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. New World Heroes Lincoln and Garfield The Life-Story of two self-made men, whom the people made Presidents Author: By the author of "Our Queen", "Grace Darling" Eva Hope Publisher: J G Murdoch & Co Ltd Label on spine cover with typed text R.H. 92 LIN Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library. Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institutewarrnambool, 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, new world heroes lincoln and garfield, lincoln, garfield, our queen, grace darling, eva hope

Newspaper The Sun dated 3/5/1945Newspaper My War Part 52 The Sun dated 3/5/1945Local Newspaper with articles about World War 2 ending

A tug of war held in Melbourne City Square to promote Legacy Week in 1992. The note mentions it was a Legacy team against a media team. Ron Barassi can be seen at the end of the rope of the Legacy team. The note also mentions a widow who jumped in to help, Mrs Amy Chandler (lady in navy blue). The judge appears to be Sir Weary Dunlop. Another photo shows a staff member (Susie Howard?) and radio personalities also competing - possibly the Fox FM crew that helped in other events. Ron Barassi was a Legacy boy after his father died at Tobruk in 1941. He helped promote Legacy in many ways and at many events over many years. See also 00759 and 00996.A record of some important personalities giving their time to promote Legacy in 1992.Colour photo x 4 of a tug of war in the city square for Legacy Week in 1992 and a white paper label.Label says 'Fun the city square when a tug-of-war competition was held between a Legacy team headed by Ron Barassi, versus a celebrity team. Media and sporting personalities took part. Legacy Widow Mrs Amy Chandler leapt to action when she thought the Legacy team needed a little help.'legacy promotion, legacy week, ron barassi

Australia in the War of 1939-1945 - Clinical Problems of War

Construction of a Buildinguild at stawell World in Miniature

Crowd scene at Stawell world in Miniture

Crowd Scene at stawell World in miniture

Crowd Scene at Stawell World in miniture

Site markers of Stawell World in Miniture

Crowd Scene at Stawell World in Miniture

Crowd Scene at Stawell World in Miniture

crowd Scene at stawell World in miniture

Dutch Windmill at Stawell World in mniture

Stilt Houses at Stawell World in Miniture

Elephant exhibit at Stawell World in miniture

crowd scene at Stawell world in miniture

Map of Australia showing .... Catalina Flying Boats Operations Review World War Two.

These are a pictorial documentation of the early years of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution. A record of the people, children, buildings and activities of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution up to 1920. B&W photograph by N.J.Caire, on a postcard, of the girls' Tug of War, at the VDDI with a photograph of the postcard In black and white. On Front of postcard: "VICTORIAN DEAF & DUMB INSTITUTION, ST. KILDA RD., MELBOURNE./Tug of War/N.J.CAIRE, Photo, 4 Darling Street, South Yarra, Victoria." deaf children australia, dca, victorian deaf & dumb institution, vddi, education, deaf education, pupils, n. j. caire

A scarf made for War Widows Guild. The Kookaburra is the symbol of the Guild. From the War Widows' Guild of Australia website: 'the Guild badge would feature the kookaburra, an industrious and cheerful bird who mated for life, was fearless and aggressive in the defence of its young and the area of territory it regarded as its own. The bird also had a unique call, not a song but a laugh; a chortle of rollicking mirth (to bring the widows back to laughter). Also, the kookaburra is a typically and completely Australian symbol, one that could be worn proudly by every widow whatever her creed or ideals. The kookaburra was also the mascot of the 7th Division of the 2nd AIF, commanded by Mrs Vasey’s husband, Major-General Vasey. Mrs J M Vasey was the founder and president of the War Widows Guild. During the second world war she became secretary of the AIF Women's Association, a body which sought to help soldiers' wives. Her work with this body drew her attention to the plight of war widows. After her husband Major-General George Alan Vasey died in an aircraft accident on 5 March 1945 she became a widow herself. At the end of the war Mrs Vasey founded the War Widows Guild, established on 22 November 1945. The Victorian War Widows Guild closed in 2021. Some items, including this scarf, were donated to the Legacy archive for preservation. It was possible for a widow to be members of both Legacy and the War Widows Guild. Both organisations helped war widows in various ways.A memento of the War Widows Guild.Dark navy rectangular scarf with a white Guild kookaburra logo and text saying 'War Widows' Guild of Australia - Est 1945'.war widows guild, wwg

A folder of hand painted reliefs of Victoria Cross winners from the Crimean War, made in commemoration of Queen Victorias' Jubilee. Multicoloured prints on a white background.Twelve reliefs portraying the various deeds of valour performed by Britains soldiers from the Crimean War to the present day. (1887)soldiers, queen victoria, reliefs, crimean war, commemoration, victoria cross, deeds of valour, britain, 1880s

During World War 1, to finance the war the Commonwealth Government had a series of war loans, and then peace loans. To recover the cost of the war and fund soldier pensions the government launched 'Peace Loan' campaigns after the war. The various Shires in each State were given quotas that they were expected to raise. As part of the efforts to gain support for the Seventh War Loans for the Commonwealth, an Australian military tank launched an "offensive" throughout Northeast of Victoria, visiting several towns finishing at Wodonga on Saturday 5th Wodonga and staying on the Sunday before continuing on its tour. In response to this and other fund-raising efforts, the Wodonga community subscribed more than £12,845 to the Peace Loans which was acknowledged with the presentation of the brass plaque.This image captures an important event in Wodonga in response to World War 1.A black and white photograph depicting crowds gathered outside the Shire Hall in Wodonga. Flags are flying in the street. People are looking at a war tank on display towards the right hand side of the image.TANK DAY WODONGA has been hand written on the middle of the image.peace loans australia, world war 1, social response world war 1

Legatee Graham Riches participating in a tug-of-war. It was probably at a promotional event. The photo was with a group of photos that were marked as being used in the Answer. Ron Barassi was involved in a tug-of-war in the city square in 1992. It may be the same event.A record of events that were held in the city square to promote Legacy during Legacy Week in 1999.Colour photo of Legatee Graham Riches participating in a tug of war.On Kodak paper. legacy promotion, legacy week

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. Australia in the War of 1939-1945 Clinical Problems of War This book describes the injuries and maladies which affected the Australian armed forces during the war 1939-1945 Author: Allan S Walker Publisher: Australian War Memorial Date: 1952Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 994.04 AUS 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, australia in the war of 1939-1945 clinical problems of war, australia in the war of 1939-1945, allan s walker, australian war memorial

This medal was issued to commemorate the end of World War 2 and was issued to eligible living veterans or their widows/widowers.It comes in a black card and fabric lined box. It has been issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs.This medal was awarded to Ernest Henry Swan. He served from December 1941 to July 1942 in the Citizen Military Forces and from July 1942 to September 1944 in the Australian Imperial Forces. His reason for discharge was reserved occupation. He held the rank of corporal in 26th Motor regiment. He was born in Colac 19/11/1919 to Ernest Swan and Daisy Johnson. He died 04/08/2009 and is buried at the Warrnambool cemetery. During his life he farmed a soldiers’ settlers block in the Grasmere area, north of Warrnambool. A common object with over 300000 minted but with a link to a local person and commemorating an event of world importance.Gold metal round medal with Australian coat of Arms on one side and stylised image of outline of Australia on the obverse side. Mounted in black card box.World War 11 Service to Australia. World War 11 60years 1945-2005warrnambool, ernest swan, 60th anniversary medallion ww2

A framed miniturised book cover of the book "New Zealand's Vietnam War" A history of combat, committment and controversy written by Ian McGibbon. The photos on the document depict soldiers attending a wounded man and a helicopter landing with a solder giving hand signals to the pilot.The definitive history of New Zealand's involement in the most controversial war of the 20th centurynew zealand

The Clydesdale War Memorial is an obelisk situated in the school grounds (now the Clydesdale Hall). It was established to commemorate local residents who served during World War One and World War Two. Colour photograph of the bush around Clydesdale, Victoriaclydesdale, clydesdale war memorial, world war one, world war two

Soft cover, portrait orientation, predominantly dark green cover, front features image of sculpture garden with four mounted soldiers in upper quadrant featured at the National Boer War Memorial, Canberra. Circular emblem of Boer War service and authorship credit. 368 pages. non-fictionBoer War Soldiers and Civilians of Morwell boer war, soldiers

Photograph of the plaque commemorating the opening of the Rotunda at War Memorial Park Greensborough on 16th May 1993.Digital photograph of plaque at War Memorial Park rotunda.Shire of Diamond Valley / Cr. Ian MacA. Wallace / Shire President / officially opened this rotunda / on Sunday, 16 May 1993 / Council gratefully acknowledges the assistance provided by / Northern Metropolitan College of TAFE / for the assembly of the Rotunda / Diamond Valley Eltham Skillshare / for landscaping works / Central Riding Councillors / Ian Wallace, David Hay, Les Smith / Chief Executive Officer Michael Balkingreensborough war memorial park, war memorials greensborough