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. Men Women and Books A selection of Sketchies, Essays, and Critical Memoirs from uncollected prose writings. Author: Leigh Hunt Publisher: Smith Elder Date: 1870Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 824 HUN Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library 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, men women and books, leigh hunt

Sepia photograph showing a group of 6 men and 3 women in white tennis apparel in the 1920s. The tennis court was built in 1927 behind the mission of Flinders Street.tennis, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, flinders street, lhlg, officers, ladies, lillie duncan, olive duncan, duncan album

The Mission's tennis court was opened in 1926.Sepia photograph showing a group of 6 men and 3 women in white tennis apparel in the 1920s. The tennis court was built in 1927 behind the mission of Flinders Street.tennis, lhlg, lillie duncan, olive duncan, flinders street, officers, ladies, sports, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, duncan album

On display at History House. People in image: Left; Phyllis Gough nee Read, Gladys Read, Isabel Care Read nee Philip, Violet Read nee Marshman. Front: Joy Read.Reproductive image of 2 women and 3 girls picnicking next to a car. They are seated on the ground, and one holds an umbrella. Framed under glass in unpainted wooden frame.Front: Portland, Victoria 1920. Back: (no inscriptions)phyllis gough, gladys read, isabel care read, violet read

Handmade white cotton pantaloons typical of underclothing from the late 19th and early 20th century.White cotton pantaloons or bloomers worn as women's underwear. A button at both sides of the waist/top. The legs are trimmed with broderie anglais lace. This item is handmade (homemade). womens-underwear

Two women look at a ceramic pot in the M.B. John Building at the Ballarat School of Mines. They are Miriam Gould and Pat Guy, the donor of the Adrienne Guy Award.12ceramics, pottery, adrienne guy award, miriam gould, pat guy

Eight people are photographed for the opening of the Koorie Education Centre. Each person has ochre on their faces. The four men plat didgeridoos and the women hold clap sticks. koorie education centre, aboriginal education centre, didgeridoo, clap sticks

Image from William Westgarth's "Port Phillip Settlement" (1883)Image of two Aboriginal women gathering roots, both use a digging stick. They wear cloaks and carry a basket over their shoulders. In the background is a man is carrying a stick. aborigines, aboriginal, women, food, basket, digging stick, tools

3CV Women's Tennis Association Report Sheet. Club No. 1 Ironbark. Date : March 6th. Secretary's signature - Dev. 17 Members present, 9 absent.clubs and associations, sport

Group photo in garden setting - one male standing; one male reclining. Four women standing. Inscribed : Lila and Agnes & friends. The Grange, Big Hillperson, group, buick family collection

Photograph - (postcard) - sepia- of two women standing together, next to a tree. One wearing a spotted dress and hat, the other wearing a floral dress, overcoat and hat.person, family, pethard family, photograph. postcard. pethard family collection. portrait 2 women.

Photograph: two women, one boy standing in front of Joss House (prior to renovations in the - 1960's and 70's ), Bendigo. Building appears in state of disrepair.bendigo, buildings, joss house, bendigo, joss house

Seventeen Hanro Knitting Mill newspaper color clothing advertisements dating mid 1950's. One from Bendigo Advertiser remainder Aust Women's Weekly.bendigo, industry, hanro knitting mill

The photograph was taken at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's16th annual picnic. All who attended the picnic on that day were included in the photograph. The first picnic took place in 1918 at South Morang where 200 people attended. The picnics continue to be a popular social event on the club's social calendar attracting large numbers of the generations of Ithacan Australians in Melbourne.A mounted sepia photograph of a large group of men women and children gathered together in a large sports ground. There are two buildings behind them with trees growing in the background.

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large collection of photographs dating from the nineteenth century. This series shows photographs taken from around the Heritage Precinct.Photograph of a group of people including three women and a man in period dress, standing with former Premier Rupert 'Dick' Hamer gathered around the Churchill Island CannonPAGE 6[written on reverse in pen] catalogue number written on reverse in pencilchurchill island, photograph

Photograph. Black and White Photo of 7 Women from Hanro, on the rear of photo markings read '1 June Pinder', '2 Viv Morgan', 'Joanne McGhee'.organization, business, hanro staff, hanro, hanro women, hanro staff, june pinder, viv morgan, joanne mcglee

Black and White photo of one of Hanro's easter fair entries of a track decorated with 10 young women and girls standing on the back of it around what appears to be a maypole.organization, business, hanro, hanro, easter fair

The Bulach, Ehnis, Beilharz and Froschle families were interned in Camp 3 during WW2. Photograph taken 13 February 1943. Back row (left to right): Fritz Bulach, Annelise Bulach, Eleonore Ehnis, Hermann Beilharz, Friedhelm Bulach, Irene Beilharz, Friedrich Froschle. Front row: Gunda Froschle, Ernstine Beilharz, Rudiger Froschle, Heinz Bulach and Anne Bulach. Black and white photograph of a 6 people standing, 3 women sitting with 2 children on ladies lap and 1 child standing in front of a hut, camp 3. internment camp 3, bulach family, ehnis family, beilharz family, froschle family

The only person identified in the photograph is Miss Ada Singer, sister of the photographer.B & W photograph of a group of 42 men and women, including the minister of the congregation, seated and standing outdoors. Four people in the front row hold tennis rackets.Brighton Congregational Tennis Club "Opening Day" 1/5/09brighton congregational church, tennis club, ada singer

Stawell Alluvial Mining Scene. The Homeward Bound Mine Company puddling machine c1898Four well dressed men and women standing in front of a steam driven puddling machine. Two horses and carts are in front of the puddler and three men standing on the machineEarly Mining Scene Stawell. Mine Believed to be "The Homeward Bound'stawell

Similar to 7166 Seven People Three Men, Four women, two of whom are seated the woman on left with red and white top has her eyes closed.biarri

B/W Photo. Outside 3 girls Friendly Society lodge. Pailing Fence, wooden building, bay window, plants. Thee young Women with suicases.Girls Friendly Society Lodge

Thought to be taken in YarrawongaOriginal black and white photograph featuring mainly women and children in gypsy dress. Identities unknown. The photograph has been handed down through the Marshall family.Hand written on the back - Gypsy Fair Saturday 24th February 1940

Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary were photographed holding these fans.|In 'Feather Fans - Collectors Guide to Fans' by Susan Nayer - 'In1880 feather fans returned to fashion -- remained in use until 1930s at court presentations. Also known as Japanese Fans.`Women's fan. Blue and green peacock feathers in circle. Handle wrapped in blue ribbon. Used indoors beside the fire to protect a ladies complexions against the heat.costume accessories, female

Black and white photo of 4 women, 2 seated, and a baby (seated) 1 woman has a dog in her arms. The group is situated by a small weatherboard houseOn back of photo: "RH Society | Richard Power home Carlyle | Power Family"community, family, power family, carlyle