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. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison. 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 Novels of Jane Austen Vol 3 Mansfield Park (The text based on Collation of the Early Editions by R. W. Chapman) Author: Jane Austen Publisher: Oxford University Press Date: 1946Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC AUS Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, 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 novels of jane austen vol 3 mansfield park, jane austen, r. w. chapman

From a family who had three generations that worked for Dennys Lascelles. This notice is advertising the upcoming auction of Mossgiel estate through the Dennys Lascelles Company. The auction would take place at The Wool Exchange. Mossgiel was built for and owned by Brigadier-General Robert Smith who (I believe) foundered the Returned Soldiers & Sailors Mill in Newtown.Single paper page, off-white colour with black text and black and white photograph. Upper part of text describes the auction details, there is a photo in the centre of the page. Text below the photo describes the estate details and auction terms.

Ribbon awarded to Mr Charles Wilson Peel of 'Callenondah' at Gnawarre. Mr Peel ran a superfine merino stud. This ribbon is from the National Fleece Competition 1960 and was awarded for Second Prize. Red rosette-type ribbon with yellow text and yellow and gold metal badge inside rosette. Badge had an embossed rams head with text encircling at the edge. Two short red ribbons with yellow text attached at the badge.

This card is an invitation to attend a Night in the Gardens in March 2016 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens. The first site of the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens was near the mouth of the Hopkins River but this site proved unsuitable and a new location ( the present location) was found in 1866 bounded by Cockman Street and Botanic Road. In 1877 William Guilfoyle was commissioned to provide a new plan for the Gardens. An important curator was Charles Scoborio ( 1872 to 1906 ) This card is of minor interest as a memento of the celebrations in 2016 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens A black rectangular card with white text.Night in The Gardens warrnambool botanic gardens, charles scoborio

This is one of a series of plaques which commemorated some of the winners of the Grand Annual Steeplechase which is held each year in Warrnambool. It is the longest race at a public course in Australia.The first Grand Annual was held in 1872 as the Warrnambool Handicap Steeplechase. This plaque would have accompanied a larger plaque with the winning jockey's colours. These items relate to a significant part of Warrnambool's sporting and social history.Small metal plaque with black text. Mrs O M Kirby. YES SIR Winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1967warrnambool, grand annual steeplechase, horse yes sir

In 1965, tenders were called for the construction of streets in Montmorency after objections were withdrawn.An example of concerns over road construction in the formerly 'bush' areas of Diamond ValleyNews clipping, black and white textmontmorency streets, calrossie avenue montmorency, meadow crescent montmorency, lilicur road montmorency, woodland grove montmorency, st faiths road montmorency, glenauburn estate montmorency, shire of diamond valley, street construction

In 1965, the Board of Works advised Eltham Council that it had purchased 1 1/2 acres of land adjoining the Plenty River off Para Road zoned for public open space and offered the land to Council.An example of developments in the Greensborough area during the 1960sNews clipping, black and white text.shire of diamond valley, para road greensborough, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, plenty river, shire of eltham

In 1966, Cr A.K.Lines announced his retirement from public life after 25 years in local government, first as a Heidelberg councillor and later as first President of Diamond Valley Shire. A testimonial was planned to honour him.An article about a local politicianNews clipping, black and white text.shire of diamond valley, city of heidelberg, a k lines

In 1966, approximately 25% of the Shire of Diamond Valley was zoned rural. There were up to 25 piggeries operating in the Shire. In this article, councillors are considering phasing out piggeries by proposing a change to by-laws.An article about changes of the area from rural to residential in the time of Shire of Diamond Valley.News clipping, black and white text.shire of diamond valley, piggeries, pig farms

The good news in 1968 was that the West Watsonia private street construction scheme came in under budget, with a refund of up to $100 per household. But the bad news was that properties were revalued and rates increased. There are 2 articles on this topic.News clipping, black and white text.watsonia streets, street construction, nell street greensborough, adeline street greensborough

In 1973, the planning for the Dunvegan Estate in North Macleod was well under way, with some residential blocks owned and developed by the Housing Commission of Victoria (later the Ministry of Housing).News clipping, black and white text.dunvegan estate macleod, north macleod, housing commission of victoria, ministry of housing victoria

In 1973, mini bike riders and L-plate drivers caused concerns over safety at the Montmorency Oval.News clipping, black and white text.mini bikes, learner drivers, montmorency oval

In 1973, Watsonia High School staged the Gilbert and Sullivan opera Ruddigore to great acclaim.News clipping, black and white text.watsonia high school, school musicals, gilbert and sullivan, operas

Results of a poll conducted in 1974 by Diamond Valley Council, regarding street construction in Greenhills. Streets include: Albion Crescent, Bruce Street, Carnon Street, Cairns Street, Crest Street, Mine Street, Pembroke Street, Hope Street, Forrest Street and Hebden Street.Concerns over street construction as Greensborough moves from a semi rural to suburban area.News clipping, black and white text.shire of diamond valley, greenhills, street construction, albion crescent greensborough, carnon street greenhills

In 1974 the proposed road over rail bridge in Main Street Greensborough was estimated to cost $254,000. The reconstruction of the bridge was necessary for the duplication of the rail line between Macleod and Greensborough.News clipping, black and white text. hurstbridge rail line, greensborough station, main street greensborough

In 1974, Nillumbik Historical Society was in its second year. This article outlines the previous years' activities and lists Committee members, including Kevin Patterson, Alan Partington and Tom Vickers.News clipping, black and white text. nillumbik historical society inc., kevin patterson, alan partington, tom vickers

In 1974, during the "Bottle Brings Backa" campaign, scouts throughout Melbourne knocked on doors collection empty drink bottles to raise money for the scouting movement.News clipping, black and white text. boy scouts association, scouts - greensborough, recycling

A discussion of the garden of Major Anthony Beale in Fitzroy, prior to the family's relocation to St Helena in Greensborough. The history of the garden's creation was taken from Major Beale's diary (held in the State Library of Victoria). A second article in this newsletter describes a walk around the MacRoberton factory in Fitzroy. 2 pages, text and colour images.anthony beale, beale family, gardens, st helena, mac robertson

History of the Diamond Valley Gem Club 1968 - 201832 p., text and col. illustrationsdiamond valley gem club, lapidary, gem clubs, grace park

A 1989 planning document for the Plenty Valley growth area, as much of it moved from rural to residential zoning.8 p., text and col. illustrationsplenty valley, urban development, plenty river, shire of diamond valley, whittlesea

Article about Ellis Cottage Historical Precinct, home of Nillumbik Historical Society prepared by the Society for the Yarra Plenty Regional Library's "Diamond Valley History Tour 2019". Describes Ellis Cottage and the Ellis family who lived there. Includes a leaflet on the historical society.Article and leaflet, text and colour illus.diamond valley, yarra plenty regional library, nillumbik historical society, ellis cottage, william ellis

Article on female stained glass artist Christian Waller, published in the National Trust of Victoria newsletter. Ms Waller's Ivanhoe home "Waller House" is operated by the National Trust open, but not to the public in 2024 while undertaking restoration.2 p., text and colour imageschristian waller, stained glass, artists, ivanhoe, national trust of australia (victoria)

Advertising brochures for Linishall Multi-Purpose Abrasive Belt Grinding Equipment and Loroch Automatic Saw Sharpener.2 pamphlets text and colour illustrationsmachinery, tools

Dates, times and places for Easter church services in Diamond Valley 1995 and 1996 run by churches in the Greensborough Inter Church Council.2 Newspaper clippings, text and illustrationseaster, greensborough inter church council

Newspaper headline from October 2, 1967. Newspaper billboard, red and black text.greensborough, theft

A reflection on the life of Nancye Cain, wife of former Victorian Premier John Cain, written by Rosie Bray.3 p., text and colour imagesjohn cain, nancye cain

Short family history of Anthony Beale, pioneer of the St Helena area of Greensborough.The St Helena area was named after the island on which Anthony Beale was born. St Katherine's Church was named for his wife Katherine Rose.1 page, text only (copy) anthony beale, st helena, st katherines church, beale family

Booklet contains a list of recipients of the Jagajaga Community Australia Day Awards for 2019.20 p. text and color cover.australia day awards, jagajaga community australia day awards