Donated by Mrs Brian Jasper.Coloured post cards in folder with views of Rutherglen and District. This one is a view of the Caravan Park taken from the far side of Lake King.On message side of card: "Rutherglen, Victoria. Looking across Lake King to the caravan park. | NCV.1052 Nucolorvue Productions Pty. Ltd."caravan park, lake king

Donated by Mrs Brian Jasper.Coloured post cards in folder with views of Rutherglen and District. This one is the tasting room at Campbell's WineryOn message side of card: "Rutherglen, Victoria. Spacious contemporary tasting rooms forms part of the old established winery of Campbell's. | NCV.1053 Nucolorvue Productions Pty Ltd."campbells winery, winemaking

This microfilm produced in 1988 is a duplicate of the original Microfilmspooled roll of 35mm film in a cardboard boxrutherglen sun, chiltern valley advertiser, newspaper, 3-7-1900 to 30-7-1901

A class photograph of Watsonia High School 1971 Form 1 Group 1. Students are not named.Digital copy of black and white school photographwatsonia high school

A class photograph of Watsonia High School 1973 Form 1 Group 1. Students are not named.Digital copy of black and white school photographwatsonia high school

The standard British bayonet used from WW1 through to the Korean War. Pattern 1907 SMLE bayonet and scabbard.Bayonet - OA 1 o 44. Scabbard - Mangorvite 44

Property - 7 William Street Beechworth, Section 10, Town Allotment 14, 100 x 250 Ownership details and history - 11 Apr 1856 - W.C. Hill 1857 F.J. Doull 1862 F.J. Doull, Land 33' x 165', Prem 21' x 13' x'9" / Prem 20' x 13'9" (occupier R. Nelson) 1866 - Land 33 x 165 Prem 20' x 13'9" slabs & bark, £7.10.0 1870 - T Dalziel - Land Only 66x165 1883 - Land Only Architectural Index Card - Brian Pump and Tony Dugan - Photographers beechworth, george tibbits

2 x black and white photographs of the children attending Ormond State School in August 19302 x black and white photographs of school children in Grades 1-3 and 3-8 at Ormond State School in August 1930(a) Written on back : Ormond State School Aug 1930 / Grade 1-3 (b) Written on back: Ormond State School Aug 1930 / Grade 3-8state school, grade 1-3, grade 3-8, 1930, ormond state school, education, ormond, moorabbin, bentleigh, mckinnon, market gardeners, dairy farmers, early settlers, moorabbin shire

Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free LibraryHistorical Records of Australia Series 1 Vol 1 1788 - 1796 Governors Despatches to and from England Publisher: Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament Date: 1914Inside 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, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, book, historical records of australia series 1 vol 1

Used in Physics Laboratory at Ballarat School of Mines for calculating/confirming relative density (or the specific gravity) of given metal samples. This would have been in Elementary physics experiments.A set of seven 2-cm cubes, individually numbered 1 - 7, in a hinged-lid storage box with black surface finish.Number and metal of cubes: 1) Brass; 2) Lead; 3) Steel; 4) Copper; 5) Aluminium; 6) ? a ferrous alloy; 7) ? a ferrous alloy.physics, laboratory, ballarat school of mines, relative density, specific gravity, metal, elementary physics, brass, lead, steel, copper, aluminium, ferrous alloy

Colour photographic image of a doll's face in partial profile; strips of yellow, orange and green across bottom; text in yellow."10th Melbourne Queer Film & Video festival 2000. Citymedia @ Treasury Theatre, 1 Macarthur Place, East Melbourne. Opening Night Gala: Astor Theatre, Cnr Chapel St & Dandenond Rd, St Kilda."

These minutes contain information on attendees, meeting chairs, apologies, correspondence, subscriptions, donations, legacies and general business. Reports are also included from Auxiliaries, Auditors, Library and Home teacher, Directors, The Black and White committee, Victor Maxwell House, Helen Keller Hostel, The Victor Maxwell Kindergarten, The Sandy Robertson Kindergarten, Alexis Albert House, Silver Lighthouse committee, 'Heathfield' and other Woollahra properties. 20/1/1958 it was noted that considerable developments were taking place with respect to the recording of books on discs to tape and the Society will adopt system of recording set out by R.N.I.B. 24/2/1958 an order for 100 small silver plated lighthouses had been decided on to be presented to outstanding benefactors of the Society. 15/8/1959 'Lighthouse', home for aged Blind women was opened. 5/9/1958 The President welcomed the first 6 residents to Alexis Albert House, home for aged Blind men. 6/9/1958 The Newcastle Blind Centre was opened. 23/9/1963 it was unanimously resolved that 5 Lots comprising of the estate left by the late Mrs F. I. Skovronksi were to be sold. 1 volume with sheets pasted on to pagesroyal blind society of new south wales, alexis albert hostel, victor maxwell kindergarten, sandy robertson kindergarten, helen keller hostel

This photograph shows the show ring at the Orbost Annual Agricultural Show in 1907. The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. (Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall) This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history. A black / white photograph of a large group of riders on horseback. They are in a paddock. In the background is a wooden building.on back - "Orbost Agric. Show Ring, 1907, Mrs A M Marshal East Bairnsdale"orbost-agricultural-show-event

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "1/2R Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 1/2R and one stating stating 1/2G (See also VC 11144 for 1/2G) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Part of the Kevin John Herdman No. 397661 Collection. See Catalogue No. 5942P for details of his service record..1) Khaki battle dress jacket with button front and attached belt and buckle. Royal Australian Corps of Transport badges on each shoulder. Major's Crown on each epaulette. Red and blue lanyard threaded through left epaulette and secured in left breast pocket. Two button-down breast pockets. Buttons are khaki bakelite. .2) Pair khaki trousers with pleated front and zippered fly. Two side pockets and button-down hip pocket. Fob pocket and six belt loops. Buttons are khaki bakelite. .3) Khaki peaked cap with brown leather band. RACT badge on front of cap. Brown sweat band and clear plastic lining..1) and .2) On manufacturer's label: ' KEITH COURTENAY PTY LTD, VICTORIA, 1972-1973, 9upwards arrow), NAME: CAPT HERDMAN. K.' .3) On label inside cap: 'HERBERT JOHNSON, 13 OLD BURLINGTON ST, LONDON, W1, FOR CHORLEYS, CANBERRA'.royal australian corps of transport, kevin john herdman, uniform

Richard Bate built ‘Avondale’ at 176 Union Road in 1883 as a display home for subdividers of the Windsor Park Estate auction in that year. Richard built many homes in the locality – probably including No.101 Guildford Road, almost identical to his home. Richard also built the Box Hill Shire Hall in the 1880s (replaced in 1934 by the Box Hill Town Hall). Richard junior and family retained this house until the 1950s. Occupied in 2000 by Julie Ellis. In May 2000 Richard's grandson Jack Bate and great-grandsons Alan and Geoff (all of whom are builders) visited 7 Norris Street and lent this photo for copying. Demolished after subsequent sale. A black and white photograph of a Federation/Edwardian style timber house with detailed lacework around the veranda. There is a man standing on the right side of the photo. He is wearing a hat and is sporting a long white beard.norris street, surrey hills, house names, avondale, camelford, windsor park estate, box hill shire hall, builders, federation style, edwardian style, richard bate

This is a set of 24 photographs of Air Survey Squadron technicians capturing topographic Features with a Wild B8 stereo plotter and operating AUTOMAP 1 equipment at the Army Survey Regiment at Fortuna, Bendigo, 1980. 17 of these photographs were taken of SPR Nick Van Dalen and SPR Santina (Argetto) Straube capturing topographic features – plotting with a Wild B8 stereo plotter were most likely taken in 1980. See item 6185.4P for black & white copies of photos of SPR Santina (Argetto) Straube operating the Wild B8 stereo plotter. Refer to item 6204.8P for detailed information and additional photographs of the Wild B8 stereo plotter. The history of the AUTOMAP 1 system is covered in more detail with additional historic photographs in pages 116-118 of Valerie Lovejoy’s book 'Mapmakers of Fortuna – A history of the Army Survey Regiment’ ISBN: 0-646-42120-4. See items 6122.20P, 6183.19P, 6184.20P, 6200.5P, and 6222.17P for additional photographs of the AUTOMAP 1 system.This is a set of 24 photographs of Air Survey Squadron technicians capturing topographic features with a Wild B8 stereo plotter and operating AUTOMAP 1 equipment at the Army Survey Regiment at Fortuna, Bendigo, c1980. The photographic proofs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographic proof prints were scanned at 600 dpi. .1) to .8) Photo, black & white, 1980. SPR Santina (Argetto) Straube operating a Wild B8 stereo plotter. .9) to .17) Photo, black & white, 1980. SPR Nick Van Dalen operating a Wild B8 stereo plotter. .18) to .24) Photo, black & white, 1980. CPL Gerry Gunn undertaking AUTOMAP 1 computer system duties..1P to .24P – no annotations.automap 1, royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr, photogrammetry

This is the story of how the people of Boroondara experienced World War 1. It is a story of great loss, pain and struggle, but also a community that came together to provide strength and support to each other in dark and uncertain times.This is the story of how the people of Boroondara experienced World War 1. It is a story of great loss, pain and struggle, but also a community that came together to provide strength and support to each other in dark and uncertain times.australian army, australain imperial force, world war 1914-1918 casualties, world war 1914-1918 recruiting enlistments etc, world war 1914-1918 participation, world war 1914-1918 social aspects, world war 1914-1918 biography

A special luncheon was held for World War 1 widows as a lead up to "Legacy Week". Legatees dressed up as waiters to add a bit of humour to the day. Also Legatee Eddie Jowett led some singing. Due to its success it was held for a number of years. Seated with the widows is President David Millie who was president in 1995. Another shows Legatee George Woodward laughing with widow Mollie Thiele (in purple). Also President Millie in the kitchen thanking Audrey, the lady who ran the kitchen, and her helpers. Audrey is on the far right, next to her is Joan Miller. The WWI group would meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 11 at Legacy House for many years until their numbers dwindled.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for the widows.Colour photo x 4 of a World War 1 widows lunch.widows, function, george woodward

Title in the name of Joseph Laidlay of Greensborough, fruitgrower, 14 acres being Lots 7, 8 and 22 on Plan of subdivision 4759, part of Crown portion 17, Parish of Keelbundora County of Bourke, dated 15th February 1907. Northern boundary Greensborough (now Grimshaw) Road, Eastern boundary Henry Street.1 p. colour copy of Titlegreensborough, grimshaw street greensborough, henry street greensborough, joseph laidlay

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Typed below photograph, "Ringwood IIC Pennant Team 7/10/33. Warrandyte Rd. bridge on right". Written on back of photograph, "Hawthorn player, J. Archbold, G. Young, O. Pratt, T. Roberts, M. Flower, A. Dwight, L. Travers, F. Tilson, A. Ibbotson, F. Hardy, P. Moulder, J. Knox, E. Nethercotes, F. Clota, J. Guest, ? Stevens".

Mrs. E Pullin MBE was the President of The Ringwood Research Group for many years and was associated with many groups in the area hence she was well known by successive Mayors and Mayoresses.1. White bifold Invitation to Mrs. E. Pullin to attend luncheon at Civic Centre, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood on Wednesday 19th. March 1975, from the Mayoress Mrs. Lois Morris. 2. Bifold typed letter with City of Ringwood Crest inviting Mrs. E. Pullin to a "last supper" on Monday 28th August 1975 after the Council Meeting. 3. Inviation to Luncheon by the Mayoress Mrs. Shirley Martin to Mrs. Pullin at Braeside Avenue, Ringwood, 17th. March. 1976. 4. 24th June, 1987, letter from the Mayoress Mrs. Lillian Rosewarne to Mrs. Pullin thanking her for the photograph taken at the opening of the Poppet Head in the Ringwood Lake area. 5. Invitation to Mrs. Pullin from the Mayor, Councillor John Caffyn and the Councillors of the City of Ringwood to a "Thank you" for local community organisations at Mines Road on Thursday 19th. May 1988. 6. Invitation to Mrs. Pullin by the Mayoress Mrs. Verna Gardini to a Luncheon at the Ringwood Convention and Performing Arts Centre, Mines Road, Ringwood on Friday 17th. March 1989. 7. Inviation from The Mayor of Ringwood Councillor Margaret Cheevers to Mrs. Pullin MBE to Afternoon Tea at the Convention Centre, Mines Road, Ringwood East on 26th. October 1993.

Donated by Dan Clancy. 1 Powlett Street, Kilmore, Mitchell Shire , Victoria, Australia10cm x 20cm black and white photograph of 1 Powlett street, former colonial bank of Australasia. Corner of Powlett Street and Lancefield Road, Kilmore. Reproduction on standard photographic paper, possibly because of damage seen in the reproduction. The image has a low contrast possibly from incorrect development or other damage. Two story light coloured rendered building with blue stone street curbing. Seven figures stand outside of the building, six men and one child. The photograph was take around 1883 and reproduced in 1986.Printed on the back: 104/2.6 200486/2 Colonial Bank of Australia - cnr Powlett & Lancefield Rd. Kilmore Historical Society "In front of this Hotel was a weigh-bridge there was big drain covered with a grating, with the tunnel going across the road diagonally, Kids used to walk under it. The window panes on the corner were curved, as was the door." 2.10/86 Colonial bank of Australia Cnr Lancefield Rd. & Powlett St. C. 1883 (bank oved to opposite Mill St. on that date.) Dan Clancy Collection.hotels, 19th century

This little book has been designed to fit into a small space such as a pocket, backpack or trunk. The brass book lock helps keep the pages and covers together, preserving them from being bent, torn or damaged in handling.The book includes four of ten parts of the Manual, published for use in training the garrison troops, including the placement and firing of cannon. The four parts included in this Volume I are: - Part 1 - Gunnery Part 2 - Ammunition Part 3 - Siege Artillery Part 4 - Garrison Gun Drills The remaining six of then parts are: - Part 5 - Material and Appliances Part 6 - Elementary Instruction Part 7 - Machines Part 8 - Mounting and Dismounting Ordnance Part 9 - Sleighs Part 10 - Sheers and DerricksThe book is significant to both British and Australian history, being issued for the training of the garrison defense of both countries in the late 10th Century. It is also significant for its connection with other historical military items within the Collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village.Manual of Siege and Garrison Artillery Exercises Vol 1 [Parts I, II, III, IV] Publisher Her Majestys Stationery Office Date 1879, Corrected June 24th 1882 Small, red, hard-cover book with embossed gold letters and British Coat of Arms on the front. The book has a brass closure or locking clip across the text block. There are diagrams and a foldout table within the text. flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, training manual, book, british garrison, garrison artillery, siege exercises, british government training book, technical book, pocket book, manual of siege and garrison artillery exercises vol 1, garrison exercises, military training, defense training, british artillery, royal artillery, gunnery, gun drill, brass book lock, british war office, locking clip, reference book

The Birds of Australia is a 12 volume work, in a total of 14 books. The books were used as an ornithological handbook. They contain scientific text as well as over 600 hand-coloured lithographed plates by J.G. Keulemans, H. Grönvold, Roland Green, H. Goodchild and G.E. Lodge. The work was written, sponsored and organised by Gregory M. Matthews, F.R.S.C. Erc. who was a wealthy Australian and an amateur ornithologist. His titles included – -Fellow of the Linnean and Zoological Societies of London -Member of the British Ornithologists’ Union -Corresponding Fellow of the American Ornithologists’ Union The volumes in our collection were originally donated to the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library by William Lindsay. THE LINDSAYS (quoted from the book Of Many Things – A History of Warrnambool Shire by C.E. Sayers) The Lindsays were amongst the most prominent families in the Shire of Warrnambool, as pastoralists, sportsmen, municipal councillors, community leaders. The first of the family William arrived in Melbourne in 1841 and started business as a livestock agent. The gold rushes sent him to the central Victoria diggings dealing in cattle. This was a business that boomed in the early 1850s, and he prospered. In 1859 he took over the Quamby run near Woolsthrope from Paul de Castella, the Yarra Valley Swiss vigneron who had brought the leasehold and improvements in 1853 from George Youl, who had pioneered the run. Quamby was originally 25,000 acres. It was heavily timbered, rough country, much of it swampy, a characteristic of the district. Lindsay used it to fatten cattle which gave large returns with the booming gold diggings towns paying high prices for beef. In 1862 purchases at auction made Quamby a freehold. In the next six years a further 20,000 acres of Crown land were brought at auction to make the run one of the largest in the south-west district. The great profits from his cattle trading enabled Lindsay to make improvements to the holding, and to Union which was added in 1864. Much of the thick timber was cleared and the worst of the swamps drained. Union was 15,000 acres of freehold when Kennedy sold it to Lindsay. It was heavily timbered, mostly blackwood, with large belts of wattle and honeysuckle. Much of the heavy native was ringbarked and cleared; much more was swept away by bushfire. It was expensive work, but Lindsay’s bank passbook was heavy with credit, and he did not spare money to make both Quamby and Union heavily developed stock runs. He was as lavish in social living; the bluestone Quamby homestead was one of the most hospitable in the district when William Lindsay was host there; its paddocks carried high quality thoroughbreds: its stables housed steeplechasers and flat racers which won many races on Warrnambool and other courses; its coach houses were filled with carriages which took his guests to the great racing carnivals of the district. After William Lindsay died in 1897, in his eighty-fifth year, his two sons, William and James, managed Union and Quamby as a joint venture. This partnership ended in 1906 when William took over Union and James kept Quamby. The following year 10,000 acres of Union were subdivided and sold in lots of 100 acres to 700 acres for dairying and general farming. It was well improved country, much of it alluvial flats. By then many of the paddocks were sheltered with blue gum belts, and they carried good pastures. The three Lindsays, father and two sons, gave many years of service to the Shire, and to many charitable, sporting, social and community organisations in the Warrnambool district. William Lindsay senior, was a Shire councillor for 15 years, and President several times. James Lindsay followed his father as a north riding councillor. He served nineteen years, from 1887 until his death in March 1908. He was President four times. Jimmy Lindsay was one of the most popular men in the south-west of Victoria. He was a fine sportsman: horse breeder, owner and a dashing amateur rider. He lived lavishly and played hard. For many years he guarded a herd of kangaroos, as many as 100 head, at Quamby. Descendants of the Lindsay kangaroos are still in the district. James Lindsay’s wife, Margaret Esther was a daughter of Samuel Shaw Parker, the first engineer of the Shire. Nell Lindsay, a daughter, lives in the Bluestone Quamby homestead. Only a little more than 60 acres of the original run still belongs to the property. William Lindsay junior succeeded his brother as a Shire councillor. He served for 25 years from 1908 until his death in 1934. So, the Lindsays, father and two sons, served as Shite councillors for an unbroken period of sixth-five years. William Lindsay junior had a life-long interest in horse racing, as breeder, owner and enthusiastic amateur steeplechase rider. He was elected a member of the Warrnambool racing club in 1901 and was president of the club for thirty-two years. He raced and rode horses for the love of the sport. He won the Villiers and Heytesbury Hunt Cup in the 1870s on his own horse, Ventura. In the year he died his horse Flavedo won the Warrnambool Grand Annual steeplechase. It was a sensational race. All of the contestants fell, or lost their riders. When Flavedo baulked at a jump, its jockey R. Sweetman, remounted and completed the course to win the race. All of the Lindsays were passionately fond of the thoroughbred horse. Nell Lindsay talking to the author in the drawing room of Quamby homestead - with many memories for her of its lavish years – said of a brother that he was put on a horse when he was two years old and never got off. William Lindsay junior made Union into a fine, high-producing property, breeding cattle and horses. He added to the bluestone house that David Kennedy started, established plantations of pines and gums, and made an attractive garden. WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first meeting room in November1854 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 This book is also part of 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. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library, as the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute was then called. When the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute 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 Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute 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 Birds of Australia by Gregory M. Matthews is now considered a rare and valuable scientific and historic work on its own. These 12 volumes were donated in 1934 to The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute and were included as part of the Pattison 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 Birds of Australia Vol 8 Part 1 Supplmemt 1 Author: Gregory M Mathews Publisher: Witherby & Co Date: 1920 Tan leather bound illustrated work.Label on spine cover with typed text RA 598.2994 MAT Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library that reads “Presented by W. Lindsay Esq. ‘Union’ Woolsthrope” Accession Number: 15239 Date Received: 3-34 “W. Lindsay” embossed in gold on front cover, bottom right of book flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, the birds of australia, gregory m. matthews, witherby & co., h.f. & g. witherby, w lindsay, william lindsay, quamby woolsthorpe, union woolsthorpe, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool art gallery, joseph archibald, warrnambool mechanics’ institute and free library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the birds of australia vol 8 part 1 supplmemt 1, quamby station, union station, woolsthrope