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 November1884 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 fund raising 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 court house 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 historic 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 Historic 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 art works 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. New World Heroes Lincoln and Garfield The Life-Story of two self-made men, whom the people made Presidents Author: By the author of "Our Queen", "Grace Darling" Eva Hope Publisher: J G Murdoch & Co Ltd Label on spine cover with typed text R.H. 92 LIN Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library. Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institutewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, new world heroes lincoln and garfield, lincoln, garfield, our queen, grace darling, eva hope

Loyal darling Lodge Fine Book entry dates from 1872- 82. Fines listed to hundreds of named members under various bye-laws. Bye-laws catalogue No 8252 relevant to above. Cardboard cover with paper pages.bendigo, institutions, loyal darling lodge

P.S Decoy was built in Scotland and reassembled in 1878 in Melbourne. It steamed to Goolwa, arriving in July 1878. It was used on the Darling River, and as a South Australian tug. In 1905 it sailed to Fremantle W.A for use as an excursion vessel. It was towed back to work on the inland river trade on the Darling -Murray system in 1909. It is now a house boat at Mannum. It's owner is Dick Bromhead.( Ref; Parsons, Ron. "Ships of the inland Rivers. P. 65.)The P.S Decoy is significant because it worked as a passenger vessel as well as a transport vessel. It was built in Scotland and reassembled in Melbourne. It was built to use coal, but when it started work on the inland rivers system it was converted to wood fuel.Two black and white photographs ( P000385.1 is missing) of the P.S Decoy passing under a bridge. There are high banks behind the boat and there are nine people on board.On the boat is the word 'Decoy' written on the bow and under the wheelhouse.p.s decoy, darling river, murray river, goolwa, mannum, passenger vessel, bromhead, dick

P.S Decoy was built in Scotland and reassembled in 1878 in Melbourne. It steamed to Goolwa, arriving in July 1878. It was used on the Darling River, and as a South Australian tug. In 1905 it sailed to Fremantle W.A for use as an excursion vessel. It was towed back to work on the inland river trade on the Darling -Murray system in 1909. It is now a house boat at Mannum. It's owner is Dick Bromhead.( Ref; Parsons, Ron. "Ships of the inland Rivers. P. 65.)The P.S Decoy is significant because it worked as a passenger vessel as well as a transport vessel. It was built in Scotland and reassembled in Melbourne. It was built to use coal, but when it started work on the inland rivers system it was converted to wood fuel.A black and white copy of a photograph of the P.S Decoy tied up to a riverbank with a barge alongside . The banks are high and there are buildings on the top of the banks.On the boat is the word 'Decoy' written on the bow .p.s decoy, darling river, murray river, goolwa, mannum, passenger vessel, bromhead, dick

See Cat 5109P1-3. Three page letters written in ink. The paper has the Australian Comforts Fund letterhead in red ink (RSL, Salvation Army & YMCA) - addressed to "My darling Marjorie" signed "From your loving boyfrien Ted". He mentions - Anniversary of the day the Japs "chased us out of Rabaul" air raids. He is in Victoria at time of writing. 4-5. Two page letter written in ink to "My Darling from "Love and kisses" Yours Ted. The letter is written from Goodnight, via Tooleybuc NSW 29 - 9 -1942. He mentioned farming, Bendigo and an electric iron surprise. 6 - 8. Three page letters on Comforts Fund letterhead paper. Written at 107 Con Depot, Ballarat. To "My Darling Marjorie" from "Love and Kisses" Yours Only Ted. He mentions weather, chocolate soldiers, Americans, Guadalcanal, here in Ballarat.ww2, romance, ballarat, americans

Letter from George ? Of the Grace Darling Hotel, McIvor St., Sandhurst dated 28 Aug 1872. He enclosed a letter from the Secy of Court Perseverance 2727. He has had to put himself on the funds of the Court and was instructed to send the enclosed.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, court perseverance 2727, george ?, grace darling hotel

Foolscap size cardboard covered book with blue lined pages. Inside front cover handwritten calligraphic writing 'Loyal Darling Lodge' Wesleyan School Room, California Gully. Handwritten minutes of meetings dating from April 24th 1872- 75.bendigo, institutions, loyal darling lodge

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of the D154, a Darling Class destroyer called Duchess built for the Royal Navy and loaned to the Royal Australian Navy as a replacement for HMAS Voyager. She was purchased by Australia in 1972 and is seen here escorting HMAS Sydney to Vung Tau, Vietnam.A black and white photograph of the D154, a Darling Class destroyer called Duchess built for the Royal Navy and loaned to the Royal Australian Navy as a replacement for HMAS Voyager. She was purchased by Australia in 1972 and is seen here escorting HMAS Sydney to Vung Tau, Vietnam.photograph, d154, hmas voyager, hmas sydney, vung tau, duchess, gibbons collection catalogue, photographer, vietnam war, denis gibbons, darling class destroyer, royal australian navy

The Darling Street factory was located next to the Coles Family Hotel. The building was formerly a detached kitchen. Signboard reads 'Martin & Sykes GOTOGO Reg Off'.ellen sykes, darling street, coles family hotel, manufacturing, person, building, commerical, ballarat

R W Vivian, O Lankcaster, J E Phillips, C Lankcaster, F G Dixon, R Cooke, V Kelly, C E Short, A Adkins, C H Davis, L D Kitchen, A Morgan, J E LeGriffon, J F Allen, W Dummett, W Whitehead, W J Toy, H McQuade, H Bunn, G Darling, S Wilson, H Greenwell, J King, H M Knox, J Buckley, J H O Myers, H Mills, J M A Spottoswood, J Vivian, W J Bayley, A A Bayleyblack and white photograph, good conditionOriginal photograph, mounted. R W Vivian, O Lankcaster, J E Phillips, C Lankcaster, F G Dixon, R Cooke, V Kelly, C E Short, A Adkins, C H Davis, L D Kitchen, A Morgan, J E LeGriffon, J F Allen, W Dummett, W Whitehead, W J Toy, H McQuade, H Bunn, G Darling, S Wilson, H Greenwell, J King, H M Knox, J Buckley, J H O Myers, H Mills, J M A Spottoswood, J Vivian, W J Bayley, A A Bayley

Items re Alf BOLAND VX120107 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 2473 for his service details.(.1) Christmas card, soft parchment paper, folds 4 ways, B & W drawing of Aust scene on front, in centre has Aust Army scenes. (.2) Same as (.1) except different scene on the front.(.1) In black pen “To Darling Bette, Love XXXXXX ALF” (.2) In black pen “To Mr and Mrs Anderson, Marie, Jack and Ern from ALF”christmas, cards

B&W photograph by N.J.Caire, on a postcard showing a schoolroom at the VDDI with children seated at desks "VICTORIAN DEAF & DUMB INSTITUTION, ST. KILDA ROAD, MELBOURNE./Schoolroom [one of three] N.J.Caire, Photo, 4 Darling Street, South Yarra, Victoria." deaf children australia, dca, vddi, victorian deaf and dumb institution, postcard, schoolroom, n. j. caire

Newspaper cutting from The Courier, 12/4/1973, titled "Problem Stops", with three photos of bus stops - Sturt St, Darling St and Drummond St, advised by a representative from Davis Buses, but does not say to who. Gives many examples of the issues.Has date written 12/April/73 on item.buses, bus stops, davis bus lines

Black and white negative by Wal Jack of L 102 (Darling Rd, route 4D) in Swanston St at Franklin St, In the background is the City Baths Carlton Brewery, Greer Wire Rope Works and a van for the Melbourne Hygienic Towel Supply. Photo undated, c1940.trams, tramways, victoria st, swanston st, l class, route 4d, tram 102

Postcard - image looking south in St Kilda Road, with the Shrine of Remembrance and BP House in the view. Tram W5 834 (East Malvern Darling Road Route 3).Demonstrates an iconic Melbourne image, St Kilda Road, the Shrine and a W class tram.Postcard colour - serrated edge, Nu-color-Vue - St Kilda Road, Shrine of RemembranceW5 834, ML 132,, Divided back.trams, tramways, shrine of remembrance, st kilda road, sw5 class tram, tram 834

Our Darlings, hardcover childrens book from early 1900's 424 pages with black and white & some colour illustrations, published by John F Shaw & Co London. Inscription inside front cover reads To Madge with love from Mother Madge Kelly.books, children's, story book

Sepia photograph of Hopwood's Punt, showing the gangway extended to river bank. There are 5 workmen, dressed in work clothes and boots, at the front of the punt and 2 gentlemen, dressed in coats and umbrellas. Stock, produce (possibly wool bales) and people are on board. There are 3 horses hitched to a wagon and behind there looks like a large consignment of wool bales. There appears to be women at the side of the punt (1 with an umbrella up). At the side of the punt there appears to be a passenger landing. There is also a small row boat tied to the side of the punt. Wagons, barge and possibly other punts are in the background. There was a painting of this scene by J. C. Armytage around 1857.This is a very good example of the cargo, people, produce and animals, that were using the punt to cross the Murray river in the late 1800s. The difference between workers and gentry can be seen as well as the modes of transport at this time.Sepia photograph of Hopwood's Punt, showing the gangway extended to river bank. Stock, produce (possibly wool bales) and people are on board. Wagons, barge and possibly other punts are in the background. Mounted on buff cardboard printed with red lines and letters.On the front at the top, above the red boarder "Royal", at the bottom below the red boarder "Hopwood's Punt, Echuca". On the reverse, "W. B. Payne, Darling St., Echuca"murray river, echuca, hopwood's punt, j. c. armytage (painter)

The Board of the VDDI thought it was important to equip the pupils with skills that would make them useful members of society. Shows the students at their day to day studies. B&W photograph by N.J.Caire, on a postcard of a girls' sewing class at the VDDI (Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution) On Front of postcard: "VICTORIAN DEAF & DUMB INSTITUTION, ST. KILDA RD., MELBOURNE./Sewing Class/N.J.CAIRE, Photo, 4 Darling Street, South Yarra, Victoria." deaf children australia, victorian deaf and dumb institution, education, sewing, girls

Photographs were often taken of the whole school and show the numbers of students at any one time.B&W photograph by N.J.Caire, on a postcard, of the pupils of the VDDI in 1909 On Front of postcard: "VICTORIAN DEAF & DUMB INSTITUTION, ST. KILDA RD., MELBOURNE./Pupils, 1909/N.J.CAIRE, Photo, 4 Darling Street, South Yarra, Victoria." deaf children australia, victorian deaf and dumb institution, education, pupils

These are a pictorial documentation of the early years of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution. A record of the people, children, buildings and activities of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution up to 1920. B&W photograph by N.J.Caire, on a postcard, of the girls' Tug of War, at the VDDI with a photograph of the postcard In black and white. On Front of postcard: "VICTORIAN DEAF & DUMB INSTITUTION, ST. KILDA RD., MELBOURNE./Tug of War/N.J.CAIRE, Photo, 4 Darling Street, South Yarra, Victoria." deaf children australia, dca, victorian deaf & dumb institution, vddi, education, deaf education, pupils, n. j. caire

Black and white photrograph: residential street, 5 motor vehicles in middle distance. Noelene Wild 7.2000 ' photo, Peter Hyett, 1995, Sailors Gully Rd., from Kirkwood Road intersection, looking towards Darling St. intersection, Virginia Hill housing estate on right'Peter Hyettplace, streetscape, sailors gully road

The first tape based talking book machine from the late 1950s, produced by Clarke & Smith, that allowed the listener to hear up to 20 hours of recordings. Although bulky (each tape cartridge alone weighed over 2 kgs), the MK1 was the first magnetic, multi-track tape produced and considered quite novel for it's time. The cartridge designed to be played on the Clarke & Smith MK1 Talking Book player came in it's own separate container. Each cartridge houses the complete mechanism, track change linkages, replay heads and tape spools, which are stacked on top of each other within the housing. When one track was finished, the user was required to lift the metal cassette, turn it over, and replace it on the turntable. The bulky cartridges were distributed by post or train in strong 'Globite' cases made with reinforced corners and strapped. The costs associated with talking book players were high and individuals/groups/service clubs were asked to sponsor a machine to help those who could not afford to buy or rent one. In this example, a plate attached to the lid indicates who raised the funds: "This talking book/is presented to you/by Tallimba Branch/ of CWA of NSW." Please note: despite images, there are no cartridges with this model.Metal talking book machine housed in a brown wooden carry case. There are two plastic knobs on the front facing right hand side, and an electric cord extending from the back of the case. To the left of the knobs is a speaker grille. Also includes talking book cartridge 'The darling buds of May'.audio equipment, clarke and smith

The Board of the VDDI wanted to provide for the spiritual, moral and physical well-being of the pupils. Gymnastic classes were run separately for girls and boys.B&W photograph by N.J.Caire, on a postcard, of the Girls' Gymnastic Class at the VDDI (Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution) On Front of postcard: "VICTORIAN DEAF & DUMB INSTITUTION, ST. KILDA RD., MELBOURNE./Girls' Gymnastic Class/N.J.CAIRE, Photo, 4 Darling Street, South Yarra, Victoria." deaf children australia

B&W photograph by N.J.Caire, on a postcard, of the girls' Indian Club exercises, at the VDDI On Front of postcard: "VICTORIAN DEAF & DUMB INSTITUTION, ST. KILDA RD., MELBOURNE./Indian Club Exercises/N.J.CAIRE, Photo, 4 Darling Street, South Yarra, Victoria." deaf children australia, victorian school for deaf children, educaion, pupils, gymnastic class, indian club exercises

These are a pictorial documentation of the early years of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution. A record of the people, children, buildings and activities of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution up to 1920. B&W photograph by N.J.Caire, on a postcard, of the pupils in a class learning to articulate at the VDDI On Front of postcard: "VICTORIAN DEAF & DUMB INSTITUTION, ST. KILDA RD., MELBOURNE./Teaching the Dumb to Articulate/N.J.CAIRE, Photo, 4 Darling Street, South Yarra, Victoria." deaf children australia, dca, victorian deaf & dumb institution, vddi, deaf education, pupils, n. j. caire