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. The Complete Opera Book The stories of the Operas,together with 400 of the leading Airs and Motives in musical natation. Author: Gustav Kobbé Publisher: GP Putmans Sons Date: 1922Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 782.1 KOB Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker 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, the complete opera book, gustav kobbé, gustav kobbe

VX46562 N J Richmond enlisted in 2AIF on 12 July 1940 and discharged on 04 December 1945, he was Posted to 2/9 Field Ambulance. After December Leave in this Unit left Australia on 3 February 1941 and arrived in Singapore on the 18 February 1941. On 10 April 1942 VX46562 N J Richmond was reported Missing and on 02 November 1943 was Listed at POW. XV46562 N J Richmond returned to Australia on 15 October 1945. This history has been compiled by Norman John Richmonds family, the documents and photographs are originals as kept by Mr Richmond.A brown colour Photograph Album, pages full of photographs and Discharge and Military Papers relating to VX46562 N J Richmond. This is his story - the family retain posession of the Album.vx46562 n j richmond, 2/9 field ambulance, singapore

Blue, soft covered book of 210 pages. The illustrated book outlines the story and descendants of Hugh and Elizabeth Gray, and includes extended sections on the Ralston, Annear and grant families.eureka, hugh gray, robert gray, william gray, janet gray, david annear, elizabeth opie, peter ralston, mary ralston, donald grant, elizabeth wilson, edward rees, laura gray, humffray testimonial, robert shafto, william trahar

The information in this book was first published in 1862 in the 'Family Herald'.Twenty four page booklet with a cover illustration by David Henderson, published by Creswick Historical Society. The story is thought to be fictional, but Brasch's Store did exist in Mopoke Gully.gold, nugget, brasch, mopoke gully, german fred, slaty creek, french, eugene de belmont, john hodges

Bendigo Weekly date unknown. An article by Edith Lunn thanking all the readers who expressed their appreciation of her stories about View Street. The clip is in a plastic pocket.newspaper, bendigo, bendigo weekly

Soft covered book buff coloured with black print 7 illustrations, The Story Of The Radnell Family, Nottingham to Tarnagulla A Colonial History, 124 pages with black and white photographs.Donald.W.Clarkgenealogy, family, radnell, history-tarnagulla-radnell family

A paperback book titled ''Mr. Gilfil's Love Story.'' Written by George Eliot. Published by Collins' Clear-Type Press. London and Glasgow. 62pgs. Collins Penny Library.George Eliotbooks, fiction, romance, lydia chancellor, collection, fiction, romance, love stories, collins' penny library, recreations, book, books

The Heritage of Faith, a story of the early pioneers. J.M. Old, one of the first generation. 257 pages . Cambridge Press. Autobiography of settler in Raywood area, late 19th. C.J.M. Oldautobiography, pioneers, j.m. old, autobiography, raywood, terrick terrick, cornish.

Goldfields Shepherd, The Story of Dr. Backhaus. Signature James V Evans on first page. B&W and coloured illustrations. 32 pages. Yellow soft cover. With IndexFrank Cusack, photography Bob Aulsebrookbendigo, churches, catholic, bendigo, catholic church, gold, dr.. backhaus.

Photograph: Two men and racing bike On Rear: Tandem Bike thing 21/3/93 M.O.S- story B.H - Pix Left Tim Bennett Tim Stirlingrecreations, sports, cycling, bendigo advertiser

Black and white photograph, boxing, photograph of two boys wearing boxing gloves posing for a photograph for the Advertiser. Bendigo Advertiser description on back of photo: Story - Boxers SLArecreations, sports, boxing

Long An Province: Typewritten story about experiences of Staff Sergeant Doug Nelson in Vietnnam by unknown author. Fifteen pages of tyewritten account. Dated 20-07-1969document, long an province

Historic BuildingsB/W Photo of original photo, NE Corner Warrenheip and Learmonth Sts. 1890's Wyatt;s Eagle Hotel centre, and surrounding single story shops.buninyong, wyatt's eagle hotel

A newspaper cutting from the Sun dated Monday Jan 20th 1966. A story on Careers in Australia's modern Army have changed almost 100%in Australian Modern Army.newspaper, army

Chipboard back with light blue on front. Three pictures: two helicopters in flight & a Navy ship at sea with helicopter on the deck. Black print with story: white type specifies.bell iroquois.

Brought from Jaffa, Palestine in 1941Orange coloured hard cover story book. A Girl standing beside a bed with a wolf lying the bed. Blue text. Brown cloth spine. Back blue cardboard.drescher p, camp 3, tatura, ww2, books, children, grimms fairytales

Deals with the healing from colonial dispossession and the trauma caused Indigenous people by drug abuse, alcoholism and various forms of abuse. The creation of change and healing through personal stories.jiman, bundjalung, psychological trauma, psychology, indigenous mental health, spiritual healing

Early use of Crown Land for holiday makers prior to the Great Ocean Road extension, when leaseholders were forced to relinquish their land and houses. Includes a list of the names of occupants at that time. Also includes letters from the Crown Lands Dept about the efforts to retain the Crofts Bay Huts.Significant because it is an eyewitness description of the huts which were demolished in the mid 1970's. Also describes holiday activities and mentions other families in the area.Folder containing the photocopy of the book by Joan Densley and the separate story of the Crofts Bay huts.including copies of Crown Land documents and letters. Includes copy of photographs of the huts and beach.peterborough, crofts bay, bay of islands, joan densley, great ocean road, crofts bay huts, bay of islands huts

Cooper Bros Butcher Shop Main Street Stawell. Three men in front with two horse and delivery carts.Black and white photo with three men standing between two horse and carts either side. A Tobacco shop on the left and a lane way on the right with a double story building. Cooper Bros. Butcher Shop - Stawellstawell business

Court House Patrick Street 1878B/W front angled view of substancial Two story brick building, with three archways and wrought iron fence, to either side of the archways. This builing is the current courthouse.Victorian Views. C. Herbert, Photo. Stawell 1878stawell building, courthouse

Coloured photo of Jason, the Teddy Tale Man and children listening to his story in the garden of Schwerkolt Cottage at Wisteria Garden Party 2000, with Barbara Keene distributing lollies.wisteria party 2000, nunawading and district historical society, schwerkolt cottage, keene, barbara

Bendigo The Right Fist Of God, soft cover 193 pages published by Arundel books, this book is based around the true story of one of Englands greatest sporting heroes.Alan Dance & David Fieldbooks, fiction, bendigo thompson

Quarterly magazine Animal Friends the animal lovers magazine Vol one No one December 1983, 12 page magazine of animal stories published by Broomtail publications Eaglehawk.Published by Broomtail Publications printed by D.G.Walker Pty Ltdbooks, magazines, animals

The Merle Bush Trefoil Guild was registered in Bendigo on 18/06/1981.The decision to disband the Merle Bush Trefoil Guild was made at a General Meeting on 17/02/2016. The group agreed to continue as the Merle Bush Friendship Group. The Australian Trefoil Guilds connect women who are either actively involved in Girl Guiding or have a history with Girl Guiding. The purpose of a Trefoil Guild is to keep alive the spirit of the Promise and Law, carry this spirit into the community and to give support Guiding.Document of five pages - The Dahlsen Story - A pioneering family in Gippsland since 1862 - Photo of boat in centre and PETER SYNAN - with attached compliments card - Guides Australia Victoria.Dear Lola, The enclosed article came into me at the Archives as a thank you for my research and as it is about Merle Bush and her family. I thought you and the TG might be interested in it Do hope all is well with you love Jennygirl guides, guiding, merle bush, trefoil guild, the dahlsen story, peter synan