted the mould, you know. LISA WHITEHEAD: In time, the cinema was returned to its theatrical roots. FRANK THRING, 1977: It has a great resemblance to the Theatre Royal in Hobart which Larry Olivier has called the best theatre he's ever worked in. And it's almost identical. It is the true Victorian playhouse. The horseshoe shaped thing: stalls, dress circle and gallery. And you're close to the audience and they're close to you. Marvellous feeling. LISA WHITEHEAD: Today, it's still a theatre. But time has brought compromises. The once vaunted art gallery has now covered its windows and become a comedy club and performance space. TV and suburban life have eaten away at the library membership. It offers an online service now, and a recent federal government grant will pay for the upkeep of its gracious interior, including the 1930s elevator Ray Lawler used to ride. For him, it's money well spent on history quietly made and discreetly observed. RAY LAWLER: It's the lack of awareness, I think, that people don't know what they've got here. They've really got the whole history of Melbourne almost. KEVIN QUIGLEY: It was a similar organisation in Sydney but we are the only one that's got a continual lineage on the same spot. We started here and we're still here and we'll be here for another 100 years. KERRY O'BRIEN: Lisa Whitehead on a great Melbourne landmark. © 2010 ABC | Privacy Policy Beginning as the Melbourne Mechanics' Institution in 1839, the Melbourne Athenaeum has a long history that reflects the cultural and social development of Melbourne. It continues to be managed as a not-for-profit organisation by a volunteer board, with a subscription library (maintained since 1839) and a leased theatre.Video broadcast ABC 7:30 Report for 11/11/2009. "Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne’s Athenaeum building has, in one form or other, provided education and entertainment for the Victorian colony as it became a city; and along the way, documented its growth."athenaeum, australian broadcasting corporation, kerry o’brien, kevin quigley, lisa whitehead, marjorie dalvean, ray lawler, margaret bowman, frank thring.

Copy of an article from the Bendigo Advertiser 1/9/1990 mentioning the Cornish influence on Victorian gold mining during the 1880's and 1890's. Also mentioned is population growth, rock drills and miner's phthisis.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - cornishmen brought their mining skills to bendigo, bendigo advertiser 1/9/1990, dr charles fahey, cornish association of bendigo and district, bendigo college of advanced education, george lansell, the mining exchange, beehive building, eaglehawk fire station, george ellis

A report on Melbourne's future growth and a strategic plan to manage this growth, 2000.36 p., text, col. illus., maps and col. plansmelbourne (victoria), town planning, infrastructure victoria

A report on Melbourne's future growth and a strategic plan to manage this growth, 2000.8 p., text, col. illus.melbourne (victoria), town planning, infrastructure victoria

When Norway surrendered in 1940, citizens in overseas locations banded together to form a volunteer force. It was eventually officially recognised and grew to be an effective fighting force in the taking back of Norway.Dark cover magazine with picture of soldier on front with an arctic snow background with several grounded gliders behind him. Arctic scene going over to the back. Contents contain pictures and descriptions of establishment of free Norway Forces and their growth as a viable fighting force.Headed "Arctic War - Norway's Role on the Northern Front."ww2, magazine, norway resistence

74 page printed Historical Record of growth and development of Cohn Bros Ltd. Entitled: '' 115 Years of Service''. Preface by J M Cohn, Managing Director. Inscribed in handwriting on inside cover to Val Moyle? With thanks from Jack Cohn. Dated June 1971.business, cohn brothers, 115 year history, cohn brothers, j m cohn, val moyle.

Bendigos Mining History 1851 - 1954. An overview of some of the trends in mining growth, development and ultimate decline of gold mining in Bendigo. Published by the Bendigo Trust, first edition of 4000 copies, 79 pages with photographs, illustrations & maps plus a newspaper cutting dated 1997.James A Lerk.bendigo, history, gold mining, bendigo - history, gold mining, bendigo gold mines.

Yields information about the view of a well known newspaper columnist about Ballarat and its various cultural icons.Photocopy of "A Place in the Sun", written by Keith Dunstan, Sun - News - Pictorial, 26/1/1972. Keith writes about Ballarat, its growth, its problems, the old trams, the BTPS and its work, Sturt St centre plantation, Sovereign Hill and its work.trams, tramways, btps, sovereign hill, ballarat

Colour Photograph of Brick building with flag pole and Flag surrounded by wire fence and a sign to the rightOn Building: Deep Lead S.S. 721 On Sign: Community Support Fund: The Deep Lead Redevelopment Project Is A Partnership for Growth Joint Initiative with the Northern Grampians Shire and the Deep Lead Progress Association. deep lead school, education

The Wycheproof Craft Group emblem made by Mrs Elaine Storey depicts a large ram and showcases beautifully, wool colours and versatility of creator and medium used. The wool industry, since Wycheproof's settlement days, has greatly supported the town, families and farming in general.The wool picture is the emblem of a local group that met between 1977 and 2010.This item is aesthetically significant as a visually pleasing craft piece that demonstrates the adaptability of skills to raw materials.It is representative of the lifeblood of the town of Wycheproof for 145 years.A framed wool picture constructed entirely from natural fleece, showing a merino ram in a paddock with natural looking vegetation growth. The subject aptly lends itself to a subtle display of various shades of wool colours. It is framed in oak wood.The word WYCHEPROOF is worked in fleece in an arc formation.Wycheproof Craft Group 1977-2010storey, wycheproof craft, wycheproof wool, spinners weavers, elaine

The Hardy Tradition, Tracing the growth and development of a great wine-making family through its first hundred years. Thomas Hardy & Sons Ltd Adelaide. Printed by The Advertiser printing office, Adelaide 50 pages with black and white photographs, contains loose photograph plus a loose article on Angoves ltd.book, wine industry, wine industry, thomas hardy & sons, south australia.

Barbara Richmond was Head Prefect in 1961 and was President of the Old Grammarians 1967-1997 [there was a period of four years when she was a committee member only]Student exercise book with lessons on Mothercraft includes 10 lessons handwritten by donor Barbara Richmond (CGGS 1950-1961) on topics including: Mothercraft; Preparing for baby; General care of baby; Growth & Development; Bathing Baby; Natural feeding; Educational diet; Artificial feeding; Vitamins; Safety first for baby.Front cover; handwritten in blue pen: "Barbara Richmond VC, Mothercraft, Camberwell C. of E. GG School"

Letter from Arts Victoria Music '81 (Dianne Brown, Co-ordinator) to Dr Fisher dated 14th Oct 1981 re a meeting to be chaired by David Wright on 26th October with guest speaker, John Little. - an ''opportunity to create a vigorous committee to further encourage growth in all areas of the arts''.'

Double-sided fold-out pages from Weekly Times (30/4/1932) 'Bendigo - City of Sustained Growth'. Sixteen viewes and inset protrait of Mayor, Cr. Garvin and Town Clerk, H C Ingleton. Brief description of each photograph. Contained in envelope RHSV (Bendigo Branch) 1959/63place, bendigo

This atlas was collected, along with fifteen other items, from St George's Hospital in Kew, Victoria, on the final day of obstetric services provided by the hospital. After 28/11/1998, all obstetric deliveries from the Birralee Maternity Service (St George's) were via Box Hill Hospital. Black hardcover book, with silver lettering on cover. Text printed on cover reads 'BIRTH ATLAS/SECOND EDITION/MATERNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION/NEW YORK'. Book contains 17 pages with 24 plates of sculptures depicting the stages of fetal growth from conception to 14 days postpartum. Published by Dickinson & Buskie.st georges hospital kew, obstetrics

Picture history of Box Hill showing the development of the area from 1960 - 1994 with rapid population growth and major administrative changes. Photos include government, community services, industry, transport, shops, churches, sport, entertainment and arts, people, schools, houses and "Salute to Box Hill" (the end of Box Hill as a City).box hill, history, photographs, government, community services, industry, transport, shops, churches, sport, entertainment, arts, people, schools, houses, 1960 - 1994

The book has a dark green and brown leather hardback cover. There are also water stains and what appears to be mould growth. The cover has an Imprinted border around the edges of the title. The spine is torn at the top and bottom. A page is torn out between front cover and introduction page. The pages have stains from use and some foxing. On May 20 1812, a group of Church of England evangelical clergy & laity met in The Freemasons' Tavern in Great Queen Street, London, to form "The Prayer Book and Homily Society." The founders were also members of the Church Missionary Society (founded 1799) and the British and Foreign Bible Society (founded 1804). The purpose of this Society was to print and distribute the Book of Common Prayer (1662) in English and in other languages, as needed by missionaries; and also to publish "The Book of Homilies" which is referred to in "The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion" as a source of the foundational doctrine of the Church of England by law established. The Society published the Prayer Book in at least 12 languages and seems to have been at the peak of its activity in 1828-1833. The Homilies were only published in English and in editions without the critical apparatus. http://pbs1928.blogspot.com/2003/01/prayer-book-homily-society.htmlreligion, religious text, sermons, homilies

Poster gives a brief outline of the history and growth of Gilpin organization.Light Brown paper with dark brown writing and images.gilpin, drapery, ironmongery, chain stores, advertising

Used to remove polyps or other growths, using a tightening chain to gradually lacerate the growth, minimizing haemorrhage. Devised by Charles Marie Edouard Chassaignac (1805-1879) who was a surgeon in Paris. The manufacturer of this item was possibly Geo. Tiemann & Co Surgical Instruments USA. Metal ecraseur, Chassaignac's design. The straight shaft can be extended, and has a straight handle at one end and a metal loop at the other. destructive instruments

Made by Tracie Bartram, a local artist, this pot represents the growth and change. 1 large earthenware pot painted light blue on outside with words in braille and cursiveShimmer Grow Full bloom Smell Buzzzzzz Bee Happy Slide Zip The colour Flutter by Be free Feel the love grow Crawl royal blind society of new south wales, artwork

The table was used in the Charing Cross Infant Welfare Centre. The Maternal and Child Health Service (Infant Welfare) began in Victoria in 1917 when, in response to high levels of infant morbidity and mortality, the first voluntary Infant Welfare Centres began to emerge. The first centres were established in Richmond and Carlton and received a Council subsidy.A table with an open box fixed to the top it 100 centimetres long 55 centimetres wide with 14 centimetre sides. The table was used to measure the length of babies to record growth. One end is shaped the fit a baby's head when it is lying on the table, the other end slides to the baby's feet. There is a 90 centimetre measuring tape fixed on to the table top.charing cross infant welfare, infant measuring table

c1910 Lookout tower on the hill behind tthe school at Olinda.This shows the first one built. It was followed by a covered lookout. This position lost its value when the trees grew high. The descriptive text on the reverse of this photograph was hand written by John Lundy-Clarke.The lookout on the top of Mt Olinda 1910. This one was the first one it was followed by a covered one but the position lost its value with the growth of trees in the area. It is looking towards what is now Kalorama and the Jeeves clearing in the gap can be seen at the extreme left. lookout, tower, mt olinda, mount olinda

Customs and traditions are important factors in the growth of maintenance of our esprit de corps.Red imitation leather booklet with gold lettering for title. Above title is gold Army symbol. Bound with centre stapling. Pages 90gsm. Contains amendments 1 and 2A Guide to Customs of the Army....Title.On reverse cover...7610/66/118/7012........RM83/30184......Cat.No.84 3209 1....ISBN 0 644 00589 0....HAND WRITTEN 0004.dominion press, military, booklet, royal australian army, australian government publishing services, customs, army, customs of the army