Black and white photograph of Coach and Horses Hotel.Typed below photograph, "Coach and Horses Hotel. 1909-1939".

Certificate issued by Melbourne City Council inscribed, 'This is to Certify that School of Horticulture Burnley Exhibited Cultivated Native Flowers at "Garden City," Treasury Gardens, Melbourne during the period 23rd October to 18th November, 1939, Town Hall, Melbourne. Signed by A.W. Coles, Lord Mayor of Melbourne.Certificate issued by Melbourne City CouncilCertificate issued by Melbourne City Council inscribed, 'This is to Certify that School of Horticulture Burnley Exhibited Cultivated Native Flowers at "Garden City," Treasury Gardens, Melbourne during the period 23rd October to 18th November, 1939, Town Hall, Melbourne. Signed by A.W. Coles, Lord Mayor of Melbourne.certificates, melbourne city council, flowers, plants, exhibition, treasury gardens, a.w.coles, 1939

A Group photograph of construction workers - circa 1930's g.o.r; construction-work-circa-1930's;

Canoeing on the River Yarra at Melbourne was an important and widespread recreational pursuit for Melbournians, especially in the first half of the twentieth century. The Victorian Canoe Club was formed in 1912 at a meeting in Melbourne and its first committee elected in the same year. Records indicate that the Club continued into at least the 1950s .The photos in this album are historically and socially significant as a record of recreational activities in the first half of the twentieth century. A number of photographs in the album provide views of sections of the Yarra, as well as areas in regional Victoria, that may otherwise be unavailable.One of 12 sepia [faded] photographs of members of the Victorian Canoe Club. The first photo reveals three of the four club members leaving their clubhouse in Studley Park to travel downstream to the Lower Yarra and beyond to Port Phillip Bay. "Xmas 1930. Leaving Studley Park"victorian canoe club, river yarra, travel -- 1930s, canoeing

.1) Vol I The War of 1939, 195 pages .2) Vol II The War of 1939, 245 pages .3) Vol III The War of 1939, 286 pages .4) Vol IV The War of 1939, 268 pages .5) Vol V The War of 1939, 275 pages .6) Vol VI The War of 1939, 270 pages Blue hard cover with gold text on cover, black & white photos & black & white illustrations.books, military history

The Shire of Grenville offices in Linton were built n in 1939, and replaced the original Shire Hall which was built in the 1860s. At the time the offices were built, Linton was the headquarters of the Shire of Grenville. The Shire of Grenville ceased to exist in 1993 following municipal amalgamations, and the offices are now the Linton offices of the Golden Plains Shire which has its headquarters at Bannockburn.Colour photograph showing a single-storey cream brick building, with a flagpole and various memorials outside it. Golden Plains Shire offices in Linton (formerly Shire of Grenville offices), built 1939.shire of grenville offices linton, golden plains shire offices linton

Card with decoration of blue abstract electric lines on pale blue background. White square in centre of card with dark blue printing. Ticket is printed with details of an official ceremony, street procession, a banquet and a fancy dress ball to celebrate the connection and switching on of electricity to the township of Linton in 1939. Text: LINTON'S / GRAND SWITCHING-ON CARNIVAL / ON / THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1939 / Official Ceremony 7.30 p.m. Street Procession 8 p.m. / BANQUET IN FIRE BRIGADE HALL 8.30 p.m.electricity, celebrations

Under the auspices of the Deaf Committee of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria - Edited by A. Hull assisted by R. H. LambertThe significance of these newsletters is in the detail of information they contain about the people and activities of the Deaf community in Victoria and interstate.Vol. 1 No. 2 March-April 1930; Size 21.5cmHx14cmWthe victorian deaf, n. armstron, a. c. muir, mr hesketh, andrew clarke, w. bond, w. p. muir, d. piper, a. wilson, g. moore, s. johnson, rev. w. moss, e. newbigin, mrs lewis, mrs s. moss, d. piper, mrs c. e. frewin, j. m. johnston, w. ashby, j. mclean, o'gorman, hawkins, fisher, j. hennessy, h puddy, a. graham, mrs s. ferguson, jean solomon, g mortimer, mrs crompton, taylor, hickey, hatley, salvado, hart, tonkin, george ashley, colin johnsf. cummins, sutherland, utber, boortz, bert hague, walter bladier, winnie gladman, eileen o'gormans. moss, c. ball, r. cram, holmes,j. m. johnston, w. wood, r. h. lambert, f. kendall, o'bryan, g. b. mortimer, e. johnston, mrs e. r. peacock, empson, e. stephens, r. dow, alice smith, b. heggie, w. anderson, guilds, hosckey club, lacross club, victorian deaf and dumb institution, c. f. crosby

Under the auspices of the Deaf Committee of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria - Edited by A. Hull assisted by R. H. LambertThe significance of these newsletters is in the detail of information they contain about the people and activities of the Deaf community in Victoria and interstate.Vol. 1 No. 3, May-June 1930; Size 21.5cmHx14cmWalex hull, arthur stephens, emma reade, l. p. jacks, katie whitehead, selwyn oxley, a. j. wilson, mrs g. h. hawkins, victor trotman, colin mcnutt, bert savage, myrtle walscott, e. walker, lina virgona, gwen hawkinsm. gibson, mrs g. damman, mrs j. muir, d. hickey, w. chapman, mrs gladman, j boortz, r. white, bert hague, w. grant, r. jose, w. o'bryan, t. tonkins, a. colins, mrs g. damman, mrs g. caldwell, w. rees, e. r. peacock, a. c. muir, mrs f. e. frewin, d. ashby, phyllis johnston, h. puddy, l. sutton, w. anderson, a hatley,

Under the auspices of the Deaf Committee of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria - Edited by R. H. Lambert assisted by H. PuddyThe Victorian Deaf Newsletter is significant publication as an historical record giving and insight into the people, activities and events of the Deaf Community in Victoria.Vol. 1 No. 4 July-August 1930; Size 21.5cmHx14cmWlord somers, dr f. w. head, a graham, mrs w. taylor, alex hull, w. h. crush, victorian school for deaf children, thomas williamson, mr e. f. carmichael, c. a. buck, h. puddy, ben hall, william newton, lacrosse, tennis, young ladies guild, young mens guild, deaf church

Under the auspices of the Deaf Committee of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria - Edited by R. H. Lambert, assited by H. PuddyThe significance of these newsletters is in the detail of information they contain about the people and activities of the Deaf community in Victoria and interstate.Vol. 1 No. 5, September-October 1930; Size 21.5cmHx14cmWw. ashby, h. puddy, j. o'gorman, kendall, john adcock, w. j. mcaskill, p. smith, w. anderson, s. moss, j. moran, m. groves, h. wilson, mr donaldson, v. west, mrs j. m. johnston, c. hennessey, w. hateley, a. hateley, herbert mark, florrie tyzzer,r. white, s. ferguson, mrs g. damman, mrs j. e. muir, florrie blair, h. mackenzie, r. stewart, c. a. buck, lon chaney, j. d. brook, j. w. booth, mr and mrs bladier, mr and mrs w. anderson, victorian adult deaf cricket club, deaf workers club, young mens club, young ladies club, tennis, hockeynsw deaf and dumb citizens association

Under the auspices of the Deaf Committee of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria - Edited by R. H. Lambert assisted by H. PuddyThe significance of these newsletters is in the detail of information they contain about the people and activities of the Deaf community in Victoria and interstate.Vol. 1 No. 6, November-December 1930; Size 21.5cmHx14cmWn. armstrong, o. r. redman, h. v. s. hersee, peacock, miss graham, mccaskill, abraham, j. b. puddy, h. puddy, m. gibson, m. gladman, s. mitchell, c. buck, h. hockam, mrs swain, n. o. bryan, w. anderson, h. mackenzie, james moran, cricket, miss graham, anniversary rally, hockey elsie stephens, deaf worker's club, deaf women's guild, walter dennis pepper, national association of the deaf of america

A studio portrait of Prudence Partington of Greensborough. the family lived at Willis Vale from the 1870s.One of many studio portraits of the Partington familySepia studio portrait of woman in dark dress and bonnet, seated and holding a book. flowers to her left. Mounted on white card with studio name: M.Allan 278 Smith Street Collingwood..On back: Prudence Partington. Born 1858-1930.willis vale, partington family, prudence partington

Frances Rigg was a local business identity in Kew, ultimately managing the local branch of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank at 175 High Street, Kew from c. 1920 until the 1940s. After Francis Rigg’s death, the collection of buttons and medallions was inherited by his son, Ken Rigg (14/11/1922-19/01/2014). The collection was subsequently donated to the Kew Historical Society in 2015 by his grandson Adrian Rigg at the time of the Gallipoli & Beyond Commemoration.The collection covers a period of almost 40 years. The majority of the buttons are patriotic buttons, issued and sold during and immediately after the First World World War (1914-1918) to raise funds for national and overseas causes. The collection also includes a number of locally significant sporting event buttons and sporting club medallions, issued in the 1920s and 1930s.Blue and gilt enamel on metal membership medallion produced by the Kew Cricket Club for the year 1929-30 and which belonged to Francis Horace Rigg (1882-1946). The medallion is enameled in shades of blue and gold with the initials of the Club, KCC surrounded by the full name of the club and the period for which the member would gain access to games.Kew Cricket Club KCC 1929-1930kew cricket club, membership medallions

Warrnambool Harbour Board General Cash Book 1930 This book has tan coloured leather spine and corners First entry 1st October 1930. Last entry June 30th 1936 No markingflagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, warrnambool harbour board general cash book 1930, warrnambool harbour board

The events of the afternoon included lunch for the bandsmen at the Memorial Hall, a street march to the Park, and performances at the Park, concluding with a massed march back to town. 10 bands from the surrounding districts participated. The donor was teaching at the Rutherglen Higher Elementary School at the time of this event, and boarded at the Star Hotel.Program for a massed bands display, held by the Rutherglen & District Brass Band, on December 1939. Also included is a letter from the donor.bands, rutherglen town band, wangaratta town band, mooroopna town band, corowa town band, albury town band, goulburn valley pipe band, yarrawonga brass band, finley district citizens band, beechworth town band, benalla citizens band, rutherglen higher elementary school, star hotel

Don Murray who was a member of this class has supplied us with this photo naming almost all the pupils. Please refer to Surrey Hills State School vertical file for list of names and where they are located in the photo..A black and white photograph of 30 boys and 23 girls from the 1939 Grade Va at Surrey Hills State School No.2778clothing and dress, 1939, education, surrey hills, primary schools, mr kevin boxhall, mr don cam, mr tom dellar, mr fred kneale, mr bill bedggood, mr ken newell, mr ron salmon, mr keith greenwood, mr jack raisbeck, mr ray mcdonald, mr ken brown, mr ian tweedie, mr vernon coster, mr norman henry, mr keith rimmer, mr ken wheat, mr colin bentley, mr ron brown, miss valerie muir, miss fay mcbain, miss audrey broomhead, miss dorothy stout, miss gwen skinner, miss jean mollison, miss lucy deuchar, miss irene dunn (jones?), miss barbara hoskin, miss june -, miss ruby clemson, miss ettie redfern, miss pam skerrett, miss valreen church, miss merle yeomans, miss thelma mcconville, miss dorothy freeman, miss merle christie, miss helen james, miss melba moore, mr len yeomans, mr douglas mathews, mr norman bell, mr don murray, mr john flower, mr bob holborn, mr alan wadsworth, mr john atkinson, mr barry broadbent, mr barry dimelow, mr colin couper, miss mcleish, teachers

Signal Letters of British Ships 1939 For the use of ships at sea and signal stations for 1939 Publisher: His Majestys Stationery Office flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, signal letters of british ships 1939, book

The 50 Reichspfennig coin was minted by Nazi Germany between 1939 and 1944 during World War II. It is worth 1/2 or .50 of a Reichsmark. Made entirely of aluminium, the 50 Reichspfennig is an emergency issue type, similar to the zinc 1, 5, and 10 Reichspfennig coins from the same period. Country Germany - Third Reich Denomination 10 reichspfennig Year 1939 Period Nazi Germany (Third Reich) (1933 - 1945) Coin type Circulation coins Edge type Reeded Shape Round Alignment Medal (0°) Obverse: Eagle above swastika within wreath Reverse: Denomination, oak leaves belowthird reich, beck, coin, currency

Photograph of workers camp at She Oak River circa 1930's she oak river camp site: workers' campsite, sheoak river, workers camp

A copy of an Anzac Day Address at the Anzac Commemoration Ceremony for Students in 1939, given by the Eric Russell, President of Legacy. It was stored with documents about the building of the Shrine and another speech from a students' service. Legatee Russell had served in World War 1 so was very close to the events he was talking about. The ceremony provides a valuable opportunity for students to gain an appreciation of the Anzac spirit, the significance of the Shrine and the meaning of Anzac Day. The ceremony is usually attended by representatives from schools throughout the state and the Governor of Victoria. The text says: 'Over twenty years have passed since the events that we are commemorating today took place. As time goes on, our memory of incidents grows dimmer, but our understanding of the whole war and of the tremendous efforts that were made at Gallipoli grows clearer. Particularly do we realise, when we look back, that Australia grew to be a nation during those years of anxiety and endeavour, of which Gallipoli was for us the beginning. . . . "A record of a ceremony at the Shrine for school students. The text of the speech is significant in that it was written by a man who had served in World War 1 and knew first hand what it meant to be part of the first Anzacs. Text of a speech at the Annual Anzac Commemoration Service for Students in 1939, typed on foolscap size paper in black ink as well as the original palm cards that were typed on smaller squares of buff colour card. Plus two notes from Legatee Frank Doolan who gave the speech to the Archives committee.anzac commemoration for students, wreath laying ceremony, speech, gallipoli

The Australia Service MedalThe Australia Service Medal 1939-1945P.A. 1822 HOARE, Mervyn Horace

Medal awarded to Raymond Walter CLARK 4509 for service during WW2Australian Service Medal 1939-1945R.W. CLARK 4509world war 2

A map thought to be a school project depicting the layout of Cannon Hill, a popular lookout in Warrnambool.A locally drawn map indicative of school work from the 1930’s.A map thought to be a school project depicting the layout of Cannon Hill, a popular lookout in Warrnambool.Drawn by R Graham. Checked 13/02/1939 T E Wingrovecannon hill, school project 1939

Deaf Children Australia have a complete set of Annual reports from 1863 to the present date. Annual reports document the activities of the organisation, including educational issues, finance, staffing and students. Annual Reports are created each year.This represents part of the complete official history of Deaf Children Australia from 1863 to the present date, covering the subject of deaf education and related issues.Red leather bound volume with gold stamping containing the Annual Reports of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution (V.D.&D.I. ) First Report: 63rd Annual Report presented at the Annual meeting held 11th August, 1925. Last Report: 68th Annual Report presented at the Annual meeting held 12th August 1930. Reports included are the Annual Report, List of Subscribers and abstract of Treasurer's Account, as well as photographs. Front Cover: "VICTORIAN DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION" in gold stamping. Spine: "REPORTS V.D.& D.L." "1925 TO 1930" in gold stamping. (Incorrect stamping: should be V.D.& D.I." Decorative stamping around edge of front cover and back coverdeaf children australia, deaf education, annual report

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of a group of men dressed in a band uniform, many without jackets and with their sleeves rolled up and some with handkerchiefs tucked under their hats, shading the backs of their necks. They are performing on a platform raised on trestles in a grassy field and in the background people can be seen. The conductor standing in the middle is Frank Wright, the band is the Soldier's Memorial Band and the place is Tanunda.Written in pencil on back - B Grade Hymn Contest, Frank Wright conducting, Ballarat S.M.Band, Tanunda Oct 1930frank wright, ballarat soldiers' memorial band, tanunda, brass band, conductor

black and white photograph adhered to cardboardForm 1B, 1939

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 1942 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. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison 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 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, and to 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. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. (This Statement of Significance is quoted from the Significance Assessment : Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Book Collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, February 2009, by Annette Welkamp, Cultural Connections, for Delise Oldfied, FHMV) References Juvenile Department in Warrnambool Public Library In August 1903 The Age newspaper reported in its Warrnambool news section that “With the object of discouraging boys from reading literature of the “penny dreadful” class, the committee of the local public library has decided to open a juvenile department and to stock it with hundreds of suitable books attractive to the youthful mind.” 100 new novels added to Warrnambool Public Library Shelves In November 1905 The Argue newspaper’s Warrnambool news section announced “The committee of the Public Library is bringing the collection of books more up to date. It has recently added 100 new novels to the shelves, and arrangements have been made for a supply of the latest novels immediately they arrive in the state.” Warrnambool Town Council takes over Mechanics’ Institute, Art Gallery, Public Library, Museum – and will double the building’s size In 1912 The Age reported in its Warrnambool news section “Considerable improvements are being effected by the town council in the most picturesque part of Liebig Street. Between the fire brigade station and the mechanics’ institute and art gallery a vacant block of land is being transformed a garden for carpet bedding and flowering plants. The council, which recently took over the control of the art gallery, public library, museum and mechanics’ institute, is doubling the size of the substantial stone building containing these institutions. The new building will contain a supper room for use in conjunction with functions in the town hall, adjoining, and a new reading room.” Mr Pattison, Public Librarian, says Library has a book per head of population In 1953 The Age reported an interview with the Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison, who said “Warrnambool has an insatiable thirst for reading. And its reading recipe contains a strong dash of fiction – 73 percent of it. Fiction makes up 10,000 of the 13,000 books in the senior section of the public library. That works out at a book per head of population. Warrnambool today is really book minded. This city has an almost insatiable thirst for knowledge as well as fiction. We’re lending 400 books a day. We supply 33 percent of the reading population of Warrnambool.” The reporter goes on to say “Warrnambool Public Library also has an ultra-modern children’s section of 3,400 books, open to every boy and girl attending school in Warrnambool. Mr Pattison hopes to show travel-talk films and install a radiogram in the children’s section “later on”. But it won’t disturb adult reading next door because the junior section is sound proof. “ Mechanics’ Institutes and Museums Mechanics’ Institutes were important sites for collecting in country Victoria … Warrnambool … all had museums attached to Mechanics’ Institutes before the end of the twentieth century” Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Ms Tierney said FHMV holds the collection of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute in three different locations on its site. “The Mechanics’ Institute opened in 1871, was demolished in the 1960s and was one of the oldest in Victoria. “FHMV intends to create a new storage area and bring the collection together in one place which will greatly facilitate access and research. “The collection consists of books and archives dating from the 1850s to 1959s. “Some of the books are rare and valuable but it is unclear as to their relevance to the history of Warrnambool or Victoria,” Ms Tierney said. Warrnambool TAFE History South West TAFE has a long and proud history of providing technical and specialist education, with links back to the formation of the Mechanic’s Institute in 1853. Warrnambool Art Gallery’s History The Warrnambool Art Gallery began in 1886 when retired police officer Joseph Archibald opened its doors in a building behind the mechanics institute in Liebig Street. The Gallery began with an eclectic mix of artworks and museum curios. Before long Archibald mobilised public support and paid for a new gallery annex. Loans and grants allowed the Gallery collection to grow with significant early acquisitions by French, German, and Belgian artists, which were less expensive than British works. Despite its enthusiastic start the economic downturn of the 1890s brought the Collection to a halt. In 1910 the Council took control of the Mechanics Institute and ran the Gallery there until 1963 when the building was allocated for municipal offices. The Collection was dispersed on loan to galleries in Shepparton and Hamilton and not reunited until 1971. In 1986 the Gallery’s Centenary year, a permanent home was built next to the ‘Civic Green’ and named in memory of one its champions Sir Fletcher Jones O.B.E. 2016 Warrnibald Entries Joseph Archibald established the Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery in 1886 while his son Jules Francois Archibald founded the Archibald Prize through his bequest of 1919. His aim was to foster portraiture, as well as support artists, and perpetuate the memory of great Australians. War Economy 1939-194 Australia in the War of 1939-1945 Author: S J Butlin Publisher: Australian War Memorial Date: 1955Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 994.04 AUS Front pastedown 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, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, war economy 1939-194, australia in the war of 1939-1945, s j butlin, australian war memorial