Electric tram towing ex-Ballarat double decked horse drawn on Charing Cross. Written on reverse side: copied ex 'the Bendigonian' 19/09/1905. Rubber stamped on reverse at top right corner: K. S. King's collection and number S-A 777 written in pen.person, individual, basil miller

Yields information about the method of advising a rural association that tramcars were not yet available for sale.Copy of a letter sent by the Melbourne office (K L Murray, Engineer and Manager SEC) to the NZ Loan and Mercantile Agency Co of St Arnaud, who had enquired about purchasing tramcars from either Ballarat or Bendigo. Not at this time, but watch the press. Dated 14/2/1962trams, tramways, sale of trams, sec, closure

Armoured Corps Regiments celebrate the first successful attack by tanks near village of Cambrai, France, 30 November 1917, often with a regimental dinner..Collection of four colour photographs of ' A ' Squadron, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles cooks preparing food for Cambrai Dinner at Buna Barracks, Albury. Segeant Cooks J. Robinson, K. Muller wearing chef's hat, Corporal Cooks Teweson wearing tee shirt and B. Lewis.cambrai, dinner, vmr, muller, robinson, tewson, lewis, cooks

The train is headed towards Surrey Hills station. In the background are the Hamilton Street shops with advertising posters on their rear walls. The donor George Lister Coop was about 27 years of age when he took this photo. It is one of a small series of photos donated by him that relate to Mont Albert and Surrey Hills stations. He has always had an interest in railways and there are other examples of his documentation of railway history in other collections contributing to this database. A black & white photo of a Harris train destined for Flinders Street that has passed through Mont Albert station, which can just be seen in the background. Behind the train on the rear walls of buildings are advertising for Haydn Real Estate and K&M Murray selling Toppa Ice Cream.advertising signs, george l coop, mont albert station, trains, haydn real estate, toppa ice cream, k & m murray, hamilton street shops

Sarah Coventry Pty. Ltd. was a North American jewellery company that was established in 1949 by the Stuart family as part of Emmons Jewelry, Inc. It began operations in England and Australia in 1968, and in Australia it moved from Carlton in Melbourne to Wodonga in 1969. The premises were originally on High St. in Wodonga, but a new warehouse was built in Melbourne Rd. later in 1969. It was a direct selling jewellery business using a party-plan model similar to Tupperware and Avon. The sales reps or 'Hostesses' were provided with jewellery samples in demonstration kits, which they displayed at jewellery parties in their homes. The designs for jewellery such as brooches, necklaces, earrings, chokers and bracelets were purchased from freelance designers and jewellery manufacturers rather than in-house designers. In 1979 Sarah Coventry Pty. Ltd. in Wodonga was bought by three Australian businessmen, including Wodonga local Jim Sawyer, and continued to sell jewellery under the name "Sargem Pty. Ltd”, for several more years in the 1980s. As part of the Sarah Coventry collection, the pin has local significance with the decentralised commercial development of regional centres such as Wodonga in NE Victoria, as well as national and international significance from the perspective of social and economic developments for women after World War II. The direct selling party-plan business model Sarah Coventry was based on is also considered the first of its kind for jewellery.Small rectangular gold metal pin with a small pearl inlay on the proper left side for 15 years service. The 10 K stamp on the back surface suggests it is 10 karat gold.The abraded areas on the clasp on the back expose underlying silver coloured metal indicating that the clasp is plated. "Sarah / SC / 15 / YRS / Coventry" on the front surface. "cTo ® / .... 10K" stamped in the back surface on the lower proper left side indicating 10 karat gold. The (®) symbol indicates that the manufacturer's mark is federally registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office. The 'cTo' is the trademark by O. C. Tanner Jewelry Co. in Salt Lake City, U.S.sarah coventry, jewellery, wodonga, costume jewellery, vintage fashion jewellery, pin, jewellery pins

Black and white photograph of W5 816 in Glenferrie Road, looking south during the reconstruction of the Malvern Tram Depot lead, 14/9/1969. Taken by Chris Phillips, printed on Kodak Paper. Has a Haymes paint shop and K. Gardner and Lang Estate Agents shop in the background.On the rear in black ink "816 Stored Glenferrie Rd. 14/9/69"trams, tramways, mmtb, malvern depot, glenferrie rd, trackwork, tram 816

Part of the Kevin John Herdman, No. 397661, Collection. See Catalogue No. 5942P for details of his service record.Silver coloured metal tankard in Georgian style. Engraved details on one side.Engraved on side: “Presented To, MAJ. K. J. HERDMAN, from, HQ 3 TRG GP OFFICERS MESS, Aug 80”memorabilia, tankard, kevin john herdman

J S Rowley operated a cordial factory on the corner of Timor and Banyan Streets from the 1860’s through to the sale of the business in 1897. They produced a number of different products : cloves, kola champagne, ginger beer, lemonade, lithia water, hop beer, orange bitters to mention some. The brewery won a number of awards for its products over the years.A common item which was locally made with a strong link to a local business. 2 clear glass bottles with indented towards the top. Marble encased in neck region of bottle. Writing embossed in glass.D K marked in glass on bottom of bottle. J S Rowley Aerated Waters Warrnambool written in glass sideways on bottle. warrnambool, warrnambool history, warrnambool bottle, j s rowley brewery, brewery warrnambool, j s rowley cordial

This is a soft-cover book of 133 pages on the settlement of the Western District from prehistoric times to the present. It has a blue paper front cover and a grey paper back cover. The front cover is covered with a clear plastic sheet and the binding is plastic. The cover has an image of a sketch of the Warrnambool beach showing the lighthouse complex on Middle Island and the lighthouse on the beach (established 1860). There are a Contents page, a Foreword, a List of Plates and seven articles on different aspects of the Western District history by different authors. There are black and white photographs and illustrations. One page (p.17) has been annotated by Les O’Callaghan.This booklet documents a public lecture series held in Warrnambool 3rd November 1984.western victorian history, edmund gill, peter ronald, john sherwood, jan critchett, tony dingle, miles lewis, kevin o’toole, warrnambool, history

M V Kanimbla coastal liner requisitioned in Australia August 1939 to become armed merchant cruiser 1943. It was converted to a landing ship for infantry, saw service at Hollandia, Borneo, Morotai & Phillipines.Photo of H V Kanimbla mounted in a frame the shape of a lifebelt depicting the Australian Merchant Flag with red Scottish Lion. Shoelace attached to hang it.Handwritten on back: Melb to Adelaide 10.37 Troopship L K Morgan Painted on front: Souvenir 10.1937 M V Kanimblaphotography - photos, souvenirs, military history - navy

Awarded to Ernest King NEWMAN. Refer Cat No 317 for his pre war and war service in WW11.Round, metal, Australian Senior Cadets badge; Rising Sun insignia in centre, surrounded by a green ring inscrbed 'Recreational Training'Inscribed "1925, 4th Div 2nd State 1st Div Miniature Rifle Shooting/ E K Newman 38th Bn"badges cadet, military, 38th bn

Written on backing sheet, "Herry Family at Ringwood. L. Back, Marie, Mrs. K. H., Leo. Front John, Elizabeth"

This painting of the “La Bella” is associated with Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the wreck of the “La Bella”. It was painted around the 1980s by maritime artist Philip J. Gray. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The Kosnar Picture Framing and Mirrors Shop identified the "GRAY 3135, Y04/111" as their job number for the framing and said that the label "ANOTHER KOSNAR FEATURE" was last used before about 1990. About artist Philip J. Gray “Philip is one of Australia’s leading maritime artists and his meticulous research and social commentary paintings of ships, such as, the Loch Ard and Schomberg form an important part of Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum.” [Dr Marion Manifold, Artist and Art Historian, 2014] Philip James Gray was born in London but has lived most of his life in Australia. He graduated from a London school of art as an illustrator, specialising in technical and scientific illustration as well as other commercial and applied art. He was also a student for a time of Fyffe Christie - British figurative artist, mural painter and humanitarian – who had a great influence on his career. Philip has always worked as a professional artist and illustrator. Many publications on maritime history have featured his work. His paintings have been released and sold all over the world as limited edition prints. The State Library of Victoria’s ‘Latrobe Collection’ holds two of his paintings. His street painting of ‘The Ashes Contest’ decorates the brick wall of Old Bakery Laneway in Sunbury and a Sunbury café owner commissioned him to paint the ‘Sunbury Pop Festival’ as a remembrance of local history. Philip has been an active member of the Sunbury Art Society in Victoria for several years, serving on the committee for some of that time and being involved in exhibitions. He enjoys helping new artists and sharing his skills and experience. About the “La Bella” The wreck of the La Bella lies at the bottom of the Warrnambool Harbour in Lady Bay. Some 15 ships are believed to have been wrecked there but only two have been discovered on the sea floor; the La Bella and the Edinburgh Castle. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The story of the final voyage of the La Bella is summarised as follows … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, the company being one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. La Bella was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905 the twelve year old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia . She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en-route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with sea water and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25 year old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days an unidentified body of a young person was washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later, when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan, after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy). Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked, but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ.This painting of the La Bella by Philip J. Gray is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The painting connects with other objects and artefacts associated with the wreck of the La Bella. This painting is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella” . the “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Large framed painting of the three masted barquentine "La Bella" fully rigged. Painted by Phillip J Gray. A fine printed line squares off the painting. Beneath painting and line is a gold plate with black copper plate designating "La Bella" is encased in glass, surrounded by a silver-metal frame. Yellow and brown paper label is adhered to back of painting. Picture framed by Kosnar in Melbourne."The La Bella" on gold plaque Logo of "K" inside a brown square. "GRAY 3135, Y04/111", "ANOTHER KOSNAR FEATURE" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, painting, la bella, artist phillip j gray, maritime painting, lady bay warrnambool

Coloured photographs(10)Variety of images of Bowling Club personalities at Cup Eve function held in Clubrooms, 1992. Images numbered 30207(k) to (t).

SEPIA PHOTOGRAPHMOUNTED ON GREEN CARDBOARD MOUNTOF CLUNES HOSPITAL FETE NOVEMBER 1897 TAKEN IN FRONT OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH - BAILEY STREET, CLUNES. CROWD BEING ENTERAINED BY VARIOUS ATTRACTIONS.On Reverse; K Patience On Front; Printed on Red Ink Clark Hospital Fete Procession Handwritten in pencil Clunes Hosp 1897photography, events and celebrations, hospital, hospital fete

Katharine Rose with Mrs Delacombe and Sir Rohan Delacombe, Governor of Victoria, at the opening of the new wing at Mirridong, named in her honour.1 x black and white photograph of four peopleMrs Katharine Rose meets Lady Delacombe & Gov. of Victoria Sir Rohan Delacombe prior to opening of K. Rose Wing.association for the blind, mirridong home (bendigo), katharine (kitty) rose, sir rohan delacombe

A brochure printed to capture an address given to the Legacy Club, Melbourne by Dr C H Fitts in 1942. The content appears to be about the term 'legacy'. The fact it was printed means it must have been significant to the Legatees. The notation H28 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. A record of the speech given to Legatees in 1942 and was significant enough to be printed. Speakers at Legacy luncheons were from very different walks of life and the subjects spoken on were many and varied.White paper brochure with black type, folded into a 8 page booklet of an address by Dr Fitts.Handwritten H28 in red pen, and 'From K J Doolan, 55 Ardie Rd East Malvern' in blue fountain pen.history, speech, speakers

Black and White photographs of X class trams at the Point Ormond terminus by Keith Kings. Photos shows the lettering and signs for one man trams. .1 - X-217 - 13/8/1949 .2 - X-218 - 29/4/1950On the rear in ink details of each tram and photo along with Keith's photo numbers c(e)(4) and D(k)(7).trams, tramways, x class, point ormond, one man trams, tram 217, tram 218

Order of proceedings, with list of sporting, community service and other awards, school captains, prefects, house captains, and SRC representatives.Special Guests: Mayor of Ringwood Cr. I. Rosewarne and Mr. R. Rosewarne, Cr. A. Fraser, Cr. N. MacDonald, Cr. B. Milton, Mrs. K. Setches (M.L.A.), Ms. V. Kemp, Dr. S. Stephens, Mr. R. Burch, Mr. K. Ryan, Mr. A. Marriner.

Certificate awarded to "MR K N BANNON" Keith Noel Bannon No. W3081 RAN Enlisted 16/1/45 aged 18 years Discharged 25/12/46 Rank Stoker 11 on HMAS Lachlan.Certificate - heavy paper, original document. Black print with Australian Coat of Arms on top and " AUSTRALIA REMEMBERS/ 1945-1995" emblem below print. Print on beige background with decorative edge and emblem in green and gold colours. Certificate signed by Prime Minister, Minister for Veteran Affairs and Federal member.On certificate "On the 50th Anniversary/ of the end of the Second World War/ a grateful nation expresses its thanks to Mr. K.N. Bannon/for contributing to the war effort/ and the coming of peace.certificate, ww2, framed item, 50th anniversary, k. n. bannon

"Sergeant Snow White" was a happy go lucky musical revue of bad old and good new times. Was a Sergeant Doc K Sternberg production. Performed at the Union Theatre, Melbourne on April 15th,17th & 19th 1943Program of a Union Theatre production of "Sergeant Snow White" Blue print on pale blue green background. Folds into 4, cover picture depicts stage scene in plastic sleeve cover.documents, programmes

The ordinands are: W. Trewin, A. Jeffrey, K.W. Eddy, E.R. Gronow, Laurance Slee, W.J Turner, Warren K. Bartlett, A. Weatherlake, D.J. Chellew, Alf Foster, W. Drook, A.H. Freeman, Donald M. IresonB & W photograph of the 1956 Methodist Ordination group. The photograph is mounted on buff card. The 14 ordinands have signed the photo mount.Signatures of each of the 14 ordinandsmethodist, ordinand, w. trewin, a. jeffrey, k.w. eddy, e.r. gronow, laurance slee, w.j turner, warren k. bartlett, a. weatherlake, d.j. chellew, alf foster, w. drook, a.h. freeman, donald m. ireson

Program of the Official Opening of New Library and Classrooms - 37 Rowan Street 12.30 p.m. Friday 24th September 1976. Guests Mr K Houlahan, Mr S Gerry, Sr E Wilder, Councilor R.R.Cooper.Cream coloured program. Black writing on front - Official Opening Ceremony of new Library and Classrooms on front. Blank page on Left Hand side. Right hand side has programme listed, Blank back page. 1976nursing history, nurse training

Continuous eight page report for Sale No. 100 Fat Cattle Sale Bendigo dated 6/2/96. Report issued on the 6/2/96 by Ron Laird. Report lists the buyers name and the number of head purchased each time from each agent and the total number purchased. Agents names are abbreviated. Buyers names are: Bennetts Meats Pty Ltd, Boydies Butchers, Clifford Quality Meats, Friswell K, RJ Gilbertson, Hardwick GF & VC, Highland, ICM1, Maher L, Masons Meat Pty Ltd, McCasheney & Co, McIvor Meats, Newman Livestock Sales 153, Newman Livestock Sales N 257, Newman Livestock Sales 3 269, J H Ralph & Son, Safeway No 188, Sville, andrew Schenk, Starr A, Tehan TP & MW, top Meats, Vains Em & Co Pty Otd, T Vlaemick, D & K Webb, M/S K & J Wignall, Woodhead B, R H Woodward & Co 417, Boris and Hancock Butchers.bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - fat cattle sale bendigo 6/2/96, ron laird, bennetts meats pty ltd, boydies butchers, clifford quality meats, friswell k, rj gilbertson, hardwick gf & vc, highland, icm1, maher l, masons meat pty ltd, mccasheney & co, mcivor meats, newman livestock sales 153, newman livestock sales n 257, newman livestock sales 3 269, j h ralph & son, safeway no 188, sville, andrew schenk, starr a, tehan tp & mw, top meats, vains em & co pty otd, t vlaemick, d & k webb, m/s k & j wignall, woodhead b, r h woodward & co 417, boris, hancock butchers

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 a 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 a 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. 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. Little Dorrit Author: Charles Dickens Publisher: Oxford University Press Date: 1953 First Published in 1857 Further Information: With Illustrations by 'Phiz' (Hublot K Browne) We do have 2 different copies of Little Dorrit, both with different publishers. (R.N. 8159, R.N. 8390) The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 823.8 DIC Pastedown front endpaper has a 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, little dorrit, charles dickens