Framed black and white photograph of HMAS Sydney at sea. HMAS Sydney (A214) known as the Vung Tau Ferry enroute to Vietnam in 1968.photograph, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, ran

A cream and green booklet with map of Sth Vietnam titled Helpful Hints For Personel Ordered To Vietnam. Headquarters, Department Of The Army March 1968Written of Front - DAMSG 97899booklet, tourist

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.School 72 commenced 12/8/1968 45 Female Nurses are in uniform. Four rows, the front row seated rest standing. nurse training, ndsn, lister house, school 72

Document, Bert Graham Collection, Bendigo East Swimming Club, records as at the start of 1967 - 1968 season for boys and girls in various eventsbendigo, clubs, bendigo east swimming club

Handwritten letter from the Stawell Branch of the Australian Natives' Association, Branch No. 10, dated July 27 1909. Letter congratulates Mr. Davis on his rescue of Mr. Allen. Letter has letterhead and is signed by H. Hodder, Secretary.H. Hoddermine, gold, joseph davies, joseph davies collection - letter of congratulations, australian natives' association stawell branch, joseph davis

The celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 was renamed Empire Day in 1903 after her death in 1901. It was celebrated throughout the British Empire culminating in fireworks and bonfires in the evening. Empire Day was first introduced in 1905 to promote loyalty among the dominion countries of the British Empire. (from https://dictionaryofsydney.org/event/empire_day) Celebrated on 24 May, Queen Victoria's birthday, it was directed especially at school children. Teachers were encouraged to promote special steps to develop a feeling of pride in the British Empire and the achievements of the British race. Often a morning of short addresses, recitations and patriotic songs such as 'Rule Britannia' and 'Advance Australia' was followed by a half-day holiday to mark the celebration of Australia's strong ties to the British Empire. (from MuseumsVictoria)Empire Day was a celebration of the British Empire that was held for many years in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and other countries. It took place every year on May 24, the date of Queen Victoria's birthday. Queen Victoria ruled England for 63 years. this item reflects the loyalty to and recognition of the British royal family in the first half of the 20th century.A black / white photograph of a large group of people , men in suits, women in long dresses. They are in a large fenced clearing.on back -" EMPIRE DAY ORBOST before 1909"empire-day celebrations gatherings public-events

Coloured photograph of the 1968 float "Swan Lady".bendigo, institutions, sandhurst boys centre

Black and white photograph of SEC No. 27 with destination of Sebastopol waiting at the City terminus on Friday 30 August 1968. Has driver standing in doorway, looking very cold and one passenger in saloon looking at photographer. Tram has a "Twin Lakes" advertisement on the drivers cab panel and "Pixietown" and "comes to Myers Wed. August 21 - Sat. Sept. 14" roof advertisements. Illuminated T&G sign in the background. Copy 1 - Colour photocopy, laminated, of this photograph on display 5/2000 at 02-02-06 Copy 2 - made by enlarging photo to an approx. A4 print by colour photocopying and laminated for display purposes. Made July 2000 for the Trams at Night exhibition in the depot. Made by W.Doubleday. Has four Velcro dots on rear. Overall size 210H x 275W. Stored in same box at rear of large photos area in an A4 plastic folder.On rear in pencil "Approx. 11.05pm, Fri 30 August 1968 / City Centre, Sturt St, / Ballarat" and in bottom right hand corner, in ink "With Compliments / R.G." and stamped in black ink "Vanselow".trams, tramways, city centre, sturt st, night photo, tram 27

The tramcar was subsequently re-painted for the 1969 Begonia Festival Yields information about Ballarat tram No. 21 decorated for Myer, 1968 ChristmasBlack and White photograph of SEC Ballarat tram 21 decorated as Santa's showboat for Myer, Christmas 1968. Photo by Keith Kings, 30-11-1968.On rear has the photographers file number 54-18ballarat, christmas, myer, depot, tram 21, trams, tramways

Samuel Bedson (1834 - 6/12/1909) Samuel Bedson worked at the Bendigo Pottery making artificial flowers for 20 years. He left Victoria in 1895 before dying in Christchurch, New Zealand. His daughter Maude married Horatio David Collier in 1894 and remained in Bendigo. Horatio founded Collier Shoes in the early 1900's. 8555 Bedson family (father Samuel, wife Elizabeth & daughter Maude). Samuel Bedson (1834 - 1909), wife Elizabeth (Nee Astbury) and daughter Maude Eliza (1873 - 1960) Samuel & wife came to Bendigo, either with or shortly after Geo. Guthrie; to open and work the Bendigo Pottery. Maude Eliza married Horatio David Collier. Marion Heeps grandparents. bedson family, bendigo

Photo of Ballarat tram No. 21, dressed as the Myers Santa Showboat tram, southbound in Lydiard St North during December 1968. Has the railway level crossing, Ballarat B signal box and the Victoria Guest house in the background. Tram has "Grey St." as the destination. Kodak cardboard mount slide, taken Mark Plummer, December 1968.tramways, trams, lydiard st north, railway crossing, myers santa tram, decorated trams, tram 21

Doyle Family Group photographs plus others. Think a mistake in photograph of soldier in WW1 uniform (photo 2) as more likely Peter Pagan Doyle as John born 1909. Photo 1. Portrait of "John Galbraith Doyle born Stawell 1909, only child of Marion (Galbraith) and John Pagan Doyle". Photo 2. of soldier & portrait photo. "John Galbraith Doyle born Stawell 1909 only child of Marion (Galbraith) and John Pagan Doyle". Photo 3. of wedding group "Origin unknown. At the right is Marion Galbraith, b1881 in Stawell, dau. of Peter Galbraith. The man to her right is thought to be John Pagan Doyle". Photo 4. of house. "Home of Peter Galbraith and family, possibly Patrick Street Stawell. with family members arrayed" Photo 5. family group "Galbraith family at Stawell. Mr. Peter Galbraith, his wife Margaret (Cameron), and 4 children -L-R Norman, Marion, Afton and (in front) Harold. Photo 6. of 8 men. "Source unknown, but possible connected with Stawell of Mines or may be part of Peter Galbraith's assay business. People second from left, back row and second from left, front row appears to be sons of Peter Galbraith". Photo 7. "Marion (Galbraith) Doyle and John Galbraith Doyle (b. Stawell 1909)". Marion only daughter of Peter & Margaret Galbraith nee Cameron born Stawell 1881. Marion married John Pagan Doyle who was Science Director of School of Mines, Stawell 1909. Eight black and white photographs of Galbraith Doyle and Pagan Doyle Family. Two photographs of a soldier in WW1 uniform. (Think a mistake as possible Peter Pagan Doyle). Third photo is of a group of 13 people at a wedding. Fourth photo of a weather board house with a veranda and garden and people on veranda and in garden. Fifth photo Family group. Sixth photo 8 men holding equipment associated with mining but formally dressed. Eight photo of a woman and child holding a cat. Note a mistake on 2 photos, the captions state John Galbraith Doyle was born 1909 at Stawell but he is shown in a WW1 uniform which cannot be him. The soldier must be his father John Pagan Doyle who enlisted 1915 at Stawell. Photo 1. of "John Galbraith Doyle born Stawell 1909, only child of Marion (Galbraith) and John Pagan Doyle". Photo 2. of soldier & portrait photo. "John Galbraith Doyle born Stawell 1909 only child of Marion (Galbraith) and John Pagan Doyle". Photo 3. of wedding group "Origin unknown. At the right is Marion Galbraith, b1881 in Stawell, dau. of Peter Galbraith. The man to her right is thought to be John Pagan Doyle". Photo 4. of house. "Home of Peter Galbraith and family, possibly Patrick Street Stawell. with family members arrayed" Photo 5. family group "Galbraith family at Stawell. Mr. Peter Galbraith, his wife Margaret (Cameron), and 4 children -L-R Norman, Marion, Afton and (in front) Harold. Photo 6. of 8 men. "Source unknown, but possible connected with Stawell of Mines or may be part of Peter Galbraith's assay business. People second from left, back row and second from left, front row appears to be sons of Peter Galbraith". Photo 7. "Marion (Galbraith) Doyle and John Galbraith Doyle (b. Stawell 1909)".stawell

Typed letter with The Austral Society's Literary, Musical & Elocutionary Competitions letterhead, dated 27th July 1909, expressing the high appreciation for his braveness and heroism in rescuing his fellow worker. Signed by E. J. V. Negan Hon. Secretary.E. J. V. Niganmine, gold, joseph davies, joseph davies collection - letter of congratulations, the austral society's literary, musical, & elocutionary competitions, his excellency sir thomas gibson carmichael, sir john madden, joseph davies, e j v nigan

Handwritten letter of congratulations dated July 23rd 1909. Letter is written to Mr Joseph Davies congratulating him for his act of bravery. Letter from the Australian Natives Association, Eaglehawk Branch No 37. Letter signed by John Trevean? Secretary.eaglehawk, history, australian natives association, joseph davies collection - letter of congratulations, australian natives association eaglehawk branch, joseph davies, goldfields consolidated mine

The high school had a very active rowing group supported by the Yarrawonga Rowing Club. Boys in photo Cox - Earl Pike, Stroke - Peter Bennett, Peter O’Bryan, Peter Langford, Ian Doggett, Jeff McKee, John Baillie, Colin McMillan, Bow - Brian Fields Coach - Andrew Ruwolt Black and white photograph mounted on board of YHS Rowing eight taken on Mulwala side of Lake Mulwala above the road traffic bridge 1968Yarrawonga High School Rowing Eight

Minutes 1968 - 2005. Palmer Gift - land. Vermont Church and Community Aid Group. Annual reports. Financial statements. Annual meeting minutes.non-fictionA collection of documents relating to the Vermont Elderly Peoples Homevermont elderly peoples home, aged people

Various garments associated with wedding January 1965.- Cream coloured - "A" line - 3/4 sleeves - slightly 'belled" - Organza lined - square neckline - Reputedly Georges manufacture (unlabeled) - C 1968Nilsilk, otterman, wedding, handmade, georges ltd

Yields information about another horse tram body in Ballarat, through very derelict.Colour slide, Kodak white cardboard mount, developed Sept 1968 of a very derelict former Ballarat Horse tram in the backyard of a Ballarat backyard.ballarat, tramways, trams, horse trams, sale of trams

Yields information about the Victoria St terminus.Colour slide, Kodak white cardboard mount, developed Sept 1968 of No. 18 at the Victoria St terminus - side on view. Has the Orphanage in the background."Victoria St Term" in the background.ballarat, tramways, trams, victoria st, tram 18

Company B, 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry.Recognition of Flt Lt. Gary Cooper of the RAAF on the 6th May ,1968 for Airstrikes.united states. army, gary cooper (flgt lt.)

See entry for F51-1.Black and white frontispiece of Rev. Ronald W. Allardice.The Rev. Ronald W. Allardice B. A., Dip. Ed. President of Conference, 1968.methodist, conference, samoa, goulburn valley

Made by Mrs. P. Mudrack in 1909.Hand made, Point Lace Tea Cosy over Lavender tea cosy.tea-cosies

Coloured image taken from Ektochrome slide by 1735354 Jeffrey Horne Tr Ray Howard 3792606 A Sqn Third Cavalry Regiment 1968 on stretcher being carried by medicMy memories are pretty hazy, but I remeber being in intensive care ward with 2 other diggers who were a lot worse off that I was, and I have often wondered if they made it. today, I am doing OK and want to thank you all for your wonderful care. You were a special mob and I have very fond memories of all who helped me. 1968 (estimate)photograph, 1st australian field hospital, ektachrome slide

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'S MECHANICS' INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. Ethel Mary Turner Ethel Turner (25th January 1872 – 8th April 1958) was an English-born Australian novelist and children's literature writer. She was born Ethel Mary Burwell in Doncaster in England. Her father died when she was two, leaving her mother Sarah Jane Burwell with two daughters (Ethel and Lillian). A year later, Ethel’s mother married Henry Turner, who was 20 years older and had six children of his own. Sarah Jane and Henry had a daughter, Rose. Henry Turner died suddenly, leaving Sarah Jane with nine children and little income. In 1879 Sarah Jane moved to Australia with Ethel, Lillian, and Rose; within the next two years she married Charles Cope and gave birth to his son Rex. Ethel Turner was educated at Paddington, New South Wales Public School and Sydney Girls High School she was one of the school's original thirty-seven pupils. Ethel started her writing career at eighteen, founding the Parthenon, a journal for young people, with her sister Lillian. Writing as “Dame Durden”, she wrote children's columns for the Illustrated Sydney News and later for the Australian Town and Country Journal. In 1891 the family moved to Woodlands, a large house in Lindfield, now Killara, which was then out in the country. Woodlands still stands today in Werona Avenue and is where she wrote “Seven Little Australians”. In 1896 Ethel married Herbert Curlewis, a lawyer. After living in Mosman, they built their own house overlooking Middle Harbour. The house, Avenel, is where Ethel Turner spent the rest of her years. She survived her daughter Jean Curlewis, who died of tuberculosis, by 28 years. Jean was also a writer of children's books, although not as popular as her mother. Jean's works include “The Ship That Never Set Sail”, “Drowning Maze”, and “Beach Beyond (1923)”. Her son Adrian, was a Barrister, Captain in WW2 and a Changi and Thai-Burma Railway POW and later a Judge. Ethel Turner died at Mosman on 8 April 1958 at 85. She is buried at Macquarie Park Her best-known work is her first novel, Seven Little Australians (1894), which is widely considered a classic of Australian children's literature and was an instant hit both in Australia and overseas. It is about a family of seven children growing up in Australia. The book, together with its sequels “The Family at Misrule” (1895) and “Little Mother Meg” (1902) that deal with the lives of the Wolcott family, particularly with its seven mischievous children in 1880s Australia. A companion to "Seven Little Australians", “Judy and Punch” was published in 1928. Like her stepfather, the character of Captain Woollcott was a widower with six children. The book was made into a feature film in Australia in 1939 and a UK television series in 1953. A 10-episode television series was made in 1973 by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Turner published a number of other books for children, short stories and poems. “Three Little Maids” (1900) is a strongly autobiographical novel about her family's migration from England to Sydney, Australia. Turner wrote more than forty novels. Some were about the mischievous Wolcott’s. Others were serialized, like her books on "the Cub", and some were stand-alone. The children she wrote about were all adventurous and independent. They frequently got themselves into sticky situations and got themselves out of them with very little to no adult help. Turner was awarded a number of prestigious literary awards and could be considered one of Australia's best-loved authors. She is listed on The Australian Women's Register. The Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature is given annually under the auspices of the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. Ref Ethel Mary Turner, Biography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Turner 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. Fugitives From Fortune Author: Ethel Turner Publisher: Ward, Lock & Co Date: 1909Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC TUR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Children’s Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute 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, fugitives from fortune, ethel turner

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. Fiji and The Western Pacific Author: C Stuart Ross Publisher: H Thacker Date: 1909Blue and White sticker on spine cover with hand written RH 919.6 ROS also has Label on spine cover with typed text RH 919.6 ROS Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Hand written on front loose endpaper "With the Authors Compliments 20/12/09"shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, fiji and the western pacific, c stuart ross

POSTCARD black and white photo Tallangatta floods 1909 Chinese Gardens / card dated 22.2.1911postcard, photograph, various themes, tallangatta floods 1909 chinese gardens

Small rectangular cardboard lady's ticket for the 1909-10 Bendigo United Cricket Club seasonclubs, cricket, bendigo united cricket club