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 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. 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) The Tilted Cross Author: Hal Porter Publisher: Faber and Faber Date: 1961Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC POR Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Fly page has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, 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, great ocean road, the tilted cross, hal porter

Brawler Vans, registration numbers HEH-903 and HEH-902. Circa 1961police vehicles; motor transport branch; motor transport section; brawler van

Senior Constable Bill Dobell next to a Fairlane AAS car, taken in 1961.police vehicles; dobell, william; ford fairlane car; accident appreciation squad

Ringwood Field Naturalists Club Inc. 1961 to 2011 Memories through the years

Black and white original photograph of Williamstown High School Form 4C, 1961.See image above.williamstown high school, 1961, form 4c, class photographs

Black and white original photograph of Williamstown High School Form 4D of 1961.See image above.williamstown high school, 1961, form 4d, class photographs

Black and white original photograph of Williamstown High School form 5S of 1961.See image abovewilliamstown high school, form 5s, 1961, class photograghs

Photocopy of black and white photograph of Williamstown High School form 6 of 1961.See image above.williamstown high school, 1961, form 6, class photographs

Document. Sheet of green paper with rhyming verse written on both sides, Signed Alex J.Hamilton 10/8/05.performing arts, elocution, handwritten verse

Origial WW1 German, Modal 1898/05 Bayonet, found on Poziers Battle field in 2016. From Poziers Associationweapon, ww1, army

Colour photograph. People sitting playing instruments. Tourist park (?) Back of photo reads: Nariel 05/06 Session.entertainment, music, musicians

A Malmsbury Cemetery Receipt for the Interment of a Child - 18/01/1866. b - Receipt for Trimming and lining of a Coffin. - 18/01/1866. c - Certificate of Vaccination for William John, Son of Charles Lea of Green Hill. - 2/11/1872.person, receipts, cemetery, lea family documents, malmsbury cemetery receipt for the interment of a child, receipt for trimming and lining of a coffin , certificate of vaccination, mr lea, h brailey, william henry lea, w lasslett, edward davy, william john lea, charles lea

A blueprint of drawing 01 of the South Pacific Electric Railway showing 1960 proposal for the layout of the SPER Museum area, scale 1" = 32'. Drawing No. 01, Shows NSWGR railway. Scan added and entry updated 19-8-13trams, tramways, sper, loftus, museum plan

Eulogy for Tom Vickers, 19/05/2003, written by Bryan Henderson for the Living Faith Church Greensborough.Tom Vickers was a prominent member of the community and a local pharmacist.Digital copy of 2 pages.vickers family, tom vickers

The Grave of Hastings Elms Maddison (ex A.I.F.) (died 27/05/1973), St Helena Cemetery.St Helena Cemetery was originally the burial place of the Beale family and friends. The first burials took place in the 1850s. There are now over 200 burials.Digital copy of colour photograph (grave)st helena cemetery, maddison family

Five of a collection of slides donated by Laurie Dixon. Water was pumped from Candowie Reservoir to nearby Almurta Basin and gravity fed to Wimbledon Heights Storage Basin. These open water basins were two main components of the water distribution of the day and supplied the area from 1964 to 1989. The Almurta and Wimbledon Heights Storage Basins were decommissioned in 1999 when the San Remo Basin was improved an now is the vital link in the transfer of water from Candowie via the Purification Plant.Five of a collection of slides taken by Laurie Dixon. (Photographs scanned by E Alexander). The photographs are of the machinery used to clear the land for the reservoir constructed at Wimbledon Heights in September 1961 273-08 Robert Cleeland on TractorInscriptions of slides 273-09. Tourerpull & crawler at reservoir Sep. 61 273-10. Reservoir Sep 61 273-11. Reservoir Sep 61 273-12. Building reservoir Sep 61wimbledon heights reservoir, laurie dixon

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 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.P.T.S. Training school 50 commenced 26/4/1961. Black and white photograph; of a group of 23 Females students in nurses' uniforms; in three rows, front row sitting on the chairs, second and third standing.nurse training, ndsn, lister house, school 50 1961

Photograph black & white, Bert Graham Collection, Annual Club Picnic 1961, Lake Jubilee, Daylesford.Mrs. Isabella Masters as mentioned on the reverse, is looking at the four people in the rowboat, and another boat near the edge of the lake.bendigo, clubs, bendigo east swimming club

Map: Parish of Archdale, County of Gladstone. Parish plan. The Allotments have been coloured in with pencil.By Authority H.J. Green, Government Printer Melbourne. Drawn and Reproduced at the Dept, of Lands and Survey, Melbourne, Victoria. 15/01/36map, gladstone, parish plan, archdale , gladstone

This object relates to Ernest Joseph LEWIS. He was born on 20/05/1911 in Carlton, VIC. Ernest Joseph served in the Army (VX73578) enlisting on, 27/01/1942 in West Brunswick, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 15 FLD REGIMENT as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 03/10/1945. Ernest Joseph LEWIS was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Ethel LEWIS.craft, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Walter Alfred CROMPTON. He was born on 18/01/1907 in Ballarat, VIC. Walter Alfred served in the RAAF (55568) enlisting on, 09/05/1942 in Ballarat, VIC before being discharged from duties with the AIR FORCE HQ (DPS) as a RAAF Non-Commissioned Corporal (CPL) on 18/10/1946. Walter Alfred CROMPTON was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Myra CROMPTON.first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Walter Alfred CROMPTON. He was born on 18/01/1907 in Ballarat, VIC. Walter Alfred served in the RAAF (55568) enlisting on, 09/05/1942 in Ballarat, VIC before being discharged from duties with the AIR FORCE HQ (DPS) as a RAAF Non-Commissioned Corporal (CPL) on 18/10/1946. Walter Alfred CROMPTON was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Myra CROMPTON.2 x RAAF; 1 X Rising Sunsouvenirs, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Walter Alfred CROMPTON. He was born on 18/01/1907 in Ballarat, VIC. Walter Alfred served in the RAAF (55568) enlisting on, 09/05/1942 in Ballarat, VIC before being discharged from duties with the AIR FORCE HQ (DPS) as a RAAF Non-Commissioned Corporal (CPL) on 18/10/1946. Walter Alfred CROMPTON was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Myra CROMPTON.Start date =4/8/1944; Finish date = 8/7/1945. With reference to the dates of the end of both theatres of war.second world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Ernest Joseph LEWIS. He was born on 20/05/1911 in Carlton, VIC. Ernest Joseph served in the Army (VX73578) enlisting on, 27/01/1942 in West Brunswick, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 15 FLD REGIMENT as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 03/10/1945. Ernest Joseph LEWIS was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Ethel LEWIS.second world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Ernest Joseph LEWIS. He was born on 20/05/1911 in Carlton, VIC. Ernest Joseph served in the Army (VX73578) enlisting on, 27/01/1942 in West Brunswick, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 15 FLD REGIMENT as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 03/10/1945. Ernest Joseph LEWIS was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Ethel LEWIS.Found in wallet (455)second world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, maps, ballarat rsl, ballarat