The Palmer farm was on Cassells Road and consisted of 100 acres extending to present-day Eltham College ovals. It was sold in the 1940s but 10 acres was retained. The Palmer family moved there circa 1910 The ledger covers the period 1912-1923. palmer family, palmer farm, cassells road, research (vic.)

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. Historical Records of Australia Series 1 Vol 17 Governor's Despatches To and From England. 1833 - June 1835 Publisher: Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament Date: 1923Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, 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, historical records of australia series 1 vol 17, governor's despatches to and from england., governor's despatches

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 World Crisis 1915 Author: The Rt. Hon. Winston S. Churchill First Lord of the Admiralty 1911 to 1915 Publisher: Australasian Publishing Company Ltd Date: 1923Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 940.288 CHU Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service 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, the world crisis 1915, the rt. hon. winston s. churchill, winston s. churchill, first lord of the admiralty

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from February 2001. Full-voiced: Eaglehawk male choir, 1923. Photograph courtesy Bendigo Historical Society. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Brown leather bound journal. 'Share Register' printed on spine in gold leaf. Label underneath has 'Mount Douglas Syndicate' handwritten in pen. Purple stamps on front page of journal:' Southern Goldfields Mining Company' Index of shareholder names in front of journal. Two hundred and fifty-three pages of which one hundred and fifty-three are used to record share transactions. Dates range from 1905 to 1921. Share register is part of the Margaret Roberts Collection of mining records. bendigo, margaret roberts, goldmining, mount douglas syndicate, southern goldfields mining company

This is a photograph of Councillor Alex Rodwell who represented Central Riding in the Orbost Shire Council. from 1905 - 1926 and from 1932 - 1937. He was president 1909-1910 and 1920-1921. A. E. Rodwell was a wholesale and retail butcher in Nicholson Street (the main street), Orbost in the early 20th century.He was involved as president of the Orbost Agricultural society.This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a man in a suit. there is also a framed copy.rodwell-a,e, orbost-shire-council

Personal Papers titled "Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board General Scheme": File comprises of: 1. Typed document noting the MMTB Minute of the Board meetings of 30/11/1922, 24/5/1923 and 26/7/1923 approving the General Scheme be forwarded to the Minister and the Parliamentary Standing Committee and changes to resolve crossing the Railway at Brighton Station. 2 - Printed document - 1923 - Report - 8 pages - The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways - General Scheme for Tramways for Metropolis - printed 24/7/1923. Has stapled to the document a pink cover sheet. Gives details of the committee, the committee report, comments on the Board's financial position, the debate between tramways or railways, recommendations and views of the Railways Commissioners. Attached to the report is the MMTB 30 page duplicated document giving the Board's proposals. See Reg Item 2089 for actual drawings referred to. See Reg Item 2098 and 3374 for another copy of this document and the map.Both documents have been stamped "Perway File"trams, tramways, mmtb, general scheme, tramways, development, parliament, brighton, railways, finances

At Orbost Vic. The largest maize crib in Australia 500 ft longNote on back of postcard reads Xmas 1923 To wish you a Merry Xmas and a very prosperous New Year from Yours Sincerely W J Cameron GenoaSepia postcard showing very long maize crib, horse and two men on left and small girl on right next to crib. Post and rail fence on right. Orbost Victoriapeople, agriculture, correspondence

Orders of (Church) Service from St Paul's Church, Bendigo: a. Thanksgiving Service, Tuesday April 10th, 1923 - Christian Healing Mission - insert within the document is a newspaper cutting relating to a healing of a Mrs. Kidd of California Gully, Printer - Cambridge Press; b. Good Friday, March 30th, 1934, Rev. E. Griffith, Rector, R. A. Anderson, Organist and Choirmaster, Arthur Cambridge, Bell Master. Printer: Cambridge Press.organization, church, bendigo churches, st paul's

C.H.S. Senior championship in Athletics 1923 - C. Collard Runner Up Colin Charles Collard 1924

Handwritten letter from Jan Downman (nee Macauley). Typed biography of John Thomas Macauley, Manager/Curator of Poultry Testing Unit/Egg-laying Competition. Photocopies of photographs: (1) "John Thomas Macauley," as a child. (2) "J T Isobel Macauley." (3) "Picture appeared in 'The Weekly Times'." (4) "Macauley family c.1921." (5) "July 1942 3 generations" "J.T, Barry & W.E. (Bill) Macauley." (6) "c 1923." (7) "at Blackburn c.1946." Also Obituaries and a Memorandum for the Agricultural Superintendent from Mr. Jessep recommending that he continue to be employed after his retirement.jan downman (nee macauley, john thomas macauley, manager, curator, poultry testing unit, egg-laying competition, j t isobel macauley, barry macauley, w.e. (bill) macauley, obituaries

a. Typed Correspondence from Cohn Bros brewery Managing Director dated June 22nd 1921 to Registrar General, Limited Trading Companies Crown Law Offices re Notice of Share Capital Increase. .b Response correspondence No 15395 from Registrar General Office dated 30th June 1921. .c Receipt £11/17/6 returned to Cohns Brewery from Registrar General re compliance of previous business.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery, registrar general . cohns brewery

Hilda Hill Collection. Black and White Photos Total of 7 in subset, 3 containing images of Victorian Coastline in particular Pt Lonsdale and Queenscliff in 1921. Another has a family group on a property owned in Kyneton Victoria known as 'Durvol' in October 1920. Ken wearing a grey suit and sitting on a large stone in the garden stargazing, to his left is a short section of a picket fence and ornate corner post, large trees in the background. Four ladies standing on the rock as the seaside, Doreen, Nora, Lila, and Rita, all dressed in white, the second and third are carrying darker coloured coats on their arms, Queenscliff 1921.Leonie dressed in white and holding a black hat with both hands, background shows trellis and weather boards, left foreground may be heap of cut wood. Frank is sitting on steps dressed in white shirt, dark waistcoat, and dark trousers, background is brick wall and handrail attached to the steps. Four ladies in four wheel tourist coach owned by J. L. Priddle, the two at the front are both wearing white, lady to the left also is wearing a dark coat and scarf, the ladies at the rear are both wearing dark tops and the lady on the outer is wearing a white dress. The background appears to be covered on shrubbery. Four ladies sitting on the rocks at Queenscliff February 1921, Three of the ladies are dressed in white, one in a darker colour, all are wearing hats of similar design either black or white. Pone man dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and black tie, the three ladies are all wearing white blouses and darker dresses, the child at the front is dressed entirely in white, Merry??? Durvol October 1920.Hilda Hill Persdonal Collectionaustralia, history, port londsdale & queenscliff, hilda hill ? realted to frank a hill, stock and station agent and hill family real estate. family owned property out at eppalock. could this be where 'the ranch' property was located?

"Historical Records of Australia Series 3 Vol 3 Tasmania: January - December, 1820" Despatches and Papers relating to the Settlement of the States Publisher: Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament Date: 1921warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute, historical records of australia series 3 vol 3

"Historical Records of Australia Series 3 Vol 4 Tasmania, 1821 - December,1825" Despatches and Papers relating to the Settlement of the States Publisher: Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament Date: 1921 Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute, historical records of australia series 3 vol 4

Handwritten correspondence from Hubert & Lock of 837 High Street Armadale dated 19th August 1921 to Cohn Bros Brewery re share scrip. Signed Hubert S Lockbendigo, industry, cohns brewery, hubert s lock. cohns brewery

Handwritten correspondence on printed letterhead of Wilson Rattray & Danby Public Accountants of 51 Queen Street Melbourne dated 19th/12/ 1921 to Cohn Bros Brewery re share scrip.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery, wilson, rattray & danby. cohn bros brewery.

Typed message from Cohen Kirby & Co Solicitors Victoria Chambers 117 Pall Mall Bendigo dated 9th august 1921 to Cohn Bros Brewery re share scrip.bendigo, industry, cohns brewery, cohen kirby & co. cohn bros brewery.

The Sidcup Collection came to RACS from the University of Melbourne, Pathology Department and is regarded as one of the most valuable held by the College. It includes the patient records created by the Australian Surgical Unit at the hospital and covers the period 1916 - 1919. There are 50 watercolour illustrations of patients sketched by Sgt. Daryl Lindsay, X-ray prints, photographs, diagrams and some case histories. Private Pritchard was treated by the Australian Surgical Unit during WW1.These casts are unique in Victoria An original plaster cast taken of a patient Private Pritchard, who required reconstructive surgery c1917-1921. The cast would have been used as an aid to surgery and used for future reference.On base,incised into plaster "PRITCHARD" .sidcup collection, university of melbourne, sir daryl lindsay, 1916-1919, plaster cast, plastic surgery, sir benjamin rank

The charity organisation, Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, was formed within the Missions to Seamen Institute to provide a home away from home, for visiting seamen. The flyer was to recruit new members or for former Members of the charity to renew their subscription. The patroness was always the governor's wife: here the Countess of Stradbroke whose husband, the Earl of Stradbroke was governor of Victoria between 1921 to 1926.This paper flyer holds historical significance at a local level because it illustrates the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild involvement in the Mission to Seafarers.The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild grew to become a significant charity in Melbourne raising large amounts of money which helped to establish the current MTS building, supporting seafarers.Cream colour paper flyer's in blue ink that are also subscription forms in order to become Honorary Members/Working/School Members or renewals of previous Membership of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild. (9 copies)missions to seamen institute, ladies' harbour lights guild, australian wharf, lhlg, subscriptions, countess of stradbroke, patroness, lady irvine, lady creswell, lady madden, the lady mayoress, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935, miss b. peebles, alice sibthorpe tracy

The charity organisation, Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, was formed within the Missions to Seamen Institute to provide a home away from home, for visiting seamen. The flyer was to recruit new members or for former Members of the charity to renew their subscription. The patroness was always the governor's wife: here the Countess of Stradbroke whose husband, the Earl of Stradbroke was governor of Victoria between 1921 to 1926.This paper flyer holds historical significance at a local level because it illustrates the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild involvement in the Mission to Seafarers.The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild grew to become a significant charity in Melbourne raising large amounts of money which helped to establish the current MTS building, supporting seafarers.Cream colour paper 3 fold-flyer in blue ink that are also subscription forms in order to become Honorary Members/Working/School Members or renewals of previous Membership of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild. Includes an extract from the Age.missions to seamen institute, ladies' harbour lights guild, australian wharf, lhlg, subscriptions, countess of stradbroke, patroness, lady irvine, lady creswell, lady madden, the lady mayoress, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935, miss b. peebles, alice sibthorpe tracy

Worn by Elizabeth Goodwin of Liverpool, England, who married Horace Book at St Andrew's Church, Brighton in 1921. The fabric was purchased by her father, a ship's captain, when he was in China. The bride had her dress made in Liverpool and made to a Butterick's pattern. Elizabeth was very active in public life and a well-known member of the Book family. Wedding dress made from cream silk purchased in China. The bodice is made of fine silk embroidered tulle with a vest of cream silk that floats over the top. The skirt has been permanently pleated, has has floating side panels of tulle and features a large butterfly-shaped bow at the back.wedding dress, silk, 1920s, elizabeth goodwin, horace book, st andrew's church brighton, brighton

Set of A4 photocopies of 15 years of annual reports of The Electric Supply Company of Victoria Limited from 1920 to 1934. Most of the reports comprise three sheets - Directors Report, left hand side of the Balance Sheet, Trading Account and Profit and Loss Account on the right hand side. Some reports have a statutory declaration by the Manager and Secretary that the reports submitted are a true copy of the report. Items .1 to .12 detail the number of lamps connected, passengers carried and trading account for the last three years. This practice stopped when ESCo sold the company to the SEC but continued to manage it for a further four years. The Directors report from 9/1900 note the forthcoming sale of the company to the British Insulated Wire Company Limited and the problems of finalising the sale. Photocopies from the Public Records Office of Victoria, Company Reports, obtained by Alan Bradley c1995. All three sheets, unless noted otherwise. .1 - 1919 - 1920 .2 - 1920 - 1921 .3 - 1921 - 1922 .4 - 1922 - 1923 .5 - 1923 - 1924 .6 - 1924 - 1925 .7 - 1925 - 1926 - four sheets .8 - 1926 - 1927 .9 - 1927 - 1928 - four sheets .10 - 1928 - 1929 .11 - 1929 - 1930 .12 - 1930 - 1931 - four sheets .13 - 1931 - 1932 - four sheets .14 - 1932 - 1933 .15 - 1933 - 1934 Items separated by yellow coloured A4 sheets.trams, tramways, esco, british insulated wire company, annual reports, directors reports

Woodbury College is an indirect predecessor of Preshil School in Kew. Woodbury College was founded in Glenferrie Road by a Miss Harcourt, former principal of Sydenham College, Moonee Ponds. Miss Harcourt maintained the school until the goodwill was purchased in 1908 by Miss LJ Macey, who had previously operated Lillsden Ladies' College in Edgevale Road, between c.1891 and c.1903. The first school was in a rented building on the south side of Cotham Road between Atkins and Davis Streets. In 1910, a new school building was built on the corner of Uvadale Grove and Cotham Road [the building is still extant as of 2020]. Woodbury College was operated by Miss LJ and Miss HJ Macey until 1920. In 1921, the school amalgamated with the newly formed St Andrew's College, Mont Victor Road, Kew (Vic) under the leadership of Rev JT Lawton [who had previously been principal of St Andrew's School of the 'Pathfinder' in South Yarra]. Miss Macey was for a period the Headmistress of the amalgamated school. Another teacher at the school was Miss Margaret JR Lyttle, who in 1931, left St Andrew's to form the Preshil School.A rare panoramic photograph of Woodbury College in Kew, Victoria. The photograph is part of a large collection of original manuscripts and ephemera relating to the school.Panoramic photograph of the students and teachers of Woodbury College, Cotham Road (Kew). Students identified in the photograph include: Back Row, 5th from left Betty Paton; 4th from right - Jean Strickey (sic).Annotation to reverse: "Woodbury College (Miss L.J. Massey) established Cotham Rd Kew. Est. at this venue 1908. Later joined by Rev. J.T. Lawton & formed a school in Mount Victor Rd Kew St Andrew’s College in 1921.’ woodbury college, cotham road (kew), education, schools, kew, l.j. massey, j.t. lawton, st andrew's college

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. Historical Records of Australia Series 1 Vol 18 Governor's Despatches To and From England. July 1835 - June 1837 Publisher: Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament Date: 1923Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, 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, historical records of australia series 1 vol 18