Showing 6318 items
matching mechanics
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Lake Bolac & District Historical Society
Black and white photograph, Wickliffe Public hall/Mechanic's Institute, (1912-1996)
Wickliffe Public Hall/Mechanics Institute, 1912-1996.wickliffe, public hall, mechanics institute -
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc
Manual, Instruction Manual. Power Plant. B-24 D Airplane, Circa 1939
Issued to engine mechanics servicing the B-24 Liberator.Original WW2 era manual.Hardback bound manualInstruction manual. Power Plant. B-24 D Airplane. Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. Asn Diego, Californiapower plant, pratt & whitney, r1830, b-24, liberator. -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Charles Griffin & Co, The Elements of Astronomy for Surveyors by R.W. Chapman, 1919
R.W. Chapman was a professor of Mathematics and Mechanics in at the University of Adelaide.Red hard covered book of 247 pagesSigned in red on front pages "Pescott'astronomy, surveying, chapman -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Literary Work, Jean Ingelow, Poems, 1876
The book was written by 19th-century British poet, novelist and children's author, Jean Ingelow (1820-1897). The book is part of Flagstaff Hill's Pattison Collection, a large group of books and records, some of which are rare and valuable. The collection was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute, which was founded in 1853 and is named after Warrnambool's Public Librarian, Ralph Pattison. The publisher firm of Longmans, Green & Co. was founded in 1724 in London by Thomas Longman under the name Longman. In August of that year, he bought the two shops and goods of William Taylor and set up his publishing house there at 39 Paternoster Row. The shops were called Black Swan and Ship, and it is said that the 'ship' sign was the inspiration for Longman's Logo. After many changes of name and management, including the name Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts from 1859 to 1862, the firm was incorporated in 1926 as Longmans, Green & Co. Pty Ltd. The firm was acquired by Pearson in 1968 and was known as Pearson Longman or Pearson PLC. 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.Poems: Containing "Divided", "The High Tide", "The Star's Monument", "Brothers, and a Sermon" Author: Jean Ingelow Publisher: Longmans, Green & Co. Date: 1876 Emerald green hardcover book with a gold embossed border and a round decal on the front cover, and gold embossed text and a label on the spine. Inscriptions are on the spine and the fly page, and stickers and a stamp are on the endpapers. The book is part of the Pattison Collection.Label on spine with typed text "PAT 821 ING" Sticker on pastedown front endpaper: "Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library" Sticker on Front loose endpaper: "Corangamite Regional Library Service" Stamp on front loose endpaper: "Corangamite Regional Library Service" Handwriting on Fly: "P D 83" "C/W"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, pattison collection, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, warrnambool library, free library, corangamite regional library service, longmans green and co. london, poems, jean ingelow, divided, the high tide, the star's monument, 1876, longman, longmans green and co, 19th century -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Digital image, John Ward, 2/01/1972 12:00:00 AM
Digital image of the Bendigo 29 at the Eaglehawk terminus, with the Mechanics Institute building in the background. The tram has destination of Eaglehawk and a Briquettes roof advert. The driver is boarding the tram after turning the pole. Photo by John Ward 02 - 01- 1972 Slide title "04142 020172 7201-08 SECV Birney single truck tram 29 at terminus Sailors Gully Rd at High Eaglehawk Bendigo Vic"trams, tramways, bendigo, eaglehawk, tram 29 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - BUILT ON SOLID FOUNDATIONS, c1986
Built on Solid Foundations. Photographs, illustrations and plans. Author Ray Wallace. An architectural history of the Sandhurst Mechanics Institute and School of Mines, McCrae Street (Bendigo College of Tafe 1986). Printed by D G Walker Pty Ltd, Bendigo, Victoria. 'B' has Inscription/For Alan Wilkie, Best Wishes, Ray Wallace. 14/11/85. 64 pages. ISBN: 0-9588535-0-9Ray Wallacebook, mechanics institute school of mines, author ray wallace -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - HARRY BIGGS COLLECTION: MECHANICS INSTITUTE, C1900
Photograph (proof 29) A timber hall with the words 'Mechanics Institute' written on two windows either side of a wide doorway, above the doorway are the words 'Hall Est. 1890'. There are a group of nine adult males and two boys in front of the building. One of the boys is seated on a pony. There is a white picket fence running at an angle from either side of the doorway, there is a bicycle leaning against the right hand side fencebuildings, organisation, mechanics institute, mechanics institute -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Digital image, Max Harris, "Tram shelter bottom Sturt St"
The shelter was located at the Grenville St intersection and removed/relocated during 1922. Shows the clocks that gave the tram departure times.Yields information about the tramway shelter/office at the intersection of Grenville and Sturt Streets.Digital image and report - titled "Tram shelter bottom Sturt St" of a photograph of the Sturt St shelter collected by Max Harris, the original prints now held by the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute. Item placed by the Victoria Collections. Located at the Grenville St intersection Photo shows the clocks indicating the next tram departure times on a pole in front of the building. There is a box on the base of the pole and an oil can or sand can.trams, tramways, shelters, sturt st, grenville st -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Digital photographs, L.J. Gervasoni, Koroit Garage, 2015
An old garage in Koroit.Digital images of a petrol bowser in Koroit, Victoria. bowser, fuel, pump, garage, motor, motor garage, mechanics, petrol bowser, petrol station -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Digital photographs, L.J. Gervasoni, Koroit Garage, 2017, 2015
An old garage in Koroit.Digital images of a petrol bowser in Koroit, Victoria. bowser, fuel, pump, garage, motor, motor garage, mechanics, petrol bowser, petrol station -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Rewards and Fairies
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. Rewards and Fairies with Illustrations by Frank Craig Author: Rudyard Kipling Publisher: MacMillan & Co Date: 1910Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 821 KIP Pastedown front endpaper has 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 Pastedown front endpaper has stamp that reads "Book Seller H Bastin Warrnambool 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, rewards and fairies, frank craig, rudyard kipling -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - MERLE HALL COLLECTION: THE ALBUM OF SANDHURST VIEWS
A bound book of 16 drawings B&W (lithographs?) in ''photographic'' detail of well-known Sandhurst Views - Town Hall, Mechanics Institute, Masonic Hall, Bendigo Hospital, Bendigo Benevolent Asylum, Post and Telegraph Offices, Mining Exchange, View from Post Office Tower looking East, View from Post Office Tower looking West, Central State School, Alexandra Fountain, Upper Lake,Rosalind Park, Fernery Rosalind Park, St Pauls Church, Bishop's Palace, General View - New Chum Line, Koch's ''Pioneer'' Crushing Works, Quartz Crushing batteries, Town Hall - Eaglehawk, Railway Station. Appended with two pages summarizing Sandhurst history; current councillors and officers, brief review of five places - Bendigo Hospital, Benevolent Asylum, Mechanics Institute and Free Library, School of Mines and Industries, Masonic Hall. Date is given as ''The present (1888) occupants are ....'' -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph, Frank Sheehan
Frank Sheehan taught Motor MEchanics at the Ballarat School of Mines. frank sheehan, ballarat school of mines -
Malmsbury Historical Society
Photograph (Item), M.H.S. Meeting, Malmsbury ca1990
People - "Penno, F" Buildings - Mechanics Institute Associated with - M.H.S. -
Malmsbury Historical Society
Photograph (Item), M.H.S. Meeting, Malmsbury ca1990
People - "Penno, T" Buildings - Mechanics Institute Associated with - M.H.S -
Malmsbury Historical Society
Photograph (Item), M.H.S. Meeting, Malmsbury ca1990
People - "Hedley, B" Buildings - Mechanics Institute Associated with - M.H.S -
Malmsbury Historical Society
Photograph (Item), M.H.S. Meeting, Malmsbury ca1990
People - "Penno, T" Buildings - Mechanics Institute Associated with - M.H.S -
Malmsbury Historical Society
Photograph (Item), Exhibition Of Collectables 1990, Malmsbury ca1990
Associated with - M.H.S. Buildings - Mechanics Institute People - "Monti, Norm" -
Malmsbury Historical Society
Photograph (Item), Exhibition Of Memorabilia 1990, Malmsbury ca1990
Associated with - M.H.S. Buildings - Mechanics Institute People - "Penno, T" -
Malmsbury Historical Society
Photograph (Item), Exhibition Of Memorabilia 1990 Blacksmith Tools, Malmsbury ca1990
Associated with - M.H.S. Buildings - Mechanics Institute People - "Keath, George" -
Linton Mechanics Institute and Free Library Collection
Book - Novel, Schwarz, Bruno, Scarlet on gold, [n.d.] [1954?]
Action/adventure story.144 p. ; red cover with image of French Foreign Legionnaire riding a horse and wielding a sword (section of original dust jacket which has been pasted to front cover).fictionAction/adventure story.fiction, adventure stories -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Journal - Literary Work, Field Naturalist Club of Victoria, The Victorian Naturalist Vol 10 & 11 1893 -1894, 1893-1894
The Victorian Naturalist is a bimonthly scientific journal covering natural history, especially of Australia. It is published by the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria and is received as part of the membership subscription of that club. From 1881, club proceedings and papers had been published in the Southern Science Record and Magazine of Natural History before the first issue of The Victorian Naturalist appeared in January 1884. The journal publishes peer-reviewed research articles, research reports, "Naturalist Notes", and book reviews. The journal was published monthly until 1976, since then it has been published bimonthly. In that period several special issues have been published. These covered particular natural history topics or significant centenaries: of the club (1980), the death of Ferdinand von Mueller (1996), and the establishment of Wilsons Promontory National Park and Mount Buffalo National Park (1998). The journal was abstracted and indexed by Scopus in 1980 and 1984 and from 2008 to 2014. In 2001 there was a special issue on Sir Frederick McCoy, KCMG who was the first president of the club. Sir Frederick was an Irish paleontologist, zoologist, and museum administrator, active in Australia. He is noted for founding the Botanic Garden of the University of Melbourne in 1856.A journal that is still in publication today from it’s original inception in 1881 as part of a membership subscription to the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria. The journal is a significant publication with articles documenting issues and and other subjects relating to the subject of natural history.Two journals of "The Victorian Naturalist" Vol 10 & 11 May 1893 -March 1894 Edited: F G A Barnard Published: Walker May & Co Date: 1894 Label on spine with typed text RA 574.9945 VIC Inside front cover a sticker with Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, book, the victorian naturalist vol 10, journal, australian naturalist, sir frederick mccoy, melbourne botanic gardens -
Kilmore Historical Society
CHAMBERS INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE VOL 2, 1848
Faded brown loose cloth cover with embossed detailing on cover and spine 'Chambers information for the people, Vol 2, History - Geography' 809 pages ; Maps; Illus; Handwritten inscription on first page - '37, 41, 040 CHA R 29' Stamp on various pages 'Kilmore Mechanics Institute' encyclopedia, kilmore mechanics institute library. -
Kilmore Historical Society
CHAMBERS INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE VOL 1, 1848
Faded brown loose cloth cover with embossed detailing on cover and spine 'Chambers information for the People, Vol 1 Sciences - Arts & C.' 809 pages ; Maps; Illus; 27cm Handwritten inscription on first page - '36, 41, 040 CHA R 28' Stamp on various pages 'Kilmore Mechanics Institute' science, arts, kilmore mechanics institute library. -
Kilmore Historical Society
SPARKS AND SOUNDS FROM A COLONIAL ANVIL, 1873
Faded brown cloth cover with embossed detailing on cover and spine 'Sparks and Sounds by J Whiteman ' xi; 195 pages ; Illus; 19cm;Handwritten inscription on front page '3' Stamp on various pages 'Kilmore Mechanics Institute Signature; ' Faithfully yours John Whiteman'kilmore mechanics institute library. -
Kilmore Historical Society
Book, Baron Ferdinand von Mueller et al, EUCALYPTOGRAPHIA. Fourth Decade, 1879
A descriptive atlas of the Eucalypts of Australia and the adjoining islandsLight card cover with worn blue cloth backstrip, tearing at top and bottom. Widespread moisture, mildew and fungal staining throughout. Small patches of insect damage to cover. Poor conditionnon-fictionA descriptive atlas of the Eucalypts of Australia and the adjoining islandsbotany, eucalypts, australia -
Linton Mechanics Institute and Free Library Collection
Book, Cotterell, Geoffrey, Then a soldier, 1955
255 p.fictionfiction -
Linton Mechanics Institute and Free Library Collection
Book - Novel, Conrad, Joseph, The rescue : a romance of the shallows by Joseph Conrad, 1920
Captain Tom Lingard falls in love with a woman whose yacht he saves.416 p. fictionCaptain Tom Lingard falls in love with a woman whose yacht he saves.fiction, joseph conrad -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Complete Works of Flavius Josephus
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 Complete Works of Flavius Josephus Author: William Whiston Publisher: T Nelson and Sons Date: 1863Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 933 JOS Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum Hand written on front loose endpaper "given to the Warrnambool Public Museum by Mr. A.H.Price. December 1894" 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 complete works of flavius josephus, william whiston, mr. a.h.price -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Nineteenth-Century English Ceramic Art
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. Nineteenth-Century English Ceramic Art Author: J F Blacker Publisher: Stanley Paul & Co Date: 1911 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT F 738 BLA 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 Fly paper has stamp stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum 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, nineteenth-century english ceramic art, j f blacker