WARRNAMBOOL 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. Proceedings of The Royal Society of Victoria Vol 10 1898 to 1901 Publisher: Ford & Son, Printers Date: 1898Label on spine cover with typed text R.A. 506 ROY Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library On a paper between page 16 and 17 there is a stamp from the Warrnambool Public Museum warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, proceedings of the royal society of victoria vol 10

Flinders recorded this "cruize" of the Tom Thumb in the form of a Narrative, together with his account of the Schooner Francis's expedition to the Furneaux Islands.xvii, 34 p., [1] leaf of plates : ill., facsims., map, ports. ; 26 cm. matthew flinders tom thumb canoe rivulet keith bowden south eastern historical association pakenham gazette schooner francis furneaux islands, navigation exploration

As noted under "Inscriptions)A4 photocopy of 2 portraits. One of Flora Miller and one of Catherine Walker (nee Kitty Miller) and familyFlora Miller (nee McInnis) wife of Robert Miller, early settler. In 1868 Robert Miller selected block number 21 Watts Road, Ventnor, next to Quoin Hill and the family lived there. Catherine Walker (nee Kitty Miller) photographed with three of her children around 1888. (The identity of the man and the youngest child in this photograph are unknown). Records show that Catherine's husband, James Walker, died in 1885. Her youngest child was her daughter, Flora, on left in photo.flora miller (nee mcinnis), catherine walker (nee kitty miller), robert miller, james walker, lynette carr

The Millers & Walkers Phillip IslandTwo Photographs on backing sheet. 403-01: Flora Miller 403-02: Catherine Walker and family403-01: "Flora Miller (nee McInnis) Wife of Robert Miller, early settler. In 1868 Robert Miller selected block No. 21 Watts Road, Ventnor, next to Quoin Hill and the family lived there. 403-02: "Catherine Walker (nee Kitty Miller) Photographed with three of her children around 1888. (The identity of the man and the youngest child in this photograph are unknown. Records show that Catherine's husband, James Walker, died in 1885. Her youngest child was her daughter, Flora, on left in the photo).flora miller (nee mcinnis), catherine walker (nee kitty miller), james walker, robert miller, lynette carr

The Illustrated Australian News is a former monthly news magazine of record in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its precursor Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers was first published in 1837 by Ebenezer Syme and David Syme. The title was later changed to The Illustrated Australian News and Musical Times and finally shortened to The Illustrated Australian News from no. 233 (Jan. 26, 1876) through to the final edition, no. 408 (May 1, 1889).Copy of an article in The Illustrated Australian News about a visit from Melbourne to Phillip Island. The holiday started from the Albion Hotel at 7.00am by coach - assumeably horse drawn!. Drawings accompanied the clippings, however have been mislaid hopefully only temporarily.phillip island, churchill island

One of a collection of photographs and drawings donated by Mr J. W. Gliddon and used in his book "Phillip Island in Picture and Story"An early drawing of the McHaffie homestead, possibly by J. B. Henderson during the 1860's. Although unfinished it is probably an accurate portrayal."An early sketch of the McHaffie homestead" "Incomplete parts shown in pencil. Probably the most truthful record extant. J. W. G." "John David McHaffie."mchaffie homestead, phillip island, mr. j. w. gliddon

The Banyule Banner is published bi-monthly by Banyule City Council to advertise upcoming events in the City of Banyule and to report on past events. This edition covers 2020 Festivals, climate change and youth forums.A record of events within the City of Banyule.20 pages (approx.), colour illustrations. banyule banner, banyule council, climate change, banyule festivals

The Banyule Banner is published bi-monthly by Banyule City Council to advertise upcoming events in the City of Banyule and to report on past events. This edition covers Council's response to COVID-19 crisis.A record of events within the City of Banyule.20 pages (approx.), colour illustrations. banyule banner, banyule council, covid-19

The Banyule Banner is published bi-monthly by Banyule City Council to advertise upcoming events in the City of Banyule and to report on past events. This edition covers Council's response to COVID-19 including an economic support package.A record of events within the City of Banyule.20 pages (approx.), colour illustrations. 2 copiesbanyule banner, banyule council, covid-19

The Banyule Banner is published bi-monthly by Banyule City Council to advertise upcoming events in the City of Banyule and to report on past events. This edition includes the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub.A record of events within the City of Banyule.20 pages (approx.), colour illustrations. 2 copies.banyule banner, banyule council, ivanhoe library, ivanhoe cultural hub

An historical article on the Batman Apple Tree written in 1890. The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839. 5 page copy of newspaper article, text.Handwritten notes by Anne Paul.batman apple tree, robert whatmough, plenty river trail, flintoff family

Anzac Day ceremony held at War Memorial Park Greensborough in 2023 as recorded by Rosie Bray and Neil Lewis.8 p. Booklet by Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch, with notes by Rosie Bray and two colour photographs by Neil Lewisnon-fictionanzac day 2023

The Banyule Banner is published by Banyule Council to advertise upcoming events in the City of Banyule and to report on past events. This edition contains reports on Banyule Community Fund, North East Link, Watsonia Town Square and community events.A record of events within the City of Banyule.24 pages, colour illustrations. banyule banner, banyule council

The Banyule Banner is published by Banyule Council to advertise upcoming events in the City of Banyule and to report on past events. This edition contains reports on Banyule Carer Support Program, Spring in Banyule, Watsonia Town Square and community events.A record of events within the City of Banyule.24 pages, colour illustrations. banyule banner, banyule council

Australian births, deaths and marriages (B.D.M.) index for N.S.W. 1788-1888; Victoria 1837-1888; Tasmania 1803-1905; W.A. 1841-1905. Each disc contains records for the 4 States in alphabetical order of surnames: Disc 1 A-D; Disc 2 E-K; Disc 3 L-Q; Disc 4 R-Z; Disc 5 labelled as "Viewer".A database of vital records (births, deaths, marriages) from several Australian states.5 x compact discs in plastic casesContents listed on each CDgenealogy resources, family history, registers of births deaths marriages

South Australian births, deaths and marriages (B.D.M.) Each disc contains records for South Australia: Disc 1 South Australia births 1907-1928; Disc 2 South Australia marriages 1917-1937; Disc 3 South Australia deaths 1842-1915; Disc 4 South Australia pre-reg deaths ; Disc 5 South Australia: pre-reg marriages; Disc 6: South Australia marriages 1842-1914; Disc 7 South Australia marriages 1842-1916; Disc 8 South Australia births 1907-1928.A database of vital records (births, deaths, marriages) from South Australia.8 x compact discs in plastic casesContents listed on each CDgenealogy resources, family history, registers of births deaths marriages, south australia

New South Wales births, deaths and marriages (B.D.M.) Each disc contains records for New South Wales: Disc 1 New South Wales B.D.M. 1788-1888; Disc 2 New South Wales B.D.M. 1919-1945 and B.W. Index 1919-1945; Disc 3 New South Wales B.D.M. 1889-1918 1842-1915.A database of vital records (births, deaths, marriages) from New South Wales.3 x compact discs in plastic casesContents listed on each CDgenealogy resources, family history, registers of births deaths marriages, new south wales

Tasmania Pioneer index: [1803-1999] (B.D.M.) This disc contains records for Tasmania, births, deaths and marriages for the pioneer period 1803-1899.A database of vital records (births, deaths, marriages) from Tasmania.1 compact disc in plastic caseContents listed on CDgenealogy resources, family history, registers of births deaths marriages, tasmania

New South Wales Bounty immigrants: This disc contains records for New South Wales 'bounty' immigrants 1829-1842.A database of immigration records for colonial NSW1 compact disc in plastic caseContents listed on CDgenealogy resources, family history, new south wales - immigration, new south wales - passenger lists

Melbourne Argus [newspaper]: births, deaths, marriages: This disc contains records for Victoria as published in The Argus newspaper.A database of births, deaths and marriages in Victoria.1 compact disc in plastic caseContents listed on CDgenealogy resources, family history, victoria

Victorian inquestsA database of vital records (births, deaths, marriages) from South Australia.1 compact disc in plastic casegenealogy resources, family history, victoria, victoria - inquests

Census records: for the United Kingdom: 1851A database of census records (births, deaths, marriages) from the United Kingdom1 compact disc in plastic casegenealogy resources, family history, censuses great britain, censuses united kingdom

A recording of 'Elijah', an oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn, first performed in 1846, depicting events in the life of the Prophet Elijah as told in the Old Testament book of Kings. The work is scored for eight vocal soloists (two each of bass, tenor, alto and soprano). This performance by the Diamond Valley Choral Society has no date or venue recorded.1 audio cassette in clear plastic caseHandwritten on side A: "Elijah. 1 + 2"diamond valley choral society, elijah (oratorio)