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 a 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 a 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. 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 Uncommercial Traveller Author: Charles Dickens Publisher: Chapman & Hall Ltd Date: First printed 1861 The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 823.8 DIC Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Flypaper has "F5176" written in black ink handwriting. 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 uncommercial traveller, charles dickens

Vietnamese Armed Forces Medal of Honour First Class. (Frequently bestowed to members of the U.S. armed forces. )medals, vietnam, general

Music book "Golden Hours for Violin and Piano" (front cover missing) First page "Menuetto" in GBetty R.

Magazine, 'The Rechabite' dated August 1980 - the 'historic first issue of a new publication is more history in the making'bendigo, institutions, independent order of rechabites

Bendigo's First Mayor, Edward Nucella Emmett 1817-1874, 39 pages with black and white photographs.Lucille Andellbook, bendigo, edward nucella emmett

Photocopy of the cover and first page of a book (volume) presented to His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall & Yorkperson, individual, hrh duke of cornwall & york

Originally this six part teaching model was used and owned by the former Queen Victoria Womens' Hospital, Lonsdale/ Swanston Streets, Melbourne. With the amalgamation of hospitals, the models were transferred to the Monash Medical Centre, Clayton.Foetus in uterus, cervix not dilated. Painted plaster. The birth process in six stages; first of six models.teaching aid, obstetric delivery

Compiled for Centenary of Merrigum School 1877-1977. Includes list of early pupils, facts about Merrigum and school photographs.White cover black lettering. Sketch on front cover of wooden building, first school. 9 pages.Vic State Schoolsmerrigum, merrigum school centenary, merrigum school

Iron watertank, the first water tower in Tatura, erected at rear of Rodney Shire Offices, built c1888buildings, historic

By Beatrix Potter. Author of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit". Original publisher Frederick Warne. First publisher 1908.A Farmyard Tale for Ralph-Betsy.jemima puddleduck, beatrix potter, book

Tatura Golf Club c1925, on Lake Reserve & Racecourse. Club first formed in 1909 on Hogan's Paddock.tatura, recreations, sports, games, costume, female

This book was used in pencil drawing classes in primary schools.A book with a grey cover and black lettering and drawings. It was used as a drawing book with a pencil drawing on the first page.Top LH corner written in pencil "PHILLIPA WHITE"white, phillipa, primary school, teaching, state education, george evans collection

The Reader includes articles, essays, poems, stories and artworks that presents highlights from the 2009 Festival and the writing world beyond. Recreating the diversity of writing forms and styles that the Emerging Writers’ Festival showcases, The Reader includes novelists, journalists, screenwriters, comedians, poets, playwrights, spoken word artists, comics writers and others, all talking about or showcasing their particular craft – all talking shop – but in a way that is useful and interesting to all writers. The book was published in 2009 and edited by Dion KaganThe Reader is the first Emerging Writers' Festival book. It has a black and silver cover with circular motifs on the front.emerging writers' festival, 2009, literary programming, the wheeler centre, the reader, books, dion kagan

The first of a series of articles by E. M. Ronaldson for the Nunawading Historical Society on the Centenary of the proclamation of Nunawading as a shire.The first of a series of articles by E. M. Ronaldson for the Nunawading Historical Society .nunawading historical society, gold rush, andersons creek, shire of nunawading

Coloured photo of First Panel of Bicentenary Leadlight Mural in Foyer of Nunawading Arts & Entertainment Centre in place.nunawading arts centre, bicentenary leadlight mural, arrowsmith, ted

Black and white photo of Cliff Game, said to be first soldier in district to enlist for World War I.game, cliff, world war, 1914 - 1918

Photographic portrait of James Esmond, discoverer of Victoria's first payable gold, at Clunes on 01 July 1951.gold discoverer, james esmond, clunes, gold discovery

Photographic portrait of James Esmond, discoverer of Victoria's first payable gold, at Clunes on 01 July 1951.gold discoverer, james esmond, clunes, gold discovery