Showing 5934 items
matching 1946-1954.
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Stawell Historical Society Inc
Archive, Wallaloo Red Cross Branch Records, 1939 - 1946
Series of Books Compact Cash Receipt Books - Prisoner of War Fund Membership Roll 1944-1946 Australian Rec Cross Society Regulations Exercise Book - Minutes 1939 July 1941 with newspaper articles Exercise Book - Minutes July 1941 - June 1924 Exercise Book - Minutes July 1942 - 1943 Exercise Book - Minutes March 1943 - Oct 1944 Exercise Book - Minutes Nov 1944-Aug 1946 with newspaper articles stawell, ww2, war -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Instruction, Ministry of Munitions, March through Melbourne of London Victory March Contingent, Apr.1946
March through Melbourne of London Victory March Contingent Letter from Ministry of Munitions to MMTB advising of parade through Melbourne on Thursday April 18 1946. 3 page letter plus 2 page appendix. Order No 38756 replacing order No 38104. , Order No 38104 Letter from Ministry of Munitions to MMTB advising of parade through Melbourne on Thursday April 18 1946. 3 page letter plus 2 page appendix."Mr Harry" written in black in on top left corner.trams, tramways, instructions, events -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Postcard, Valentine & Sons Publishing Co, "Moorabool Street Geelong", early 1950s
Postcard produced by the Valentine publishing company of Moorabool St looking north at the corner of Ryrie St. Tram No. 33 is picking up passengers at the safety zone at the intersection with Ryrie St where the front of another bogie tram can be seen. In the view are the T&G building, the Bank of NSW which has a chemist shop, and the Savoia cafe. The rear of the card notes it is a genuine photograph. The card number V24 is the same number used in item 9064, but a later version, the early 1950s. The note on the rear of the card gives details of Ken's Victorian trip during Jan 1954.Yields information about the view of Moorabool St at Ryrie St early 1950s.Black and white Postcard undivided back, unused. Card No. V24.Has a note written to Ken Magor from Ken Winney? dated 14-1-1954 - see image 2tramways, trams, geelong, moorabool st, tram 33 -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Bradley, Mark Philip, Vietnam at War, 2009
... 1946-1954. ...A penetrating history of how the Vietnamese people experienced the wars for their country.A penetrating history of how the Vietnamese people experienced the wars for their country.vietnam -- history -- 1945-1975, vietnam war, 1961-1975., indochinese war, 1946-1954. -
Tennis Australia
Magazine, Jun-46
American Lawn Tennis Magazine, June 1946 Materials: Paper, Inktennis -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Book, Jack Richardson, "Destination City", 1954
Reproduced from the Australian Tramway Album 2nd Edition, (revised). 2nd Edition, (revised). Two colour cover - green with black. Describes Melbourne's tram car fleet, including Victorian Railways tramcars, cable cars and the Doncaster and Box Hill tramway. Includes brief description of each type, photographs and a summary history. Has many photographs of the various tramcars associated with relevant text. On front cover, has PCC 980 with green banding and price. On back cover is a map of Melbourne tramways drawn in 1948. Book - "Destination City" - paper covers - 20 pages - with sub title "A Pictorial Review of Melbourne's Tramcars", priced at 2/-, published by Traction Publications of Brighton Beach in 1954. Copy 2 - on front cover has number "500/18" crossed out with "501/2" in blue ink underneath. Copy 3 - on inside of front cover, stamped in black ink "R.J.Meyer / 6 Moorefield Rd., / Johnsonville".trams, tramways, melbourne, tramcars, mmtb, vr -
Tennis Australia
Book, Post 1954
Book: 'Lawn Tennis', from the series 'British Sports - Past & Present', 241 pages. Hardcover. 1954 Edition (first published 1953). Materials: Paper, Ink, Cardboardtennis -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - RAAF BARRACKS BOFU JAPAN, RAAF, 1946
Item is part of the BCOF Association Collection, refer Cat No 7625This is a large black and white photo. In the background are mountains. On right side of the photo, are some factories with tall chimneys. The middle ground is flat. It shows housing alongside roads. The foreground shows 10 major double storey buildings and three rows of single storey buildings The foreground, left bottom of the picture shows darkened devastated area. A solo tall chimney is on the right side.On rear - “81 fighter..... Occupation Forces. RAAF Camp (Barracks) Bofu, Japan 1946. This was previously a camp for Kamakazi pilots”ww2, bcof, japan -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Photograph, c1954
Members of the Wangaratta RSL - D Gray, G Poidenven, A MacFarlane, B Clark, T Anderson, M Burles, W Williams, L Hansen and othersEstablished over a century ago, the Wangaratta RSL is one of the oldest and largest sub-branches in Victoria. This photograph shows local veterans in front of the club at a social event during the 1950s. Black and white unframed photograph of 14 men wearing suits and ties standing under RSL Logo shield.Rear - June 23rd 1954rsl, wangaratta -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document - Roster, State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV), "Motorman/Conductors' Rotation Roster, Jul. 1946
Demonstrates aspects of the Ballarat Tramways at the end of the 2nd world war - when the tramway traffic was still high. Gives details of rosters arrangements for crews and shows how the roster system worked at the time.3419.1 - Single sheet of off white duplicating paper titled "Motorman/Conductors' Rotation Roster", dated July 1946. Printed by wax cut stencil or Gestetner method. Details the run number that an employee would do for a particular week and day of the week. Has dated of "July 1946" and initials "M.M." in top right hand corner. 3419.2 - ditto, but for Conductors. Runs end in letter C. See also Reg. Item 2293 and 2294 for 1970's versions.In right hand corner of 3419.1 - "BTPS 804" and 3419.2 "BTPS 805" in black ink.trams, tramways, ballarat, rosters, employees, shifts -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Memorandum, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Cricket - Victoria v Australian Services", Jan. 1946
Cricket - Victoria v Australian Services at St Kilda Cricket Ground - Friday 4th to Monday 7th January 1946. Memorandum - four typed sheets from JM Harry District Traffic Superintendent S.S. to Mr McCutchen, Hanna St Depot, Mr Mazoletti, Malvern Depot, Mr Cliff, Glenhuntly Depot, and Mr Taylor, Port Melbourne. Memo dated 2 January 1946 and specifies trams required for event. Memo from JM Harry regarding inspectors' positionspencil notes written on inspector position memotrams, tramways, instructions, events, st kilda, specials, cricket -
Victoria Police Museum
Photograph (police car)
Ford Customline, registration number GGD 011. Circa 1954police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; ford customline car -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Pamphlet, Blackburn North Primary School. Silver Anniversary, 1979
Brief history of Blackburn North Primary School, 1954 - 1979.blackburn north primary school., primary schools -
St Patrick's Old Collegians Association (SPOCA)
Photograph - Students, 1950s
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Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MCCOLL, RANKIN AND STANISTREET COLLECTION: SOUTH NELL GWYNNE
Two circulars from the South Nell Gwynne Gold Mining Company NL. 1. Notice of a Half Yearly General Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Company's Office, Charing Cross on Friday 5th November 1954 at 2.15 pm. And a Directors Report for the term ended 31st August 1954. 2. Notice of a Half Yearly meeting of shareholders on Friday 28th May 1954. Directors Report for the year ended 31st March 1954.gold, mining, shareholders meeting, bendigo gold mines, south nell gwynne, nell gwynne line of reef -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Postcard, c. 1946
Sourced from Casterton Town Hall former Shire of GlenelgBlack and white photo/postcard, showing ? Island Park Casterton during 1946 flood. Tractor in flooded yard near shed. Tin back fence with 'The World's Favourite' written on it. (Rest of advertisement underwater)Back: Purple photographer's stamp. 'Postcard' - purple -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Negative, Wal Jack, 12/03/1946 12:00:00 AM
Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, C class 27 at Brunswick Depot, with W5 767 alongside with the destination of Brunswick Depot. Photo taken (based on Wal's Album Note) 12/3/1946.trams, tramways, c class, w5 class, brunswick depot, tram 787 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - VICTORIAN BOWLING ASSOCIATION - RULES AND BY-LAWS, 1946
Document : 24 page booklet with thin beige coloured covers entitled ' General Rules, Rules for Competitions and By-Laws of the Victorian Bowling Association'. Approved Aug.16, 1946. John P. Monro (Secretary)Printed by Wilke & Co. Pty. Ltd, Melbourneorganization, club/society, bowling, bowls, bowling, rules and by-laws, john p monro. -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph - black and white, Broadcast from Simpelveld, Holland, Aug 1954
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.1). Black and white photograph of a group of five men seated around a table in the outdoors. They appear to be listening to the tape playing on a reel to reel tape player which is located on the table. The man in the middle is Frank Wright and the place is Simpelveld in Holland. 2). Same as above although only the hand is visible of the fifth man.Written in pencil on back - Broadcast from Simpelveld Holland, on Music Concourse (Kenknade), Aug 1954simpelveld, frank wright, reel to reel tape player, brass bands -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
legal record (item) - Register, marriages, Register No. 8 Marriages 29-1-54 to 27-2-60, 1954
The St Peter Chapel has been the site of many religious celebrations including weddings, funerals and baptisms. This register is a government produced document recording all the necessary information in order to legally register a marriage in the Commonwealth of Australia.Whilst this register details marriages conducted at the St Peter Chapel during the period 1954-1960, of particular importance is the marriage between Robin Alexander Kent and Beverley Langdon Oliver. Beverley is the daughter of Frank Oliver, who served as chaplain to the Mission for a period of 30 years. Beverley and Robin continued to live at the Mission after their marriage and both of their children, Roslyn and Andrew, were born during that time.Handwritten in blue ink on the front cover: "REGISTER NO. 8 29-1-54 to/27-2-60/8st peter chapel, robin kent, frank leslie oliver, padre oliver, marriages, weddings, register, beverley oliver, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, flinders street, melbourne, dio-marriages, dio-archives -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - GERTRUDE PERRY COLLECTION: BALLARAT EISTEDDFOD PROGRAMME, 1954
Document. Sixth Annual Choral Eisteddfod Programme. Alfred Hall Ballarat, Friday August 27th 1954. Arranged by The Ballarat Methodist Youth Fellowship. Black print on yellow paper.person, individual, gertrude perry, gertrude perry collection, sixth annual choral eisteddfod programme, ballarat methodist youth fellowship -
Clunes Museum
Document - FINANCIAL REPORT, 1924 - 1954
CLUNES LADIES BENEVOLENT SOCIETY ANNUAL BALANCE SHEETS FORWARDED TO HOSPITAL AND CHARITIESCOLLECTION EIGHTEEN ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS FROM 1929 - 1954 CLUNES LADIES BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. MRS. E.H. BARKELL SECRETARY AND TREASURER. FORWARDED TO HOSPITAL AND CHARITIES INSPECTOR MELBOURNE.local history, documents, reports, societies, ladies benevolent society, clunes hospital -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Negative, Wal Jack, May. 1954
Yields information about trams severely damaged during accidents and a collision with a semi trailer.Negative and Digital images of the Wal Jack Ballarat Negative file of No. 37 after its accidents with a semi trailer on 15/4/1954 See Reg Item 3861 for the accidenttrams, tramways, accidents, depot, tram 37 -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Stuart Tompkins Studios, Kew Municipal Library: Opening of Extentions by The Hon. L.W. Balvin M.L.A. Chief Secretary, 19 October 1954
Kew Library history: 1860: Kew's first library was the Kew Literary and Scientific Society, which opened on 6 August 1860. 1884: Kew Town Hall was extended and the library transferred to a room on the upper floor. This was not an ideal arrangement as the room was required for Council purposes. 1904: A cottage adjoining Kew Town Hall was purchased for use as a library. 1937: The library was closed for a major overhaul of stock and renovation of the building. It reopened in December 1937 and remained there for more than 35 years. 1973: When the Civic Centre opened in Charles Street, Kew, the library moved in. 1987: Kew Library moved to its current location in the converted city hall, overlooking the beautiful Alexandra Gardens. The library was officially opened at this site on Friday 23 October 1987 by the Mayor of Kew, Cr James Tutt.An historically interesting photographic record of investment in public infrastructure and services by municipal councils during the 1950s. Framed photographic collage showing the opening of Extensions to the Kew Municipal Library by The Hon. L.W. Balvin M.L.A. Chief Secretary on 19 August 1954. The photos are in their original mount and frame.[Inscription] "Kew Municipal Library: Opening of Extentions by The Hon. L.W. Balvin M.L.A. Chief Secretary 19.8.1954, with Cr. A.S.C. Stevens J.P. Mayor and Cr. W.D. Vaughan J.P. Chairman Library Council". [Photographer] "Stuart Tompkins Studios."kew library, cr a.s.c. stevens, cr w.d. vaughan, australian photographers - stuart tompkins studio -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - ETHEL PATTISON COLLECTION: REFERENCE LETTER, 1954
Hand written reference dated 23rd April, 1954, on yellow paper, for Miss Ethel Pattison from a former employer Mrs J Wilson 471 Hargreaves Street Bendigo.personal reference, ethel pattison, mrs wilson -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Book - Books, n.d
Port of Portland Collection -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book - text, Professor Dr D Schmeil, Schmeil Grundrisz Der Pflanzenkunde, 1926
A book in German language which appears to describe plants, possibly weeds. Useful to a botanist. It has pages of coloured illustrations. Written in 1926 in Leipzig.Presented to Karl Wied on 27 November 1946plants, botanist, camp 3, internee, professor dr d schmeil -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Article (Item) - De Havilland Engines Goblin And Gypsy Miscellaneous Data
Reprinted From Aircraft Engineering April 1946 -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Yesterday's Evening
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. Yesterday's Evening Author: Cecil Lewis Publisher: Peter Davies Date: 1946Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC LEW Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, 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, yesterday's evening, cecil lewis -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Foveaux
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. 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. Foveaux Author: Kylie Tennant Publisher: Serius Publishing Company Date: 1946Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC TEN Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, 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, foveaux, kylie tennant