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 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. Christmas Stories Author: Charles Dickens Publisher: Oxford University Press Date: 1956 First Published in book form 1874 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 823 DIC Paste down front end paper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, christmas stories, charles dickens

Seven Ariel Square Fours lined up, bearing flags with crown and Southern Cross, with riders mounted on their bikes. Circa 1956police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; motor cycle patrol; police motorcycles; ariel square four motorcycle

Booklet - ''Careers for Graduates - No1 Mining, Metallurgy & Geology''. 24 pages - issued by the University of Melbourne Appointments Board. March 1956.education, tertiary, mining

Colour slide in a mount. Kentuck Knob (Hagan House) Chalk Hill, Pennsylvania, USA, 1956 . (Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright .)Date: 04819 / Subject / Encircled 29 (Handwritten) / C (Handwritten)slide, robin boyd

Colour slide in a mount. Magazine image of the interior of the US Embassy, New Delhi, India, 1956. (Architect: Edward Durrel Stone.)22 (Handwritten) / Top (Handwritten)slide, robin boyd

Robin Boyd was appointed Exhibits Architect for the Australian Pavilion at Expo ‘67 in Montreal. In 1966 Boyd travelled to Far North Queensland and the Northern Territory for research – the Expo exhibits included a coral display, a large rock feature made from Australian sandstone and a native plant garden.Colour slide in a mount. John Flynn Memorial Church (1956), Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. (Architect: Arthur Philpott.)Made in Australia / 23 / DEC 66M4northern territory, slide

Photographs relate to the Poultry Farms that existed in Nunawading and Forest Hill in the1950s and 1960s. Photos taken in 1961-62. Poultry farmers included Messrs Boyce, Gallos, Foote,Grimsley, Greenwood and Dudley|Slides scanned as a 'tiff' at 300dpi to CD Rom and cleaned and adjusted by Ted Arrowsmith.Eckermann's Poultry Farm. Inside the 2nd pew. Layers are in single cages. These were in use 1956 to 1970 when they were closed.eckermann's, eckermann frank, poultry farms, nunawading, greenwood, forest hill, canterbury road, mount pleasant road nunawading, boyles, white, bruer's

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989.Black and white photograph of seven nurses in casual clothes sitting and standing on steps at Wattle Street nurses home. 1955 or 1956Names written on back. L to R - Helen Ryan, Heather Midgley, Elaine Sweeney, Vera Hoensch, Rae Eyles, Ida Moore, Margaret Arnoldt seated on luggage. Wattle Street, Bendigo ?1955 or 56seven student nurses in casual clothes., standing on steps of nurses home.

Anne Pedretti was born at Elevated Plains, Victoria, on 15 September 1875, the daughter of Martino Pedretti and Sarah Ind. She married George Gervasoni of Yandoit Creek, and died at Dayesford on 13 August 1957. Annie Gervasoni was known for her crochet ability, and according to folklore could crochet the Lords Prayer without a pattern.Crocheted milk jug cover by Anne Gervasoni (Pedretti) of Daylesford. The words "Olympic Games 1956" has been crocheted into the design. crochet, doily, anne pedretti, anne gervasoni, ekevated plains, dry diggings, pedretti, olympic games, melbourne olympic games

The re-drafting of the constitution set out by the British Mission to Seamen coincides with the centenary of establishment of the 1856 Mission in London. This pamphlet appears to have been received by someone who was offered a Life membership in 1957.6 pages of text pamphlet outlining a brief history and outcome of a Special meeting of members at Buckingham Palace gardens 16th May 1956, that is a redesigned Constitution of the Mission to Seamen. Designed to include non-British based Mission representatives. Blue print on white paper throughout with Mission flag at head of first page.in handwriting top edge in blue ink : " Rev'd with letter re Life Membership / May 1957constitutions, mission to seamen, london, the flying angel mission

Railways Collection - Article from Pages 160-161 of The Australian Railway Historical Society November 1956 Bulletin No. 229. There is a photo of opening day of the Port Darwin -Pine Creek Railway on 1.10.1889. An A Class train is shown. Page 161 has an article Victorian Rail Services now and then by John D. Keating.John D. Keatingrailways, bendigo to melbourne, opening day of the port darwin -pine creek railway

Framed B & W photograph featuring Korumburra Shire Councillor Richard Nutter Scott. Set in cream card window mount with hand written descriptive text and statement of service below the image. A cut-out panel below this text features a copy of a hand written resignation signed by Councillor Scott in 1956.

Documents, Bert Graham Collection, Bendigo East Swimming Club, membership details, including names, addresses, dates.a--1956-7-8; b--1950-1960; c--1960-1961; d--1969-1970; e--1970-1971; f--1971-1972; g--1972-1973; h--1973-1974.bendigo, clubs, bendigo east swimming club

BHS Collection52-page soft cover lime coloured booklet. Australian Gold Fields their Discovery, Progress and Prospects, Edited by George Mackaness and printed January 31, 1956 by D.S.Ford , Printers, Sydney. Illustration by R.S.Anderson of the Mount Alexander Gold Diggings. Includes a section 'Advice to Emigrants'. Australian Historical Monographs Volume VIIgold, australia

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century. Photograph of a man and horse pulling a hay grabber aloft at the Easter FestivalCatalogue number written on reverse in pencil Handwritten on pen in reverse 'Pulling the hay grabber aloft. Churchill Island Easter Festival 30/03/2013'churchill island, photograph

Diamond Creek Bridge (Bridge Street Bridge) Showing tremie used upstream cylinder pier No. 1 26th July 1956.Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, road construction, shire of eltham, bridge construction, bridge street bridge, eltham, eltham-greensborough road, 1956-07-26

Heather McKee and her husband built their own home in Greensborough over four years; she was a 'Queen for a Day' finalist in 1956.Photocopy of newspaper clippingheather mckee, queen for a day, houses in greensborough

"Protest against the depradation of the State Electricty Commission 1956" - Alistrair Knox (1980), We are what we stand on, pp48-49Photocopy of original owned by Lesley Martin. L-R: woman?, Matcham Skipper, Lesley Martin, Margot Knox with baby Hamishevents, matcham skipper, leslie martin, margot knox, hamish knox, trees

"Protest against the depradation of the State Electricty Commission 1956" - Alistrair Knox (1980), We are what we stand on, pp48-49Photocopy of an original which was published in the Herald 2 Aug 1958 showing a group of Eltham residents protesting against tree felling undertaking a ceremonial tree planting L-R foreground (adults): Susan, Mavis and Laurel Gill; Hal Peck; Alistair Knox (centre); Tim Burstall; Jack Gill; Gordon Ford; Matcham Skipperevents, susan gill, mavis gill, laurel gill, jack gill, hal peck, tim burstall, gordon ford, matcham skipper, alistair knox, trees

"Protest against the depradation of the State Electricty Commission 1956" - Alistrair Knox (1980), We are what we stand on, pp48-49Black and white print on photo paper Also black and white slide copy of print Mount - white 7 dots (Technodia Italy)trees, eltham, protests, george w bell collection, significant tree

Photos taken by their father, George Joosten, soon after their arrival in Australia in September 1956. Information as related to Glen Cosham on 31.01.2014Photograph of Ron Joosten and his two sisters, Vera and Yvonne, observing the crosses laid on the grassed area of Sinclair Parade, Port Melbourne, for Anzac Dayfamilies, memorials, war, george joosten, vera joosten, ron joosten, yvonne joosten

Annual report of the Heidelberg Golf Club for 1955-56. Includes annual report, balance sheet and accounts to 31/01/1956.Annual reports found in this collection begin in 1933-34.8 page document. Typed text only. annual reports, financial reports

HardcoverS.Boyd III (?) S, Luv (/) Yabrith Andrews, back page of autographs 1956religion, walsh st library