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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Plants Indigenous To The Colony of Victoria Vol 1-2
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 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 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. 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. 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 Plants Indigenous To The Colony of Victoria Vol 1-2 Author: Ferdinand Mueller Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1863 Further Information: John Ferres Government PrinterThe label on spine cover with typed text PAT F 580 MUE Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose end paper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose end paper 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, the plants indigenous to the colony of victoria vol 1-2, ferdinand mueller -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper Clipping, Trees Needed, 7/7/1966
Collection of newspaper clippings from Scrap Book 1960 - 1973Article about the need for trees around the new holiday homes being built. The Island is becoming bare and the writer C. Cook is saying what plants do best on the Island.trees needed, c cook, phillip island, newspaper clipping, jean jamieson -
Burrinja Cultural Centre
La Sisi Ceremonial Mask
Head mask with wood face and plant fibres surrounding the mask as a head and beard. Thin cane pieces extend out and are wrapped in green or red wool and hung with faded ribbons. -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, James Park, Laboratory Instructions in Assaying and Practical Chemistry, 1896
This book is an authorised textbook for New Zealand Schools of Mines. Red hard covered book of 203 pages. Contents include practical assaying, principles of qualitative Analysis, Volumetric analysis, alcohol tables, atomic weights, apparatus for Assay Plant. frontispage is signed in pencil "H.J. Robertson"chemisty, assaying, james park, h.j. robertson -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - CENTRAL NELL GWYNNE MINE - NOTES ON THE CENTRAL NELL GWYNNE MINE
Handwritten notes on the Central Nell Gwynne Mine. It mentions locallity,size and depth of shaft, plant, early history, where the best gold was found, total yield, dividends and calls.document, gold, central nell gwynne mine, central nell gwynne mine, notes on the central nell gwynne mine, gold mines hotel, central goldfields company, a richardson -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - Bendigo Advertiser Monday July 30, 1962
On the 29th July 1962 at about 2.30am fir broke out at the Bendigo Advertiser building. It was two hours by the time the fire was noticed and as a result the building, all its equipment, paper stores and files were beyond saving. In all its history the "Advertiser" had never missed an edition and this was no exception. An emergency edition was printed in Echuca and other regional papers assisted with printing until the "Advertiser" equipment could be replaced.Copy (excerpt) of Bendigo Advertiser newspaper, dated Monday 30th July 1962 8 pages Main article on Page 1 concerns a fire at the plant & premises of The Bendigo Advertiser newspaper, bendigo advertiser -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - DUDLEY HOUSE COLLECTION: PICNIC IN THE GARDEN
COLLECTION OF colour PHOTOGRAPHS re Mrs Watson ( Honoured in Australia Day Awards, Australia day 26.1.1988 - planting of red flowering gum at Dudley House. Sitting at a table in the garden.photograph, person, male / female, mrs watson ( honoured in australia day awards, australia day 26.1.1988 - planting of red flowering gum at dudley house. -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Wayne PENDLEBURY, Hall keeper, Port Melbourne Town Hall, Pat Grainger, May 1993
Photographed just prior to amalgamation; immediately upon amalgamation all items were removed from walls and stored - Exhibition item, too heavy to be 'souveniered' remained.Photo of upper hall of council chambers May, 1993, looking south. Hall keeper, Wayne PENDLEBURY adjusting plant stand. Mounted presentation from 1871 - Exhibition visible.port melbourne town hall, local government - city of port melbourne, wayne pendlebury, hall keeper -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Missions to Seamen, Port Melbourne, Alison Kelly, 1990
Photographed by Alison Kelly while she was joint caretaker of the building during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly: Missions to Seamen building, view from Beach Road and Swallow Street to eastern side of chapel; bottle brush plants in foregroundmissions to seamen, built environment, alison kelly -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Two interior views of Woodruff's Superior Dairy, corner Bridge and Derham Streets, Port Melbourne, 1950s
From the Woodruff family archives, images of Woodruff's Superior Dairy at Bridge and Derham Sts. A4 lasercopy of 2 interior views a) holding vats and pasteuriser, b) refrigeration plantDetails typed on labelsindustry, business and traders - dairies, woodruff's superior dairies -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - BENDIGO VIEWS, Oct 1968
Slide. Bendigo Views. White, pink, red and red and white flowers in the Conservatory. Some ferns in hanging baskets hanging from the roof. Another leafy plant is behind the flowers.slide, bendigo, bendigo views, bendigo views -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Erich V Lassak et al, Australian medicinal plants, 2001
Outlines the Aboriginal use of native plants as well as how early European settlers learned from Aboriginal people about their medicinal value. Chapters arranged according to ailments and their treatment.Colour illustrations, colour photographsmedicinal plants, plant identification -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Journal, Insect pests - principal insect pests in Victroai; a guide to identification and control, 1970
Journal of Agriculture, Vol. 68, Part 7, July 1970, including article by officers of Victorian Plant Research Institute, Burnley. See also B10.0489 (same journal issue)journal of agriculture, victorian plant research institute -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Herberts Photographer, Henderson Family Album Photograph c1880-1890 -- Studio Portrait
From the Chapman family photograph albumPhotograph on Card. Ruth Henderson same background an plant. Standing hand in pocket wearing woven hat with band. Long skirt open buttoned jacket, white blouse, bowtie.(G) -
Friends of Westgarthtown
Stand, pot plant
wooden pot plant holder on four legs. Barrel-shaped with two metal belts at top and bottom, attached by nails. Legs curved, running up the barrel sides for support.furniture, domestic, wood, stand, decoration -
Federation University Art Collection
Artwork-Ceramics, Phillips, Geoff, 'Platter' by Geoff Phillips, 1991
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Ceramic earthenware platter by Ballarat School of Mines Associate Diploma of Arts (Ceramics) student Geoff Phillips. His artwork commemorates different phases of the moon and times for planting vegetables. art, artwork, geoff phillips, ceramics -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Work on paper (Item), The History of Plant Pathology in Australia
plant pathology, stanilaus fish, plant research institute, burnley -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Plan, John Patrick Pty. Ltd, Banyule Gallery Tree Survey, 1988
Plan by John Patrick Pty. Ltd. For W.R. Johnston Trust DRG No104/88701, November 1988. Drawn by P. Mills. Scale 1:200. Plants numbered but no legend.john patrick pty. ltd., w.r. johnston, banyule -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Photograph - Colour print, Jan Chamberlain, Ellis Stones Rockery Refurbishment, c. 1999
(1) FOBG volunteers looking at the cleared ground. (2) Sandi Pullman on the tractor, planting completed. Letter attached dated 25.08.2012. Funding from the Open Garden Scheme in 1999. fobg, volunteer, sandi pullman, sandra pullman, tractor, open garden scheme, 1999 -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Photograph - Black and white print, Publicity Branch Victorian Department of Agriculture, A.J. Plumridge in Glasshouse, Unknown
Black and white photograph. A.J. Plumridge in glasshouse, 2 copies. Identified as A.J. Plumridge by T.H. Kneen 10 June 1992, examining potted plant. Second copy is an enlargement.On reverse of 1 copy, "Photograph by Publicity Branch Department Of Agriculture Ref. No. D521 H." a.j. plumridge, glasshouse, potted plant, publicity -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - FAMILY PORTRAIT C1900, approx 1900
BHS Collectionsepia toned photo: family group, male in centre with small boy left side, small girl on right. Victorian setting. Cane furniture and various plants. Dog at front.'Bartlett Bros. Bendigoperson, family -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Decorative object - Trench Art, Shell Case
Brass shell case, engraved as trench art 8cm high crossed leafy plant stems in which is "Souvenir de Jeument 1919". On base - St 262, JAN 1917, Sp 255, PATRONENFABRIK KARLSRUHEtrench art, shell case, ww1, trench art, shell case, ww1 -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Commerative object, Lone Pine Bowl, 2017
The wood from which the bowl was turned came from the original Lone Pine Tree that stood by the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne for many years.A round bowl made from pine wood. Details around the bottom. "The Lone Pine Gallipoli produced seeds which were subsequently planted in Australia. This bowel was made from the wood of one of those trees" -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Booklet - Schedule Booklet, horticultural prizes, "1879 Schedule of Prizes Brighton Horticultural Society", 1879
This booklet from 1879 was given to the Moorabbin Historical Society when the Robert Keys Leader Cup Trophy, 1882-1883 was re-discovered at 'Box Cottage' Museum in 2009. The Leader Cup Trophy, MAV 00001, is also itemised in this booklet (p9) The Leader Newspaper offered the 'Silver Cup, value Five Guineas for the best fruit garden in the Brighton District. The Proprietors of the English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank offered an second prize of three Guineas Commencing in 1856, the Brighton Horticultural Society only disbanded in 2009, and most of their archival holdings were given to the Brighton Historical Society. This booklet gives a good idea of the large varieties of plants, poultry and the skills of the pioneer settlers of the Brighton District.This Booklet describes the Schedule of Prizes for the 1879 Grand Annual Exhibition of the Brighton Horticultural Society in Brighton Victoria. The Booklet was donated to the Moorabbin Historical Society in 2009 upon the disbanding of the Brighton Horticultural Society..at that time. The Moorabbin Historical Society possesses the 1882 'Leader Cup Trophy' (cat 00001) presented to Robert Keys for the best Fruit Garden. This booklet is kept in the same cabinet as the Robert Key's Silver Trophy. After Henry Dendy's Special Survey in 1841 allotments of land were sold or rented to pioneer settlers who developed market gardens , fruit gardens and poultry farms in the Brighton area. Their produce was sold at the St Kilda and Melbourne Markets for the growing population of MelbourneBooklet with mauve paper cover and 16 pages listing the Schedule of prizes for the 1879 annual exhibition of the Brighton Horticultural Society to be held in Brighton, Victoria."1879/ SCHEDULE OF PRIZES/OFFERED FOR COMPETITION BY THE/ BRIGHTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,/ AT THEIR/ GRAND ANNUAL EXHIBITION/ OF / ROSES,/ CUT FLOWERS, POT PLANTS,/ FRUITS, VEGETABLES,/ POULTRY, PRODUCE, &c.,/TO BE HELD IN THE/ ARTILLERY PARADE GROUND, CRESCENT, / BRIGHTON,/ Near the North Brighton Railway Station, / ON / SATURDAY, 8th NOVEMBER, 1879./ ADMISSION 1s. / Doors open at 2 o'clock. / Brighton: / G. H. ORFORD, MACHINE PRINTER, NEXT NORTH BRIGHTON STATION. / 1879 ;melbourne, keys robert, trophy, leader newspaper, leader cup, brighton, silver, moorabbin, bentleigh, markets, dendy henry, st kilda, bent thomas, market gardens, brighton horticultural society, fruit gardens, banks chartered -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Plan, Alexander Metherell, Library - Boulevard/Engineering Block, 1983
(1) Site Plan by Alexander Metherell Pty. Ltd. Job No BHC/1 Drawing No SP/3 dated Dec 1983. On reverse, Plan SP/3 Library - Boulevard." (2) 4 tracing paper copies with various annotations. (3) Tracing paper planting plan. (4) Coloured, laminated copy, Proposed Planting: Engineering Block and 2 sketches on tracing paper and paper. Also see B15.0352 for Full Report.alexander metherell, library -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Plan, Como, 1983
(1) Como Plant Inventory: Rear of House - Big Pond Lawn, Fountain Terrace and The Paddock dated November 1983, Landform Australia. Numbered list of plants and placement. (2) 2 copies Blueprint - Automatic Watering System Legend by Planned Irrigation Projects Pty. Ltd. (3) Tracing paper and paper plans of Croquet Lawn and Pony Paddock 'Como', Como Avenue, South Yarra - Landscape Studies Assignment 1993.como house, plant inventory -
Mont De Lancey
Book, W. Fream, LL.D, Elements of Agriculture A Textbook, 1892
An English textbook for elementary work on Agriculture adapted for use in rural and other schools and classes.A plain blue hardcover textbook, Elements of Agriculture by W. Fream, LL.D. The spine has the title, author symbol for The Royal Agricultural Society of England, price 2/6 and the publisher John Murray written in gold lettering. it has three parts to the contents, the soil, the plant and the animal along with an Index of plants and a general index. At the back there are listed pamphlets published by the Society and books relevant to the topic. Diagrams, illustrations, tables and charts are included. 450p.non-fictionAn English textbook for elementary work on Agriculture adapted for use in rural and other schools and classes.agriculture, farming -
Bendigo Military Museum
Container - BOX - METAL
Ornamental brass box of unknown use. Item in the collection of "Richard William McGILVERY" RAAF. Refer Cat No. 7287P for his service details, photo and awards.Silver metal box with separate lid. Lid has inlays of Japanese scenery of antelope, tree, buuildings. Mostly gold colour but with red plants. Centre of lid has hole cut into it.ornamental box, bcof -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Plants Indigenous To The Colony of Victoria Vol 1-1
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 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 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. 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. 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 Plants Indigenous To The Colony of Victoria Vol 1-1 Author: Ferdinand Mueller Publisher: Government Printer Melbourne Date: 1860-1862 Further Information: John Ferres Government PrinterThe label on spine cover with typed text PAT F 580 MUE Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose end paper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Serviceflagstaff 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, the plants indigenous to the colony of victoria vol 1-1, ferdinand mueller -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Booklet, "First 21 Years"- Society for Growing Australia Plants, Maroondah Group 1966-1987, 1966-1987
Spiral bound booklet of 77 pages titled "First 21 Years" Society for Growing Australia Plants, Maroondah Group 1966-1987. Introduction by Paul Kennedy, President at the time of printing.