Printed postcard of a view from the Bendigo Town Hall looking south-west with one ESCo tram in Pall Mall. Shows the mine works and poppet head. Looks over Charring Cross and the View Point area. Card by Valentine & Sons, printed in Great Britain.Demonstrates a Bendigo postcard featuring Charing Cross, Pall Mall and shows an active mining plant at View Point.Postcard coloured - divided back - unused.tramways, trams, bendigo, charing cross, esco, pall mall, mining

Black and white photograph. Workshop with stream locomotive, lathes, work benches, driving belts. Seventeen men in work clothes. Inscriptions: on front - printed 'WH Robinson Photo Bendigo' On back - handwritten 'Bendigo Rail Shop', Circular stamp 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch. History: James Lerk 21.9.2001 'Building near Gladstone Street, Bendigo at Bendigo Railway Station. Has large brick arches at the end'. Previous Acc. No MP225WH Robinson, Bendigoplace, building, commercial

The photograph shows a Bendigo ESCo tram climbing the hill in Mitchell St to where the double track converged into a single track before crossing over the railway line. The photo is looking west. Has a two-storey hotel on the right. See item 8452 for a black-and-white version.Yields information about Mitchell St Bendigo and ESCo trams.Postcard - colour divided back, unused.tramways, trams, bendigo, mitchell st

Map shows the first layout of Melbourne by Government surveyor Robert Russell, who accompanied Governor Richard Bourke in 1837. The surveyed blocks extend from present-day Flinders Street to Lonsdale Street, and Spring Street to Spencer Street, with extensive vacant land west to a salt lake (afterwards Batman's Swamp, later drained), north beyond Flagstaff Hill and south towards South Melbourne. Vegetation coverage is indicated, and tracks and existing buildings and cultivated land are shown.Printed map was created by Day & Haghe, Lithographers to the Queen, sometime after 1838, when the company received its Royal appointment. Copies of the 1837 map exist in several major map collections in Australia; most are uncoloured. This particular map is the earliest in the Kew Historical Society's map collection. It is a nationally significant artefact. Black and white lithographed map hand-coloured in blue and yellow gouache of the town of Melbourne in 1837. In contrast to the original lithograph, the river and the township blocks are coloured blue and yellow. A similar, partly coloured copy is in the collection of the University of Melbourne.maps - melbourne - 1830s, governor sir richard bourke, robert russell - surveyor, cartography

Rose Series postcard No. P 10711, titled "The Hospital buildings, Melbourne Vic" with W class 232 southbound in Swanston Street at Lonsdale Street. This tram was converted to a W2 class during Jan. 1932. Has another tram behind it. The Melbourne Hospital is in the background and nurses and patients can be seen on the balconies. There is one horse drawn cab parked in Lonsdale Street near the cast iron urinal structure along with a fruit vendor's carts by the hotel entry. In the background is the Britannia Hotel.Yields information Swanston St and the Melbourne Hospital c1930.Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear. Two copies held.On rear of 2nd copy "Greetings from Katie Williams"tramways, trams, lonsdale st, hospital, w class, tram 232, swanston st

Remember Our Nurses. The service and sacrifice of Bendigo nurses in World War One.Soft cover, lightweight cardboard. Red, white & grey print on front, spine & back. Mid grey colour background. Small colour photos, top front, Royal Red Cross AANS WWI uniform, Sister Fanny 'Topsy' Tyson portrait. Back cover, colour photo of a memorial. 124 pages, cut, plain, white. Illustrated in black / white, photos, certificates.book, nurses bendigo,

Newspaper Clipping from The Courier, Ballarat 2/3/2001, titled "City's golden gift from Bendigo", page 5. Item written by Mariza Fiamengo about the delivery of the Gold Tram (Ballarat 45) from Bendigo, the previous day. Mentions the 1951 painting of trams to celebrate the 100th anniversary, sponsorship from the Country Victoria Tourism Council, Sovereign Hill and the Ballarat Tourism Board. Photo shows the tram about to be positioned on its trucks.gold tram, bendigo, btm, gold

Postcard, coloured, Pall Mall Bendigo, looking east towards the Railway Station. Has three trams in the view, along with the fountain. Has C. Plumbe store on the north east corner of the intersection. Title "Pall Mall, Bendigo Vic." Note the small space for a message under the image. On rear, undivided back, with "Post card", "Address to be written on this side" and position for stamp. In the top left hand corner, has "Ian Barkla's" hand stamp. Ian Barkla stamptrams, tramways, bendigo, pall mall

Newspaper Clipping from the Adelaide Advertiser dated 25/10/1972 in the Opinion section, written by Lance Campbell, of Father Graham Kaines providing a potted history of Adelaide's trams, the opening of the AETM's first section of tramway track and Fr. Graham's interest since a 14 year old in trams. Includes a photograph of three workers (unknown), trams No. 1, 282 (?) and Ballarat 21 on depot fan. Page 5 of newspaper. See also Other Information for personal note from cataloguer.In red biro on top of page "Nice Fite over car 29 at Bendigo 881"trams, tramways, aetm, tramway museums, adelaide, father graham kaines

BDSC - Bendigo & District Servicemen's Club. The Servicemen's Club 73 - 75 Havilah Rd was a Co - Operative of the 3 Bendigo RSL's being Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat & Eaglehawk Sub Branches. In 1977 the Bendigo, Eaglehawk, Kangaroo Flat RSL Co operative Society Ltd was formed with Mr Des Paterson as Chairman and Mr Jack Barnes as Secretary. The Co op owned the facility and the Bendigo & District Servicemen's Club was formed to operate the facility. It was built in 1978 and a liquor license was finally granted in August 1979 and opened. It was officially opened on December 19th 1979 by the Hon R.J. Hamer premier of Victoria. In the year 2000 the premises became the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc. Des Paterson was also on the of the BDSC Committee until 1984. He was heavily involved in the establishment of the BDSC. With the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch he was elected to Committee in 1973, Jnr Vice President 1974, Snr Vice President 1975, President 1976. Jack Barnes first Secretary refer Cat No 8040. Photograph BDSC. Roy Tayor was Bar Manager, refer Cat No 5687, Arthur Harridge Secretary 1979, Bill Nichols (William Bona) was President from 1978 - 80, he was made a Life member of in 1981. He was acknowledged as the driving force behind the establishment of the Club. With the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch he was elected to Committee 1961, 1966 - 68, 1970 - 72, 1974 - 81 (14 years) He was President 1968, 1972, 1979, 0ne year as Jnr Vice and 4 as Snr Vice President. Refer Cat No 149.Photograph B & W framed brown timber, photo shows 3 x men in suits with beer in hand, they are standing behind a bar, rear has hand written notes on.On rear, " BDSC - Roy Taylor Bar Manager - Arthur Harridge Secretary (79) - Bill Nichols Liquor Licence - formed 77 (Co op) built 78, licence 79 - 8621" brsl, smirsl, bdsc, servicemen's club

The presentation was from The Bendigo Council to the Northern Victorian Regiment - 38th Infantry Battalion in relation to it's 100th Anniversary of being formed. It was at the Queen Elizabeth Oval on 28th Aug 1958. 16 page white booklet. On front is the Bendigo City emblem, document titles, Regiment Emblem, Date and location. Booklet is a souvenir program. Red and Purple line (Council colours) running down the side of the page. Contents include list of Councillors, Description of Event, Order of Ceremony, History of Regiment, Battle Honours and a brief history of Bendigo.Cover has City of Bendigo emblem and the words "Presents "An Address of Honor" to the Northern Victorian Regiment, 38th Infantry Battalion.38th battalion, 100 year anniversary

The Bendigo Ordnance Factory began operating in 1942, producing heavy artillery and naval guns. In the late 1990s the then Federal Government-owned facility was sold to the multinational Thales, which continues to operate the factory today. The Ted Hocking collection of photos were digitized onto two CDs in 2014. As well the Bendigo Historical Society has a collection of glass negatives includes some slides of women working in the munitions factory. Seven slides were included in an album that was prepared for Dr Edith Summerskill who visited Australia in 1944 as part of an Empire Parliamentary Delegation. The album included photographs of Australian women working at the factory during WW2. A copy of the album is in the Collection of the Australian War Memorial.Twenty-five photos produced by the Bendigo Munitions Factory, later known as the Ordnance Factory and then the Australian Defense Industries. The photos are of their Bendigo Easter Procession floats and displays at the Bendigo Show.history, bendigo, bendigo munitions factory, bendigo ordnance, bendigo adi, doctor edith summerskill, ww2, slide box 1 10165, slide box 2 10166, slide box 3 10167, ted hocking collection, bendigo easter fair procession, bendigo show

Notice of a public meeting at St Kilda Town Hall on 12 November1928 about the financing of the Memorial Buildings. The year is not specified in the notice but it would have been 13 February 1929 because the Mayor is identified as Thos Unsworth, who served as Mayor in 1928-29. The Memorial Hall commemorates those who served in World War I, was officially opened on Armistice Day, 1924, and operated as a dance and social hall. In January 1927 the Health Department gave permission for it to operate as the Memorial Cinema. It continued as a cinema until 1957.White paper, discoloured with age, printed in redmemo, st kilda memorial hall

The Bendigo District Football Association was superseded in 1913 by the Bendigo Football League. When competition resumed in 1919 after WW1 the League was composed of Eaglehawk, South Bendigo, Sandhurst and Bendigo East. In 1924 Echuca was included and Bendigo East was eliminated. Bendigo East moved to Golden City Football League, and folded in the 1930s.Black and white photograph of Bendigo East Football Club premiers 1919. Team dressed in Football uniform, officials in shirts, waistcoats, brick building in background with double wooden doors. Handwritten in ink on back ' Mr. R. Grylls/ Mr. W. Geisler, Bendigo East 2nd. Rate football club.'Handwritten in ink on back ' Mr. R. Grylls/ Mr. W. Geisler, Bendigo East 2nd. Rate football club.'organization, club/society, bendigo east football club

128.1 - Letter on Bendigo Branch of Electricity Supply Department of SEC letterhead, dated 3.12.1942 to W.Jack re seeking copy of information supplied to him by Mr. McShane. Signed T.H.McNaught, Manager. 128.2 - Envelope, addressed to W.Jack, cancelled Bendigo 30 Nov. 42, 2 1/2d machine stamp in red ink. Letter on printed letterhead with watermark. Letter and envelope typed. Envelope "Invicta Registered", made in Australia with SEC return address, bottom left hand corner.Signed in ink by "T.H.McNaught"trams, tramways, bendigo, sec

Former resident of Phillip Island. Arrived in Australia 1844. Buried at Bendigo in the Baptest Section E1 No. 20661, Quarry Hill, Bendigo, Victoria. Solomon West - 75 years.Colour photograph of the Gravestone for Solomon West - born Dec. 1835, died April 1910. Baptist Section at Bendigo Cemetery.solomon west, pioneer solomon west, w a mcleod

A history of the Corvette HMAS Stawell (J348) 1943-1945White card Cover with black print with colour Photo of the HMAS Stawell, a corvette during WW2 On Rear Cover: Dedication Plaque for HMAS Stawell"We lived with Danger" by Geoff Brooks A History of the Australian Corvette HMAS Stawell (J348) 1943-1945 Inside on title page: The Stawell Historical Society. Warmest Regards. Geoff Brooks 13 March 1995stawell navy ww2

Bendigo Advertiser from 02/08/1996. Two articles on the same page on two people involved in preserving our history at Bendigo's cemeteries. The first article ''digging graves for a living'' describe the work of Bendigo Cemeteries trust gravedigger Ron Lobb. The second ''Monuments to history'' describe the work of stonemason Ray Miles.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, bendigo cemeteries

A letter that was sent from Legatee PW Powell to Legatee 'Doney' on 21st September 1928. He mentions his purpose is to record some of the early history of Legacy in a minute book of the Club, which unfortunately was missing at the time of writing. As well as saying it was formed after Stan Savige saw General Gellibrand's Remembrance Club in Hobart. Luncheon meetings were held and the first one L/ Powell attended in September 1923 had about 8 attendees - Stan Savige, Fred Forrest, Frank Selleck, Charlie Watson, Peter Eller, and Ted Pittard. L/ Powell was appointed Hon. secretary and there was discussion about the name of the club. Suggestions included 'Continuance', 'Chevron', 'Espirit de Corps', and 'Apres Le Guerre'. He says 'at that stage Legacy was not mentioned, the inspiration came later in my own offie when seeking a name that would appeal to he imagination. My recommendation to the members was covered in he first luncheon address given to the Club under the title of "Business Leadership" .' Selection of the first president included inviting General Monash and General Tivey, who both declined. Colonel Harold Cohen accepted. 'The first literature issued by the Club included: List of office bearers (deleting decorations and rank) / Constitution and By laws / Classification / Brief History (which was torn up before issue as it was felt that Legacou should be impersonal and that the principal should stand before the individual).' The notation H3 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. This is one of the first documents that documents the origins of Legacy.White A4 photocopy of a letter on L/ Powell's letterhead about the early history of Legacy written in 1928.Handwritten H3 in red pen. Signed 'PW Powell' in black fountain point pen. history, founding legatee

Programmes of Post WW2 Celebrations for Bendigo Citizens. Saturday July 20 1946.1. Souvenir Program - paper, blue printing, red, white and blue flags, A4. folded. 2. Souvenir program - cardboard, A4 folded, cream background, blue printing, blue and yellow sketches.1. Bendigo Citizens Welcome Home Celebrations, Grand concert in honour of those who served, Town Hall, Saturday July 20th. 2. Bendigo Citizens Gratefully acknowledge your service and warmly "Welcome You Home" Saturday July 20th 1946.ww2, welcome home, bendigo

Historically significant for Bendigo, yields information about the visit of crews to Bendigo during the visit of the American Fleet.Printed card ticket or pass for Eaglehawk at the time of the American Fleet Celebration, Bendigo 2/9/1908. Has the name "A. Morrison, Secretary", Was found loose within item 5015 - Ticket album and collected.trams, tramways, tickets, bendigo, esco

The Kelly family lived at 'Norwood', 103 Wills St. Bendigo. Whole family buried together in Bendigo Cemetery. Michael Peter Kelly bd. 23.9.1929 MON H4. Margaret Jane Kelly wife of Michael Kelly died 25.8.1912. bd. 28.8.1912. Daughter Rita bd. 21.1.1898 Son Roy (Robert Dennis) Kelly died 22.9.1943 bd. 23.9.1943. Daughter Doris May Kelly bd. 19.1.1967 Daughter Madge Annie Kelly bd. 6.6.1963. No records found of a marriage for Roy, Doris or Madge. Michael P. Kelly was born in Galway, Ireland and died in 1929 aged 76. He had been in Victoria for 59 years. For 50 years he had been closely associated with Bendigo mining companies, and was a leading investor. He joined the Bendigo Stock Exchange in 1880, had been chairman of the exchange multiple times. Director of the Farmers & Citizens' Trustee Co. and of the Sandhurst Building Society. Refs: Obituary The Argus 24.9.1943. The Argus 23.9.1943 (obit. of Roy Kelly). National Archives WW1 enlistment records Robert Dennis Kelly Reg. No. 10874. TROVE Bendigonian 29.7.1915. Bendigo Advertiser 27 August 1912. Bendigo Advertiser 21.1.1898 and 22.5.1900. Bendigo Cemetery records.Full length studio photograph of young woman. Written caption on reverse. Mrs Margaret Kelly, 103 Wills Street Bendigo. Dark long sleeved dress. Printed on Front. Academy of Photography, Hansen, Bendigo. Margaret Kelly died 25.8.1912. See Research field in 1342.5 (Michael Kelly) for information on the Kelly Family.Hansen Bendigophotograph, person, female

Printed black and white postcard of View Point overlooking the Alexandra Fountain, Charing Cross Bendigo. In the view is an SEC tram, along with R O Henderson The Beehive, A E Sayer Chemist, J B Edwards Watchmaker, Metthews Bros Mens and Boyswear, and Wrights Stores. Published by Valentine of Melbourne and Sydney.Yields information about Bendigo's Charing Cross and View St c1940Postcard black and white, unused - Valentines series No. 4222.tramways, trams, bendigo, charing cross, view point

Memo dated 31/7/1956, to Acting Engineer and Manager from the SECV Secretary with a copy to Manager Ballarat Branch regarding possible compensation payments to the Councils if the Ballarat and Bendigo tramway systems were to close, based on losses, rates, and what was paid in Geelong. Notes the provision of bus stop shelters.Yields information about possible compensation to Councils in the event of a closure of the tramways.Memo - foolscap sheet - carbon copy with a date stamp and acknowledgement notes.Has a hand written notes - see image.secv, closure, bendigo, geelong, ballarat

Details the history of the Delta Road Pre-School (Watsonia) from initial meetings in 1975 to plan the pre-school up to 1987. Contains lists of Committee members and children enrolled at the centre. A detailed history from inception through the first 10 years of operation.18-page booklet detailing the history of the Delta Road Pre-School from 1975 to1987. Printed on white paper with pale pink cover.delta road pre school, watsonia, kindergartens

Presentation to Valda Arrowsmith by Barbara Keene.arrowsmith, valda, keene, barbara, nunawading and district historical society

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. A History of The Discovery and Exploration of Australia Vol 2 Author: Rev. Julian E Tension Woods Publisher: Sampson Low, Son and Marston Date: 1865 The label on spine cover with typed text R.A. 919.4 WOO Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a stamped number of 000266 Warrnambool Public Library 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, a history of the discovery and exploration of australia vol 2, rev. julian e tension woods